By Lee Carver From the author’s POV, is this a train I should hop on? What is the dollar payout, the time investment, and the publicity value? Novella sets are being released with increasing frequency, often only as e-books due to their length. If five to seven authors contribute 20,000 to 30,000 words each, a print cannot be economically produced. …
ACFW New Releases: December 2016
December 2016 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website. Contemporary Romance: Bella Natale! by Marianne Evans — An aspiring American artist and the widowed, Italian owner of a premier art gallery meet and fall in love in Florence when he champions her work, but there are her American family’s expectations …
It’s Christmas, but the Writing Must Go On!
By Sharlene MacLaren In the words of my friend when expressing dismay, Yikes-Bikes! The manuscript for my next full-length novel is due to my editor in a matter of weeks, and I’m nowhere near finished with my first draft. Further, it’s the Christmas season, and what on this beautiful planet was I thinking on that lovely spring day when I …
Our Intrinsic Value and Voice
By John Tucker Many people from all walks of life identify themselves by the work they do: dentist, engineer, lawyer, or writer. But all of our work, talents, skills, and giftings are extensions of who we are. Our intrinsic value as persons comes from our Creator and dwells in our spirit. It is out of our spirit that we do …
“Repeat Reads”: How to Write Books Your Readers Will Read Again and Again
By Vikki Kestell I wrote in my last blog that producing great Christian fiction is, as Gollum said, “Tricksy.” I discussed redemptive fiction, the art of writing characters who encounter Jesus in organic situations. IMHO, redemptive storytelling is the most powerful and effective method of presenting the Gospel. In this follow-on article, I want to discuss the phenomenon of “repeat …
Coming Together
By Rondi Bauer Olson During this Thanksgiving season, many of us are visiting with relatives. Maybe you’re eating leftovers, or you’ve snuck away for a few moments by yourself. In any case, coming together to thank God for our blessings is not only important for families, but can be wonderful for writers, too. Last summer I signed up for an …
Thanksgiving Dinner
By Shirley E. Gould During this season of thanksgiving, we enjoy a feast of turkey, dressing, casseroles, corn, cranberry sauce and croissant rolls. Mashed potatoes with gravy and sweet potatoes complete the display. It’s a time of family gatherings, parades and football games. While it brings a halt in our writing schedule, it is a prime opportunity to gather fodder …
Why Mentors Matter
By Lisa Jordan When I became serious about writing and joined my first writing organization, I was paired with my first mentor. Even though I understood the basic fundamentals of writing, I needed help with advanced techniques to strengthen my craft. Also, I wanted someone who understood the publishing industry. Having a mentor helped because she understood where I was …
Being Thankful and Giving Back
Howdy! Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and has come much faster than I could have imagined. Where has this year gone? With the coming holiday, I find myself reminded of how thankful I am for so many things. Family. Friends. A wonderful writing community like this one, filled with people of faith who share the dream of being published. …
Blessings in Conflict
By Kathy Harris If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. — Meister Eckhart Everywhere we turn this time of year, we’re reminded to be thankful. Whether it’s a warm and fuzzy television commercial, a not-so-gentle nudge delivered from the pulpit, or a magazine article on the Top Ten Tips …