A clever commercial for a book. If you are a dog lover you’ll like today’s fun.
Blog
Genre Hopping
An author recently posed a question to us through our question button (in the right column on the blog page). We like when authors do this, so please feel free to use the button!
While everyone's situation is different, the elements of the question are relevant to many so I'm addressing those today.
I have a question about genre hopping. I have a non-fiction book geared for parents of teens …
Let the LIGHT In!
People being gunned down.
Government shutdowns.
Families in financial crisis.
Politicians calling each other names.
Increasing assaults on religious freedoms.
All of this and more overflow us. On the news. Over the Internet. In our conversations. It would be so easy to think these ugly things are all there is of life nowadays. To feel sad and angry and hopeless...
Which is why …
Editing the Bible
I always thought it was interesting that Christian publishers employed Bible editors. Of course, they are not there to edit the Bible text, but to work on the extra-Bible notes and additional material that might end up in a study or devotional Bible.
It got me thinking that there is a lot of stuff in the Bible that is just downright disturbing if you want to maintain a simplistic …
One Word to Increase Your Conference Enjoyment
The past couple of conferences I attended felt more relaxed. Of course, “relaxed” is a relative term in relation to conferences. I am so very grateful that people want to see me, talk to me, meet with me, dine with me. Don’t go away! Without you, I wouldn’t be blessed with this career. Thank you. But I talked to a couple of people at ACFW who admitted to me that they …
The Secret to Tracking Trends
At every single writers’ conference I attend, and this year I attended a lot of them, I hear the same question, either when on a panel or in one-on-one meetings: “What are the trends you see in the market?” My answer is always the same:
“I have no idea.”
Helpful, huh? But in reality, tracking trends is something that most often is done in hindsight. Unless you’re a marketing pro, watching a …
Mystery of the Bestseller List
In my years in publishing, one of the most interesting aspects has been the evolution of best-seller lists. The primary source of confusion for authors and publishers of Christian books is that the most influential best-seller lists (New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly) do not consider sales of books at Christian retailers in their calculations to any great extent. Hence, Christian …
Fun Fridays – September 20, 2013
Yesterday was "Speak like a Pirate" Day. Can't believe I missed such an august occassion! It is beholden to me to be on top of the various cultural events that lift our hearts and minds to greater heights.
I be flummoxed and have b'come a scalawag.
Watch th' movin' picture below 'n learn how t' do i' yersef. Ya scurvy cur what deserves the black spot!
The Drama of the Unexpected
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After such excitement, I was ready to go home and relax, then get back into my office routine and the new adventure of living as an empty nester with my husband, John. He has worked as a civilian at the Department of Defense for 33 years and is now the Deputy Director of Contract Policy for the Naval Sea Systems Command.
I am writing this post on Monday night, the day of the …
Fueling Creativity
As many of you know, we just finished up the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Almost 5 days of being surrounded by writers, agents, editors—people steeped in the business, work, and love of words. Each day overflowed with conversations about writing, from workshops to mealtimes to moments in the hallways sharing experiences and insights. And through it …