From Personal Pain to Public Hope: Catherine Ramshaw’s Author Story
Here's a glimpse into how author Catherine Ramshaw found hope and helped others find theirs. Check out our latest podcast for more self-publishing advice.
From Personal Pain to Public Hope: Catherine Ramshaw’s Author Story
Catherine Ramshaw is the author of Don’t Worry God, I Got This…Until I Didn’t. She describes the book as a raw and faith-filled story that only God could write, inviting readers into the heart of unimaginable trials and the unexpected gifts found in the middle of them. Through the adoption of one soul-injured child and the three life-threatening cancer battles of her oldest son, Catherine Ramshaw shares her journey of disbelief that her good God would allow so much suffering, yet with honesty, hope, and even humor, she offers encouragement, directing the reader back to Him. More than a story of survival, this book is a companion for anyone facing hardship, loss, or long-suffering, reminding them they are not alone, their story isn’t over yet, and that God delights in the clinging hand of His child in their most desperate situations.
“I always dreamed of writing a book about God’s goodness—and assumed I’d write it when life was good,” Catherine reflects. “But the Bible is full of stories born from battles, prisons, and long desert journeys. I wrote this book because I had to. In my darkest moments, I begged God not to waste a single tear. My conversations in the dark with Him became my comfort and key to survival. This isn’t my story—it’s God’s story written on my life. My hope is that readers see themselves in these pages, finding encouragement and knowing that they are not alone.”
When asked more about her goal for her book, Catherine shares: “I've always had high expectations of myself, too high. My hope was to sell this book because it's a story worth sharing and a message worth knowing. My prayer is that God uses the story to bring others hope, helping others not walk away from their relationship with God when life gets hard.”
Catherine’s Publishing Experience: From Personal Journey to Timeless Message
After researching and speaking with publishers, Catherine ultimately chose to self-publish her book. “It seemed to be the best option to get the story God wrote into the hands of readers,” she explains, and it’s a decision she doesn’t regret.
The Daunting First Steps
Though pleased with her choice to self-publish, it wasn’t an easy one to make. The first steps were some of the hardest:
“Knowing who to listen to was the most difficult part of the decision. Self-publishing a book without professional help was more than I wanted to tackle, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever get the product I envisioned without professional help. You don’t know what you don’t know. I took a self-publishing course, paid several hundred dollars, and still found that I wasn’t prepared for all the decisions ahead—nor did I have the skill set to do the layout. I needed someone to guide me through the process, and I am so glad I chose to hire 1106 Design.”
Once she made the decision, she never looked back.
“1106 Design provided professional editing, layout design, and guidance through a lengthy and unfamiliar process. The layout of a book is a critical piece, since an online book will appear differently in a library than on Amazon. How the words look on a page shapes the reading experience, and I couldn’t have done this part alone. There are so many details about the process I didn't know, and 1106 walked right beside me, making sure that at the end of the process we'd have a product I was proud of!”
Navigating the Highs and Lows
The easiest part of the process was writing the book. In her own words, “I was compelled to write. It flowed out of me, and if it didn't, I didn't force it.” One of the most useful resources for Catherine was the Bible Gateway app: “Using the Bible Gateway app was helpful, as it assisted me in selecting the most fitting translation for the book. I intertwined Bible verses throughout my book.”
That said, the topics and themes of this book were not easy to explore. Throughout the process, Catherine’s desire to help others kept her going: “I told myself if it saved one person or helped them keep going, it would be worth it—and it is. Reading the reviews on Amazon, probably more times than I want to admit, is one of the best parts. When a reader says they felt like someone was with them and it pointed them back to God in every chapter, that makes it worth it.”
When asked if she would do it all again, Catherine responds, “If God compels me to write another book, I will do it, but right now I don't have plans to write another one. The book I wrote won't go out of style or lose its meaning. The message is strong and will pass the test of time. I hope to continue to use my book as part of a ministry to those enduring a long, hard journey in need of hope.”
The Hardest Part of the Journey
The most challenging part of Catherine’s publishing journey came later on. “Marketing the book after it was written has been the most challenging stage of self-publishing,” Catherine says. “It’s more than simply writing a good book that people will read and recommend; breaking into wider circles of influence is a daily challenge. Social media is flooded with information, and it’s difficult to break through the noise and make a significant impact.”
Despite the marketing challenges, Catherine perseveres: “I reach my audience mostly through Facebook and word of mouth, but I am launching my audiobook in September, and I plan to do more marketing this fall. I am reaching out to podcasters and have had one TV appearance. I made a short commercial that I will use on social media and on my website. I am also entering it in some area bookstore contests.”
The End of the Road . . . and a New Beginning
Don’t Worry God, I Got This…Until I Didn’t is now available on Amazon and all other online stores. Her softcover is selling in a local store in her hometown, as well, and at a coffee shop in a tourist town.
To ensure her book is available in every format a traditional publisher would sell, she also offers an eBook version, and the audiobook version is coming soon, as of the time of this post.
Nuggets of Wisdom
In addition to a well-produced, captivating book, Catherine came out of the experience with some excellent advice: “It's a process. Every single step takes time, so try to remind yourself this isn't a sprint, it's a marathon.”
She encourages first-time authors to have perspective and to set realistic goals:
“I once heard that 95% of self-published authors sell fewer than 50 copies. Yikes—that’s a punch to the gut! While I’m happy to say my book has sold more than 50, I’m still a long way from The New York Times Best Seller list. Understanding that you probably won’t make your money back is a critical piece. Ask yourself why you’re writing the book, and be honest about the purpose. Knowing the ‘why’ behind your writing will guide your decisions, help you plan your budget, and determine how much time to devote to the process.”
Don't Worry God, I Got This...Until I Didn't: Conversations in the Dark
Author: Catherine Ramshaw
Genre: Nonfiction, Christian Inspirational
Amazon: https://a.co/d/5YwPnPo
Author website URL: http://www.catherineramshaw.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.ramshaw.author
If you’re ready to take the next steps on your publishing journey but aren’t sure where to start, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to discuss your book and explore how we can help you achieve your publishing goals.
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