Kickstarter

Happy Monday ya'll!

I just wanted to say thank you so much to those of you who supported me in the publishing of 22 & Single through donations, encouragement, and prayer. As I reflect on the last year, I see the Lord's hand so clearly. So many pieces "fell into place"--- and the process moved along so quickly!

One of my favorite things to think about is how the Lord was at work when I didn't see it and definitely didn't know it. For example, for a couple weeks at the end of 2011, I had an idea to take a picture of me standing on my red desk chair. It was super random... I mean, I like taking pictures, but I didn't do it super often at the time. On January 1, 2012 I finally decided to go for it. There was no snow on the ground surprisingly- but it was SUPER cold. I grabbed my chair and went outside of my La Crosse apartment, which was located next to a pretty busy road. I kept thinking how weird I would look to the other tenants and the people driving by. 

It was so cold that I could only really stand to take 5 pictures. I took them with my phone camera, using the good ole self timer. I ran inside without really knowing if any of the pictures turned out. My favorite picture was the one that is now the cover of 22 & Single. I've always liked taking pictures of people walking or from the perspective of the ground (Kind of weird, I know:))... After receiving my first copies of 22 & Single, Colossians 3:2 kept coming to mind. 

The NIV says, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." But I also think the King James version is incredibly relevant, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." 

This is amazing to me because as I look back on the last year, I see how so often I was looking down. I was focused on figuring out my life from the ground, trying to piece it all together--  I think this happens when we focus on the thing we wish we had- like a relationship- or a better job, house, car, whatever it may be that we think will make our life better. However, we will only really find joy and peace by keeping our eyes up, focused on the Lord.

God planned for the picture that is now the cover of 22 & Single almost a year ago... However, just recently did I understand why! 

There are so many other examples of how the Lord continues to reveal to me that He is and was at work... Another example--- In one of my posts, I said "I want to take the risk of living with no keys at all." (Click here to read it.) When I first moved to LA, I really didn't have any keys. I didn't yet have my car and was staying with friends. I remember when I first realized this...I think I laughed out loud. I was like, "Lord, I don't know if I actually wanted that...but You clearly answer prayer!" :)

Having a relationship with the Lord and living for Him really is a constant adventure. His hand prints are all over our lives if we take the time to see, and ask Him to reveal Himself to us. 

My prayer for 22 & Single is that it would awaken hearts to seek after the Lord, that people would run to the Lord and find satisfaction in Him. 

Thank you again for your faithful friendship! Please let me know if you did not receive your book or know someone who you think might like one. I have some extra copies that I'd be happy to send out. Also, if you have a minute my publisher said that it would be great if people would be willing to write reviews of 22 & Single on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and/or Westbow Press. I also think it'd be awesome to hear what you think--whether you agree or disagree with me, loved or hated 22 & Single. I just love hearing what the Lord is teaching others. 

I really do feel so blessed and am so encouraged by the faith that I see in the lives of those around me. Keep pursuing the Lord! He's so good! 

Love,

Katie

Hi there:)

I just wanted to give everyone a much overdue update. (I kept wanting to send updates, but for the longest time it felt like nothing really was happening besides me editing, sending my manuscript in, re-editing, approving cover design, making changes, re-approving, getting super nervous about everything...But alas...)

Today, Westbow Press called to let me know that my book is currently up on WestbowPress.com and Amazon. All I could think was, "This is happening..." 

Although this process of publishing a book began in January, the last few months have flown by. It's weird because it has just felt like one of those things that you keep talking about, but is never actually going to happen... (which is exactly how I felt about going to college or graduating college...) but now it's here. 

In the time between funding this project and today, I've learned a lot... like how much I don't know, and especially how much I didn't know when I wrote the journal entries that make up 22 & Single. Therefore, if I could, I would change many parts of the book. I would do a better job of showing that God is big and I'm small... because I've learned that ultimately nothing compares to the joy and satisfaction and peace of knowing and living for Jesus. I might have said that in the past, but I've recently come to understand how true it is. 

Thank you again for your support. I wanted to tell you that although 22 & Single appears on Amazon and Westbow, I haven't approved the final print version- which means no copies can be printed. I was supposed to receive a copy of it today, but it didn't come in the mail. Lord willing, it will arrive tomorrow. Once I get a chance to see there are no ink smudges (seriously, that's what they told me to look for...), I'll give them the okay for it to be sent to the printer. I'll then be ordering your copies at the author discounted rate and sending them out as soon as possible. Please let me know if you have any questions or if your address has changed. 

I really can't thank you enough for donating and being a part of my journey. This has been an incredibly humbling experience. I pray that God's grace would cover my words and that ultimately, as Lecrae says, I would just be a trail of stardust leading to the Superstar. 

