Tag: Christian Fiction

Latest News: Finishing 2022 with a bang!

Kimberly Novak

Media/Press for Bella’s Beautiful Miracle

Voyage Ohio Magazine – Hidden Gem Feature

Catholic Mom – Review

Write Now Edits

Bella has arrived at the Cuyahoga County Public Library, Independence Branch! Check it out!

Talk about an exciting moment! Surprisingly, walking into the library to search for Bella made me a bit nervous. I can’t explain the reasons behind that particular emotion, but I was a little shaky. She was nestled in the Juvenile Fiction section, looking so cute among the other books. I had realized my dream of seeing her on a shelf other than my own, let alone in a public place.

I am happy to see how God works through me by using Bella and her story. My conversations with parents, grandparents, and children have been amazing; each carried its blessing. I pray that each one who reads Bella and encounters the adventures within the story becomes blessed and enveloped in God’s Love!

Have you read Bella’s Beautiful Miracle? Please post your review online at Amazon or other book-reviewing sites.

Enjoy the latest customer review:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspiring and Heartfelt Read Excellent for Children

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 22, 2022

“As a son of a pastor and a missionary kid, reading Bella’s Beautiful Miracle brought back joyous memories of Sunday school lessons. Kimberly writes in a way that is easy for her target audience to engage while still using strong imagery to engage any audience (e.g. “Looking back at her were two large eyes, and attached to the eyes was a snail.”).

I enjoyed that each animal companion Bella comes across on her adventure has a special, God-filled message to teach the inquisitive caterpillar; I especially liked Gracie the grasshopper who plays “the violin” with her leg against her wing. 🙂

There are nuggets of inspirations here to help anyone transform into a better version of themselves in Kimberly’s spiritual (and actual) story of metamorphosis.”

-Joshua Snowden-Bahr (writing from AnnettaMarie Snowden’s account)

Bella’s Beautiful Miracle has received the Catholic Writer’s Guild Seal of Approval!

Readers can be assured that SoA books will not offend their faith and have a certain level of editorial quality.

Inspire Writers Courage Anthology 2022 is now available

I am blessed to have been selected as one of 26 authors in this year’s Inspire Writers Anthology. My story, Courageous Love, was one that I had written several years ago. I could never find the perfect home for the story until I learned of this opportunity. Upon the leading of the Holy Spirit, I dusted it off, polished it up, and gave it one more try. I am thrilled with the outcome. Happy that it now sits among the stories and poems published in this book.

Click here to purchase your copy!

Upcoming Events

February 18, 2023 – Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference

More to come!

I await confirmation on a few more vendor opportunities and another book signing. Check back for updates, and I hope you will grow excited to meet Bella and her friends!

Reading and Promotional Opportunities

I am seeking reading opportunities for local libraries, schools, and podcasts. You may reach me via the contact form, and I’ll be happy to discuss it.

Bella is One Month Old!

Kimberly Novak

Let’s celebrate with a surprise! Bella’s Beautiful Miracle electronic version is in full color!

Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com

Yep, click here to check it out and see for yourself! Bella and her friends are illustrated beautifully in full color, as this was my original vision for the work. I noted previously that my publishing journey was often a roller coaster ride, which proved true until the end. I had a wonderful experience with my publisher and the design team, they did Bella justice, and I couldn’t wait to present her to the world in living color. However, God had other plans, and it wasn’t until several weeks later that it made complete sense to me.

All the many hours and days spent designing the scenes, right down to how much sparkle was on Bella’s cheeks, were my vision. I had an attachment to every decision made concerning the 18 designs. They were perfect because I knew Bella’s story inside and out. I used specific colors to capture her and her friends’ emotions. I didn’t and couldn’t see it any other way.

That was until I learned of the price my readers would pay for a product done with full-color printing. The book price would have far exceeded what I thought was reasonable to ask my readers to pay. More importantly, was the fact that my goal and mission through this work is to share the love of Jesus. I feared a high price item would impede what I set out to do.

Finally, a decision to publish with black and white illustrations seemed most reasonable. The good news was that as I reviewed each one, I realized they were just as beautiful. Also, an agreement was made to publish the electronic version in color. A colorful version would be such a treat to those who opted to read Bella electronically.

Today marks the one-month anniversary of Bella’s Release date, and God has blessed me with the gift of clarity and purpose. As I mentioned, all the colors and decisions behind each one were all mine. Today, I believe that God wants you, as the reader, to color Bella and her friends beautifully. We are all unique, carrying with us our reasons for how we see color. Perhaps, what I view as “Friendly Yellow” someone else sees as too bright. I could go on and on with examples, but I think I’ve gotten to the point.

All of this leads me to some exciting news. I have created a coloring/activity book to relate to Bella’s story. I will post updates as I have them in my hands! In the meantime, I’m adding a PDF treat for you to get a head start on deciding how you envision Bella and her colors.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

As we walk in God’s light daily, we will see the world in the colors God intends. There may be a reason I see the sky as a soft blue, and someone else describes it as smokey blue. Colors bring out emotions, memories, and matters of the heart. So, the next time you open a box of crayons, take a moment and have a prayerful chat with God sharing how each color makes you feel. Perhaps colors in your life will take on an entirely new meaning.

