Separate, But Equal?

I'm back home from a weekend down home and instead of taking my sinus infected self to bed, I'm surfing, replying to gazillion emails, getting mad and now perplexed about my latest soap box issue.

...Is there such a thing as
as Black Christian Fiction,and should Separate, but Equal Laws apply?

For those of you who can't see my picture on this blog page let me tell you a secret about me--I'm Black. Let me tell you another secret--I'm tired of having to see my friends books separated, because some one a few decades ago decided that all black books deserve their own dedicated case...as if black writing is a separate genre, equal to whom...

Moreover, I'm tired of so called reviewers(me included) tring to pigeonhole my voice based on my skin. My writing cronies know that I have more in common with an Okefenokee Swamp Gator than Atlanta, Blacklanta, whateveryouwanttocallitlanta. Yet, when I walk into anystore (ABA or CBA) where are the books? Either on a reserved shelf space highlighted around February for Black History Month or when an author is in the hood.

Sue Monk Kidd discussed the Shrine of the Black Madonna Movement in The Secret Life of Bees, but I have never seen the book on display at Black History Month or set aside with the other books dealing with black life.

Well, I came across this article[you can click on the title to read it] which I thought would help me understand what is Black Christian Fiction. I read and found nothing. Just generic definitions on christian fiction and some links.

I don't have time to sleuth for more information, so I will leave this discussion for you to discuss as tomorrow I am writing my novel and that's all, but I would like to know do you think there is a difference?

Is there such a thing as Black Christian Fiction and should Separate, but Equal Laws apply?

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

How to Get Your Book into Lifeway Part Three

Read Part One and Two to catch up. This response is the latest from Lifeway Christian Bookstores. It is interesting to see how things work on the business side. Where can I get more behind the scenes information about book distribution and store placement?

Dear Dee,

Thank you for asking for more Christian
fiction books in LifeWay Christian Stores. I am pleased to respond.

Our fiction book assortment determination is based on several
parameters,and the final assortment is determined by the Book Buyer. One of the
most important determining factor is quality of content. Other factors are
theauthor sales history, publisher's promotional plans for titles, our
space availability, and funds available for not only Christian books but the
fiction area within the books category. We are able to offer a broader
selection at our Internet store, and you may find what you are looking
for there...

Thank you for shopping at Atlanta area LifeWay Christian Stores and for
taking the time to write and express your concerns on this issue. Your
input is important to us as we make decisions that will meet customer
needs and help people know Jesus Christ and seek His Kingdom.

Blessings,

Jim Shull
LifeWay Christian Stores

So You Want to Be Published?

On my quest to become a serious christian writer, I came across this list of possible periodicals that could use this gospel diva's writing voice.
Note: This list is partial click on the title to get to the full directory.

Dee

-A-

ACCENT ON LIVING* http://www.accentonliving.com
ADORATION* http://www.adorationpress.com
ADVENT CHRISTIAN WITNESS*ACPub@adventchristian.org
AGAIN MAGAZINE * http://www.conciliarpress.comT
HE ALABAMA BAPTISTnews@alabapnews.org
ALIVE NOW!http://www.upperroom.org/alivenow
ALLIANCE LIFE http://www.cmalliance.org
AMERICA * http://www.americapress.org
AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY * http://www.ATStracts.org
AMERICAN WASTELAND * http://www.americanwasteland.com
ANCIENT PATHS * http://www.geocities.com//journalancient/index.html
AND HE WILL GIVE YOU REST * http://www.restministries.org
ANGELS ON EARTH http://www.guideposts.org
ANGLICAN ARTS angarts@musica-mundana.com
ANGLICAN JOURNAL http://www.anglicanjournal.com
THE APOCALYPSE CHRONICLES http://www.ChristianMediaNetwork.com
ARKANSAS CATHOLIC mhargett@dolr.org
ARLINGTON CATHOLIC HERALD * http://catholicherald.com/index.htm
AT THE FENCE http://www.atthefence.com


Check back regularly as I will contine adding to the list, D-Z, respectively.

On Holiday

I have been away from the blog, since Friday. Had to leave town for a family emergency. Be safe. Happy President's Day.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

My Prayer for Balance

An excerpt from Untitled:Gospel Diva...

Reverend Pugh spit the fish out his mouth into the tin foil that it once laid in and threw the disgusting contents in the trash can sitting beside him. “Thank you, sweetheart.” He yelled back to me.

If I didn’t believe that God had anointed him, I probably would have gagged the remaining bits of my morning croissant and orange juice breakfast and ran out of the park or quit on him a long time ago. But when you hear Pugh squawk/squeal/sang every fiber in your being knows that God is moving through his raspy voice. And to be honest I would work for him for free just to have the holy spirit shiver through my body the way it does every time Pugh sings.

But his manners…Lord, knows the man needs an etiquette adjustment.


Today has been a doozy. I had to cancel an important staff/committee meeting today, because of no shows, including myself, who has problems with my car after I drove two cities over to pick up a committee member. My driving scared her so, I know she won't step one foot in my ride again. One of my editors lost two book reviews I submitted last year and I just don't have the time to hit the Find button on my very slow computer to search for them. Not today...plus I owe them another review. I have to pay a deposit for my daughter's 5th birthday party, submit another response from Lifeways Christian Bookstore's Jim Shull on this blog, interview someone for ???, buy a birthday gift for a relative. Another paper is harassing me about two stories that I didn't promise them I would do. All the while frustrated, because I have run out of excuses for why my book is only 25% complete.

