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Thankful for You!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 28, 2013

thank you, acknowledgment

I have many people and circumstances to be thankful for but on this Thanksgiving Day, I am going to focus on you, our blog readers.

Thank you for being faithful to stop by every weekday, not only to see my posts, but the posts by Steve, Dan, and Karen. I can safely say all of us hope we edify and inform you — and even entertain you once in awhile.

Thank you for having the courage to make excellent comments and ask questions. I have learned from your comments and been challenged by your questions. I appreciate the opportunity to connect in this way.

Thank you for realizing that part of this publishing journey is to learn what’s new in the industry, especially as we continue to see dramatic changes. I’m glad our blog is part of your journey.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, and God’s best to you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

By Karen Ballon November 27, 2013

One more day and many of us will be seated around a table, mouths watering as we watch Dad or Grampa or Hubby carve a steaming, golden turkey. As I thought about the many Thanksgiving celebrations we’ve shared in my family--days of fellowship and laughter, gratitude and blessing--I remembered singing that wonderful old hymn, “We Gather Together.”

So join me, you lovers of words, you craftsman …

Category: Karen, PersonalTag: thanksgiving

Thankful for the Pioneers in Our Industry

By Dan Balowon November 26, 2013

Yesterday, Steve Laube asked you to thank those who have the most direct connection with readers of books...the retail bookseller. Steve has Christian retailing in his DNA. He worked for Berean Christian stores, managing their Phoenix, Arizona locations and was named the Christian Booksellers Association Store of the year in 1989. You win that award because you balance the business and ministry …

Category: Book Business, Dan, Personal, The Publishing LifeTag: publishing

Thank a Bookseller

By Steve Laubeon November 25, 2013

by Steve Laube

With this being Thanksgiving week I thought it appropriate to urge you to take a moment, visit your local bookseller, and say, "Thank you for supporting books!"

As I wrote elsewhere, it is tough to be in the retail side of the business. Online sales, rising rent and utilities, rising salaries, etc. are competition enough. I know many booksellers who are in the business for …

Category: Book Business, Book Sales, Personal, SteveTag: Bookselling

A Weekend with C.S. Lewis and Friends

By Steve Laubeon November 11, 2013

by Steve Laube

This past weekend I had the privilege, once again, to attend and participate in the C.S. Lewis Foundation’s Fall retreat in Houston.

Not a typical writers conference it focuses on the extraordinary contribution of Lewis and his fellow Inklings and ultimately a celebration of the Arts in light of the incarnation of Christ. The speakers were extraordinary. They included:
Devin …

Category: Conferences, Get Published, Personal, SteveTag: C.S. Lewis, Conferences, Get Published

One Word to Increase Your Conference Enjoyment

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 26, 2013

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 …

Category: Conferences, Get Published, Personal, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Get Published, writers conferences

The Drama of the Unexpected

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 19, 2013

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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 …

Category: Conferences, Personal, TamelaTag: ACFW, Personal, writers conferences

The First Novel I Ever Read

By Dan Balowon September 3, 2013

It was the summer of 1970…I was dreading a long family car trip mainly because I was 14, I had braces on my teeth and was starting high school in the fall. I was required to be full of dread.

The big hits on pop radio that summer were "Mama Told Me Not to Come" (Three Dog Night), "Close to You" (Carpenters), "Everything is Beautiful" (Ray Stevens), "The Long and Winding Road" by the Beatles, …

Category: Dan, Personal, ReadingTag: novels, Reading, story

Be More Dog!

By Karen Ballon August 7, 2013

Last Friday our blog featured a wonderful video called "Be More Dog." My dad had introduced it to me a couple weeks ago.

As I watched it, I realized what great advice this is for us as writers. In your writing, in your career, be more dog! How, you ask? Simple…

Meet each day—and each challenge—with abandon. Jump at the day, ready to take on whatever comes. Live in the moment. Embrace the …

Category: Book Business, Career, Creativity, Fun Fridays, Karen, Personal, Writing CraftTag: Career

Where Do You Want to Go?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 1, 2013

Earlier this week, my husband and I were watching American Pickers on The History Channel. For those who aren’t familiar with the show, it depicts the adventures of two businessmen who buy historical items from collectors. This occupation rarely takes them to pristine locations since they often find their treasures in neglected yards and storage sheds. This week, a declaration from Mike …

Category: Personal, TamelaTag: Location, Personal