Why Fiction Matters: Lost Love

GRACIE BONDS STAPLES wrote a beautiful article on Author, Kendra Norman Bellamy in todays Atlanta Journal Constitution . Here's an excerpt...

I shall not die.

They were [deceased husband]Jimmy's words but they belonged now to Kendra Norman-Bellamy. For two years, they'd moved around inside of her, strumming her heartstrings every time she remembered the title of the last sermon he preached.

Growing up, it wasn't usual for her to record events of her life in diaries. She wrote plays, skits and poems and proudly shared them at her church, funerals, weddings and family reunions.

But not these words. These were meant for her eyes only.

Bellamy typed and cried and typed and cried until all the pain was gone, until there was nothing left but stories like hers and Jimmy's.

What would she do with those? More here...

Did Rowlings Give Potter Away to Fans?

J.K. Rowlings suit against Steven Vander Ark's lexicon is huge news. Shelf Awareness, USA Today, Times of London,MediaBistro to name a few are talking about this case.

Yeah, I know...Harry Potter is frowned upon in certain Christian writing circles, but this issue is noteworthy. Because the issue at stake isn't as clear, cut and dry as it seems.

Question: How much leeway does an author give a fan website?

Rowling acknowledged she once bestowed an award on Vander Ark's Web site because, she said, she wanted to encourage a very enthusiastic fan.

But she said she "almost choked on my coffee" one morning when she realized Vander Ark had warned others not to copy portions of his Web site. She said she now has second thoughts about all the encouragement she has given to online discussions and Web sites devoted to her books.

"I never censored it or wanted to censor it," she said, adding that if she loses the lawsuit, she will conclude she essentially gave away her copyrights by encouraging the Web sites.

"Other authors will say, `I need to exercise more control. She was an idiot. She let it all go,'" Rowling said. -Associated Press

I had the same reaction as she a few months ago...:)

Your thoughts.

Cite: Harry Potter Reading Map Courtesy of Round Lake Library

Could Your Debut Novel be an Orange?

The Orange Prize shortlist:

• The Outcast by Sadie Jones
• Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill
• Lottery by Patricia Wood
• When We Were Bad by Charlotte Mendelson
• The Road Home by Rose Tremain
• Fault Lines by Nancy Huston

The prize celebrates fiction by women and is open to any novel written in English. The winner will receive £30,000 (US$58,893) at a ceremony in London's Royal Festival Hall on June 4.

Three authors: Sadie Jones, Heather O'Neiil and Patricia Wood are debut novelists.

Imagine your debut nominated. How would you feel? I think I better go back and rewrite one more time on mine. :)

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?