Author Report ’16

This being my first year as a new author, it really has been a year overflowing with blessings. The acceptance of my manuscript at the end of ’15 and the eventual publication  of my first novel, The Chronicles of Alethia: The Heir Comes Forth, on August 30, 2016 has been both a gratifying and a humbling experience. The process from edited manuscript to published on the shelf is a grueling gauntlet. Yet for those who persevere, the reward is amazing.

Since publication, sales of The Heir Comes Forth has exceeded my expectations. No I’m not on the Best Seller’s List, but for my first novel, I am very satisfied with my success. It is truly humbling at how this story has been received, and I just want to thank all the people who supported me along the way and of course those who posted reviews on Amazon and elsewhere.

So what’s next?

I’ve already made significant progress on the manuscript for my untitled sequel to The Heir Comes Forth, taking part in National Novel Writing Month back in November. No the manuscript is not finished, but I’m making steady progress in its completion. I’m also working on other stories in other genres that will hopefully come out in late 2017. Please keep checking in and thanks to everyone who’s supported me during this process.

Happy New Year!

-R. S. Gullett

A Christmas Carol, Another Look

“Oh!  captive, bound, and double-ironed,” cried the phantom, “not to know, that ages of incessant labour, by immortal creatures, for this earth must pass into eternity before the good of which it is susceptible is all developed.  Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness.  Not to know that no space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused!  Yet such was I!  Oh!  such was I!”  – The Ghost of Jacob Marley, A Christmas Carol

One of Dickens’ most beloved tales and a personal favorite of mine, A Christmas Carol, is a relatively simplistic allegory and seldom considered one of Dickens’ important literary contributions. The importance of the tale lies in the emotional depth, descriptive narration, and endearing characters. The novella was written in 1843 with the intention of drawing attention to the plight of England’s poor. In the tale, Dickens combines a description of hardships faced by the poor with a sentimental celebration of the Christmas season. The calloused character of the penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge, transforms into a generous and joyous individual after his confrontation with three spirits of Christmas.

The true message of the entire work can be found in the above quote, that there will always be those who need our help and that regret cannot make up for missed opportunities to extend aid or comfort to our fellow man. Every year I read this, I try to think of ways I can extend my faith and hope to others.

Though this novella was published over 170 years ago, the question remains: how can we help those less fortunate this Christmas?

This year: Please help me help others. 

(Much of this post was taken from an article I wrote for Clio’s Eye back in 2009. You can find the full text there)

Bibliography:

Kaplan, Fred. Dickens: A Biography, 1st ed. New York: Morrow, 1988. p 1- 607.

Gullett, Ryan. “A Christmas Carol-A History in Film.” Clio’s Eye. December 1, 2009. Accessed November 5, 2015. (Read More Here)

Christ First.

“Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” (Psalms‬ ‭127:1-2‬ ‭NASB‬‬)

Have you ever gotten wrapped up in something for God and lost sight of the true goal: loving and glorifying Him? It’s easy to become so passionate about a thing or even a ministry that we lose sight of the most important thing: Our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our most important relationship is with our Savior and Lord. It’s more important than family, friends, church, occupation, political party affiliation, country club membership, etc. Yet so often we allow “good” things to obscure our most important relationship. When He was on earth, even Jesus would retreat privately to spend time with God the Father.

In that logic, we have to make sure that our ministry not only honors God, but that He is leading our ministry. There have been many times where well-meaning. Christians have tried to convert others for Christ, but because of sin and arrogance God didn’t move. It wasn’t His will to move yet.

How do we do that? We must make sure our relationship with Him is first. Make time with Him! Only then can we know His guidance and direction. You cannot be successful and reaching other people for God if you neglect your own relationship with Him.

How do we change? This doesn’t necessarily mean giving up all your activities, unless God leads you to do so. It simply means you need to make time for Him. Read your Bible daily. Pray continually. Give Him glory in everything. Sing His praises. Then He will guide your heart and your ministry, then He will move mightily.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NASB‬‬)

Chronicles of Alethia: The Heir Comes Forth

Two months ago The Chronciles of Alethia: The Heir Comes Forth was officially released! 

