Making your Art a part of Holy Week

Palm Sunday Haiku

by Dee Stewart

Palm branches waving
Sallow shoots shower The Messiah
Hosanna, Selah.

in honor of National Poetry Month

Read more at The Master’s Artist

New Devils and The Next Level

 

New Devils and The Next Level

“Show us the father and we will be satisfied.”John 14:8-14

As I grow closer to my novel’s book release, I stumble over more stumbling blocks, hit road blocks,detours, disappointments and, yet through it all, discover new great things about God. These things give me solace, because when you’re this close to experiencing a personal dream come true life gets pretty weird.

Continue reading "New Devils and The Next Level" »

10 Things to Do the Month Before your Book Releases

  My novel, A Good Excuse to Be Bad has its national release June 28, 2011. When I noticed how I close I was to the book launch date I realized that although I have had the busiest, most trying, family in crisis year than I’ve ever had still needed to apply the action items I often encourage my clients and my Dee Goody Mail members. So as a reminder to myself and to up my accountability, I am sharing my checklist here.

Continue reading "10 Things to Do the Month Before Your Book Releases" »

10 Things to Do the Month Before Your Book Releases

  My novel, A Good Excuse to Be Bad has its national release June 28, 2011. When I noticed how I close I was to the book launch date I realized that although I have had the busiest, most trying, family in crisis year than I’ve ever had still needed to apply the action items I often encourage my clients and my Dee Goody Mail members. So as a reminder to myself and to up my accountability, I am sharing my checklist here.

1. Relax. (you don’t have to do anything us, but enjoy it all. so chill)
2. To enjoy this time throw a party.
3. Now promote that party in every free outlet you can find.
4. Get some door prizes for the party.
5. Promote the biggest door prize on your site and every where you can near the venue two weeks before the event.
6. Book a second event, because this party will be so cool. Your buddies will not want it to end, so have another place for them to meetup and provide an invite at this party.
7. Invite people who matter to you and gift them for being such a great help.
8. Prepare what you will read. Practice it.
9. Pay for an ad in your local paper or local email blast.
10. Prep the venue staff for your party. Early visit. Take your book. See who will be working for you. Give them a phone script in case someone calls wondering are you actually there.

Bonus. Have Fun. If no one else have fun, you better! LOL

One more thing. Today is the last day to enter to win a free autographed copy of A Good Excuse to Be Bad. Click the Good Reads pic or the link above to enter.

Dee Stewart is an inspirational book reviewer for Romantic Times Magazine,  contributing writer to Hope for Women Magazine, staff columnist for Christian Fiction Online Magazine, owner of Christian Fiction Blog and DeeGospel PR, an entertainment PR boutique. She is alsoMiranda Parker, novelist for Kensington Publishers Dafina Books. Her debut novel “A Good Excuse to be Bad” releases July 2011

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Our Last Day

Over the weekend while some waited with anticipation for The Rapture and others prepared their jokes about those who waited for The Rapture, my friend lost her battle with Cancer. God indeed took her up. 

As I mourn for her, I am reminded of the two times I had to prepare myself for death. My final arrangements, my will, who will care for my daughter Selah,  what must I tell her about life that she needs to know from me, Selah, how will she go on and grow into the sweet soul that I’ve worked hard for her to be, who will protect her for me, Selah… Both times I couldn’t prepare as well as I hoped.

I am so thankful He gave me more time. Aren’t you?

Continue reading "Our Last Day" »

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Protecting The Master’s Art

This is a photo exhibition piece of Detroit, Michigan’s Woodward Presbyterian church. It was built in 1911. Today it is in ruins. Not because of war or arson, but poverty and a choice. 

When I saw this photo I was reminded of my senior seminar in architectural history. My concentration in undergrad was Koln [Cologne Cathedral]: How God’s Art was built despite of poverty and death,and because of the perseverance of a city of people of faith.  Back then—and even now in my writing—I’m very interested in what motivates God’s people to step outside of themselves for the glory of God. Koln [the church and its citizens]exemplified that statement for me.

Detroit, unfortunately, is its antithesis. More here…

What We Do Now Echoes in Eternity

Lately, I’m wondering what God is saying about how close we now resemble bad reality tv shows. Every month there has been one church scandal, bigger than the one before. Every week, more foolishness, wilder, incredulous.  For example, this past week I had the great pleasure of watching a rebroadcast of a local pastor confessing to his congregation about a rumor that had gotten too big to ignore. His confession made the front page of all our local papers and can be watched even now on his church streaming page.

