Christian Fiction News: National Library Week

Compilation of news affecting the Christian Fiction Community.

New Audience for Amish
Bevely Lewis[The Forbidden] may be finding new audiences through film. Her novel "Saving
Sarah Cain" was made into a film for the Lifetime TV network by
producer Michael Landon Jr. It has just been released on DVD, and sales
are going "very, very well," she said. Lewis has signed a deal for
several more of her books to be adapted to film. Continue reading...

Jerry Jenkins on Stewardship

"It's a burden when you've sort of hit the
lottery. I was raised to love God, but I was also taught that love of
money ... was the root of evil."

Intoning the word "love,"
Jenkins emphasized an upbringing that taught him "personal wealth will
not make you a better person, it will just show who you are." More here...

Stretched But Not Broken
"This book speaks to those who have suffered mental and physical abuse,
as well as, those who have been imprisoned by drug addiction and mental
illness. I have personally lived every aspect of this novel, from being
an abused child to [possessing the sexual morality that corrupts a
person's body. Everything I write about comes from experience as well
as God-given creativity." Tawana Jackson, author More...

Get Readers Talking About Your Book

Romance author,Rachel Hauck[Sweet Caroline]stops by Christian Fiction Blog today to participate in our 1author interview spring series.

The question: What is the best way to promote your book release?

Rachel: There isn't a best way. There are many good ways, but probably one of the most effective promotional tools is word of mouth. Get readers talking about your book. Book clubs. Blog tours.


More about Sweet Caroline:
Released: Feb 2008, Thomas Nelson
Review: "Hauck's adorable novel contains the multilayered characters readers
have come to expect from her books. . . " - 4.5 Stars, Melissa Parcel, Romantic Times."

Global Day for Darfur

Joining Modern Musins Global Day for Darfur Campaign. I've talked about this issue for while here. Today I want to talk about what the world has done so far:

Britain's Peace Offering...
LONDON (AFP) — Britain offered Sunday to host peace talks on the strife-torn Sudanese region of Darfur under proposals put forward by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. British officials have been in contact with the Khartoum regime and rebel groups to offer the possibility of a summit....The offer came as activists in 30 countries held a global day of action Sunday to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the Darfur conflict. Continue reading...

Celebrities Kill Toys

Matt Damon, Thandie Newton destroy toys in an image campaign to end genocide in Darfur. Pics here...

Flickr photos on Global Day for Darfur:

• San Francisco. Save Darfur by This Ruined Puzzle


• Canada. Darfur 017 mi.propia.realidad.


• London. Kathy Stannard

Related Topics: Enabling Sudan

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Tavis Talks TJMS

An excerpt from Tavis Smiley statement on leaving the Tom Joyner Morning Show

There is no way to put into words the love and respect that Tom Joyner and I have for each other, or the love affair that I've had with TJMS listeners for almost 12 years now.

Due to the overwhelming amount of phone calls and e-mails I have received from listeners and other media, I wanted to briefly clarify a few issues that I will address more fully in my regular TJMS commentary on Tuesday morning, April 15, at 8:20 a.m. ET.

I did not "quit" the Tom Joyner Morning Show effective immediately. In July, I will celebrate my 12th anniversary with the show, and as I discussed with Tom, it is my intention to take on the issues of the day in my commentary twice every week with the same energy, passion and commitment until the end of June.

Contrary to what has been suggested, I have decided to clear some things off my plate so that I can devote my time and attention to some exciting and empowering projects that The Smiley Group, Inc. and other divisions of my company have underway this summer, this fall, and beyond.

I look forward to continuing the dialogue on Tuesday and in the coming months.

My two cents. I can't believe that's the only thing he's stepping down from.

Question for you guys: If you add to drop only one project in your life(not including family obligations) what would it be?

Weekend Chatterbox: What Do You Owe Your Readers?

I'm still rewriting the end of a novel and storyboarding a possible sequel to it. One tool that helps me keep me mind focused on storytelling is listen to author interviews or movie commentaries.

Last night I listened to John and Tony Gilroy talk about creating Michael Clayton, the Movie. During their conversation they spoke about building a film based on framing, and staying consistent with the style of filmmaking they envisioned for Michael Clayton. And it got me to thinking...