For those who want to order a copy, click on one of the links below. Its available in paperback and ebook through the following sites: 

Tate Publisher

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Check out my new book trailer:

Book Signing Report 

I had another book signing event; and while the first one I had was modestly successful, the second was near my worst fear as an author. 

If youre an author and you’ve seen National Treasure: Book of Secrets, you probably know that part where Riley is sitting at a table in the middle of a giant bookstore with stacks of his new book nearby. His pen is poised, and he even has a giant cardboard cutout of himself as a dashing adventurer. Yet no one comes to the table except a polite young women who tells him his car is being towed. 

Okay, so my book signing didn’t end in my car being towed, but I was about as successful as the character in the aforementioned movie. Honestly, you can read all the right blogs, do all the right things, write and publish an awesome book, but the hardest trick in the book is becoming your own book’s best salesman. 

Has this experience ended my author career? No! Has this experience put me off from doing more book signings? No! Did I learn some new things that will help me down the road? Absolutely. Will I see you next week at my next book signing?

Events Page

A Simple Prayer

Holy Father in heaven, we come before You in humble adoration, recognizing Your wisdom, power, and sovereignty over all the Earth. 

We confess that as a nation, citizens of the United States of America, we have sinned against You, our Lord. We have allowed our elected officials to enact laws that contradict Your will and Law. We have allowed apathy to enter the walls of Your churches and even our hearts. As followers of Christ, we have disobeyed your commands and failed to confront sin. It is because of this that we, as a nation, find ourselves in a time of great transition. 
We have seen strife and confusion in our government and our political parties are plagued with infighting and devision. Often our candidates are plagued by the sins of their past and an unwillingness to acknowledge or repent of their failures and sins. 

With such uncertainty, we turn to the only Person in whom we can be certain, God Almighty. We ask for Your guidance and divine intervention in this election. As Daniel 4:17b says “That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, And bestows it on whom He wishes And sets over it the lowliest of men.” (NASB). We ask that You, oh Lord, would be gracious and merciful upon the United States, and that You would give us the leaders that we need to lead us back to You and not give us the leaders that we deserve. In Jesus name, Amen. 

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

One Month Later

Becoming a published author was a dream come true. Yet upon reaching my release date, I realized that I’d not reached the end of my journey, but merely the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. After one month, I’ve begun to realize that writing the book is only one aspect of authoring a book. 

The modern author wears many hats: writer, speaker, salesperson, marketing specialist, business owner, event coordinator, to name a few. It’s truly remarkable the number of jobs an author is required to suddenly and expertly execute upon completing a manuscript. 
The first thing I must confess is that I am an introvert masquerading as an extrovert. I say this because I want to give credit where it is due. Any success I gain is only achieved through God’s design, my willingness to obey Him, and the helpful support of my family, friends, and my loyal readership. Its been one month since my release date and I’ve already seen modest personal sales. (I won’t receive my first royalty report until the end of October). 

Am I an overnight success story? No. Am I likely to be on the New York Times best seller list soon? Probably not. Is that reason to give up? Absolutely not. The joy of writing is not gaining wealth or fame, but rather the joy of knowing you’ve had an impact on another human being (though wealth and fame are a nice perk). The joy is found in knowing you’ve at the very least entertained them, or maybe made them think about a topic in a new and profound way. 

Every book has a message and I pray that many people read, receive, and enjoy my new novel, Chronicles of Alethia: The Heir Comes Forth. 

Keep on writing.

For His Glory!

“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB)
In all my writing, I strive to uphold the command found above. Some of the greatest and most humbling comments I’ve received concerning my novel Chronicles of Alethia: The Heir Comes Forth have related to the Christian and God-honoring themes it contains, and the admonition that there needs to be more novels like it on bookshelves. This isn’t a sales pitch, but finding good wholesome fantasy novels today remains a difficult task for parents and students alike. Give it a go and see if your not pleasantly surprised.