Usually when church gossip makes broadcast news, I ignore it. As a publicist and former journ, it’s very easy to do, because I understand the Spin machine. But this last news...I’m tired.

Continue reading "What We Do Now Echoes in Eternity" »

Are You Too Weak Minded to Write a Good Book?

Realizing Our Greatness in Our Writing Part 2

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” -John 14: 12(NIV)

This weekend I watched the 2010 Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest interview with Barbara Ehrenreich, author of "Bright-sided". As I watched her answer and at times defend her position to the audience, I marveled at her confidence. No. I marveled at her audacity, her strong bold, unashamed belief that she was right.

Audacious. Unfortunately, it is a trait that I see lacking in many authors,especially The Master's Artists. And that realization bothers me. See. We--like Christ stated-- have the right to be bold, to walk and to write in that boldness, because we have the favor of God. So why do we write like we fear our feelings, our faith, our words? I think I know.

Continue reading "Are you Too Week Minded to Write a Good Book?" »

Are You the Answer to Your Writing Problem?

Realizing Our Greatness in Our Writing Part 1

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” -John 14: 12(NIV)

Last week, as I completed the August 2010 Top Ten Release List for Christian Fiction Blog, I found myself concerned. Although the titles that were chosen deserve to be there, I was hoping for more competitive works to choose from.

I was hoping to read prose better than Mick Silva’s “Upon Being Laid Off” post last week. I was hoping to read something indulging and awe-inspiring like Sharon Ewell Foster’s upcoming historical The Resurrection of Nat Turner.  I was hoping to be moved in such a way, while reading that I would stop and kneel, lay prostrate on the floor, run to God’s voice,  and move on up a little higher, because those words were so caught up in magnifying Him that my soul glowed from the inside out. Selah.

I was hoping for greatness  What I found—what I’ve been finding these last few months-- was mediocrity and lots of it, which troubled me(myself included). Because somehow, somewhere we have decided to  settle for less in our writing (myself included.)  We have decided to publish less than  greatness. We have allowed the world to dictate to us what is good.  We  sprinkle itself on us. Unfortunately, I have good news for us.

I don’t believe God created us to be mediocre. I don’t believe He anointed his artists to lack great craftmanship. Even in Christ word’s to us He says that we can do even greater things through Him. So what are we doing? Why are we slipping?

I believe it’s because we do not realize who we are. We have forgotten how GREAT we are. So for a while, I think I need to remind you. But I also have to warn you of a few things.

Continue reading "Are You the Answer to Your Writing Problem?" »

Christian Fiction Blog’s First Grade Report Card

The State of African-American Christian Fiction 6 Years Later…

 Agape is the holy, unconditional love God gives us regardless of what we look like…and even regardless of how unloving our actions may sometimes be
-Sir John Templeton’s Pure Unlimited Love

Six years ago I began Christian Fiction Blog to spotlight books that we didn’t feature on our the newspaper and radio station I once worked for. As I began to share those authors with the blogosphere, I learned that more authors weren’t being featured across the country. They weren’t featured on radio, television, newspapers, or even bookstores. What shocked me most was Christian bookstores refused to stock these books and few Christian publishing houses had African-American authors. The more I learned; the more passionate I became about supporting these authors and dialoguing with the publishing industry and Christian readers about this issue.
Six years later I wonder have we made any strides. 
Here’s my short assessment. Click here.

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The Next Top Writer

 Will Christian Celebs Run Writers Out of the Publishing Industry?

… Not knocking celeb authors. I’m a huge fan of Jamie Lee Curtis and Henry Winkler’s Hank Zipzer children’s books. I’m feeling Blair Underwood’s Tennyson Hardwick collab with Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes. But when I read last week that Tyra Banks had a three-book- novel deal I began to wonder about Christian fiction. Yes, really!

If this keeps up, CeCe Winans or Kirk Cameron will be penning a novel. Oh, but wait Bishop Jakes and Joyce Meyers have/had novels. So perhaps I’m late on this debate. Don’t get me wrong. I’m just using Winans/Cameron as a hypothetical. I’m am a fan of them[Banks included.] Yet, I wonder how this will affect Christian publishing.  Click here to read more.

