When God’s Timing Is Bigger Than Your Publishing Plan with Nancy Haack

What did you think of this episode? Have you waited so long to publish that you wonder whether you’ve missed your opportunity? Welcome to Your Best Writing Life! Award-winning author and illustrator Nancy Haack joins Linda Goldfarb on Your Best Writing Life to share the story behind her children’s picture book, In the Night Watch. Nancy’s dream of illustrating children’s books began in college and took decades to see the light of day. We talk about waiting on God’s timing, recognizing preparation, and following an opportunity that feels beyond your abilities. Nancy also shares how her book became part of a mission trip to Peru—and what that experience taught her about success as a Christian writer. If you’re discouraged by your publishing timeline, this conversation offers encouragement and practical questions to consider before your next step. Have you ever looked at your publishing timeline and wondered, “Did I miss it?” My guest, Nancy Haack, knows what it’s like to carry a writing dream for years. Today, we’re talking about the waiting—and what happened when it was time to move forward. Guest Bio AWSA Golden Scroll Award winner Nancy Haack lives in upstate New York with her husband and dog, Henry. She enjoys her grandchildren, volunteers with teens at church, and pursues her lifelong dream of writing and illustrating children’s books and writing romance novels. Episode Content Nancy studied children’s book illustration in college, but her path to creating books took longer than she expected. Along the way, she continued developing her craft and working with children. In this Story Behind the Story conversation, Nancy takes us behind In the Night Watch, an encouraging children’s bedtime picture book. We explore how her earlier experiences shaped the work and how a mission trip to Peru opened an unexpected opportunity to share it. Our conversation includes: What waiting can feel like when you dream of publishing. Recognizing how earlier work and experiences prepare you. How to discern which writing is meant to be shared publicly. Responding to an opportunity that stretches your confidence. Considering what faithfulness and success mean in your writing life. Nancy also answers our signature question: What’s one thing you can do this week to move toward your best writing life? Connect with Nancy Website: writingbynancy.com Instagram: @writingbynancy Facebook: Nancy E Haack Look for In the Night Watch and Nancy’s other books through Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Spanish editions of her children’s books are also available. Share This Episode Know a writer who’s wondering whether the waiting has been wasted? Share this episode with them. Visit Your Best Writing Life website. Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life Your host - Linda Goldfarb #4 Podcast 2026 "Million Podcasts Top 30 Christian Writers Podcasts" #1 Podcast 2024 "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers. Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast