5 Christian Book Expo No No I want Go Gos

More than 200 Christian authors will come together and meet their readership at the first annual Christian Book Expo in Dallas Texas this week. As I said before when I read the through the list of panel discussion, workshops, & book signing opps, I didn't see anything that would make me want to fly out there and come (outside of attending the Christy Book Awards. You know why.)

There is an African American pavilion that I hope I don't offend anyone, but it shouldn't be there.

I believe I received a tweet a month ago from someone working behind the scenes at CBE, who wanted to know why am I not pleased with the lineup at the show and asked for any suggestions. I tried to tweet him back, but can't find the DM. Sorry. He seems nice. Anyway...this is my reason why I have a challenge.

1. The lineup is scant and without reason to be.

Dallas has a nice-size African American Christian population, but only six AA authors available for the four-day event. There's no[one] Christian fiction novelist on the panel(Michelle McKinney Hammond.) However, in Texas three novelists who have very large readerships weren't invited for the forum. Moreover, Sharon Ewell Foster the godmother of African american Christian fiction, who has won Christy Award, Rita Awards and some is not on the panel. Moreover, Bishop TD Jakes who's Potters House Church is in Dallas is not in the place at all. Are you kidding me?

2. Christianity is color blind, so why is CBE.

I strongly don't believe that the Christian marketplace should mirror the secular world as close as it does. On the part of race as a divider, it shouldn't be there. Granted we are culturally different, our stories should become a part of the Christian world conversation not as separate, but equal(obviously not equal in this case,) but as conclusive and representing Lydia Maria Child and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's concept of the Beloved Community.

But perhaps this demarcation is a tell-tell that racism is still an issue in American Christianity.

3. The CBE has a limited invitation for African American readers to enjoy the party.

For the same price as a non AA reader, AA readers have the six hours who have sporadic intervals to see, so where do they go then? Are they welcomed inside?

This may be a weird question to ask, but what's the purpose of the AA pavilion if not to establish a boundary for AA readers. Sure we know the spiel that all are welcome to the other panels, but gosh what are you saying when you set us apart?

5. This expo is like a body that refuses to use a limb.

To me it seems that CBE would rather cut off a link and run without all working members and joints in sync than be whole.

There are little panels with AA authors on them, even the AA pavilion doesn't have enough people to have a decent workshop panel. This looks shady at best.

Tomorrow I want to talk about this topic a little deeper as I get to my sixth issue with the CBE. It's inability to reach out to authors and readers who seek Christian messages but not through CBA publishers anymore.

Now comment, rant or do what ever. Holla,

Dee

Weekend Chat: Is your Publisher a Scam?

Writer's Block Photo Credit Kylie2Good

Last week I received an email from a publishing company that they would be hosting a manuscript contest at one of my favorite Atlanta bookstores. But when I read the email and did a little fact checking I became pissed off(sorry, but that is the most appropriate word for how I felt.) Let me show you why?

or Listen here..

An excerpt from the email...

Want to get your book published?

2009 Author Manuscript Contest
will be at Borders Bookstore in _____, GA

Saturday, March 7th

1-3pm

Bring your manuscript to submit and receive 30% off the submission fee

for contest submission rules!

Okay. So what's the problem, Dee?

Let me count the ways:

1. This contest has a hidden agenda that doesn't involve publishing.
This sort of contest reminds me of the Zoo Press debacle back in 2004., excecpt at least Zoo Press was once reputable press with industry following. But in this case what we have is a vanity press disguised as a small press using a contest to fund the company, not the contest.

See. If this company was using the entry fees to fund the contest, meaning: contest advertisements, the publishing contract, publishing and distribution, etc, then there would be more mention of who runs this company, who are the contest judges, more acknowledgment about this contest through the bookstore that booked it, local papers within the area, and at least, at least a few reputable Atlanta news blogs. But zilch. I've found nada except a poorly constructed email campaign(that was sent to me without my agreement to opt-into their email service.) This lack of marketing, improper social media etiquette tells me that the company isn't fully solvent and this contest goal is to make them a little money.