If It's Not Fun, Don't Write it

Contagious Joy Spring Writing Series, Part 2

I believe that there is a plan and a purpose for each person's life and that there are forces working in the universe to bring about good and to create a community of love and brotherhood...those who can attune themselves to these forces--to God's purpose--can become special instruments of His will.

- Coretta Scott King

It’s 1:30ish and I’m still up editing my novel. My manuscript has to be turned into my editor by the 15th and it still needs a good working. Surprisingly I thought I would be sick of this story by now, but the more I rewrite, the more joy I feel. Why?

Visit TMA to read more here.

TMA: What Good is a Book Store when...?

 
This morning my write-or-die chick author Rhonda McKnight and I were pub chatting, particularly about the future of bookstores. She shared her vision of what she thinks bookstores of the future would look like, which sparked a stimuating discussion that I want to continue here at The Master's Artist today. Because this issue (what good is a book store?) is one Christian bookstores isn't either having enough of or is missing the larger picture of its growing lack of relevance to the community at large.

Continue Reading What Good is a Book Store when...?

How will the Battle of Amazon Macmillan Affect Authors in the Ebook War?

Unless you've been on a vacation then you know that the publishing world shifted slightly on its axis when Steve Jobs announced the iPad last month. Honestly, when I watched the announcement online I had no clue that two days later Amazon and Macmillan would go to war and Hachette would join the battle with Macmillan a week later. But when Amazon quietly conceded this weeked to Macmillan, thereby raising the price of ebooks I wondered not what concessions Amazon was getting to seal this deal, but how would these changes affect authors?

Continue reading "How will the Battle of Amazon Macmillan Affect Authors in the Ebook War?"  at TMA»

Does the Beloved Community Exist in Christian Publishing?

 

"Too much is given, much is required." Luke 12:48

I want to believe that Christian Publishing is better than mainstream publishing, but it's getting harder to believe by the year, which is sort of sad since this year has just begun.  Yet within eleven days into 2010 I have heard some heart-breaking stories from published Christian authors that blow my mind. And what I read from literary agents blogs, Christian publishing event planners emails, and what Christian readers are buzzing about on Facebook it gets worse. The distance between Christian Publishing and mainstream has gotten shorter, not regarding content, but on what it deems is worthy.
One constant in particular...placing African American authors in the Publishing Ghetto. Huffington Post Leonce Gaiter describes this ghetto as black imprints when he rips into Publishing Weekly article "African-American Books in Today's Marketplace" with his counter "Rejecting the Publishing Ghetto."

However, the PG goes deeper than that. It's not just the creation of separate, but not equal imprints, but it is also a mindset that African-American's letters aren't universal, marketable, noteworthy to Americans, all of them. So from the onset--even before we query an agent or editor, even before we write a word--there is an understood that are works are of little value.
For Christian Writers this Ghetto mentality also means that our works are no value to The Kingdom.
And I refuse to believe that,although I continue to receive more evidence to the contrary.

Continue reading "Does the Beloved Community Exist in Christian Publishing?" »

Is Avatar's Religion Blending a Cautionary Tale for Christian Writers

 

3 Theolgical Challenges for the Christian Writer

"...This is not your so-called classic human tale of the struggle between good and evil. Hades, but you humans always have a way of distorting the truth into something utterly simplistic and banal--not to mention trite." - an excerpt from Demon: A Memoir(Tosca Lee, NavPress, 2007)

Merry Christmas! This weekend my sister and I, who are big Sci-fi and Zoe Saldaña fans watched Avatar Movie 3D.
 
Avatar's main conflict is between the humans of 2015 and the Navi's. The Navi's are an ethnic enclave of Pandorans, who once befriended the humans when they first arrived until they realized that they weren't another Pandoran race, but humans in disguise, hence the name Avatar. We then learn the true purpose of the human's arrival to Pandora. They desire to retrieve unobtainium, a mineral vital to human survival. Unfortunately for the humans, the largest deposit of this mineral lives under Kelutrel, the Na'vi's Hometree.Thus, the problem. The problem gets deeper when a human Avatar Jake Sully not only falls in love with the Navi princess, Neytiri, but Pandora and the Navi way.(similar to Dances with Wolves.)
It was a visually stunning movie. I liked it. From my internal editor's point of view the ending satisfied it's audience. Many clapped after it was over, including my sister.

