My Road to Publication
By Kimberly Rose Johnson
Hi, I’m Kimberly Rose Johnson, and I’m one of Mountain Brook Ink’s authors. I like to describe my books as “Christian romance meets women’s fiction.”
When Miralee, the owner of Mountain Brook Ink asked me to write a post for the company blog, I was told to write whatever I want. LOL–that’s like putting a child in a toy store and saying pick one item—it’s not easy.
After much deliberation I thought perhaps you’d enjoy hearing about how I came to write for Mountain Brook Ink. Ours is a long journey spanning a decade. I first met Miralee, the owner of Mountain Brook Ink, back in 2006 when she joined ACFW. I welcomed her to the group via email and we clicked. Then we both attended the Oregon Christian Writers Conference that summer where our friendship was cemented, and she invited me to join her critique group.
In 2012 I was offered my first contract with Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents line. I was so 
excited. My dream of being a published novelist had come true. Sadly that line was short lived with Harlequin. So after having five books published I found myself wondering what I was going to do. The word count for Heartsong Presents books is shorter than what most publishers want, but it was my niche, and I had no desire to write longer stories. The picture is taken at my first writer’s conference. I’m on the far left…second from the right is Angela Ruth Strong, another Mountain Brook Ink author.
One evening I was lamenting to my critique group about my future, when out of the blue Miralee offered to publish a particular book of mine she’d critiqued. I didn’t even know she had been thinking about starting a publishing company! As it turned out I would be the first auth
or she published.
To date I have six books with Mountain Brook Ink and one more in production that will release in April. I’m so pleased I said yes to her offer. Writing for Mountain Brook Ink has been a time of learning and growth for me that I hope to take into the next chapter of my writing career as I move toward becoming an independently published author.
If you are a pre-published writer I encourage you to keep working hard toward your goal. It took me six years from when I started studying the craft of writing to being offered my first contract. The road to publication was filled with disappointment and hard work, but also satisfaction. Since Miralee, was ahead of me in her publishing journey, I knew what I was getting myself into before I decided to seriously pursue traditional publication. It’s not an easy road, but I have no regrets.
There’s one big thing I learned and that is I need to connect with readers. If you enjoy reading contemporary Christian romance I hope you’ll check out my books.
I have several ways that I connect with readers. The first is with my newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe here is the link www.kimberlyrjohnson.com.
I also have a readers group on Facebook where I share pictures that inspired parts of my stories as well as have a fun time visiting with readers. If you’d like to join my group here’s the link. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1566138407009549/?ref=bookmarks
I hope you enjoyed reading about my road to publication and will someday have your own story to tell.
Kimberly is giving away two of her books right now–through Dec. 13, on Kindle. Book one in the Wildflower Bed and Breakfast series, Island Refuge is free…click HERE
Also, A Love to Treasure, book one in the Sunriver Dreams series is free. Click HERE.
Book two in both series are .99 for another two days. Don’s miss out!
