Reading

Read a Book for My Birthday!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 31, 2017

I learned that my birthday next week, September 6, is National Read a Book Day!

Do I have the perfect career match or what?

So, what book will you read for National Read a Book Day? You can read it in honor of my birthday if you like, but most of all, choose a book for your entertainment, edification, and increased knowledge.

Would you like to suggest a book I should read? If you do, I’ll select the top three or five, put the titles in a feminine, stylish hat, and draw one. The winner will be awarded a copy of Bygone Christmas Brides, which includes one of my novellas I wrote awhile back. I’m honored to be included with authors Ginny Aiken, Carla Gade, Pamela Griffin, Jill Stengl, and Gina Welborn.

I can’t wait to see what books you recommend!

What Book Changed Your Life?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 20, 2017

A few weeks ago at the Blue Ridge conference, Steve Laube gave a keynote speech during which he asked, “Except the Bible, what book changed your life?” More than one book changed my life, but the first one that popped into my mind was Looking Out for Number One by Robert J. Ringer. Despite the ruthless title, the content is practical. The message isn’t, “Step on anyone and everyone to get to the …

Category: Personal, Reading, TheologyTag: Books, Reading

Criticizing the Reader

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon May 4, 2017

Since I’ve been in publishing, I’ve heard rumblings of why can’t Christian novels be “edgy” or “better” in avoiding tropes, formulas, and the like. In other words, why can’t Christians write and publish great literature? Know that the definition of great literature varies from person to person. A Google search reveals many articles on this topic. But when an author submits what he labels …

Category: Book Business, ReadingTag: Book Business, Literary Fiction, Reading

Print and Prejudice

By Steve Laubeon May 1, 2017

For the last ten years, since the unveiling of the Kindle reader, there has been a constant conversation about reader’s preferences. Print or Ebook? While ebook sales grew exponentially and paper sales stagnated many declared victory for the ebook. I have a number of friends who have not purchased a paper edition of a book for quite some time. Some libraries have removed all their books and gone …

Category: Book Business, E-Books, Personal, ReadingTag: Book Business, ebooks, Reading

Are You Sure You Want to Write Great Literature?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 27, 2017

“′Classic′ – a book which people praise and don’t read.” – Mark Twain At my college preparatory school, our vacations weren’t unfettered thanks to “Summer Reading” that required us to read four books during break. Our list going from seventh to eighth grade was limited to four books so we had no choices. I only remember two – Pride and Prejudice and The Oxbow Incident. I’m sure none of …

Category: Reading, The Writing LifeTag: Reading, Writing Craft

A Ghostwriting Masterpiece

By Steve Laubeon March 6, 2017

The Christian Writers Institute has just released a marvelous book by Cec Murphey, Ghostwriting: the Murphey Method. It is a wonderful look behind the scenes in how so many bestselling books are created. Cec is the writer who helped craft many bestselling books including Gifted Hands by Ben Carson and 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. In the book he turns back the curtain and through dozens of …

Category: Book Business, Book Review, Christian Writers Institute, Contracts, Reading, The Writing LifeTag: Book Review, Ghostwriting, Reading

What is Your Attention Span?

By Steve Laubeon February 13, 2017

I came across the study that claims the average person now has a shorter attention span than that of a goldfish. Eight seconds. This means most people tend to lose concentration in less than ten seconds. As an experiment, I read the above paragraph out loud. It took about 10 seconds to complete. That means I just lost you. At least the goldfish will swim around its bowl and come back to the same …

Category: Communication, Craft, Inspiration, Reading, The Writing LifeTag: book proposals, Creativity, Writing Craft

What Do You Think of Used Books?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 15, 2016

Some authors might complain that books shouldn’t be sold on the secondary market since authors don’t earn royalties on used books. I understand that sense of loss, but as is the case with libraries, used book stores are a great place to discover authors and their work. Our town has two used book stores, though I tend to favor one with convenient parking. Here, a customer can’t go in and say, “Do …

Category: Personal, ReadingTag: Book Sales, Reading, Used Books

A Strange Case of Mislabeling

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 1, 2016

As readers of this blog know, I enjoy all sorts of books. But a recent experience reminded me of the wisdom and comforts of Christian fiction. After seeing several reviews and ads for a secular novel touted as a thriller, I checked out a copy from my public library. I opened the book realizing I’d likely experience characters who weren’t seeing life from a Christian viewpoint or even making an …

Category: Genre, ReadingTag: Genre, Reading

A Year of Reading Dangerously

By Steve Laubeon March 21, 2016

Be careful what you read. It may change your life! Franz Kafka wrote that books can “wound and stab us… wake us up with a blow on the head… affect us like a disaster… grieve us deeply.” As we move, over the next month, into the Spring, a time of renewal…and this week as we contemplate the Resurrection…think about the books you plan to read the rest of the year. What is on your to-read …

Category: ReadingTag: Reading