My Response to the Sale of Marcher Lord Press

Photo borrowed from Wikipedia

What does it feel like to have your publishing house sold from under your feet?

Well, it’s not exactly a one-word answer, but you may find the answer more positive than you’d suspect.

I’m exhilarated.

I wasn’t initially, of course. It’s a little like those drop tower rides at theme parks–the first second when you free-fall your stomach feels like it stuck a fork in a toaster, but then you realize everything is okay. In fact, it’s kind of fun.

Marcher Lord Press passed from the hands of Jeff Gerke to literary agent, Steve Laube — founder of The Steve Laube Agency — on January 1, 2014 (see official press release.)

I’ve seen a myriad of responses from readers and authors regarding this sale, including anger, mistrust, excitement, and shock. There are a lot of questions, many of which Steve will answer in a Q&A on his blog on Monday, January 6th. But I feel the need to step out and at least let you know my thoughts as the newest MLP author:

I am excited. My greatest concern about the sale initially revolved around vision — that is, after all, what started and set MLP apart. Though I’m just getting to know Steve, from what I’ve seen, he has wonderful vision for MLP. I have confidence entering under his leadership, partly because I know Jeff Gerke wouldn’t just hand off MLP or our books to just anybody. This wasn’t a one-day decision.

I am ready — and I think MLP is ready — for a little growth. Call it what you will, it’s not just drab or threatening change that is taking place. It’s growth. It is so easy for us  to grow comfortable at different levels of life. Marcher Lord Press likes a nice snuggle into a fluffy sofa as much as the rest of us do, but it’s time. It’s time to hop off the memory foam so our imprints don’t turn permanent. God never called us to stagnancy.  I don’t know every detail — I’ve only been with MLP for six months (wow, six months already?) — but I’ve been there long enough to see a call for growth. I’m so glad Jeff Gerke stepped forward to lead MLP and, subsequently, the rest of us, into it.

I almost forgot about God. It took me a good ten minutes after first reading the news to remember God, to remember how He brought me to MLP. And in remembering…the joy started to build. This sale was made with prayer, from many ends. A lot of prayer. Even I kept praying for God to take MLP where it needed to be so it could work His ministry.

And here we are.

Prayers never do seem to be answered the way we envision them. MLP passing from the hands of one God-fearing man to another. The step and transfer is a little scary, but Who’s the real owner? That may sound a little cliche, but it really helped me see this new step with the right vision.

All of this is to say I have high and excited hopes. It took me a little praying to get there and I hope that others will take the same shaky step of faith onto this new bridge. Hold on to the goodness that’s floating just out of reach from that comfy sofa.

Thank you for reading. Please join me in prayer — and in hope — for this new transition. Yes, it’s a little scary, but I believe with all my heart it is good.

(For another MLP author’s thoughts on this new step forward, visit Morgan L. Busse’s blog.)

To join my newsletter list for all updates and announcements regarding my books and my editing, click here.