Publication News

Have you ever felt God pull you to do something that made you uncomfortable?

A few months ago, an editor I follow opened submissions for a Romantasy short story anthology. This editor curates short story collections that benefit a selected nonprofit, and all the proceeds from this anthology would go to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

If you aren’t familiar, Ronald McDonald House Charities provides support for families of children with medical needs by giving them lodging, free hot meals, activities, and so much more. Ronald McDonald House Charities blessed my family many times as we cared for my oldest daughter, who was born 11 weeks premature. During some of the most stressful days of my life, RMHC offered my family a place to rest, meals, and as my daughter has gotten older, a place that is fun to visit!

When I saw the anthology would benefit RMHC, my heart squeezed, and I knew I had to write a story.

Now, choosing to write a story and actually having it selected for publication are two different things. Romantasy is not my usual genre, though I do write romance. Still, I couldn’t ignore the pull, and I daydreamed about an elven maiden and a fairy prince. I fell in love with the fantasy landscape and the relationship between my heroine and the prince, and with all confidence, submitted my story for consideration.

Soon after, doubt crept in. Who was I to try a new genre? Why did I think I could do this? My misgivings culminated the weekend that selections would be announced. The editor received over seventy submissions for the anthology. Seven-Zero! With all of those stories and talent, how did I have a chance of getting my story selected? I felt foolish for trying, foolish for believing that my story mattered.

I stewed in self doubt for a few days, then turned my thoughts to the Lord. If I felt compelled to do this, then He was in it, whether that meant the editor would choose my story or whether that meant that I gave my best effort and learned more writing techniques along the way. I was still, and I felt peace.

The next day, I learned my story was selected for the anthology.

My little story! The characters who sprang from my heart would be printed on real pages!

I truly feel that God blessed my efforts and enabled me to be part of this project. It is honoring and humbling for an aspiring novelist like myself!

So, whatever God is nudging you to do, whatever you feel called to that makes you uncomfortable and that involves a touch of risk and vulnerability, do it. Trust God to make the most of it!

I am thrilled to be part of the Seasons of Romantasy anthology by Quill and Flame Publishers, releasing on Amazon November 20th, 2025. I can’t wait to share all the details with you!

Click here for more information on Ronald McDonald House Charities!

If you want to see more anthologies and Fiction from Quill & Flames Publishing, check out their website!