Thursday, August 7, 2014

A Big, BIG Announcement!

The day I've been dreaming about for over twenty years has finally arrived. Today I signed my first book contract--and five seconds later I signed my second contract! I will have two novellas release with Barbour Publishing in 2015. I'm still in a bit of shock, and very, very excited!
 

The first story is called Four Brides and a Bachelor. It releases in May 2015 with the Most Eligible Bachelor Collection.


The second story is called A Groom for Josette. It releases in July 2015 in the Convenient Bride Collection.

In case you don't know, a novella is a short story. My novellas will be 20,000 words each (or about 75 pages). To give you a frame of reference, the full length novels I write are about 100,000 words (or about 360 pages).
 
Each collection will include nine stories (nine authors), in one book. If you're familiar with Barbour, you know their novella collections are very popular. Whenever I go to Wal Mart, I always check the bookshelves and I almost always see a new Barbour novella collection sitting there.
 
A recent novella collection from Barbour
I'm still in awe of God's hand in all of this. When I was a teenager, I asked Him to place desires in my heart that He wanted me to pursue with my life. He placed the desire in my heart to write stories, and He has lit the path on my journey to publication. The stories I write are an offering to Him, and I pray they bring Him glory.
 
I'm also in awe of His timing. I learned that I had sold these two novellas when my writing friends were in town for our second annual writers retreat! Talk about celebrating! I couldn't have asked for a better time to hear the news.
 

Right after I spoke with my agent, there were hugs and squeals, and lots of exclamation points in our conversation! That evening we went out onto the river and my husband took this picture. It was fun to revel in the moment with Melissa Tagg, Lindsay Harrel, and Alena Tauriainen.

The following evening, they took me out to celebrate at my favorite Italian restaurant. It was so much fun to share this time with them, because they know exactly what this milestone means.

 
I'll be sure to share more about the novellas in the near future, but for now I want to celebrate with all of you!
 
I put together a little gift package from places around my hometown where my novellas will be set. There are two glass mugs from our local historical society at the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Museum, a ceramic mug and postcard from the Little Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau, a hand-stitched handkerchief from Linden Hill Conference and Retreat Center (two historic mansions), and a 2015 daily calendar that says: "O Happy Day!" from our Christian book store to celebrate my 2015 releases--and this happy day! The winner will be announced next Thursday.
 
 
Thank you for celebrating with me today! I'll be sharing more about the novellas soon.
 
Your Turn: What are you celebrating lately? What dream has God put on your heart?
 
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68 comments:

  1. SQUEEE! I'm so excited for you!!!! And I can't wait to read your stories!!! Congratulations!

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    1. I'm thrilled that you're one of the authors in both novella collections, Erica!!!! Woo-hoo for Minnesota authors. :) Thank you for celebrating with me!!

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    1. Thank you, Angie! I've had to wait almost three weeks to share the news, so this feels extra special today. :)

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  3. hey Gabe, I left a comment a few minutes ago but it disappeared when I hit publish, so I'm trying again. If you get two almost identical comments, sorry. LOL! But my first comment went something like this:

    YAAAAAY Gabe! I don't know how you held this news in...I've wanted to tell everyone. :) I'm so proud of you and excited for you. And I am in awe of you in so many ways--not just your writing, but your sweet spirit and the grace with which you live your life.

    Love you lots and HUGE congratulations!!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Melissa! It was soooo hard not to share my news, but thankfully I didn't have to wait to tell you. :) I'm so blessed by your friendship and support. Your encouragement over these past two years has meant more to me than you'll ever know.

      When are you coming back to sit on the river?!?!? :)

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  4. I'm very happy for you. You deserve it, & I know many more good things are to come!

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    1. Thank you, Delores!! I don't know that I deserve it, but I'm humbled by God's grace to allow me to pursue this dream. I'm taking things a day at a time and rejoicing in His work in my life. :)

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  5. That's such wonderful news, Gabrielle!!! Wish I could give you a hug right now!! Congratulations!!!

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    1. I wish you could give me a hug too, but being here to celebrate with me is the next best thing to a big hug. :) Thanks, Jill!!

