Barbour Books Author Guidelines

In light of what some Christian publishers are allowing in their books, I thought I'd post these guidelines that Barbour Books has set forth. I am not saying I agree with everything, and maybe they do go too far, but is it not better to err on the side of caution? Is it not better to be too careful about offending people, than to not care?


THINGS TO AVOID: Avoid the truly controversial. Although conflict is important for any storyline, certain matters should be avoided at all costs.

LANGUAGE—Stay away from any language that could be considered foul. Avoid euphemistic words and phrases like heck, darn, golly, gosh, good heavens, good grief, for Pete’s or heaven’s sake, and so on. To many of our readers these words are substitutes for curses, and in their minds as bad, or worse.

DIVORCE—We don’t want to see our heroes or heroines divorced, no matter what the circumstances. Divorce can be acceptable for secondary and non-Christian characters if handled with care.

DOCTRINE—Avoid denominations and their doctrinal issues. We will not list all these (there are too many). Keep in mind that we are appealing to a broad range of Christian evangelical readers. For example, church-sponsored activities should be proper. In a Heartsong Presents title, activities like dancing (including square dancing) and betting (including bingo) should not take place on church property or with the support of respected church leaders. See also the “Sticky Topics” area.

LIFESTYLES AND ACTIVITIES—The following activities are unacceptable for heroes and heroines in Heartsong Presents. However, for non-Christian characters, these conflicts can be explored, so long as the consequences for such actions are given in a realistic manner:



Alcohol/Drug/Tobacco Use

Dancing—this is generally acceptable in Historicals, but should be appropriate to the time period. Dancing in Contemporary novels is generally unacceptable and will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Immodest Dress—characters should never appear outside their bedrooms in nightgowns. They should never appear in underwear or other private garments. Scenes within a private room, like a bedroom or bathroom, should be handled with care, keeping our guidelines in mind.

PASSION—Physical tension between characters should not be overdone. Do not be overly descriptive when describing how characters feel in a particular romantic moment, for example, kissing, embracing, and so on. It has been our belief from day one that we can tell a great love story without going into excessive physical detail. People can easily imagine the desires and tensions between a couple who are blossoming into love. Kisses are fine (no tongues or heights of arousal, please). There will be no sex between the hero and heroine in a Heartsong Presents romance, and any details of the hero and/or heroine’s past sexual experience should be handled very delicately.

Telling a story about a married couple doesn’t give the author license to tell too many details of their intimacy. An author can easily leave these details to the reader’s imagination with a simple whisper, glance, blush, or closed door. Sometimes what is alluded to is more romantic than details.

Avid readers of inspirational romance believe that true passion goes beyond the basic desire for sexual pleasure and touches a person in the depths of the soul. When the triangle (man, woman, and God) is complete, there can be true satisfaction and lasting love in a relationship.

STICKY TOPICS

CONTROVERSIAL ITEMS TO STEER CLEAR OF:
1. Spirit baptism
2. Water baptism (meaning of)
3. Time of Spirit baptism (at conversion vs. second experience of grace)
4. Time of water baptism (children or adults)
5. Gifts of the Spirit (e.g., are tongues still around?)
6. End times (setting dates and other specifics)
7. Lord’s Supper (ordinance vs. sacrament)
8. Women’s ordination
9. Christian perfection
10. Transferring qualities of Jesus—or passages in the Bible that refer to Jesus—to heroes in books. This also applies to Mary, Jesus’ earthly mother.

Samantha of Samaria, by John Ramsey

Samantha of Samaria is a fictional story of the woman at the well and chronicles her struggle to find peace through five husbands. David, husband number six, turns out to be the prodigal son from Jesus’ parable. The six men in Samantha’s life each make a different contribution to how she sees the world. Each relationship is an attempt to find what all of us long for: love. But Samantha's life has developed a pattern that looks for marriage to fail. Unfortunately, as with most things, practice makes perfect. Samantha finds she is not getting better at marriage, but instead is getting better at divorce. She has become an expert at letting go. Samantha is a master of rejection.

Eventually, Samantha learns the greatest lesson in life: we all need Christ to give our life purpose and meaning. Without Jesus as our cornerstone, our spiritual compass is untrue. Through a series of hard life lessons, Samantha comes to Christ and learns to be true to herself. She also learns that even when you’re alone, you do not have to be lonely.