However, what stood with me longer than anything was it's hierology's blending and watering of Christian theology.  Three things concerned me: Read more Here

Why Self-Publishing Isn't for The Weak in Spirit

Stale Fruitcake, Princess Coaches & Fake Buffalos

Why Self-Publishing Isn't for The Weak in Spirit

There are  conversations, debates, rants, rumors of wars and gnashing of teeth regarding the teaming of both Thomas Nelson[Westbow Press] and Harlequin[Horizons]with Writers Warned Self-pub Goliath Author Solutions. And then there are those like me, who think this whole brouhaha is a load of stale fruitcake.

It doesn't take a genius to know that most self-pub books have poor distribution, poor book craftsmanship, even poorer content, and are priced too high for the current marketplace. It doesn't take a idiot to know that most traditional books are outdated before they hit the marketplace, because the turnaround time is too long now. So it doesn't take three wise men for us to see that publishing has changed and must.

The way we receive, store, search for, pay, and get paid for content has changed forever. Books, magazines, and newspapers aren't our only means to receive information. But they are the only places where this content isn't free and can't be downloaded to our smart-phones in seconds.
Like coaches and carriages print publications --published and self-published-- will very soon be overpriced products that will only service readers on a souvenir basis (i.e. novelized books.) We rent coaches for weddings,special occasions, and trips through Central Park or Downtown, but we don't use them to pick up our kids in the school carpool lane or even to escort our children to prom.
So why are we harping over a fake buffalo or pretty --albeit outdated--princess carriage?

Continue reading "Stale Fruitcake, Princess Coaches & Fake Buffalos" »

The Halloween Treaty and Glampire Selah, Not

For the past nine years my daughter, Selah and I have lived a peaceful life abiding by our Halloween treaty until now. This year we both find ourselves at an impasse, and neither party wants to concede or compromise. But I’m the Queen Bee of Kingdom Stewart, so by default what I say goes. Yet, as a parent I find myself mulling over the situation. I want Selah to understand why Halloween—rather the unHalloweening-- matter to the Kingdom and to her. I want us both to win, so I sit here today the crossroads of rewriting a new treaty and with good reason.

I was brought up not to celebrate anything related to Darkness except my tin Kiss lunch box I had in third grade. So Halloween was not spoken of in our house until a few days before and usually came down more as a Don’t even Think about Trick or Treating Edict from my mother, grandmothers, and the church motherboard.

In fact, one of the mothers often said, “Trick-or-treating ain’t nothing but the devil. People dressing their children like witches. If they really knew what a witch looked like, they’d be hard pressed to celebrate it.”

Continue reading "The Halloween Treaty and Glampire Selah, Not" »

A Prayer for The Wearied Master's Writer

Dear Lord, help me to erase what needs to be erased, say no to those things You
are closing before me, embrace the people You've placed in my life, and serve
You in a manner that doesn't burn me out. You edit my life, Lord. Add some
periods. Take out some exhausting sentences. Rewrite my story with energy, vigor
and truth. Streamline me for Your glory. I want my "the end" to be a mark of
finishing well, not limping to the finish. I love You Jesus. So much. Forgive me
for doing so much in my paltry strength. For saying yes when You wanted me to
say No. For fearing over trusting. Make me over, Lord. Renew me. Refresh me. Not
so I can wallow in that refreshment, but so that You through me can be a
refreshment for others. Amen

- an excerpt from Mary Demuth's The Master's Artist: "Time to Edit my Life."

When I read Mary's entry last week I looked above me and sighed, "God was this not my life!"

There are so many things to be doing, so many things that have to be done, and you find yourself asking yourself when did I sign up for all this? For years I had been asking God to simplify my life, my writing, my focus, but did I brace myself for how He would do it? No. Uh-uh.

However, peace and understanding is with me. I know I have some friends and family members not still pleased with me. I know my money is my funny, and I'm still short of the mark I want to make on this world.

But what does God want for us? Peace, love, joy, goodness, love, love, love.

I don't have to have money to love more. I don't have a published novel to love more. Shoot I don't have to promote another client to love more. If I can only start with loving myself...

Take a minute to read Mary's post and comment at The Master's Artist this week. I write there every 2nd and 4th Mondays. You may find an author, who speaks what your life is telling you right now. I know I did.

Dee

When Change Does Not Come Easy

Today I'm at t
The Master's Artist sharing what seems to be a recurring challenge through this economic recession. How does it affect Christian publishing industry peops. Here's what I'm learning. Visit my blog entry here or click on the title http://aratus.typepad.com/tma/2009/07/when-change-does-not-come-easy.html

Dee