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Home » Archives for Tamela Hancock Murray » Page 39

Tamela Hancock Murray

The Gift of Christian Fiction

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 10, 2015
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If you’re looking for the most original idea ever expressed on a Christian Publishing blog, this isn’t it. But this thought is worth repeating at this time of year, and that is, consider giving the gift of Christian fiction as you shop for your Christmas gifts.

Why?

  • The stories are written and edited well.
  • They are entertaining and uplifting.
  • You can find a book for almost any interest. Romance, romantic suspense, mystery, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, women’s fiction, general fiction – it’s there. (A great search engine for the various genres can be found at fictionfinder.com)
  • I love giving Christian fiction because it’s appropriate for anyone. I can give any CBA book to any person with confidence knowing the reader won’t encounter a raunchy, distasteful, or blasphemous scene. If evil happens, God’s goodness prevails. I appreciate knowing any friend or relative won’t come back to me after reading a Christian novel I gave as a gift and ask why I thought he or she would enjoy reading something questionable.
  • The message in a CBA novel is one of love. If you’re close enough to someone to exchange a gift, that person will know you’re a Christian. As long as you’re giving the book with an attitude of love, and you don’t sound like a clanging cymbal (1 Cor 13:1), the recipient can choose to read the story or give the novel to someone who’ll appreciate the book. Either way, the Kingdom wins.

Merry Christmas!

Your turn:

Are you planning to give any Christian books as presents this year?

What novels would you recommend as gifts?

What nonfiction books would you recommend?

Other than your Bible, what is your favorite Christian book you have received as a gift?

Leave a Comment
Category: Book Business, The Publishing LifeTag: Christmas Gifts, The Publishing Life

A Job I Believe In

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 3, 2015
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Do you believe in your job? I mean, really believe in it? Recently I went to an event where I hadn’t planned to talk at all about being a literary agent. But I found myself talking about books all the same. Granted, I didn’t talk about being a literary agent in the same way I’d talk about it with writers; no one at the event was a writer so they weren’t interested in having a novel published. In …

Read moreA Job I Believe In
Category: Book Business, Career, PersonalTag: Career

Happy Thanksgiving!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 26, 2015
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Today I will be cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for my family and I hope you will be celebrating with those you love as well. Perhaps you will be able to take a few moments to ponder the Gospel entry from the Book of Common Prayer, presented in more than one translation. God Bless you. Readings for Thanksgiving Day The Gospel St. Matthew vi. 25 JESUS said, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall …

Read moreHappy Thanksgiving!
Category: Christian, Faith, PersonalTag: Book of Common Prayer, Faith, thanksgiving

Blogging: A Fabulous Tool

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 19, 2015
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Blogging can be a bit scary for new writers. It’s time-consuming. It’s a commitment. And besides, what to write about? These are all good questions, but to show agents and editors – and readers – who you are, it’s a great idea to use a blog as a tool. Blogging is even an excellent idea for authors who aren’t yet published. We want to know who you are. How better to find out than to hear from you …

Read moreBlogging: A Fabulous Tool
Category: MarketingTag: blogging, Marketing

Navigating Social Media Before You are Published

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 12, 2015
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Many new authors ask me a good question. “I don’t have a book to promote. How do I build a social media platform?” At this point, you’re becoming a friend to your potential readers. I like to use the example of my mother-in-law. Years ago, she adored watching Regis and Kathie Lee on television. To her, they were like friends. Of course, they weren’t, really. But to her and many others, they felt …

Read moreNavigating Social Media Before You are Published
Category: Marketing, Platform, Social MediaTag: Platform, Social Media

The Joy of the Love Story

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 5, 2015
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Sometimes readers will tell me they don’t understand why anyone would enjoy genre romance novels. Sometimes they’ll even grimace and shudder. I can tell you a couple of reasons why these are such great books: They Make Sense Some books don’t make sense. If you read book reviews, you’ll see that a plot not making sense is a frequent complaint. As for everything making sense, perhaps my faith (or …

Read moreThe Joy of the Love Story
Category: Genre, RomanceTag: Genre, Romance

Tell Us All the Gossip!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 29, 2015
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Sometimes writers hear wild, wild gossip about the industry. Sometimes that gossip is true. Sometimes it is not. Sometimes it is halfway true. As your agent, I want to hear it! You might say, “Wait a minute! Aren’t you a Christian agent? Doesn’t the Bible say not to gossip?” Yes. And yes. But I need to hear this gossip. Not because I love to gossip. I don’t. I don’t have time. For one thing, I …

Read moreTell Us All the Gossip!
Category: Agents, Communication, Get PublishedTag: Agents, Communication, Get Published, Gossip

Where is the Romance?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 22, 2015
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When I talk with authors about their stories, sometimes they’ll say. “Yes, there’s romance. But it doesn’t happen until chapter five.” That’s when I look at the story and try to give advice on how they can change that. Granted, not every novel is a genre romance, nor should it be. And introducing the love element earlier shouldn’t turn the story into a genre romance. A more likely scenario? The …

Read moreWhere is the Romance?
Category: Craft, Romance, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Romance, Writing Craft

So You Finished Your Novel Before Deadline

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 15, 2015
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Are you one of those fabulous writers who finishes your books well before deadline? Are there weeks, maybe even months, left before you’re supposed to turn in the novel? Or maybe you’re just talking a week or two. That’s still great. Celebrate! Should you send your novel to the editor today? No. At least, there probably isn’t anything to be gained by turning in your novel early. Most publishers …

Read moreSo You Finished Your Novel Before Deadline
Category: Editing, Writing CraftTag: Deadline, Editing, Writing Craft

Arguments to Abandon on Facebook

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 8, 2015
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The expression “choose your battles” is a good one, especially in this time when authors must use social media to engage with potential readers. In fact, at a recent author gathering, one mentioned to me that she abandoned Facebook because she was tired of negative comments. I can understand that. Life is stressful enough without reading political screeds and pointless debates during …

Read moreArguments to Abandon on Facebook
Category: Career, Communication, Platform, Social MediaTag: Facebook, Social Media
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