A Revolutionary Writing-Biz Book

Hi! I've been reading an excellent book recommended by the experts at Mount Hermon, and I thought I'd recommend it to you, as well. It's PyroMarketing by Greg Stielstra, the senior marketing director for the Book Group at Zondervan. 

 

In PyroMarketing, Stielstra uses the extended metaphor of a fire to describe the marketing process. His four-step strategy to "lighting the fire" is as follows:

 

1. Gather the driest tinder. Promote your product or service to the people most likely to buy it.

2. Touch it with the match. Give people a personal experience with your product or service. 

3. Fan the flames. Help these people tell others about your product or service.

4. Save the coals. Keep a record of who your customers are.   

 

PyroMarketing emphasizes the relational dynamics of the publishing business. Stielstra reminds us that the market is fluid and cannot be fully predicted or controlled, yet it still operates according to the laws of nature that God created. People exist in relationship with the world and with others. Naturally, then, they will feel compelled to share their experiences (both good and bad) with their family members, friends, and acquaintances. When a book or product radically influences a person's life, he or she will spread the news - like wildfire! 

This book has revolutionized the way I think about publishing, the way I view "little old me" and my writing ministry, and the way I approach book marketing as a whole. If you've read this book or have had experience putting this process into action, please post a comment here. Thank you!

Summer Reading

"The writing life is first and foremost a reading life, a life engaged with the ongoing conversation that is literature." 

-Scott Cairns, poet and director of the Ph.D. program in creative writing, University of Missouri-Columbia 

  

Well, friends, it's that time again - time for me to share my tried-and-true book recommendations with you! Here's what's on my nightstand:

Sailing Between the Stars by Steven James (If you liked Blue Like Jazz by Don Miller, you'll love this book!)

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey (I re-read this book at least once a year. Yancey is an incredible storyteller.)

Secrets of a Freelance Writer: How to Make $100,000 A Year or More by Robert W. Bly 

I also highly recommend Ellen Vaughn's book Radical Gratitude. Her writing is so dynamic, and I love her illustrations. The premise of the book is important and surprising because gratitude is so rarely discussed in our culture. We've been given so much, yet we often take God, people, and all our gifts for granted. This book will open your eyes to the ways God is moving in your life every day. You'll be compelled to thank the Lord for the beauty that is all around you.     

I also hope to begin reading Mary DeMuth's new book Wishing on Dandelions soon.  

What are you reading? What are your recommendations for summer? Please share them with all of us by posting a comment here. Thank you!

More Info on 3.1.6.: A Journal of Christian Thinking

Well, friends, it's finally here! The inaugural issue of a fantastic new Christian literary journal, 3.1.6.: A Journal of Christian Thinking, is available for pre-order now for the low price of $7.99. You may purchase a copy at the316journal.com/currentissue.htm.

Three of my poems will appear in the journal: "Eden's Gate," "Wrestling the Angel," and "A Woman Prays Kneeling on Uncooked Rice."

The founding editor of 3.1.6., Bill Dowis, is currently seeking submissions for the journal. All of you talented writer friends out there, please submit your work! Submission guidelines are available at the316journal.com/submissions.htm. Please let us know if your writing is selected for publication so that all of us may celebrate with you! Thank you.

Blessings!

Five Years - A Tribute to Catalin

Today, my husband and I are celebrating our "second fifth anniversary." We had two weddings: one on March 16, 2002, in his hometown of Falticeni, Romania, and one on June 1 in my hometown of Terre Haute, Indiana. 

On the one hand, the time has literally sprouted wings and soared off into the great unknown. On the other hand, I can't imagine life without my husband. He's hilarious and magnificently talented. I love his sense of humor! And over the past five years, I've seen him grow in his love for the Lord and develop in wisdom, faith and maturity. He recently graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with his B.S. in Management Information Systems and landed a great job as an IT consultant with Amdocs. I am happy for him and proud of all that he has accomplished.

These past five years have been sprinkled with sunshine, peppered with laughter and surprises, overflowing with fun and blessings. Not to say that we haven't had any minunderstandings or issues; we have. Not to say that we are perfect or have a perfect relationship; we don't. Not to say that we don't try to get our own way sometimes; we do. 

But I have loved this man since the day I heard him reading Max Lucado's book Children of the King to a group of orphans in Romania.   

Since the month of June is traditionally the month for weddings, please write and let me know what you appreciate most about your spouse or significant other today. Thank you!

The Blessings of Living in America

I absolutely love being married to my husband, Catalin. Although intercultural marriage is not always a piece of cake, it is fascinating and fun, and it also offers myriad benefits and joys. My mother-in-law, Maria, recently came to visit us in Frisco for the first time. This was her first time on an airplane as well as her first visit to the U.S. It was fascinating to see the world through her eyes! We enjoyed our time (and her fabulous cooking!) immensely.

 

I also discovered some things that we in America (including yours truly!) often take for granted. Here are just a few:

 

-Our salvation (Thank you, Lord!)

-Living in a society that is (at least somewhat) friendly toward Christians  

-Cars

-Starbucks

-Swimming pools

-Going out to restaurants

-Going to the movies

-My clothes washer and dryer

-Glad Press 'N Seal

-Cookie, cake and brownie mixes

-Ross, Target, Wal-Mart, etc.

-Dry cleaners

-Having hot running water all the time

-Receiving quick service at stores, restaurants, government offices, etc. 

 

What are you most thankful for today? I'd like to hear from you. Please e-mail me or post a comment here. Thanks!   

NOTE: To view ALL of this site's articles on intercultural marriage, please go to the "Categories" heading on the lower right side of this page and click on "Intercultural Marriage." Thank you!

New Developments on the Poetry Front

Great news! Several of my poems were recently selected for publication in two literary journals. One of the journals is a relatively new Christian journal called 3.1.6.: A Journal of Christian Thinking, and the other is an established journal called Illya's Honey. I'll keep you posted on the poems' release.

 

For more information on 3.1.6.: A Journal of Christian Thinking, please see the316journal.com/home.htm.

 

For more information on Illya's Honey, please see dallaspoets.org and click on the "Illya's Honey" link on the left-hand side of the page.  

 

Thanks for your encouragement and prayers, friends! Blessings!

Congrats to Mary DeMuth, Christy Award Finalist!

My friend and fellow writer, Mary DeMuth, has been nominated for a Christy award in the category of "First Novel" for her book Watching the Tree Limbs. This is the compelling, redemptive tale of a young girl named Mara who grows to know and love the Lord even as she struggles to come to terms with difficult family issues and the painful abuse she suffers at the hands of a neighbor boy. 

 

I so enjoyed hearing Mary speak at Mount Hermon. Watching the Tree Limbs is, in many ways, Mary's personal story of suffering and redemption. I have read the book and enjoyed it thoroughly. It will entertain you, make you cry, and challenge you in your faith. I highly recommend it!

 

To purchase Watching the Tree Limbs, please visit your local Christian bookstore or click on this link: amazon.com/Watching-Tree-Limbs-Maranatha-1/dp/1576839265/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-5507309-9027364?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179762040&sr=8-1 

 

For more information on the Christy awards and to view the names and book titles of the other finalists, please click on the following link: christyawards.com. 

 

To check out Mary's excellent blog and Web site, please see relevantprose.com. You may also sign up for her monthly newsletter.

 

Congratulations to Mary and all the other finalists! What a great honor!