Archive for January, 2010
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-31
January 31st, 2010 by BelieversPress TweetBot- The Christian Market in 2010: A Q&A with ECPA’s Mark Kuyper http://bit.ly/9ZE4I1 #
- Headlines: Amazon Has Blockbuster Year, Borders Eliminates 164 Positions. Sings of the times… #
- Or *signs* … the fat lady is singing yet, but she’s definitely warming up… #
Kindles and iPads and Books
January 29th, 2010 by Terry Dugan
With the now serious arrival of e-books for a growing list of devices (I read mine on my iPod Touch) culminating in Apple’s much-vaunted iPad, clearly e-reading has the attention of the mainstream publishing industry. All the publications are abuzz with it, but what I wonder is how does the book-loving public feel about it? Particularly here on this forum, writers, authors and aspiring authors—serious book-lovers all—how do you feel about it?
- Does the e-book represent a fad with a limited category of readers, or a revolution in publishing?
- Do you buy/read e-books?
- Do you see the e-book benefiting the overall book-publishing enterprise (does a rising tide lift all ships, including traditional books)?
- Have you authors out there explored offering your new titles in both formats?
I’d love to hear what you all think.
Read more, write better
January 19th, 2010 by Nick CiskeOne thing most authors can do to improve their craft is… read more.
Conferences, seminars, mentoring, etc. are all wonderful, but reading great writing helps you walk in the footsteps of literary giants.
Chip MacGregor recently unveiled his recommended reading list for writers (clear your calendars!).
The MacGregor Recommended Reading List for Writers
What books have inspired you on your writing journey?
Marketing Expert and Author answers questions about the Christian market in an upcoming teleseminar
January 18th, 2010 by Nick Ciske Contact: W. Terry Whalin
Whalin & Associates
Phone 480-575-8622
Scottsdale, AZ, January 16, 2010: Marketing Expert Sally E. Stuart will answer your questions in a free live 70-minute telewebcast on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 4 p.m.. PST or 7 p.m. EST. Host Terry Whalin will use the questions from various participants to grill Stuart about the publication of the 25th Edition of the Christian Writers’ Market Guide (Tyndale House Publishers). Anyone can ask a question at: www.asksallystuart.com and register for the free teleseminar.
The author of more than thirty-seven books, Sally E. Stuart has sold more than one thousand articles and columns. Because of her long-term involvement with the Christian Writers Market Guide and her marketing columns for the Christian Communicator, Oregon Christian Writers and The Advanced Christian Writer Sally is a sought-after speaker and the leading authority on Christian markets and the business of writing. Each person who registers for the teleseminar at: www.asksallystuart.com will receive a free 23-page chapter from Stuart’s book, Getting Published about the business of writing books covering topics like how to find an agent and what happens if your book goes out of print or your publisher goes out of business.
Don’t have time to listen during the workday? The event will be recorded and every registrant will receive access to the replay links which can be downloaded to a computer or iPod.
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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-17
January 17th, 2010 by BelieversPress TweetBot- 36 Twitter Tips for Book Publishers http://bit.ly/7E7wuh #
- Just joined a twibe. Visit http://twibes.com/Christianbooks to join #
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-10
January 10th, 2010 by BelieversPress TweetBot- Kindle DX goes global (E-reader delivers wireless content in 100+ countries) http://bit.ly/6eF8Oj #
- Digital Reading Takes Over the Consumer Electronics Show (get ready for even more eBook hype in 2010) http://bit.ly/6r4wjF #
Janet Reid offers some rejection statistics
January 5th, 2010 by Nick CiskeJanet Reid, literary agent at FinePrint Literary Management recently kept track of how she responded to 124 novels. It’s a fascinating look at the current market for novels:
Periodically I’ve posted tallies of my replies to incoming query letters. After one of those posts I realized that it might be interesting to keep tabs on what happens when I request a full. I started keeping notes sometime this summer. Between that date and today, I requested 124 full novels.
Here’s what happened:
Just plain not good enough: 21 (a novel needs to be in the 99th percentile-these were closer to 90%–not bad, but not good enough)
Good premise, but the rest of the novel didn’t hold up: 11
Not compelling or vivid, or focused; no plot/tension: 10
…
Read the rest at her blog.
