Christian TV Showcase

I love the holiday seaon. I love watching the Hallmark channel anyway, but in December I love it more. Christian FIction wants to alert you to three faith based television shows that you need to set your remote for:

• NBC's Clash of the Choirs airs Dec. 17. Clash of the Choirs" is a four-night competition featuring five celebrity choir directors - Nick Lachey, Patti LaBelle, Blake Shelton, Michael Bolton and Kelly Rowland - that will begin airing at 8pm on NBC December 17th. These 5 celebrity musical artists are assembling a choir of 20 singers to compete each night.
• Oprah Winfrey Presents Mitch Albom's For One More Day airs Dec. 9.
  
• Hallmark Channel Presents Angela Hunt's "The Note". I love Angela Hunt's novel, so I am overly excited about this one.
  

Also of note. Tyler Perry's House Of Payne - Volume One, Episodes 1-20 and Jerry Jenkin's
Midnight Clear will be available December 4th.

Speedlinking: Christian Parents Refuse Guide of The Golden Compass

Christian Parents are leery about guiding their children into the movie theatres this month to see The Golden Compass. Some Christian fiction authors, media, and the Catholic League have warned parents of the movies anti-Christian/atheist theme. This week the author, Phillip Pullman calls this boycott campaign "absolute rubbish." At a London premiere of the film, he stated:

I am a story teller. If I wanted to send a message I would have written a sermon.

However New Line Cinemas removed mentions of God and the church[The books tell of a battle against the church and a fight to overthrow God] from the script last November. The Golden Compass US release date is December 7.

What do you think? Have you read the books? Read the first chapter here.The book is intended for older children. Do you think your children will be misguided by them? Are you taking your kids to the movie? If not, I have a great movie recommendation they can see on Christmas Day that shows the triumph of Christian character. Stay tuned for details next week. Subscribe to ChristianFiction to stay informed.

A Free Holiday Contest for Parents Only

Think about the stories that so often capture the imagination of little girls..stories like Cinderella, Snow White and the Ugly Duckling. One recent "ugly duckling" movie, The Princess Diaries initially shows a teen girl(played by Anne Hathaway) living out the worst dear of most young girls: feeling ordinary, unloved, invisible. She doesn't fit in, and she's been giggled about and rejected by those around her. And then she finds out that she's not ordinary; she's a princess.
- An excerpt from For Parents Only: Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice.

Last Friday Selah and I went to see Disney's Enchanted and Sony's This Christmas. Both movies were great. What theme that resonated from both was this need for connection. My family and I love movies. It is one of our chief pasttimes. Watching movies I can talk with Selah about us without her thinking this is a parent talk.

So when I received For Parents Only in the mail I was pleasantly surprised. It is a small book that can fit in a shoulder bag or in your hand. so its easy to grab reference material. What's the best part about the book is that this book is derived from more than 1200 kids. Their responses buttress the points in this book. I love this fact, because there are things that Selah do--she's seven, not a teen--mimic what teenage girls do. This helps me figure out what is going on with her, so that I can guide her into growing up in the best way I can and also add my faith into her walk toward maturity. I am also finding out some things about myself. Why I lashed out at my mom and dad at times. Why I put up with not-so-good friends. I tell you this book is good. You don't have to be a parent for this one. I think this book is a great gift for all.

In fact, it's so good. I'm giving away two copies. Contact me between now and Dec. 8 and share with us a tradition you have with your children, and I will get it into the mail to you before Christmas. That's right!

To learn more about the book stroll your mouse over the title here or click on it. You can also purchase this book in Dee's Vertical Book Store

Tuesday's Theatre Block: First Sunday

Every Tuesday Christian Fiction showcases a gospel play that is touring somewhere in America or a movie about to hit a theatre near you. Today's feature is Sony Pictures "First Sunday" starring Ice Cube, Katt Williams, Tracy Morgan. The story involves two criminals plot to steal from their local church, but wound up taking the parishioner's hostage. It will be in theaters 1.1.08. Screenplay written by David Talbert. Congrats to Talbert.

Have you ever met a celebrity, author, or minister who turned you cold?

Don Otis over at The Writer's View has started a tips driven discussion for writers on book signings. He shared a bad experience he had at a book signing, which reminded me of a bad experience I had a church revival. I won't name the Bishop, but I was so excited to hear his sermon in person. I was going to cover the revival for Rejoice Atlanta News at the time. At the end of the service after the church offering the bishop stood up and berated the congregation. He chastised us for not giving with all our might. His brother flew him to Atlanta for the revival and the least we could do was return the favor. I was floored. I did not write a story about him. When his publicist ask me to attend his ribbon cutting ceremony for his new church, which is now here in Atlanta, I didn't come. My perception of who I thought he was had changed. Has that ever happened to you? Have you met a celebrity, author, minister, performer who turned you cold after you met them?

