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United House Publishing

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Q&A with Jessica Bishop

December 12, 2018 by UnitedHouse Leave a Comment

This week’s #writerswednesday feature is young author Jessica Bishop, who recently published her first book with UNITED HOUSE. Her sports devotional, COLLISION, draws on her experiences as an athlete and follower of Jesus to encourage other athletes in how they can impact the sports world through their faith.

We caught up with Jessica to talk about what writing and publishing her first book was like for her.

How did you know you were supposed to write a book?

Surprisingly, this is a question I had never been asked before. I guess I didn’t know that writing a book was something I was supposed to do until I was about halfway through writing it. It was then that I hit a turning point because I was an amateur author, and I had no idea what I was doing. That’s I when I started praying because without divine intervention, this book would have never seen the light of day. I would say it was when I signed my contract with UNITED HOUSE Publishing that I knew this was what God had in store for me.

How long did it take you to completed your manuscript?

I started my manuscript in November 2016, and I finished my rough draft in December 2017. It wasn’t until the end of July 2018 that I finally published.

Everyone has a busy schedule, so when did you find time to write?

This is an excellent question, because honestly, I have no idea. I was a freshman in college when I started writing, and I didn’t finish until I was a sophomore. I would say I wrote in the strangest places in the strangest times, and one day, I had a book. The most writing I would do at one time would be over breaks because school could get insane most of the time. I wrote during soccer practice when I was injured, and I wrote during church when I was struck with a thought. I have written in bed, in cars, in coffee shops, in class, and everywhere I go. I was on the school’s soccer team, a co-leader of an on-campus ministry, I had a part-time job, and I was taking at least 17 credits at a university. If I found time to write in that, I believe anyone can write a book; all it takes is the will to start.

Any advice to someone who is considering writing a book?

START. I don’t care if you don’t know what you are doing, I don’t care if you don’t feel like you have time. Whatever you do, start that book, because one day you can either be sitting wishing you had started that book all that time ago, or you can be looking at your own piece of art that slowly appeared over time. If you want to write a book, start now, because procrastination has never saved someone time in this type of thing. Also, believe in yourself, because God equips us with the skills He needs to do His good work, and sometimes those skills emerge, and sometimes those skills look a whole lot like determination and courage.

What made you decide to publish through UNITED HOUSE?

They were a Godsend to me, and when God nudges you in a direction, it is in one’s direct interest to walk that path. It was after I joined that I realized just how amazing this publishing company is.

What do you wish you had known when you started your book-publishing journey?

Where to begin? I wish I had spent some time on researching how to write as I was writing, because it indeed helps. The biggest thing would be to do my research as well as write.

What advice would you give about releasing your book?

I would say that releasing your book starts months before your actual release date, and I would highly recommend making it around a time that you can devote a lot of time to releasing said book. I have been busy since the day I moved away from college, but sometimes I wonder how much more I could have done if I had the time to put more effort into it and could focus more on it. However, I am very happy with the way things all came together for my release, so I would definitely say pray as well, because you never know what doors God will unexpectedly open.

Jessica Bishop is the author of the sports devotional: COLLISION. She is on the women’s soccer team and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and minoring in Biology and Chemistry at Olivet Nazarene University. Jessica is head over heels in love with Jesus, and she spends her free time investing in her ever-growing list of hobbies which includes: knitting, beading, going on adventures, playing violin, writing, reading, and running.

Jessica has a deep desire to spread God’s word and believes that one day this will take her into the mission field. She would like to use her knowledge in nutrition to help treat nutrition-related diseases and malnutrition in impoverished communities worldwide. To learn more about Jessica, visit her blog Higher Calling.

You can purchase Jessica’s book, COLLISION, here.

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  • Taylor Phillips, author of Training Ground

    United House Publishing was 100% an answer to prayer. I knew that God called me to write books, but I wasn't in a good position to publish according to certain industry expectations. I continued to be faithful, knowing God would make a way. AND HE DID. United House is such a champion for the underdog—for the one who doesn't have a huge platform but wants to be obedient to God. I was so blessed by the process from start to finish. From the heart and help of the revision team, to editing, coaching, and everything in between. United House was, and is, an incredible company to be part of!

  • Bridget Singleton, author of Mimo’s Welcome

    United House Publishing is absolutely GREAT to work!  I previously published a book alone... and it was so hard.  But UHP gives support like no other!  When they say they are praying over you and your work, you KNOW it!  The author coaches I have worked with have been awesome.  Not only do they help you set and crush your writing goals, they also help you pursue wellness in all aspects of your life, and you can't put a price tag on that!

  • Wendy Perry, author of The Battle Within

    God gave me the words to write a book and then He sent me to the perfect place to publish it—United House Publishing! The thought of editing and publishing a book was new and overwhelming. However, through God's peace and directing me to UHP the whole process was made easier. I felt "safe" and "at ease" sharing the story God gave me to UHP, because they treated me and my manuscript with respect. I'm thankful I obeyed God and worked with UHP to publish my very first book.

  • Gina Rodriguez, author of Teacher Tired

    As a person who has NEVER considered herself a writer, it is no shock I was in need of help when I felt led to publish my first book.  I am so blessed that I was referred to UHP.  I started my writing journey so afraid of the process, not sure where to start or what to expect. It was such a huge relief to have a team of authentic writers, editors, mentor me along the way as I pushed back fears of intimidation that tried to stop me.  With UHP I found my writing voice. The monthly coaching calls were especially important to keep me going when idleness or doubt crept in (because it will).  Having UHP to pray with me, refine my writing skills and keep me accountable made all the difference between beginning to write a book to actually finishing it!

  • Jessica Bishop, author of Collision

    The reason why I love UNITED HOUSE Publishing is because all you have to do is write, and they take care of the rest. It's simple and I LOVE IT!

  • Dianne Wyper, author of Shattered

    UNITED HOUSE Publishing has been like the roadblock-remover to my dreams and my calling. It's because of them that I have got to become all I have dreamed of: An Author!

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