Greetings!

I’m a new face (or name!) on Christian Children’s Authors, although I am not new to writing. Since I’ll be filling in as a guest blogger six times in the next three months, I thought I’d begin by introducing myself.

I’ve been writing for nearly 22 years and published for 18 of those years. Even someone who isn’t very good at math – like me – can figure out that it took me 4 years to get published. Four years and over 250 rejections, that is! It was a long journey. I have a deep stubborn streak and don’t like giving up, but it was more than that. Through all those many rejections, I received a lot of encouragement from my husband and three children, from friends and fellow writers. My youngest son, when he was around 6, told Santa that what he wanted most for Christmas was for Santa to you “just publish my mommy’s books!” A guess I did spend a lot of time trying to get published!

But the real reason, then and now, is that writing is, for me, for many Christian writers, a “calling,” a vocation. Just as I was called to serve in ministry for 30 years, I believe God also called me to be a writer. That belief kept me going even when I should have thrown in the towel.

I share my journey with children when I speak to a classroom full of eager children, or one-on-one with a child who loves to read and wants to be a writer. I hope my story can encourage others who might otherwise give up when the rejection letters start piling high.

In those days when my children were still at home, I did worry about how much time I spent on writing. One evening, I sat on the edge of my then 11 year-old daughter’s bed for our evening reading time. She had lined my newly published books on her bookshelf, next to her bed. “Mom, I love your books,” she said, “but what I’ve learned is that if you believe in something enough, you don’t give up.” Thank you, God, I prayed silently. Her response was a wonderful gift and it has served us both well over the years.

I now have over 40 books published, most of them picture books for children, and most of them written from a faith perspective. I retired last summer after 30 years serving as a pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and now focus on my writing. I truly love what I do.

It future blogs, I’ll be writing about where I get my inspiration and sharing some heartfelt stories from readers. I’m grateful to have this opportunity. Blessings to you all on the beautiful day that the Lord has made!

Kathleen Long Bostrom

(www.kathleenlongbostrom.com)