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Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Archives for Tamela Hancock Murray » Page 59

Tamela Hancock Murray

A Year to Remember

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 29, 2011
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Anyone following this blog or who knows me personally realizes this was a very exciting year for me on a professional level. After ten wonderful years with Hartline Literary Agency, this summer I joined The Steve Laube Agency. I am thrilled to be working with Steve as my new boss and Karen Ball as my colleague.

Although I kept the same title of literary agent and both agencies are headed by Christians, they have different personalities and styles. The transition has been challenging but rewarding. I extend my gratitude to my faithful clients who remained with me through this time of change, and can’t wait to explore the many possibilities ahead for their careers. I am enthusiastic about forming new relationships with beginning and established writers. I see God’s hand in my career as He gave me the leaders I needed at the time I needed them. Joyce Hart gave me chance when I first moved from being an author to an agent. Steve Laube is working with me to help me reach my full potential as a literary agent. My excitement about being part of this great agency has not diminished one iota since I wrote my first post for this blog, Happy to be Here! My esteem for Steve Laube has only grown and over this past year we have formed a solid relationship based on mutual respect and trust.

On a personal level, the major landmark for my family is that my parents celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary this past November. We enjoyed a family celebration in their honor. My husband, John, and I love watching our two daughters thrive. Jill is a successful teacher in South Korea and Ann is an honors student in high school developing her talents in music and the arts. On a spiritual level, I am continuing my study of the works of Medieval Christians, emphasizing contemplative prayer.

Thank you for indulging me as I look back at my year in review. May the Lord bless you and keep you, bringing you His best for the future.

Your Turn

I’d love to hear about your year’s highlights. Feel free to share!

Leave a Comment
Category: Personal, TamelaTag: Personal, Year in Review

Christmas Melodies

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 22, 2011
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The good news for us in Virginia is that we rarely experience a white Christmas. Of course, for snow lovers, that is bad news. No sleigh rides for us.  Not even to a groovy beat. What I love is that winter is cold enough to call for a coat, but usually boots are more of a fashion statement than a necessity.

But here we have plenty of seasonal atmosphere, with an abundance of holly berry scents …

Read moreChristmas Melodies
Category: Personal, TamelaTag: Creativity, Personal, Tamela

What Role Do Influencers Play?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 15, 2011
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One of the services a traditional publisher provides is working with authors in regard to getting publicity about books through word of mouth. This piece of the publicity puzzle is more important for trade books than for mass market books because they fit into an established line and are less author-focused than trade books. Trade books rely more on author identity and brand recognition to be …

Read moreWhat Role Do Influencers Play?
Category: Book Business, Book Business, Tamela, The Publishing Life, Writing CraftTag: Book Business, Contracts, Get Published

The Superiority of Christian Romance Novels

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 8, 2011
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A dedicated reader of the blog (Thank you!) posed an excellent question in response to a recent post:
 Recently, I heard a female Christian marriage counselor/speaker say that women should avoid Christian romance books. She stated there was no such thing as Christian romance. Since she was speaking on the topic of pornography, I assumed she was referring to fiction that leads the reader’s mind …

Read moreThe Superiority of Christian Romance Novels
Category: Genre, Romance, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Romance, Tamela, Writing Craft

Christian Romance — Fact or Fiction?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 1, 2011
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In response to a recent blog post, "A Matter of Taste,"  a reader asked what I would say if someone claimed there is no such thing as Christian romance.

In fact, I have been confronted with this question before. At a Christian writers' conference a few years ago, a woman told me in a snide manner that romance is a "fantasy" and walked away before I could respond. I felt especially sad that the …

Read moreChristian Romance — Fact or Fiction?
Category: Genre, Romance, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Christian, Get Published, Romance, Tamela, Trends, Writing Craft

Reasons I am Thankful Today and Every Day

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 24, 2011
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I try to live in a spirit of gratitude every day, but this holiday is a chance to spend more time meditating upon a few specific reasons to be thankful. I hope you'll read over this list slowly and think about your own life.
1.) God the Father.
2.) Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord.
3.) My devoted, loving, and godly husband, John.
5.) Our beautiful daughters, Jill and Ann.
6.) That all …

Read moreReasons I am Thankful Today and Every Day
Category: Personal, TamelaTag: Personal

Fun Words

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 10, 2011
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I don't usually stay up late enough to watch Conan O'Brien but awhile back I caught a show during which he campaigned to bring back use of the word thrice.

Thrice. Indeed, a fun word.

Yesterday Karen wrote about beautiful words so well that today I thought we could play with words and look at those that are entertaining. I'd like to suggest some other fun words that I think just aren't used …

Read moreFun Words
Category: Craft, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Creativity, Grammar, Tamela, Writing Craft

A Matter of Taste

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 3, 2011
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I always enjoy reading comments on our blog posts. Recently a reader posted a provocative question:
In this time of great emotional upheaval, instability, and unrest, aren't we ready for something more solid and inspiring than just different types of romance novels?
Those of you familiar with my career know that I am the author of many romance novels and stories -- and Bible trivia books!

And …

Read moreA Matter of Taste
Category: Book Business, Genre, Marketing, Romance, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Get Published, Marketing, Romance, Tamela, Traditional Publishing

Study the Market

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 20, 2011
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What is the best way to find out what is successful in the current market?

This is a good question because while as an author, you don't want to chase the market, you also don't want to write books that are so far off from the current market that they have no chance of selling. First and foremost, marketing advice from any source assumes that authors submit their best, most polished, highest …

Read moreStudy the Market
Category: Get Published, Marketing, Tamela, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Get Published, Pitching, Tamela, Trends, Writing Craft

Writing Contests: Panacea or Waste?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 13, 2011
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At a recent conference, a lovely writer who had finaled in a contest but wasn't chosen as the winner asked if she could still submit a proposal to me. I told her "Yes! Of course!"

Her question brought to mind the role contests play in a writer's career. I'm asked questions about contests at least once a month. I'll try to answer two key questions here.

Should I Enter?

When considering …

Read moreWriting Contests: Panacea or Waste?
Category: Book Business, Marketing, TamelaTag: Book Business, contests, Marketing, Tamela, Writing Craft
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