Preston Gillham

It is important to note that I am swimming in details, not drowning. However, I’m tired of swimming.

The end of the ecommerce trail is in sight. Once this setup is completed, people will be able to securely purchase “No Mercy” at my website, PrestonGillham.com, and at Amazon. More on that in a week or so.

I’m going to be quiet on my blog for about a week, but here’s what I would ask you to discuss with Father for the next few days: “No Mercy” is about connecting with God, what goes wrong in the process, and how to remedy the relationship. It’s a story about the main character’s heart, and God’s heart, and the nature of that bond.

Stories of the heart are both written and comprehended by the heart. This is why I’m asking you to pray that prospective reader’s hearts will be prepared for the book and its story.

Pray for me along these lines: For the business details; they are very important. In addition, pray for my heart. With all the detail, I have not properly grieved the loss of my friend, Kevin—in my heart. I’ve also not properly celebrated my heart’s achievement in completing, “No Mercy.” These are high priorities.

Caring for these important components is integral to me being properly prepared for the release of “No Mercy” in a few days. It is tempting to keep pushing these to the back burner in favor of the “to do” list, but that is a bad plan. One devalues my friend and the other discounts my heart.

Thanks for praying. More in about a week. Bless you,

My novel, “No Mercy,” is gone to the printer.

I just pushed “Send” a moment ago. Versa Press will begin assembling the .PDF files from Leslie and Stephen into a bound proof for my review. Inventory will not be far behind.

Thank you for praying for Leslie. I can’t wait for you to see her work. And the same goes for Stephen. The covers are complete and will be finalized as soon as the printer determines the exact measurement of the spine.

Thank you for praying for me as I wrote the back-cover summary. Here is a preview of the text that will appear on the back of the book:

No Mercy is a sweeping adventure of life, love, trust, and desire—an odyssey asserting that real life is more than meets the eye.

His hope dependent upon a hesitant trust, Hank gambles to emerge from No Mercy a transformed person.

I added a final edit just prior to the title page. On a single page, all by itself, I inserted the quote, “Look into thy heart and write.” Those words, penned by Sir Philip Sidney over four hundred years ago, have inspired me throughout the process of creating “No Mercy.” I believe Father led me to that quote some years ago. Subsequently, He has consistently encouraged me to write from my heart.

As I mentioned in the last post to you, please pray for the Versa Press staff. Now that we have a final page count, Lindsay’s work on the e-book begins in earnest. In addition, please pray for me as I continue building my ability to market and then fulfill orders. Most of all, please pray for the soon-to-be readers of “No Mercy.”

I heard from a lady this week who got hold of an early, review copy of the book. She said her life was being transformed as she read. That’s what we are praying for.

Preston

Reny, the Head Prayer Tribeswoman, is a CFO in her real life. April 15 looms and the annual audit is in full swing. She’ll be back in a few days. Until then, you’ve got me.

Thank you for praying as “No Mercy” makes its way into the starting blocks. The front cover is complete. The back cover is very close, and the spine lacks one tweak before being finished. Pray for Stephen as he completes the remaining details and prepares his files to be transferred to the printer.

Leslie is creating the interior of the book. Most of the design elements are in place and look great. She too is putting the finishing touches on the interior and appreciates you praying for her.

Thank you for praying for me as I gathered the content for the back cover. Summaries are the hardest type of writing for me. I’m pleased with the summary and appreciate your prayers. If the front cover causes someone to pick the book up and flip it over, and if the back cover inspires enough interest for a prospective reader to open the book, then the covers have done their job. We are almost there.

Before the week is out, “No Mercy” should be at the printer, Versa Press. There are lots of exact measurements, file transfers, ink balances, humans, and machines that must all work together.

Lindsay continues her work creating the e-book. I’ve told her you are praying for her.

I am lining up the eCommerce necessary to fulfill orders for the book. A bit overwhelming, but I’m close. That means I’m about to sign contracts. Thank you for praying as I sift through small print.

Finally, continue praying for the readers of “No Mercy.” Right now, Father is preparing hearts for the message He wants to express via this written resource. A lady who read a review copy—two versions old, no less—told a friend yesterday, “This book is changing my life.” Woohoo! That’s a great word, isn’t it?

Now that we are getting some of the final design done, I’ll slip you some advance peeks before long. By the way, you should know: “No Mercy” is dedicated to you, the Prayer Tribe.

Thanks, and bless you,

Preston

Have you ever taken a computer based test only to get to the end and be faced with a question, “Are you ready to submit your results for grading?” If you manage to push ‘submit,’ and right after your breath almost stops, your life begins to flash in front of your eyes as you wait for the longest 15 seconds to pass. It is going to be more than 15 seconds for Preston to see the results of the publishing of No Mercy, but the “submit” button has been pushed today.

Preston emailed me, “The final copy of No Mercy left my computer this morning and is now in the hands of Leslie and Lindsay. Wow! What an incredible thing to say. I began writing No Mercy seven years ago. Of course, I began the research 54 years ago. I’m excited and scared and confident at all at once, which means I’m a mess inside. No Mercy is [Father’s]. It is His to do with it as He wishes, and it is time for me to revisit the message of the book regarding trust. Odd how I must return to the fundamentals, but with each return, Father further tempers my resolve.”

Please continue to pray:

• No Mercy is with the designers and layout people: Leslie, Lindsay, and Stephen. Please continue to pray for them according to the last post

• Preston must write the critically important summary for the back of the cover

• Courage and confidence for Preston in the face of certain criticism for No Mercy’s honesty

• Preparation of readers’ hearts as No Mercy makes its entry into their lives

Till the next time, be blessed,

Reny Madjarska
Head Prayer Tribeswoman