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  6. Congratulations! My daughter and I both love to read and I so appreciate being able to offer her books by authors I can trust. Thank you for sharing your God-given talent and passion with the rest of us!

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    1. Thank you for being here to celebrate with me! I have two daughters, and I know exactly how you feel. I'm so thankful for authors who share compelling stories that glorify God and inspire others. I hope you'll return often. :)

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  7. So exciting! A double! Or is it twins?

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    1. No more twins! :) But I do seem to do things in pairs! Thanks for being here, Sarah. I've been having so much fun watching you with your debut novel release. "A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul..." :)

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  8. YAY YAY YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO happy for you! Very well deserved and not a big surprise at all!!!

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    1. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Casey!!!! :) I was surprised! :) It's a wonderful experience, and it's just begun.

      Can't wait to see you at ACFW soon!!!!

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  9. Gabrielle, Love seeing the photos and reading how faithful God has been in your writing journey. Truly an inspiration! Divine timing, too, that the news was made even sweeter with your writing cohorts:) Can't wait to read your novellas. Will be celebrating with you all the way till your double release days!!

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    1. Thank you for being here, Laura! God has been faithful in so many ways, and he continues to amaze me with his grace and timing. I'm still floating! It was wonderful to have Lindsay, Alena, and Melissa at my house to share the good news with, and now everyone else here. Looking forward to the day you can read my stories, too!

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  10. Woohooo! So happy for you! How exciting. :) and to celebrate with friends is all the better. Congratulations!

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    1. Thank you, Jill!!! I couldn't have asked for better timing. :) So excited to finally get a chance to share the news here too.

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  11. My last comment got eaten. Boo.

    Yay, yay, yay!! I'm soooo happy for you. Seriously. Just thrilled. And so glad I get to walk this road with you, my friend. I feel cool just knowing you...not to mention having been your roomie upon several occasions. Hehe. Love you, girl. Revel in this!

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    1. Ahhh!!! I'm still giggling that you feel cool just knowing me--I think that's the first time anyone has ever said that to me. :) So thankful God called us to be roomies two years ago (and numerous times since then)! You've brightened my life and been a constant encouragement to me. I feel cool just knowing you!! :) Love you, and hurry back to Minnesota.

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  12. I love reading happy news like this. The Lord is answering prayers. Yay! So happy for you!
    Congrats!

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    1. Thank you, Courtney!! I'm still cheering about your big announcement the other day. God is answering prayers, and He's smiling the entire time. :)

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    1. Thank you, Julie! The past couple of weeks I've wanted to update my weekly writing goals on our Facebook group with: "Finish up first draft of Four Brides and a Bachelor," but I couldn't until I signed the contracts! Now I can update my goals. :)

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    1. Thank you, Terri! I'm so happy you stopped by to celebrate with me. :)

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  15. Congratulations, Gabrielle!!! So excited for you!!!

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    1. Thank you, Brenda! I'm so thrilled to write for Barbour. It's truly a dream come true. :)

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  16. Gabe, I couldn't be happier for you! I am so, SO excited to finally get to read some Gabrielle Meyer stories. Congratulations. :)

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    1. Thank you, Jeanne!! Your words and presence here make the celebration the more fun. I can't wait to share these stories. :)

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  17. Laura Mushel SchieffertAugust 7, 2014 at 11:40 AM

    Congratulations!!! Gabe, you are a wonderfully talented woman. I can't wait to read your stories!

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    1. Thank you, Laura. I'm so excited to share my love for Little Falls with everyone who reads my stories. That, in itself, is a dream come true. Thanks for celebrating with me.

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  18. Congratulations, Gabrielle!!!! What doubly delightful news!! I'm beyond thrilled for you.

    It's so cool that you were surrounded by such special people when you got the news. God's timing, for sure.

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    1. Thnk you, Keli! You've been a source encouragement and inspiration for me since I began this journey. Thank you for being here today and helping me celebrate another milestone on my journey. :) And, yes, His timing was/is amazing!

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  19. Congrats Gabe! I am way beyond excited for you! I can not wait to read them. I am dreaming of growing my Young Living business and helping other people become empowered to help themselves improve their health through oils and other chemical free products.