Bonus:
She also has a list of items that will get you an instant rejection from her (and likely other agents): How to Make Sure Your Query Is Instantly Rejected
Author Profile – Cliff Warden
January 5th, 2010 by Nick Ciske
Title: The Awakening
Why I wrote my book: A few years ago my son came home from his high school biology class asking me to help him prepare for a class debate on the ethics of sex selection and genetic engineering. To his and my surprise, the majority of his high school class, including his teacher, had no ethical problems with termination of pregnancies based on amniocentesis results, human cloning, embryonic stem cell research, genetic engineering, nanotechnology and trans-human combinations.
When I attempted to talk to my friends about these pressing bioetech issues I was met with disinterest, complacency and claims of over complexity. Afterall, bioethics is not a popular topic at potlucks.
This experience with my son’s high school class and with my friends challenged me to find a palatable way to communicate the ethical issues and problems surrounding advancements in biotechnology. I am hopeful that I can accomplish this through the power of story.
About me and my book: I am very happily married and have three great kids who I love and adore. I currently live in western Wisconsin, which is beautiful about eight months out of the year. Since graduating from Pepperdine University School of Law I have gone back and forth between full time ministry and corporate legal practice. When in full time ministry I served as an associate pastor and worked a short time as an attorney for The Christian Broadcasting Corporation. I currently run a small financial planning practice and occasionally speak at my home church, Point of Grace Community Church.
My passion has always been to communicate about the big questions in life. Who am I? Why am I here? Do I have a purpose? Is there a God? Does he have a plan? Have I been made on purpose, for a purpose? I am hoping that The Awakening will be a useful tool to help readers ask the right questions and direct them in the right direction.
Favorite part of working with BelieversPress: BelieversPress allows you to leverage the skills and knowledge of a fantastic group of publishing professionals. I feel privileged to have been able to work with Barb Lilland and Jeff Gerke.
The other great thing about working with Bethany Press/BelieversPress is knowing that you are partnering with them to advance the Kingdom by training missionaries and funding world evangelism.
Share a tip for others: You will hear over and over again that you need to develop a marketing plan far in advance of the printing of your book. Believe it! It’s true. Another tip is when you put together a budget for your book add 10% for changes and upgrades you may make down the line. Lastly, let yourself enjoy the process; self-publishing is an adventure.
Author Profile – Alfred Gordon
January 5th, 2010 by Nick Ciske
Title: Blessed Assurances for Believers in Jesus Christ
Why I wrote my book: Blessed Assurances is a book to help Christians grow strong in their faith in Jesus Christ and the Bible, His Word. It is a real faith builder. The book contains many precious promises or assurances from the Bible that are true because the Bible says so. This book will fill your life with God’s peace, joy and victory , put these Bible truths in your heart.
About me and my book: Alfred (Fred) is a retired chemical engineer who has been serving the Lord Jesus as a Gideon for about 15 years. He speaks frequently at churches about the Gideons International ministry that places Bibles in hotels, hospitals, colleges and jails in 190 contries world-wide. Fred enjoyed teaching christian life-style principles at a county jail in VA for 7 years.
The book contains 10 assurances , such as forgiveness, answered prayer, guidance, victory and provision. Each assurance is explained and supported with Bible verses. Ten messages are also included, such as be thankful always, the hope of the believer, and God’s love is just awesome.
Favorite part of working with BelieversPress: I always enjoy working with people at BelieversPress because they are congenial, understanding, willing to go the extra mile to please clients.
Author Profile – Belinda Enoma
January 4th, 2010 by Nick CiskeTitle: The Bilhah Moment: How to wait on God in desperate times
Why I wrote my book: The Bilhah Moment was written during a desperate period in my life. I discovered that everyone is bound to have bilhah moments. What we are going through is not new: battles outside and fear inside. Our faith is tested daily and the biggest challenges Christians face today are waiting on God for answers and deciphering His will for their lives.
About me and my book: The Bilhah Moment is a period of desperation devoid of hope. Taken from Genesis 30, it is the gap or blank space between the unfolding will of God and your choice of action in a desperate situation. It is a teachable moment, a recurrent and lifelong event.
In this book, I use examples of real, desperate encounters that people face today, the lessons drawn from them and how to handle silent periods while waiting for answers.
Belinda Enoma is a born-again believer, speaker, lawyer and founder of Persistent Faith Ministries. She passionately shares the unadulterated Word of God empowering people across the globe to live victoriously. She has appeared on internationally syndicated TV programs like The Harvest Show of LeSea Broadcasting Network, TBN’s Praise the Lord and REJOICE of TCT Network.
Her ministry’s weekly ‘Prayer Mountain’ sessions have received numerous testimonies of God’s miraculous power from around the world. For more information about Belinda Enoma, visit www.persistentfaith.org and www.thebilhahmoment.com.
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