Ready, Set, Launch
In the 80s, I wrote stories on random pieces of paper. They were imaginative and often incomprehensible. If you ask my parents, they also never had an ending.
In the 90s, I fell in love with writing. My freshmen English teacher gracefully led me to an appreciation of the rules while encouraging my creativity. I actually began to spell words correctly.
In the 2000s, I graduated with a bachelor's degree in English and confidence in my ability to marry creativity with accuracy, clarity, and finesse. However, I also graduated with school loans and married young, both realities pushed me toward a “real” job.
I loved my “real” job (and still do) but the little girl in me has never stopped dreaming of being a writer, more specifically, an author.
In 2012, I read Mark Batterson’s book about praying bold prayers, The Circle Maker. I typically underline quotes in the books I read, but there was one standout quote that I dramatically underlined in red ink. I am not sure how much this quote resonated with other readers, but I felt as though Mark wrote this specific statement for one reader: Me.
“Too many authors worry about whether or not their book will get published. That isn’t the question. The question is this: Are you called to write? That’s the only question you need to answer. And if the answer is yes, then you need to write the book as an act of obedience. It doesn’t matter whether anyone reads it or not.”
I felt convicted.
“Are you called to write?” Yes, I knew it in my soul.
“Then you need to write the book as an act of obedience.” So, I opened a Word document and typed this quote in the header. I started writing “the book” and with every new page, I visually engaged with the words: “act of obedience.” That quote, that Holy Spirit download, began the long and labored journey that has brought me here.
I have written a book. I am an author.
Honestly, the manuscript I began in 2012 was pretty much a glorified diary. That is not the book that I bring before you now. But it was the launching point where I wrestled with words, built my confidence, and confirmed that this is about obedience more than anything.
Let me introduce you to my first book, God’s Big Ask.
Walls crumble. Disappointments repeat. Pain becomes too close a friend. In our weariness, we struggle to embrace God’s direction because we feel as though He asks too much, given our current circumstances. In God’s Big Ask, Carissa Campbell provides insight on how to courageously say yes to God, in both the daily mundane and in the big, by learning to:
replace the disappointment of unmet expectations by developing confidence in God’s storyline for you.
release the weight of worry by choosing to trust God in the space between your need and His answer.
push through the sense of abandonment and discover why God intentionally uses silence.
overcome the tendency to avoid what God asks of us by embracing the rewarding practice of obedience.
God’s Big Ask assures that redemption and restoration are possible for all of us, in all our places, and in all our messes. Your journey through sacrifice, suffering, and silence doesn’t have to be suffocating; rather, it can be full of surprises where your wasteland becomes a transformational example of His workmanship.
It was not an easy book to write. I open up about painful experiences and pull back the curtain on doing ministry while forehead-deep in trauma. I am honest about how unfair God seems to be and how angry I became with Him. There is no holds bar because life is not made up of sugarplums and rainbows; life is hard, grit wears down, circumstances implode, and messes and losses stack too high. In fact, if you have followed my blog, you have some insight into the devastation I experienced during the writing of this book.
But the right choice is often also the hardest choice.
My prayer is that the message of the book will spark hope in you. I know your spirit will be refreshed as you are reminded of this assurance: When you say “yes” to God, He will affirm His presence in your life and address your deepest needs.
God’s Big Ask will be available for purchase on September 27, 2022. Subscribe to my blog here for email updates and follow me on Instagram @carissancampbell.
Here is my ask! Will you join the launch team for this book?
What is a launch team?
A launch team is a group of supporters who rally around an author and book. There are various ways supporters can help but it essentially breaks down to three main concepts: PURCHASE, REVIEW, PROMOTE.
Why is a launch team important?
I am sure you have heard the quote, “It takes a village” - well, that applies here! Your participation in the launching of this book will have a significant impact. 70% of the reading population purchases their books through Amazon. 9 out of 10 of those readers will look at how many reviews a given book has. The more reviews there are, the more Amazon’s algorithm works in the favor of the author. Do a quick self-inventory: Have you ever declined a purchase because there were too few reviews? Book reviews matter!
The Launch team (see below) is given access to a digital copy earlier than the publication date in hopes that individuals will have read enough of the book to offer a positive and honest review within the first few days of publication. Do not worry about having to be eloquent in your review or having to deeply analyze the book, a simple honest review will be appreciated. Your willingness to help pre-read, purchase, review, and post are major steps in helping this book be successful.
Choose your level of engagement:
I understand that not everyone can engage in the same manner, but I do believe everyone can engage in some way. To help differentiate levels of responsibility, there are four tiers supporters can choose from:
Tier 1: read a digital copy of the book (portions or entirety) before the publication date, purchase the book on the launch date, write a review on Amazon within the first three days of publication, and help promote the book through social media and word of mouth
Tier 2: read a digital copy of the book (portions or entirety) before the publication date, purchase the book on the launch date, and write a review on Amazon within the first three days of publication
Tier 3: purchase the book within the first week of the launch date and help promote the book through social media and word of mouth
Tier 4: purchase the book within the first week of the launch date
How do I join the launch team for God’s Big Ask?
Join the launch team here. Pick your level of engagement by choosing Tier 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Then, look for an email with a detailed explanation that will walk you through the tier you chose. (check your email spam folder)
How else can I help?
Pray for the book’s message and influence.
Tell your family, friends, non-friends, strangers, and all your people about the book! Send them this blog link. Anyone can serve on the Launch Team!
Thank you so much for your love, support, and encouragement. I launched this website and blog over a year ago and have been so blessed by my readers and friends. You are my village!
Until next time my friends,
