Announcement: The Next Step of My Writing Journey

Hello, hello, dear reader. Welcome to Be the Blaze, and for those who are around here regularly, yes, it has been a while since the last post. Well, as you can see from the title, this post is an announcement about me as a writer and how having a blog has led me to... well, you'll see.

Those who are subscribers to Be the Blaze have already heard this, but I am officially a published author. A published author! Back in January, I submitted my short story, Found, and my poem, Chosen and Free, to be published in an anthology. The project started in late September, and I was finished editing and finally submitted it three to five days before the deadline. My journey from "writer" to "author" was officially completed on March 12, 2026. My story and poem were accepted to be published. I was going to be an author.

Everything just smoothly flowed from there, besides a few minor layout issues. My writing was put through editing along with all the other authors. The anthology layout and title were completed. Then the email came. So Far to Find You was officially released into the world, along with my story. My words. Me. On June 30th Brooke Jacqueline became a published author.

I was thinking about this journey and I came to realize that without participating in Crazy Writing Week 2025, I would never have found the Skillful Pen Press. Here's my thought process: During CWW 2025, I met Olivia Tracey from The Remnant (who inspired me to start Be the Blaze, by the way 😊). I subscribed to The Remnant, following Olivia over the days, and then found out that she was becoming the Newsletter Intern for a small publishing company called The Skillful Pen Press. I then subscribed to the publishing house and eventually found out they were starting the second book of their series, The Chosen.

This got me thinking about how every detail, like starting a blog, can be used for God's plan. It was God's plan for me to become a published author, and He decided how it would happen. He decided who I would meet, what I would write, and every detail in between, all leading to becoming a published author.

But this is only one step in my writing journey. If all those little things led to this moment, I wonder where this book will lead me next on my writing journey.

And finally, here's the link to where you can purchase your very own copy of So Far to Find You: https://books2read.com/u/3n67RR

The anthology's overall theme is a celebration of adoption through the lens of Christ’s hope — a collection of real stories, imaginative fiction, and heartfelt poetry that show how God weaves families together in tender, surprising, and deeply redemptive ways.

Now, I would really appreciate it if you would share this post with three people. That way, those three people have a chance to read the beautiful book, So Far to Find You. Sharing with three people isn't hard to do, and if everyone here spreads the news of this new book with simply three people, God's love spreads, too!

Thank you so much, and thank you God!

Blessings,

Brooke Jacqueline

"All glory goes to God."

-Gabby Douglas