2. The publishing company will deliver a winner...Them

This "boutique" publishing company is a vanity press. They prey on the vanity of authors, who want to see their name on a book more than taking the time to build some compelling and fit for the marketplace. Therefore, they will publish any writing for a fee. So the gauge to determine what is publishable washes out, because this company has no gauge. It publishes whoever pays their set fee. Period.

Now this contest doesn't tell us how many books will be published in the initial print run or how many pages this book is maxxed to be or how the book will be bound. I have seen these books (and I have met the brains behind this company. lol. and I can't believe they were crazy enough to add me to their mailing list. lol) and the print run could possibly 500, the books are lean under 240 pages, its Japanese bound, trade paperback, poorly constructed cover board. So I'm pretty sure i know where this book has been printed from. So my general guestimation about $2500 to print. add editing and the publisher's fee. about $5000 to the author.

So this contest fee is about $25 books (fifteen more bucks if you add another submission.) In Atlanta, during this economy I guestimate maybe 100 entries as a very weak guestimate. I can't tell you the number of people I meet weekly who want to publish their own book. Most writing contest get about 500 entries. Are you smelling my coffee yet?

It's very sour.

What you have here, basically, this company is taking enough entry fees to publish a book through a local press. The cost for that is pretty basic, too. Here's a pub calculator from Author's Lawyer

3. The company is predatory.
You cannot my fathom my disgust for predatory companies that prey off authors, musicians, actors, artists, and parents. It is a thing I need to pray about because my anger becomes a rage, a hulkish rage.

Artists create,and some wish to share their creations with their community. However, in this world and this time, there are people who don't respect the beauty in creation. Instead they see an artist wish to present their art to the world and their wonder about if their work matters to this world and stomp on it with the artist blood, sweat and dollars.

But it's only $25, Dee?

It's so much more than pocket change. You have to consider many of these victims(and I can't necessarily call them victims either) have been:

1. either rejected by a national publishing company
2. a newbie writer
3. a writer, whose works isn't fit for this current marketplace and refuses to accept that truth
4. someone who trust this company as a reputable because they haven't engaged themselves in the writing community

#4 is one of the reasons for the creation of Christian Fiction Blog. Here this is a place where writers can come and learn about the industry, comment, join a network of published writers and industry professionals for free, and get the answers they need. We post legitimate contests here. We share scam alerts here. We offer advice here. The entire community does this not just me.

So this is this weekend's chatterbox question: Is your Publisher a scam? Do you know? Do you know how to know? want to ask me a question?

Let me remind you every Wednesday at noon est. you can join me for a 30 minute chat about book publishing and promotion at Media Candy. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediacandy

Daisy Chain. Mary Demuth. Christian Fiction Blog

ABOUT THE BOOK
The abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance from a small Texas town in 1973 spins three lives out of control—Jed, whose guilt over not protecting his friend Daisy strangles him; Emory Chance, who blames her own choices for her daughter’s demise; and Ouisie Pepper, who is plagued by headaches while pierced by the shattered pieces of a family in crisis.

In this first book in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper has a sickening secret: He’s convinced it’s his fault his best friend Daisy went missing. Jed’s pain sends him on a quest for answers to mysteries woven through the fabric of his own life and the lives of the families of Defiance, Texas. When he finally confronts the terrible truths he’s been denying all his life, Jed must choose between rebellion and love, anger and freedom.

Daisy Chain is an achingly beautiful southern coming-of-age story crafted by a bright new literary talent. It offers a haunting yet hopeful backdrop for human depravity and beauty, for terrible secrets and God’s surprising redemption.

Click here to listen to Mary Demuth talk about Daisy Chain

Come back next week and I will share my review of Daisy Chain.

What does Judy Blume, American Idol & Tiffany L. Warren have in Common?: Christian Fiction Blog

Stop by Nora's Psalm 5:16 Finding Hope Through Fiction Blog and chat with Bestselling Author, Tiffany L. Warren. She's talking American Idol, Judy Blume, buying shoes on the cheap and how to write with five kids and a husband. Whew! I'll meet you there.

