Admittedly, today’s video is odd. But one cannot avoid the creativity.
A musician writes a song around the strange meowing of his neighbor’s cat. Complete with lyrics.
Enjoy! And then comment if you see a metaphor here for the writing life.
Five Reasons Why You May Never Get Published
[I posted a version of this article 521 weeks ago. Amazing how true the principles remain unchanged.] There are many factors that go into the acquisition, development, and sale of a new book. But the majority of ideas never get to that point. I thought it might be helpful to review some of the most common issues we’ve run into. 1. You Won’t Do the Work Writing a novel, a nonfiction …
Book Industry Trends
Publishing is partly an exercise in guessing what might be the next surprise bestseller. Some of it is an educated guess based on certain trends we see in the industry and in society at large. Any exercise in naming these trends bears the risk of expressing the obvious or being out of date the moment they are stated. So bear with me as I tinker with some of the factors that are either influencing …
Fun Fridays – November 4, 2022
Winter is coming. Hi Ho, Hi Ho! I live in Arizona where we have the loveliest weather this time of year. But for many of you, snow is coming. Today’s video will help you celebrate the season. A mashup of Vivaldi and “Let It Go.” Enjoy! (If you cannot see the embedded video in your newsletter email, please click the headline and go directly to our site to view it.)
Attend the 2023 Write-to-Publish Conference
I am very pleased to announce that the Christian Writers Institute (CWI) has taken over the operation and management of the venerable Write-to-Publish Conference (WTP) held every June in Wheaton, Illinois. This conference has been in operation for over 50 years, and we are very excited to add this event to the offerings of CWI. After owning and running the event for the last 28 years, Lin Johnson …
Fun Fridays – October 28, 2022
While today’s video is nine minutes long, it may be quite wonderful for many of you. (The last two minutes are a message from the artist.) Watch the decade of the 80s in worship music performed acapella. Twenty-five songs in all. Which of these are familiar to you? (If you cannot see the embedded video in your newsletter email, please click the headline and go directly to our site to view …
Having an Agent Doesn’t Guarantee a Book Deal
Good morning, friends. Mr. Happy, Steve Laube, is going to say happy things today that will warm your hearts and tickle your toes. Well, maybe not. Unfortunately some may not like this dose of reality, but to prepare you for the wild and woolly world of publishing I think you should hear it. Getting an agent to represent you isn’t a guarantee of a book contract. It is a step in that …
Fun Fridays – October 21, 2022
Can you follow this magician? I don’t care how many times you watch it, it’s still magic! (If you cannot see the embedded video in your newsletter email, please click the headline and go directly to our site to view it.)
A Lesser Known Woman in the History of Christian Publishing: Emma Revell Moody
You may know a lot about Dwight L. Moody, his famous school (Moody Bible Institute), Moody Radio, and Moody Publishers. But what about his wife, Emma? In the midst of America’s Civil War, Emma Revell married Dwight L. Moody. He was a dedicated Christian who began as a successful shoe salesman but felt called to teach the gospel in a poor area of Chicago. So many families came that he and Emma …
Fun Fridays – October 14, 2022
Today’s video is quite inspiring. I had to watch it more than once. It is from the 2016 Paralympic Games. Each runner is blind and is accompanied by a sighted partner. I struggle to imagine running full speed without sight. It’s hard enough with it. I could not help but think of a dozen word pictures this action displays for us. In our daily walk with God. In our lonely struggle as …