Hi there! I just wanted to give my favorite backers an update on the publication process of 22 & Single:) On Thursday, March 8, I submitted my manuscript to Westbow Press. In order to submit my manuscript, I had to decide on the little author blurb and the description for the back of the book, the style, the book color, the book size...and so many other tiny details that I've never thought about before! It's been fun because I am beginning to appreciate books in a whole new way. I can't stop analyzing them and measuring them and envying them...because I can actually hold them in my hands:)

I also respect authors so much more these days. I just want 22 & Single to be published...I'm so excited! Jacy Corral is designing the cover and it looks wonderful. I can't wait for it to all come together. Therefore, I'm also learning patience:) 

One last tidbit...On Saturday night I released the trailer for 22 & Single. God is so gracious. I have to give all the glory to Him because I'm completely self-taught in the video production/photography category. The trailer is so much more than I could have hoped for or imagined...I should probably just say Jesus produced it in the credits. It was not my original idea. 

I honestly didn't really have an original idea. I first took the photos you see in the video on Wednesday, not sure what I was going to do with them. Then, I fell in love with the lyrics of Adele's song "Melt My Heart to Stone." Then, I was home alone on Friday night. I was going to go to bed at 6:30 p.m...but God began pouring ideas into me and I got a second wind. He's so good to me. 

I think I'm so excited about the trailer because I feel like it captures the depth of the emotion that I felt during the past few years. I hope you love it too.

Lastly, thank you again for all of your prayers and well wishes. I am really enjoying Los Angeles. It is such a sweet city. It's inspiring to be around so many people who are pursuing their dreams. It's humbling...Everyone is doing something super awesome or knows someone who is doing something super awesome. I feel so blessed to be here.

One {for real} last thing...If you have a minute, I'd love for you to impart your wisdom to me! I have a little survey going called The Awkward Love Project:) 

Gratefully yours,

Katie:)

The Sneak Peek of 22 and Single has been released and we are 59% funded! Thank you SO much! But...we still need $645 and we only 6 days to go before this project expires, along with my dream of getting published. So, I'm willing to reveal one new sentence from 22 and Single for each donation given February 15th and 16th! (No matter how big or small!) Each quote will build off of each other, so you could end up getting a good chunk of chapter! Please tell your friends...I would love to share more secrets straight from the pages of my journal! 

Lastly...Thank you, thank you, thank you! I never want you to question for a second how much I appreciate you and your amazing generosity...so I'll say it one last time just to make sure you know. Thank you:)

If you need a little more 22 and Single to tie you over...here is my latest post! It's a little video that compliments My Memoir. Access it all right here!

On February 9, I gave a few people a sneak peek of the 22 and Single excerpt that will be released on February 14, 2012. 

This is what they said…

In “22 and Single,” Katie shares her honest and often vulnerable point of view on matters of the heart and leaves you wanting more. I was amazed by the way Katie was able to put into words what God is teaching her and have found that her writing has given a “voice” to God’s provision in my own life as well. As soon as I read “I want more than anything for my life to count,” I knew I wanted to journey with Katie through whatever highs and lows came her way. The invitation is here for you to come along as well. Will you join us?  -Kath Eaton

“Why is singleness a gift?” Katie’s beautifully composed, hilarious and seriously honest thoughts answer this question. There are many moments in reading Katie’s writing when I’d pause, reread a phrase, and nod my head in agreement. Whether it’s more money, an easier work life or a different living situation—we’ve all experienced discontentment at some point. What matters is what we do with that discontentment--that’s why reading Katie’s journal is refreshing. We see someone just like us, living life and struggling to understand situations around her, but not stopping there. She's fixing her eyes on the Lord no matter what comes her way, or doesn't come her way. And reading Katie's Journal reminds us that fixing our eyes on the Lord, not our circumstances, is what brings true joy. I’m thankful to have this venue to learn from her mishaps and victories, and ultimately, to see God writing a beautiful story out of it all. -Sarah Platte

Katie’s honesty and genuine perspective give her readers the feeling they are talking with an old friend. She opens up about topics of love, life struggles, and most importantly her desire to know God and be a ‘microphone’ for those around her. Readers of all ages and backgrounds will connect with Katie’s sincerity and identify with her throughout her journey of being 22 and single.    -Lauren Kelly

I loved the excerpt! I loved how Katie tied “in progress” to the story she told about her ex-boyfriend. And how she explained where she was coming from and why she’s writing. I think it will make it so easy to connect to her as an author. She’s very honest, transparent, unpretending. It’s very clear that she wants to get her thoughts out there to connect to other people’s lives in hopes that they can connect to her. Also…I totally want to read more! -Leslie Sink

Check out Katie's Journal for the latest:) 

Thank you to all who have taken a leap of faith and supported this project already! :) It's frustrating because there aren't enough words to express my gratitude:) I'll have to just give you a hug when I see you!