Having been in book work for 20+ years I have learned a few things.

1- It can be tough to write a book..
2- It can be tough to get a book edited
3- It can be tough to get a book published
4- it can be tough to get a book distributed
5- it can be tough to get a book in a store
6- it can be tough to get a book in a good area of a store
7- then the hard part comes... getting people to buy the book

How was been your experience with your book?

A) The women working on the “Book” are the real heroes of this project. Virginia and her parents lived the story. Mabel Dunbar has been the true motivator of our work over the last year or so
B) For me, promoting the Book is the easy part. I give Virginia moral support and run books to the post office. As a retired professional it was not easy to get back into working with issues of Physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

C) Now that I am involved in the book I have gained much in two areas: 1. Evaluating the successes I have made.2. Much of what I wrote in the Chapter, “Blameless Man?” is based on how things went in My life. What I have learned from both my experience and working with hundreds of survivors has given me a rich basis for giving counsel to others.
Bob Coombs

1- It can be tough to write a book..
My mother worked on her manuscript for 3 years. She was a professional writer so she was more perfectionistic than I was.
We had a timeline so I had to ask the Lord for guidance
2- It can be tough to get a book edited
3- It can be tough to get a book published
More and more books now days are being self-published, you do your own set up and editing. Much cheaper but also prone for mistakes. (there are some in the book). Xulon Pub. was easy to work with, the book is put on digital (as are a good majority of those on Amazon) so you no longer have to purchase books to sell yourself.

4- it can be tough to get a book distributed
Dr. Dunbar and ourselves opted to purchase some so as to have them available at a cheaper price for individuals and conventions.

5-& 6. It can be tough to get a book in a store
I haven’t tried yet, we’ve been too busy promoting other places. We would like to see ABC carry them. Xulon Pub. puts the book on all bookstores list so you can go to any bookstore and ask for it.

7- Then the hard part comes... getting people to buy the book
I have done a lot of letter writing and talking to Mental Health, Women’s Org. and Ministerial groups. Bob’s and my issue has been to make people, pastor’s and church members aware of spousal abuse in the christian home and how to train pastors to deal with it in their church (or their own home). That is a bigger issue than selling a book.
We are finding the response very good, especially after the book has been read. This has become a ministry, a difficult ministry. You can’t say to someone you give this book to “I hope you enjoy reading it”. That is why we sign the book with “Empower Your Life”.
Virginia Coombs