God Bless,

Kimberly

color-stormDownload

Writing News and Updates

Kimberly Novak
Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

Hello my friends, it has been an exciting week! If you missed the broadcast, Bella’s Beautiful Miracle, A Caterpillar’s Journey, releases September 7, 2022! The book is available for pre-order online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I’m anticipating more online retailers to carry it as well. The publisher will be notifying the Christian distributors, Ingram/Spring Arbor. In doing so, it provides an opportunity of getting into local bookstores. If there is a Christian Bookstore in your area where you want to see Bella, please let me know by commenting on this post or completing the contact form.

Book Launch and Signing Opportunities – more to come

I am diligently researching local opportunities to organize a book launch and signing. I hope to have more information on this soon. There are several upcoming events I am praying and waiting on.

I will attend the Catholic Women’s Conference in Lansing, Michigan, with a few of my fellow authors as a vendor. The one-day event will give us an opportunity for networking and sales. I am super excited about the theme: Esther 4:14

“PERHAPS YOU HAVE COME TO YOUR ROYAL DIGNITY FOR JUST SUCH A TIME AS THIS.”

If you would like more information on how you can attend, click here.

Article Updates and Writing Milestones

Earlier this week, I posted a book review on my blog. I was delighted and surprised when the ask came straight from a monastery. The book was fantastic, and I have added the review here.

I have posted new contributing blog articles here.

I am thrilled to share that a story I wrote will appear in a 2022 Anthology with a theme of Courage. I will share the publishing date as soon as it becomes available.

Shareable Marketing Links

As some of you may have heard me mention, God gifted me with Bella and her story. I am utterly sure that the Holy Spirit was my pen and guided every syllable to the page. Your prayers and marketing assistance will be necessary for Bella to reach the hearts and homes of all those God intends. Today’s Psalm calls us to “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news” (Psalm 117)

If you feel called, I encourage you to help Bella and me prayerfully spread the Good News by sharing any marking links below or within my website. 

Be Blessed!

FaceBook Author Page

Google Books

Google My Business Profile

Bella’s Beautiful Miracle: A Caterpillar’s Journey: Novak, Kimberly: 9781685562540: Amazon.com: Books

Bella’s Beautiful Miracle: A Caterpillar’s Journey by Kimberly Novak, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Latest News and Headlines

Kimberly Novak

Hello friends! Bella and I have fun updates to share!

Production News

The final approval for print and distribution was signed on Wednesday, July 13th, and I received a congratulatory email on 7/20 outlining next steps. The current status is to wait patiently while Trilogy works behind the scenes to upload the files digitally. ( 3-4 week process) Once complete, I will be contacted with a release date, instructed on sales process, and purchase advance copies!

Marketing Updates

Volunteer opportunities are open for participation on my social media marketing team. Once the book is available, your involvement will include posting on your social media outlets, blog posts on your websites, and word of mouth. I will provide you with everything needed to help spread the news. A few reviewers are needed and required to write a note or two, which I will post on this website. Volunteer to review and receive an advance copy! Reservations are required to review the book and will be taken in the order received. Don’t miss out on this fun opportunity! Click here to let me know you are ready to help!

A new blog post recently published on outofthechrysalis.com

May my living reveal God’s Goodness

New articles published this month

Check out the Contributing Author Articles tab (or click below) for new articles published this month.

Stay tuned for further updates and opportunities for advance copy give aways!

Blessings,

Kimberly

Bella’s Beautiful Miracle – Illustration Update

Kimberly Novak

Hello! I am very happy to share that we are one illustration away from the final versions! When they say publishing a book is like awaiting the birth of a baby, they are not kidding. This process though fun has also been somewhat stressful. The icing on the cake is seeing where we are now as compared to the day God planted the seed.

I never thought that choosing Bella’s eye color would be more difficult than actually writing the book. It might sound silly to some, but I found by going to God in prayer on these simplest of decisions made them more palatable. Not to mention the many times I texted my support line for their input! To those who witnessed the agony of blue vs green, I thank you!

Today, I find myself in yet another pause, as I await the final version and then take the pen and give the approval to set them in stone! I figured, why not show you some of the work that has been done over these last 4 months. It gives me something constructive to do, and also provides a treat for my wonderful readers – You!

This first grouping is a set of 4 illustrations all on the same scene. Notice the subtle and not-so-subtle changes that evolved in the revision process.

Version 1
Copyright Kimberly Novak
Version 2
Copyright Kimberly Novak
Version 3
Copyright Kimberly Novak
Final Version – Copyright Kimberly Novak

As you can see from the illustrations, I decided to take a different viewpoint and the payoff was beautiful!

At first, I was convinced that the process between each revision was painstakingly long. However, with God, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the time in-between was creative. This allowed my mind to really focus on the scene I was trying to portray. It also gave me a chance to go back and re-read the chapter, ensuring I was on the right track!

This next set of before and afters brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eyes! I’m sure that my reaction is because I know the story and where this is heading, I hope you can get a sense of the emotions Bella is feeling as she and Mira travel in this scene.

Version 1 Copyright Kimberly Novak
Final Version Copyright Kimberly Novak

I have given you a lot to review in this post, and I hope that your interest has kept you scrolling! So, let’s go with one more set of illustrations to show off how brilliant the designer is with color!

Version 1 Copyright Kimberly Novak
Version 2 Copyright Kimberly Novak

And there we have it, your illustration teaser! I welcome your feedback! All you have to do is give it a thumbs up or thumbs down using the buttons below or leave a reply.

Blessings,

Kimberly