Paralyzed from a boating accident, Mark Wells’s life changed in an instant. While it took a while to transfer his story to the page, he insists it was well worth it. Find out more about Mark’s book, …And There Was a Calm, how he finally got his book to the finish line, and the encouraging feedback he’s getting from readers.
Before we jump into your new book, tell us a little about you. Who is Mark Wells?
I am happily married to a wonderful lady, Kelly, and we have two kids, Codey and Gracie. I have a spinal cord injury which left me a paraplegic. I’m currently working but plan to retire on my fifty-fifth birthday, which is in August of this year. My family has a small farm (Walnut Ridge Farm), from which we get a lot of pleasure. It is hard work, but we love it. Codey is married to Lyndsey, and they are expecting their first child in September. We are really excited about that! Gracie is about to graduate with a degree in elementary education, and we are so proud of her as she is graduating with high honors. Life is hard with a disability, but I don’t let that slow me down, as I still love to fish and hunt.
Your book had a slow start a decade ago. Talk a little about that—when did you start writing, and how did you eventually get the manuscript to the finish line?
I started writing my book in 2010. It was slow and painful, as writing made me recall details that were painful to confront. I waited a few years before getting a bit more dedicated to the writing process, but then out of nowhere my wife of sixteen and a half years decided she wanted someone else. I was devastated and hurt terribly.
After the divorce, I approached Kelly (a magazine article writer) and asked if she would be interested in ghostwriting my book for me. She encouraged me to write smaller snippets of my story for a local Christian magazine. I did that and found satisfaction in doing so. It wasn’t until earlier last year while giving my testimony at a local church that I mentioned my book in my testimony. Afterward, a nice lady asked where she could get a copy of my book. After telling her I never finished writing my book, she encouraged me to do so. I talked with a good friend, Daniel K. Brantley, who happens to be The Southern Ghostwriter. I begged and pleaded with him to take a look at what I’d written thus far.
He was the dedicated professional I needed from the beginning. Sensitive to my plight and the pain that I’d already endured, he was thorough yet understanding. We would talk once a week, and he would then piece together my story to make into a wonderful book that I am so proud of. His attention to detail and getting the story the way I wanted it told is simply remarkable.
If you don’t mind, tell us a brief synopsis of …And There Was a Calm. What is it about?
It starts with the stress of life that led me to invite myself on someone else’s vacation, where my tragic accident took place. This became the first domino in a chain of events that didn’t seem an end to. Then God took the chaos of my life and brought peace, love, and stability to me, an underserving person. What was taken from me in physical and emotional health was given back to me by a loving God.
After working with Daniel to finish your book manuscript, was it an easy choice to work with Argyle Fox Publishing? What made you think we would be a good fit?
Daniel offered to put my book out to other publishers, but why in the world would I do that? He was such a blessing to work with as a ghostwriter that the decision was easy.
Argyle Fox Publishing was fantastic to work with. I did not have any problems from start to finish. Professionalism has to be in their mission statement as a business.
Now that …And There Was a Calm is published, how will you measure whether your book is a success? What is your goal for the book?
When I give my testimony at churches, I expect people to want to know more about my story. Currently I am getting great feedback from people who have read the book. There is not a set number of books I have in mind as a way to measure the book as successful. But when people tell me that they really enjoyed reading it and couldn’t put it down, that tells me the book is doing exactly what I hoped it would do.
What are you doing to market your book and let folks know it is available?
Word of mouth and Facebook is how we are advertising my book.
What feedback have you received so far on your book?
People tell me the book is great. They say it’s well written and that once they start reading they don’t want to stop. Each chapter leaves the reader wanting to know what happens next.
What do you now know about book publishing that you wish you knew before getting started?
Argyle Fox Publishing went above my expectations. I suspect if everyone knew how easy it was to work with a publisher, we would have a lot more authors. I understand this question as a way of extracting something negative about the publishing process, but there were none.
What would you say to other authors who have a great story they aren’t sure if they should publish?
Do it! Don’t wait. The process is amazing, and you won’t regret it.
Is there anything else the world should know about you or your writing?
If God is willing to work things out in my life, He most certainly is willing to do it for you. More than likely, I will be one and done when it comes to writing books. But who knows? This book has been compared to a favorite TV program, as it’s hard to put down and the end leaves you wanting more. So, I may do another one someday. I just hope it’s not through tragedy.
Agreed. Thanks so much, and here’s to success!
Wish you could have your own publishing story? Submit your manuscript to Argyle Fox Publishing for consideration to get started!