So the only thing I have time to do [i have to pick up my daughter from prek in an thirty minutes]is something else that I was supposed to do last month for my writing group-- write my prayer for balance. Here goes...


Lord, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for giving us a life we enjoy so much that we are too busy to sit still. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
But I know your spirit told me ions ago I need to make myself rest.
I need to rest in your will.
I need to remove some things that although are good for you, but are not the things you want me to do.
I need to realize/stop/understand that I can't do all things. Only you can...
Lord, I need balance.
And I need you to forgive me for my mistake.
Help me not make this mistake again.
I need the strength to choose balance over ambition, over my inability to say no, over my fear of success.
You told me to write this book.
You expect me to write this book.
And the spiritual balance that you have given to me will make it so.
In your son's precious name.
Because you are so good and sweet to me.
Amen

Scriptural Reference:Corinthians 10:13 (King James Version)

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Hope your life stays in balance. As of today mine will.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

Click on the title to for tips on finding in your life

How to Get Your Book into Lifeway. Part Two

Jim Shull, director of LifeWay's corporate services department, responds and here is that response. However, before you read it let me tell you that I have bolded a part of this response, which I would like your comments on--what is strong quality of content?

For those of you who don't know me very well let me clue you in on a few things about me: (1) I'm very persistent, downright agressive at times and (2) I'm from the South, so I need things simplified for me. So you guessed it--I will be responding to this email.

Yet, this time I would like your input. Should Jim Shull's answer suffice? If the book buyer is the final determinant of shelf placement, then why do I have to keep ordering books by the same author under the same publisher that Lifeway carries? Do I need to start launch some grassroots e-campaign, whereby every month my fellow Lifeway patriots, christian book club and writing group club cronies blow up Jim's email when we want to make sure that a particular author's work is on the shelf? I mean...I know a few people in most major cities, who could oblige my sick request. Or will I create a monster? Or worse will Lifeway bar me from their store and press harassment charges against me? I know...I''m way over the loop. That's why I need your input. Jim Shull's response below. Your comments coming?

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

************************************************************************************
Dear Dee,

Thank you for your email of February 15 asking for more Christian
fiction
books in LifeWay Christian Stores. I am pleased to respond.

Our fiction book assortment determination is based on several
parameters,and the final assortment is determined by the Book Buyer. One of the
mostimportant determining factor is quality of content. Other factors are the author sales history, publisher's promotional plans for titles, our
space availability, and funds available for not only Christian books but the
fiction area within the books category.

Thank you for shopping at Atlanta area LifeWay Christian Stores and for
taking the time to write and express your concerns on this issue. Your
input is important to us as we make decisions that will meet customer
needsand help people know Jesus Christ and seek His Kingdom.

Blessings,

Jim Shull
LifeWay Christian Stores

Why Christian Writing Groups Matter

Why Writing Groups Matter 

An excerpt from Untitled:The Gospel Diva.....

Reverend Toliver Pugh’s sweaty handkerchief fell in my lap, and drenched his press release that was resting ontop of it.

“Sorry, baby.” His voice heeved as much air as his big frame could take in when he leaned down to take his napkin off the paper and my lap.

My eyes followed him weeble back and forth on the smallest Stacy Adams I’ve ever seen on a man, all the while praying that he wouldn’t keel over and die or worse have a stroke and spew out whatever clogged his throat to the point that every word came out of his mouth began with a hiss.

Reverend Pugh weighed more than a rotund man, but less than a bull. His sweat soaked his collar and the back of his shirt and his polyester jacket. And it dripped all over everyone, especially me.

Whoever, told him to dress like the three tenors combined under a sweltering Suwanee summer stage deserved to be fired. As his publicist, I could only make him appear crisp and cool on paper…not in person. And that was a major problem.

I didn’t know which was worst being on tour with a struggling gospel singing group or being stuck to this wooden bench because a dull nail or worse—a dried up piece of gum—held my sundress hostage.

Drip.

Drip.


Yeah...

That's my gigantor head seated in the middle of the prettiest women writers on the planet (got to represent for my peeps.) Hee Hee.

This photo was taken at Tia McCollor's[the lady in red]Heart of Devotion Book Release Party this past Sunday at Copeland's cajun inspired restaurant in Buckhead.

We had a blast. Not only because the food was great, but because we were all together fellowshipping with each other and cheering on our pace settter, Tia, who's spirit personifies her title.

I joined this group--The Atlanta Black Christian Fiction Writer's Group--about a year and a half ago when I decided it was time to take off my journalist hat and jump into the land of novel writing. At the time I was a short story writing phenom, but committing to a novel I knew would be a challenge.

This group turned out to be more than I had hoped for. They have become my prayer partners, confidants, ride-or-die chicks, and a safe place to fall. I don't have to be gospel diva/book critic-The Reaper. I just have to be me. Belonging to this group I've had the chance to have Jacqueline Thomas critique my first novel chapter(another book long gone.) Sat down with Kendra Norman Bellamy, Victoria Christopher Murray and Stephanie Perry Moore and talk shop. And most importantly find my voice.

Why do writing groups matter outside of the obvious?

For me they let me know that I matter, my book matters, and my soul matters.

Kudos, ladies.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee