The title seems counterintuitive, right? Pitching a book is difficult for all writers. With all this talk of rejection in the industry, why should you have hope that someone will accept it? It’s better to be realistic and expect the worst. Right?

Not exactly. Let me explain.

Though I didn’t anticipate it, God gave me three opportunities to pitch my book this past weekend at the Taylor University Professional Writers’ Conference. The first opportunity was intentional – the workshop was about pitching, after all. I had the notion we’d go through the dreaded “fake pitch” I’d done many times in class. My hunch was right, and all the writers in the room scrambled to find a partner. Each person I turned to left to join another writer until a woman in a lovely yellow sweater and matching earrings joined me. Though I normally wouldn’t, I decided to go first, pitching my picture book to her while she pretended to be an agent.

As I pitched the book, there was a keyword in my pitch that made her eyes pop out of her head. “Oh, wow,” she said. She leaned in closer and asked me about the experience that inspired the book. Not the reaction I was expecting! Maybe pitching was easier than I thought. I had read so many stories of authors whose books were rejected millions of times that I hadn’t fathomed someone would actually be interested.

I felt so much better afterward. I was able to tell her about myself, the book, and why it was so important to me. I couldn’t tell her everything, but I got out the basics, and I gained confidence as I spoke.

The second and third pitching opportunities were during one-on-one appointments. First, I was meeting with a talented freelance editor and screenwriter. I came to the one-on-ones with no intention of pitching my book. I had carefully read up about the attendees and I knew that no one was accepting children’s books. I was simply there to ask some questions about the industry and what next steps I should be taking. Nevertheless, God nudged me to bring my one-sheet and book proposal.

The editor asked me what I was currently working on. She remained patient while I fumbled to recall my pitch. I told her my tagline and something familiar happened – her eyes popped out of her head! The conversation was incredibly positive and opened a door for me which I did not see coming.

You probably know the pattern by now, but in my last one-on-one appointment, I talked to a freelance writer who asked me about my work. I didn’t expect this, so I told her about my picture book manuscript. Her eyes popped out of her head, too! She proceeded to give me a wealth of resources – publisher and marketing ideas, series potential, words of encouragement. I was (and still am) very grateful.

On the car ride home, I told my mom that all three ladies had the same reaction at the same point in my pitch. I was amazed. “Why do you think they reacted like that?” I asked.

Her answer? “They saw the potential.”

I hadn’t sold the book, but that didn’t matter. Just the fact that people liked it made me feel over the moon.

Every “how to write” book had warned me that authors don’t get praise when they pitch their work; in fact, it prepared me for rejection.  It’s an accepted “fact” that a writer’s work is never sold on the first pitch. While I wasn’t trying to sell the book, I didn’t expect positive feedback on it, either. I knew so many ways a pitch could go wrong, but I didn’t think a pitch could ever go right. Because of this, I had a negative mindset about pitching my work.

My experience at the conference reminded me of Peter walking on water to meet Jesus (Matthew 14:22-33). Peter is terrified and loses sight of Jesus as soon as he sees the fury of the storm around him. Jesus saves him from drowning and brings Peter to his senses, but He still gives Peter a good scolding – “You of little faith. Why did you doubt?” Jesus calmed the storm, both on the outside (the world) and the inside (within Peter).

Though a conference doesn’t look like a storm, the conversations, crowds, and humidity overwhelmed me. I was a nervous wreck and spent much of the conference thinking about my fear rather than giving it to God. I forgot that the conference was an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

Yet, God pulled me out of the storm. He gave me the courage to speak about my book and He blessed me with new writing opportunities. He told me to quit being self-centered, and boy, I needed to hear it. But He was gracious to put me in the right place at the right time, and He helped me work through my fear.

So here’s a thought for you, writer: instead of thinking of all the ways a pitch could go wrong, think of the potential that interaction could have. Maybe that threatening person in your one-on-one meeting will be a wonderful, supportive friend. Maybe that terrifying presentation will touch the heart of someone who’s hurting. Maybe that big, scary conference is where you’ll finally sell that book. Of course you’re going to face rejection at some point. We all do. But instead of worrying yourself silly about it, why not hope for the best? Whether an agent accepts or rejects you is a part of God’s plan. He knows just who you need to talk to and He will get you there. All you have to do is trust Him in the middle of it.

I know; easier said than done! You may feel like you’re in the boat with the Disciples. The waves crash against the deck. The thunder rolls, crackling in your ears. You can’t see what’s ahead of you in the fierce rain. It’s too much! But there’s something beyond the dark clouds. Can you see it? That’s Jesus, holding out His hand. He’s calling you to hold on and not let go.

Trust Him, writer. Let him calm the storm in you.