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    1. Thanks, Bobbi Jo! You've been here every step of the way to cheer me on. Thank you for being here today! And I love your dream. I love when people desire to use their gifts and skills to make other people healthier and happier. Praying for you!

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  20. Congratulations! I am so excited for you and can't wait to read the stories. And I'm delighted to share this experience with you! Praying for you as you write, edit, and polish these manuscripts.

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    1. Thank you, Susie!!! I'm so excited for you too. Us debutantes need to stick together. :) Can't wait to read your story! It will be a joy to go through this process with you. Thanks for stopping by today.

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  21. I'm so excited for you. It's nice knowing another writer. I can't wait to read your stories next year.

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    1. Thank you! It's always fun to connect with other writers. Celebrating life's milestones together makes everything more fun. :)

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  22. So excited for you, Gabrielle! This is awesome. Squeee!

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    1. Thank you for helping me celebrate, Preslaysa! I'm so thankful for all the friends God has put into my life to enjoy the journey with. :)

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  23. Oh. My. Goodness!! Congratulations, Gabrielle! I'm so excited for you, and can't wait to read them.

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    1. Thank you, Laura!!! I'm thrilled you're here and I hope you like the stories when you read them. :)

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  24. I am so happy for you! So glad your closest writing pals were there when you learned--that's incredible. Our Savior does incredibly more than we even ask or imagine--doesn't He! Best wishes as you patiently wait for the next steps in the publishing process.

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    1. He does, indeed, Melodie! It was perfect timing and I'm so happy they were here to celebrate the initial news. They've been texting me periodiclly today to share in the joy of telling the world (or at least a tiny part of the world). :) Thank you for being here!!

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  25. So excited for you, Gabrielle! Blessings in this new leg of your author journey!

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    1. Thank you, Heather!! It's been a whirlwind kind of a day, and I'm so thankful for everyone who's been here to help me celebrate. This is a leg of the journey I've been looking forward to for a long time. :)

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  26. I wanted to stop by and say congratulations! What beautiful news for a beautiful woman and thoughtful writer. Yay!!

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    1. I'm so happy you stopped by, Lisa! Thank you for your kind words. I'm thrilled to share the news and to have you here to celebrate with me. :)

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  27. Awwwhhhhh!! I'm thrilled for you Gabe. Can't wait to see your name in print. Blessings on you and your writing journey!

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    1. Thank you, Anne!! I'm so happy you stopped by today to celebrate with me. I'm counting down the days until I see you at ACFW!

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  28. Huge congrats, Gabrielle!! So happy for you! As for me, celebrating my first book release TOMORROW! And yesterday received the first copy in my hands!! God is good!

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    1. Congratulations to you, Susan!!! BIG day ahead tomorrow. :) So happy you stopped by to celebrate with me today! Thank you.

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  29. CONGRATS! That's awesome news. :)

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    1. Thanks, Rissi!! It's been a fun day of celebrating. :)

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  30. Congratulations. Two at once. What a great day.

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    1. Thank you, Jan! I'm overjoyed to have two contracts. It's been an amazing day. :)

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  31. This is amazing!! I'm so excited for you! Yay!!!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by to celebrate, Susan! This has been so much fun. :)

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  32. So excited for you!! Well deserved and long waited for - I know this moment must feel so very sweet! Revel in it! You're amazing! xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Karen! I'm reveling away. :) It's so fun to have everyone here to celebrate with me. It makes me long for ACFW! Looking forward to seeing everyone in person again.

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  33. Awwww, CONGRATULATIONS!!! This day has finally arrived. I knew it was only a matter of time and God's timing. Hugs across the miles, sweet Friend! :)

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    1. Thank you, Donna! I'm in awe that He would allow me to pursue my dream. His timing is perfect and I'm thrilled to be writing two novellas. It's the first time I've written this length, and I'm loving it! Praying for your book tour!

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  34. Congrats that is exciting! :) I can't wait to get my hands on that book to read it!!!

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    1. Thank you, Lisa! I'm excited to see both stories release next summer. The fun has only just begun. :)

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