My thoughts:

Sometimes I like Biblical fiction, and sometimes I don't. The story of the woman at the well has always stood out to me. We don't know a lot about her, other than she had been married five times, and was living with a man not married to her, and that she was obviously looked down on.

The author uses his imagination and weaves a story about what this woman's life was like before she met Jesus. Intertwined with it, is the story of the prodigal son. Though not a very long book, 152 pages, I really enjoyed the book, and it made the Biblical story fresh and new. In addition to a new look at the woman at the well, I gained a new perspective on the prodigal son, and the book views a few parables through his eyes.

About the author:

John R. Ramsey is the founding Pastor of Harvest Worship Center, a non-denominational church in Panama City, Florida. Pastor Ramsey has been in full-time ministry for twenty-four years and has spent the past eighteen years serving as a pastor. His knowledge of God’s Word as well as his own journey allows him to tell stories with a unique perspective.

Pastor Ramsey and his wife live in Panama City, Florida with their three daughters where he continues to dedicate himself to leading people into new levels of spiritual maturity.

Samantha of Samaria is available from Winepress Publishing. Thanks to Abagail from WP for the review copy.

Scripture Memorization

I think Scripture memorization is great. I think the Bible even affirms the idea. Lately though, I have been wondering can we require too much of kids?

Five out of six of my nephews & nieces are in a Christian school - the sixth is not quite 3 years old. They all have to memorize Scripture as part of their schooling - and I think that's great. I had to, but I worry about forcing too much on them at a time. I am not singling out any certain teacher, but it sounds sometimes like there is too much piled on kids at a time. Would it not be better to have them memorize a couple of verses a week that will more likely stick with them, than a dozen or more at a time?

And is there a danger of kids disliking the Bible, if they have to learn a lot of it? Especially if they are not good at memorizing. For often, what we are not good at, becomes something we dislike.

I remember when I was a junior in high school, I had to memorize John 3:1-35. And say it in front of everyone. It took me forever, and more than one trip up in front of the class. Rather humiliating, actually. I can remember one verse out of all thirty-five that I memorized - ok, maybe one or two others, but really, what good did it do forcing me to memorize those thirty-five verses? I resented it, and was very upset, but I had to do it.

I personally feel that there shouldn't be a lot of Scripture at a time required of kids. Maybe a few verses here and there, and if more is desired by the teacher/school, that it be extra credit.

We have a kid in my family who does not do too well in school. I fear what the grades will be like for this kid if memorizing a lot of Scripture hinges on the grade in the end.

So, any thoughts? Is there a danger of requiring kids to learn a lot of Scripture? Should they be required to learn any at all? Just some random thoughts brought on my my experiences in memorizing, and now my nieces & nephews.

100 Books In A Year

Back in November, I decided to keep track of all the books I read in a year, and see if I hit 100. I am still fifteen days away from the year's end for that goal, and I have hit the 100 book mark. (And I may have missed a few- I don't always remember to add to the list when I read one, but have caught most of what I forgot). If anyone is curious, here is the list - and I had one book listed twice, so the numbers aren't right - there are 100 books listed, though it goes to 101:

November 2008

1) Riven: Jerry Jenkins
2) Ransomed Dreams: Amy Wallace
3) Healing Promises: Amy Wallace
4) 13 Ways To Ruin Your Life: Jarrod Jones
5) Every Now And Then: Karen Kingsbury

December 2008

6) The Backward Life: Jarrod Jones
7) The Seventh Day: Brock & Bodie Thoene
8) The Hunted: Mike Delosso
9) The Eighth Shepherd: Brock & Bodie Thoene
10) Dark Pursuit: Brandilyn Collins
11) Kiss: Ted Dekker & Erin Healy
12) Less Than Dead: Tim Downs
13) Deeper Waters: Robert Whitlow
14) The Ninth Witness: Brock & Bodie Thoene
15) The Wonder of Christmas: Derric Johnson
16) Uncle John’s Christmas Collection

January 2009

17) The Black Sea Affair: Don Brown
18) This Side of Heaven: Karen Kingsbury
19) Bloodlines: Mel Odum

February 2009

20) Inside Narnia: Devin Brown
21) Comes A Horseman: Robert Liparulo
22) By Reason of Insanity: Randy Singer
23) The Real Enemy: Kathy Herman