Dee

Casting Call: Tyler Perry Studios, Atlanta, GA

Tyler Perry Extra's Casting for "I Can Do Bad All By Myself"

FROM TYLER PERRY’S EXTRAS CASTING DEPARTMENT
Lights
Camera
Action
Tyler Perry Studios “Extras Casting Department” is looking for Extras for the next feature film "Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself." Filming will begin in Atlanta March 16, 2009 – April 20, 2009.

If you are interested in working as an extra send a photo and resume to tpsmovies1@yahoo.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you do not have a resume please include your contact information (PHONE NUMBER), height, weight, and date of birth with the email. You may also mail your photo to the address below no later than March 13, 2009.
No phone calls will be accepted.


TPS / Extras Casting
Attn: Heather
541 10th Street # 172
Atlanta, GA 30318


The following talent is requested: Ages 20 and up ONLY!
African American Females and Males
Caucasian Females and Males
Hispanic Females and Males
Must have set etiquette
Must have professional work attitude
Must be available for a 12-14 hour day if booked

Extra Compensation: $90.00/12 hr day


Also looking for Stand Ins*:

If you are interested in working as a Stand In send a photo and resume to brit_grooms@yahoo.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please put “STAND IN” in the subject line of the email. If you do not have a resume please include your contact information (PHONE NUMBER), height, weight, and date of birth with the email. Please email your information no later than Monday, March 9, 2009.
No phone calls will be accepted.


The following talent is requested: Ages 20 and up ONLY!
African American male or female -4'9", 140lbs
African American male or female-5'5", 160lbs
African American female- 5’2”, 110lbs

Requirements
Must be available for a 12-14 hour day if booked
Must have set etiquette
Must have a professional work attitude
Must have a flexible schedule
Must be available to work 3-16-09 through 4-25-09

*Previous stand-in experience is a plus but not necessary.
Stand In Compensation: $125.00/12 hr day

More Tyler Perry News

The Ethics of Being a Good Writer

The Ethics of Being a Good Writer

by Holly McCarthy, guest blogger

There are various aspects to being a writer, and you wouldn’t think ethics played any kind of role in any of them, but it’s a major part of any good writer’s repertoire. Besides the fact that you’re a master story teller who can weave magic with words and create the most interesting characters, you also need to have basic moral values if you need to be able to take pride in yourself and your work. Ethics may not contribute to making your book a bestseller, but they sure do matter when it comes to making a better person out of you.

• Plagiarism is an absolute no-no: There’s no use in copying someone else’s work or idea and passing it off as your own. For one, you’re likely to face legal action; and for another, you’re not being true to yourself. Think about it – if you steal one idea or plot, you’re likely to keep doing so all through your extremely short career (believe me, it is going to be short if you’re short on originality).

• According credit where it’s due takes you a long way: As a writer, you’re bound to be indebted to people who help you in your research, your ground work, and in many other aspects. And if you’re not going to acknowledge their efforts in making you who you are today, you’re making a big ethical mistake.

• Don’t get ahead at the cost of someone else: If you have to push someone over and step on them to become a success, that success is definitely not worth it. It may not mean as much as it should because you’re bound to feel guilty about using underhand tactics to get what you wanted.

• Meet deadlines: When you’re a writer, deadlines are a large part of your schedule; you’re always scrambling to meet them no matter how much time you think you have left. Make sure you honor your commitments, no matter how sought-after you are, because a man of his word is a man of good faith.

• Remain humble: No matter how big a success you become, remember your humble beginnings and stay true to them. If you let victory go to your head, you’re in danger of losing sense of who you really are and believing the hype that’s built up about you.

Holly McCarthy writes on the subject of the online colleges. She invites your feedback at hollymccarthy12 at gmail dot com

Everything I Learned about Writing I learned from Barbie

Everything I learned about Storytelling I learned from Barbie

by natalia & gabriel

Today is Barbie's 50 Birthday and yes I am a collector. Sadly, two years ago I sold all my Barbies to take care of my family. This year I bought an Alvin Ailey Barbie to celebrate my birthday and my road to recovery. Thank you, my Lord. As I watched the news media wonder about the Barbie fascination, I realized something profound about myself. Everything I learned about storytelling I learned from Barbie.

Let me explain.

Continue reading "Everything I learned about Storytelling I learned from Barbie" »