Let My Colors Out by Courtney Filigenzi

Award-winning children's book helps young kids talk about a loved one's cancer diagnosis and treatment.

$11.95

Hardcover

Several months ago, I finished my first novel, "Clover Doves."  Think Nicholas Sparks with a paranormal, spiritual twist. It is a tragic love story, filled with spirituality, reincarnation, karmic debt, karmic baggage and ghostly visits.  It is a work of my heart and soul, and like any author who has poured themselves into their work, it is a part of me.  

I began researching publishers and agents to submit it to.  There are not many "spiritual fiction" publishers out there. Paranormal, yes.  Spiritual, no.  Not wanting to add to the mountainous slush piles, I refuse to send my queries or manuscripts to any publisher or agent unless I feel my book is a good fit. Unfortunately, so many doors have been slammed shut to unsolicited materials, I have absolutely no choices left...that is, unless I decide to skin my novel to the bone, remove all the spiritual magic and make it strictly a paranormal love story.

I entertained this idea for over a month now.  Should I remove the soul?  Should I add more sex and make it more ghostly?  It would be an easy fix and so many doors would open to me...hey, I may even get it published and what a glorious day that would be!

My answer is a resounding no.  Last night after watching "Finding Forrester" I decided I will not succumb to selling myself out for the chance to be published.  From now on, I will be writing for me, for the love of writing, for the love of my spirituality and for the love of my characters.  That is, after all, what writing is all about.