I’ve said for years that the “separation” between the Christian and the general publishing markets is more of a hedge than a wall. And yet it can still be daunting to traverse.


I’ve said for years that the “separation” between the Christian and the general publishing markets is more of a hedge than a wall. And yet it can still be daunting to traverse.

Consider this: “He says, ‘I will do it for you. Why do you worry? I will do it for you. I am God. I am Jehovah. I am your righteousness. I am your provider. I am your healer. I am your banner of victory. I am your shepherd. I am your peace. I am your everything.’ “If God is all this to us, then there is no reason why anybody should be downhearted in this hour. If God could …
I have lived in Phoenix for 50 years. Winter has beautiful weather and brings visitors from the frozen north. But, as this weatherman discovered, sometimes it can get a little toasty in the desert. His reaction is priceless.
I try to post something about this topic every year. This year is no exception. In the United States, under U.S. copyright law, works published in 1930 and earlier are now in the public domain. One can publish them or use them without securing copyright permission. In case you are wondering about the specifics, the Copyright Term Extension Act (passed in 1998) gave works published from 1923 …

The picture below made me start playing a word game in my mind. What words can be created by adding new letters? Some possible answers are beneath the photo. But before you look, play the game yourself! Then the thought dawned on me that each answer to the puzzle creates a story, in and of itself. The potential for a short story of your own is ripe for creation. See my 300-word attempt below. If …

(Updated 1/19/2026) “Bring the books, especially the parchments,” is a sentence in 2 Timothy 4:13 that has teased readers for 2,000 years. What books did the Apostle Paul want to read while waiting for trial? Theology? History? How-to? (Maybe a little escape reading? Pun intended.) Another writer chimed in a while ago by saying, “Of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). And if …
Does today’s video reflect the saying “You must sing for your supper”? What does that mean anyway? Does it suggest that only vocalists will be fed and writers will starve? Enjoy! (If you cannot view the video in your email newsletter, please click through to the website and enjoy it there.)
I always find it instructive to look back at the prior year. So many things are the same in the industry, and yet changes are still constant. The world, reveling in darkness and debauchery, continues to try to throw its shade over the glory of God, thinking they can somehow smother, suppress, or smash it into oblivion. We know different. The following is my annual attempt to review some things in …

No new posts for the next two weeks. We are all taking a short break for the holidays. Back in the saddle starting January 12!

Thank you for being a loyal reader of our posts. We wouldn’t continue if it weren’t for you! We strive to bring a measure of insight to the conversation about writing, publishing, and all things between. Your feedback is appreciated! May you and yours have a blessed Christmas wherever you are. This will be our last post until January 12, 2026. We shall return with vim, vigor, notions, …