March

24) Double Minds: Terri Blackstock
25) Take One: Karen Kingsbury
26) Enduring Justice: Amy Wallace
27) The Rook: Steven James
28) Daniel’s Den: Brandt Dodson
29) The Heavens Before: Kacy Barnett-Gramckow

April

30) He Who Lifts The Skies: Kacy Banett-Gramckow
31) A Crown Among The Stars: Kacy Banett-Gramckow
32) Monday Night Jihad: Jason Elam & Steve Yohn
33) BoneMan’s Daughters: Ted Dekker
34) Losing God: Matt Rogers
35) Face of Betrayal: Lis Wehl
36) The Void: Mark Mynheir

May

37) House of Dark Shadows: Robert Liparulo
38) Watcher In The Woods: Robert Liparulo
39) Gatekeepers: Robert Liparulo
40) Shepherd’s Fall: Wanda Dyson
41) Fatal Illusions: Adam Blumer
42) Electric Beach: Joe Hilley
43) The Deposition: Joe Hilley
44) Deceived: James Scott Bell
45) Night Rain: Joe Hilley

June

46) The Missionary: Carmichael & Lambert
47) Certain Jeopardy: Strueker & Gansky
48) Night Watchman: Mark Mynheir
49) White Soul: Brandt Dodson
50) The Rose Conspiracy: Craig Parshall
51) Higher Hope: Robert Whitlow
52) The Bone Box: Bob Hostetler
53) Blown Coverage: Jason Elam & Steve Yohn
54) Expiration Date: Eric Wilson
55) Exposure: Brandilyn Collins
56) Directed Verdict: Randy Singer
57) Justice Games: Randy Singer

July

58) Take Two: Karen Kingsbury
59) Deadlock: Robert Liparulo
60) Timescape: Robert Liparulo
61) Fallen From Babel: T.L. Higley
62) Disappointment With God: Philip Yancey
63) The Buzzards Are Circling,…Stan Toler
64) God Has Never Failed Me…Stan Toler
65) Pirate Hunter: Tom Morrisey
66) The River Nile: Kenny Blair

August

67) The Knight: Steven James
68) The Last Word: Kathy Herman
69) June Bug: Chris Fabry
70) The Last Thing I Remember: Andrew Klavan
71) The Double Cousins & The Missing Watch: Miriam Jones Bradley
72) Fearless: Max Lucado
73: Danger At the Door: Michelle Sutton
74) Transformation: Terri Kraus
75) An Eye For An Eye: Irene Hannon
76) Field of Blood: Eric Wilson
77) Lethal Harvest: Cutrer & Glahn
78) Deadly Cure: Cutrer & Glahn

September

79) Haunt of Jackals: Eric Wilson
80) Through The Fire: Shawn Grady
81) Make Love, Make War: Brian Doersken
82) Farraday Road: Ace Collins
83) One Imperfect Christmas: Myra Johnson
84) Beyond the Reflection’s Edge: Bryan Davis
85) Conspiracy In Kiev: Noel Hynd
86) Eternity’s Edge: Bryan Davis
87) Green: Ted Dekker
88) Mohamed’s Moon: Keith Clemons
89) Intervention: Teri Blackstock
90) Shadow Government: Grant Jeffrey
91) Touching Wonder: John Blasé
92) Screwtape Letters: C.S. Lewis
93) The Sound of Sleigh Bells: Cindy Woodsmall

October

94) Scream: Mike Dellosso
95) Miracles: Karen Kingsbury
96) Guardian of the Flame: T.L. Higley
97) Eye Of The God: Ariel Allison
98) The War With Mr. Wizzle: Gordon Korman
99) This Can’t Be Happening At Macdonald Hall: Gordon Korman
100) If God Is Good: Randy Alcorn
101) White Picket Fences: Susan Meissner

Maybe I will shoot for 200 next year :-)

They were lost, now they are found.....