Internship Announcement: Christian Publicist

Are you serious about learning about PR and Marketing? Do you feel "called" to help "market the Message" of ministries and Christian authors? Are you trustworthy and have integrity?

Here's your opportunity:

Ministry Marketing Solutions' long-running virtual internship program offers interested undergraduate and graduate students a comprehensive introduction to the book industry and ministry marketing.

Though we do not offer interns monetary compensation, we do supply letters of recommendation and make arrangements for course credit from the sponsoring college or university. Our program is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in the field of book publishing, public relations and ministry marketing. Many of our interns have gone on to successful careers in the communications industry.

MMS is seeking two highly motivated and detail-oriented interns to serve as Marketing Assistants starting in January. College students majoring in communications, public relations, marketing or journalism with interest in ministry marketing are encouraged to apply.

Interns are exposed to all aspects of agency work. Duties range from basic clerical tasks, packing/shipping to reading and evaluating manuscripts and proposals, media research and more. Be prepared for an exciting, fast-paced atmosphere.

The ideal candidates must be organized and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills plus be proficient on the computer. We seek interns that have initiative, humility and are bright, creative and eager to learn. You must be someone who follows through and can work independently (virtual).

Duties will include:

Research - Researching media outlets, marketing trends for all clients who are authors and/or ministers.

Marketing - Administrative marketing assignments, as needed, as well as internet marketing.

Public Relations - Writing press materials, crafting creative pitches, contacting broadcast/print and online media to help secure interviews for authors and clients.

• All interns will work directly with Chief Visionary, Publicists, and Executive Assistant.
• Requires a commitment of 15 to 20 hours per week, generally about 3 months on a quarterly schedule.
• May require light local travel and some event appearances.

Although the program is aimed at students,

anyone interested can apply.

Closing date to apply for internship is December 31, 2007.

Interested candidates must have telephone or cell phone & Internet access. Please forward resume/cover letter as to why you would like to work with MMS. Put Internship in the Subject Line of email to:

info@ministrymarketingsolutions.com

Dee's 2007 Holiday Wish List: Writer's Edition

I hope y'all saw my music minister, L'Tanya Moore sing with Josh Groban on Oprah today. It was short, but great. Anyhoo...Watching Oprah give away gifts reminded me of my own version of Favorite Things, more like wISH lIST. I wish I could give these gifts away. A future goal, give me twenty more years. Below are my wish picks for great gifts for writers.

Dee's Holiday Wish for Writers

1. Levenger's Lapalot Desk. $128.


This puppy has everything you need to read and write in bed. I LIKE. Great thing to have if your laptop is about two hours away from burning a hole through your leg.

2. The Sabrina Laptop Bag by Abbi New York. $89

• Padded computer compartment fits up to 15.4” widescreen laptops
• Matching wallet purse
• Two side pockets for iPod®, Blackberry®, etc.
• 2 easy access front pockets for keys, change, etc
• Inside pockets for power cable and phone, pen holders, a zipper compartment for cosmetics and other items
• Premium faux leather

3.Sin and Evil: Moral Values in Literature $34.30 through Amazon.

403 pages that reference British and American literature over the last 250 years, this is an ambitious, substantial overview of the way major authors from Fielding to Vonnegut have dealt with sin and evil. Paulson, at the same time, interacts with theologians, philosophers, psychologists, sociologists, and literary critics. Yale University.

4.Kindle: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device

This baby is already sold out, but if you order now you reserve your spot for the next batch. What is it? Let me just tell you what it does:

Product Overview
Revolutionary electronic-paper display provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper.
Buy a book and it is auto-delivered wirelessly in less than one minute.
More than 88,000 books available, including 100 of 112 current New York Times® Best Sellers. New York Times® Best Sellers and all New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise.
Free book samples. Download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy.
Top U.S. newspapers including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post; top magazines including TIME, Atlantic Monthly, and Forbes—all auto-delivered wirelessly.
More than 250 top blogs from the worlds of business, technology, sports, entertainment, and politics, including BoingBoing, Slashdot, TechCrunch, ESPN's Bill Simmons, The Onion, Michelle Malkin, and The Huffington Post.
Holds over 200 titles.
Long battery life. Leave wireless on and recharge approximately every other day. Turn wireless off and read for a week or more before recharging. Fully recharges in 2 hours.
No monthly wireless bills, service plans, or commitments—we take care of the wireless delivery so you can simply click, buy, and read.
Email your Word documents and pictures (.JPG, .GIF, .BMP, .PNG) to Kindle for easy on-the-go viewing.

5. Hello Kitty USB 2.0 Flash Drive 512 MB

Cute. If you've been reading my blog, then you know how important having one of these is to me. A flashdrive is a must. Why not have one that make you smile.

6. Apple MacBook Pro MA895LL/A 15" Notebook PC (2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive)

Click here to read and watch. That's all I can say about it. Plus I want one.

What did I miss on the list?