Throughout the week I've been having conversations with my published author friends. Some about their current works and others their frustration with selling their works to their publisher.

My years as a reviewer has taught me that once you become a published author there is an understood obligation you have to your readership. Whether you would like to believe it or not these readers expect your next novel to give them the same return. In essence they are seeking consistency. And it got me to thinking...

I wasn't aware of how thick a cord it[moral complexity] was through my work until it came time to start talking about the film a month or so ago. You begin to figure out how you're going to talk about the movie and put it in context with whatever else you've done. And there is a common thread.
-Gilroy on his realization that his stories were about moral complexity.

What is the total vision for my stories, what is the best way to convey that and what will I sacrifice--in terms of story ideas-- in order to maintain this vision?

Since I already owe you a response to the last chatterbox question, I will answer this question today. Then open the discussion up for you, because I want to know what you're working on and what are you doing to make sure that the style of your story compliments your voice and vision.

You can discuss here or at The Christian Fiction Network. Let me just say we have Maurice Gray, Stacy Hawkins Adams, Kim Brooks, Mary Griffith, Linda Beed, Linda Hargrove, Lashaunda Hoffman and new members of our community chiming in over there everyday, so join up. Here.

Now my answer:

I build my stories around the same question that keeps me up most nights- where is my faith in my most darkest times? Pearl's Miracle speaks to that clearly. Straddling the Fence slides the theme in the back door. My WIP, Blessed to Kill weaves it throughout the mystery.

In order for me to convey my idea I write in a minimalist style laced with a bit of southern romanticism which should be an oxymoron, but if you've read any of my stories you get my meaning. My visions is that my stories fills my readers with my notion of a Beautiful Mystery. I think Christ is a beautiful myster, so... I hope that is what you experience when you read my works.

Next week I will share my styling process, more so to record the process for myself, and as a tool that may help you in your writing endeavors.

Now...what is your stories' common thread?

Zora & Nicky: A Review Inspired

I love to read, but lately all I've been doing is reviewing and editing books. These tasks somehow drain my love for reading until this month. My friend, Claudia Mair Burney, who write the hot pants off me sent me three of her latest novels, all divine, but this one--Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White--it did something I rarely get, something that justifies my reasoning for writing inspired fiction...illumination.

Zora & Nicky in short is an interracial/interdenominational love story. How do people of different races build a world together? How do people of different ideas of sound doctrine live a life together? How do people love through Christ? A not so simple love story written with simple, elegant, honest, passionate prose. Best book of the year so far.

My favorite passage:

Because I have broken into a million pieces. Because I have scattered all over the sidewalk. Because I am not flesh and blood, only glass and dangerous dust that can burrow in your eyes and cause you to bleed, I try to remember that my broken soul is embodied and no one can see that only some shell of a soul is nearly all that is left.

Embodied, this shell I am makes a move toward the cab. The body of Zora has hands, and one of those brown and barely responsive hands takes hold of the handle of the back passenger side door, and somehow I enter the cab. I sit down inside. I watch Nicky give the driver what looks like more money than he should. I see them shake hands.

It is this Zora that still feels Nicky's hands at my waist while the pieces inside of me slide downward. I still feel the sensation of my stomach dropping to my knees. Oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord. Could he hear those pieces of me shifting to my toes, sounding like falling water? Like a rain stick turned upside down again and again?

I put my hand to my mouth and press my lips to my open palm. I can still feel the pressure of his lips, in turn fierce, firm, gentle. I can still taste him on my tongue, and I savor him.

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth:for thy love is better than wine."

No wonder that mysterious book of songs starts that way. I understand this now.

American Idols on Doves

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – April 10, 2008 – American Idol® previous finalists Phil Stacey, Mandisa and Chris Sligh; Dove Award Female Vocalist of the Year Natalie Grant with country icon Wynonna, 19 Recordings/Jive Recording Artist Jordin Sparks; Ricky Skaggs and The Whites and Point Of Grace with Cindy Morgan are the latest performers added to the increasingly luminous line-up for the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards telecast, according to the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and Gospel Music Channel (GMC). Gospel and Christian music’s biggest night of the year will take place live on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry House and will be broadcast live nationwide on the Gospel Music Channel television network from 8 – 10 p.m. (ET). The Dove Awards will also be broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio on XM 32 “The Message.”