Today we’d like to introduce you to Chrissy Whitten

Hi Chrissy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

The major event that inspired me to publish my books was my first daughter Lilian Grace coming into the world, living for 103 days, and departing this earth so early. I started posting journal entries in CaringBridge to update family, friends, and supporters all over the world. My intention wasn’t to turn it all into a four book series, yet here I am today working on the final book in the Journals from a Warrior’s Mother. Plus, I am working on study guides for each book.

I was lucky enough to have my other two daughters, Piper and Daphne, join the team as Junior Illustrators for book three. They will be participating in the inside art for book four, as well, helping with my twelve children books that will be coming on the next several years. It all takes time.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

It has been far from smooth. There have been bumps, major potholes, mountain size climbs, deep valleys, twists and turns, and everything in-between. Reliving her life here and the grieving journey after has been therapeutic, yet a price was paid by my mental and physical health. The healing journey has required lots of work processing and establishing better boundaries and space for healing and recovery. My family has been graceful during the long hours in my bedroom office, especially my all-nighters trying to make deadlines. I haven’t been at top of my game throughout the editing and processing. We transformed my original journal entries that included song lyrics, memory verses, and inspirational stories into a wonderful devotional type finish.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I made a promise to Nelle Swindell, my English/Literature High School Teacher and Yearbook sponsor, before she died. She wanted to make sure that I turned my CaringBridge journal entries into a book series. I laughed and thought she was out of her mind, yet God had a bigger plan. From the conversation I had with her where I made this promise, an ever-burning desire to get my first book published wouldn’t go away. I’d wake up in the middle of the night with bursts of energy and desire to keep working. Fourteen years later, here I am working on the fourth book in the series. The first book was turned into an audiobook, which took over a year. I’m also working on the study guide to book one. I couldn’t have convinced myself that this would be a reality, but here we are. I’m proud that God wouldn’t lighten up with me. My perseverance, resiliency, and stubbornness have kept me going. I’ve learned not to look at numbers while keeping in my that there’s that one person who needs my words with the exact verses and songs they need for their battles.

I’m self-published with three warriors who are on my team. We’ve all had our battles throughout the past five years working together. I couldn’t have done this without them.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?

The writing industry has been interesting since COVID-19 days. Sadly, I started my publishing journey when the world was starting to shut down. The economic hardships rose and haven’t gotten any better. Everything costs more. Since the rise in costs for everyone, hiring cover artists, editors, and formatters takes a hit. The self-publishing route is not cheap. I don’t ever want to discourage someone from writing and publishing their works. I just want to make sure they understand that it is not a cheap endeavor. You do get what you pay for.

There is a big shift for individuals who were excellent artists, editors, and formatters. They can’t sustain a basic livelihood with the lack of individuals being able to afford the costs. It’s a domino effect for everyone. There will always be people writing and publishing, yet the expectations of it being economically wise will need to adapt.

Pricing:

• Book 1 – The Fight: Ebook – $7.99, Black and white paperback – $13.99, Full Color paperback – $36.99, and AudioBook – $17.99
• Book 2 – The Fall to the Climb: Ebook – $7.99, Black and white paperback – $15.99, and Full Color paperback – $37.99
• Book 3 – Rainbows & Brainstorms: Ebook – $9.99, Black and white paperback – $17.99, and Full Color paperback – $39.99
• Coming Soon – The Fight Study Guide
• Coming end of 2025 – Book 4 “The Triumph Over An Aching Heart”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chrissylwhitten.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissylwhitten/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrissylwhitten
• Other: https://youtu.be/5h53IQ-uldc

Image Credits

Chera Thompson Myers, Bluebird Photography for author picture