2 Time Crunch Reads

Check me out at The Master's Artist today. I have two short reads to recommend to those of you who are like me this week- celebrating Spring Break with your child or just swamped with Easter egg hunts,  paying bills, and life. I love short stories. How about you?

 

Click here to see my picks. And come back this week I will have some more for your fancy. And if you are a short story writing phenom I have a writing opportunity for you. 

 

  Powered By Qumana

Niche Jesus

Marina Woods and I had a long discussion last night that was sparked by the unfair treatment the movie ATL had received from certain suburban Georgian malls(my neighborhood mall included,) And the week long discusion over at Dave Long's Faith*in*Fiction Blog about niche marketing and the quagmire for African-American novelists:

- an excerpt from Dave Long's F*i*F discusion-How to Avoid the Niche...

These books and authors[African-American] are in some ways in a no-win situation. If the books don't look "black" enough they might miss their core audience. Yet such covers and title threaten to make them invisible to the majority of the buying audience.

Anybody got any ideas? 

You can read the discussion to find my remarks to Dave and others that chimed in. But the question never was answered. And in all honesty I don't think it could be at F*i*F, since most of the writers there are non-Black, so its revelance and importance doesn't matter as much to them. Correct me if I'm wrong...

There are some African-American writers who specifically only want to target African enclaves in the world. While, others would like to crack the CBA code. With such a predicament to be in, I can see how easier it would be to not approach the CBA publishers, and either self-publish or form partnerships with Walk Worthy Press, Urban Christian, CAABA or other similar in make-up.

However, there is another factor--in my opinion--that is more important then niche marketing, demographics and race. It is Jesus and his commision for all of us(black and white.) 

- an excerpt from Scott McKnight's The Church, Embracing Grace and Racism 1....

If you embrace a kingdom vision of the gospel itself, racism is nothing short of disgusting. If you embrace a judicial perception of sin, the Cross, and the gospel, racism is more tolerable. I’m sorry to put in such bold terms, but it all comes down to how you understand the gospel.

I am not an expert on the topic of racism, nor am I a paragon of a colorless and a raceless (not the same thing) perception of our world. But, I want the Church to be better because I believe racism is a denial of the kingdom vision and gospel of Jesus.

So starting today through next week we will explore this discussion:

Grace & Race in Christian Publishing

Grace & Race in Christian Publishing

It will explore:

• Book Cover and Local Color
• Creating a Marketing Incubator for ethnic Authors
• Reading outside the box
• writing outside the margins
• adding characters of different ethnicities in WIP
• major misconceptions
•  championing diversity on bookstore shelves
• what else?

If you would like to join in on this discussion contact me here or off loop at dee at gospelfiction dot com.

OT: This is an open trackback day.               

Technorati Tags : TI, ATL, african-american, race, entertainment, movies, book, covers

Powered By Qumana

A Sin and A Shame

 

A Sin and A Shame

Coming May 2006

After her scheme to break up her best friend's marriage fails, Jasmine is ready to begin her new life. She attends church every Sunday, swears off married men, and begins her mission to find her soulmate. It doesn't take long to meet the one God has chosen for her - a pastor. (Isn't God good!) But when another man from her past threatens to destroy her perfect relationship, can Jasmine leave behind her lying and devious ways? Or will she find old habits hard to break?

 

Click Here To Read a Sample Chapter

Powered By Qumana

Peretti & Dee's Publishing Dilemma

A movie adaptation of Frank Peretti's The Visitation is in theatres now. He and Ted Dekker coauthored, House, which will be on bookstore stands in April(click pic to preorder.) And his next big project is writing a screenplay for last year's summber hit, Monster. And you can learn more about all that he is up to at Crosswalk.com.

Question: In Peretti's crosswalk interview he speaks on the importance of waiting to hone your writing craft before you seek publication. When do you know that your skills are good enough to become published?

For me I've published articles for national print mags and I have won a few short story contests and even have a short story featured in an anthology(check the sidebar.) But in regards to writing novels, I'm not sure if its my time, yet. Although my published author pals think that it is. When did you know?

Come back for my review of House next month.

Round Robin @ TMA

`Mary DeMuth started a fun Round Robin this week at The Master's Artist blog. I posted my entry to this serialized story and I encourage you to fly on over and add to it. And if you're a member of the Storyteller's Workshop take a look at it, because we are going to do the same thing next month.

Otherwise, this is a fun writing exercise to jumpstart your writing day.

 

Writing to see what the end's gon' be,

Dee

 

OT. Has anyone been affected by the latino immigration boycott today?

OT: The State of GA is shutting down an older woman's homemade pie business and she calls it a blessing. More...

 

This is an Open Track Back Day.

Powered By Qumana

Happy Birthday, Selah

Happy Sixth Birthday to my darling, baby girl, Selah!!

Selah Skye Stewart - March 22, 2000

Selah

Light, bright girl bouncing,

Smiling, loving all the world

Mommy beams wide proud.

-by Dee

A Note from Tavis Smiley

 

An excerpt from an email to sent to me via Tavis Talks...

This week marks a momentous occasion in Black History which you helped to create. As you may have heard, the Covenant with Black America will debut at #6 on the New York Times Bestseller list (March 26, 2006, paperback-nonfiction). Never before has a Black-authored, Black-published, and predominately Black-purchased NON FICTION book garnered this achievement.

This week, a new shipment of books was delivered to stores nationwide. We want to
make this occasion a phenomenon by moving to #1. If you haven't already purchased your copy of The Covenant, click on the picture above to order your copy.

...To read more about The Covenant and to find out when The Covenant tour will stop in your city, visit http://www.covenantwithblackamerica.com.

All best,

Tavis Smiley

Why do you think this book is important to not only Black America, but to all America?

Related articles:

• Covenant #1
• The Covenant with Black America
• Gospel Fiction's Covenant

Technorati Tags : Tavis, Smiley, Covenant, Black, America, books, tavis, talks

 

Powered By Qumana