I am a happy camper! When I moved back to Ohio almost 16 months ago, I never dreamed that my life would be in storage this long, so unfortunately, I buried my Christmas CDs in the storage unit. I have tried half-heartedly to find them a few times, but never had luck, so I went through Christmas last year without them. I decided today to perform a search and rescue and find them or be buried alive trying. I did find them, and they were hard to get to- I had already moved a ton of things, and basically had to brave a "booby trap", but managed to get them. Woo hoo! I love Christmas music! I have been going through the CDs and had totally forgotten all of the Christmas CDs I had. Here for anyone's enjoyment who might be interested, is what I found, plus the 10 or so that I did have here aleady:

1. 4Him: The Season of Love
2. 98 Degrees: This Christmas
3. Alabama: Christmas
4. Ray Boltz: A Christmas Album
5. Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir: Christmas At the Brooklyn Tabernacle
6. Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir: Light of the World
7. Garth Brooks: Beyond The Season
8. Garth Brooks: The Magic of Christmas
9. Booth Brothers: Christmas
10. Jim Brickman: Christmas Romance
11. Jim Brickman: The Gift
12. Jim Brickman: Homecoming
13. Jim Brickman: The Hymns & Carols of Christmas
14. Jim Brickman: Peace
15. Caleb Collins: Christmas
16. Carpenters: Christmas Portrait
17. Steven Curtis Chapman: All I Really Want for Christmas
18. Steven Curtis Chapman: Christmas Is All In the Heart
19. Steven Curtis Chapman: The Music of Christmas
20. Kenny Chesney: All I Want For Christmas Is a Real Good Tan
21. Christmas Grass: Various Bluegrass
22. Christmas In The Country: Heirloom, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Kelly Nelon Thompson
23. Covingtons: Country Christmas
24. A Currier & Ives Christmas
25. Diamond Rio: The Star Still Shines
26. Celine Dion: These Are Special Times
27. Jeff & Sheri Easter: It Feels Like Christmas Again
28. Bill Engvall: Here's Your Christmas Album
29. Forester Sisters: A Christmas Card
30. Kenny G: Faith
31. Kenny G: The Holiday Album
32. Kenny G: Wishes
33. Bill & Gloria Gaither/Homecoming Friends: He Started The Whole World Singing
34. Gaither Vocal Band: Christamas Gaither Vocal Band Style
35. Gaither Vocal Band: Still The Greatest Story Ever Told
36. Vince Gill: Let There Be Peace on Earth
37. Gold City: Voices of Christmas
38. Amy Grant: A Christmas Album
39. Amy Grant: The Christmas Collection
40. Amy Grant: A Christmas To Remember
41. Amy Grant: Home For Christmas
42. Amy Grant: My Best Christmas
43. Greater Vision: A Greater Vision Christmas
44. Greenes: A Family Christmas
45. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound: Christmas With EH&SS
46. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound: Every Light That Shines At Christmas
47. The Heart of Christmas: Instrumental Sax
48. Hoppers: Glad Tidings
49. Integrity Quartet: Christmastime
50. Alan Jackson: Let It Be Christmas
51. Jack Jezzro: An Acoustic Christmas
52. Lonestar: My Christmas List
53. Lonestar: This Christmas Time
54. David Klinkenberg: The Carol of Emmanuel
55. Manuel Family Band: A Manuel Family Christmas
56. Martina McBride: White Christmas
57. Richie McDonald: If Every Day Could Be Christmas
58. Reba McEntire: Merry Christmas to You
59. Ronnie Milsap: Christmas With Ronnie Milsap
60. Newsong: Christmas Hope
61. Anne Murray: What A Wonderful Christmas
62. Newsong: The Christmas Shoes
63. Bebo Norman: Christmas From The Realms of Glory
64. O Holy Night: Instrumental Sax
65. Oak Ridge Boys: The Christmas Collection
66. Paul Overstreet: Christmas, My Favorite Time of the Year
67. Brad Paisley: Brad Paisley Christmas
68. Sandi Patti: The Gift Goes On
69. Ivan Parker: Merry Christmas From Ivan
70. Squire Parsons: Christmas At Calvary/Christmas With Squire Parsons
71. Dolly Parton: Home for Christmas
72. Perry Sisters: The Still of the Night
73. David Phelps: Joy, Joy
74. David Phelps: One Wintry Night
75. Plus One: Christmas
76. Boots Randolph: A Christmas Holiday
77. Boots Randolph: Christmas With Boots Randolph
78. Colin Raye: The Gift
79. Rescue: The First Christmas
80. Kenny Rogers: The Gift
81. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton: Once Upon A Christmas
82. Michael W Smith: Christmastime
83. Songs 4 Worship: Christmas
84. A Southern Christmas: Various Southern Gospel
85. Spencers: Home and Christmas
86. Spiritbound: Christmas Collection
87. Talleys: A Family Christmas
88. Talley Trio: It's Christmas
89. Randy Travis: An Old Time Christmas
90. Jaci Velasquez: Christmas
91. Gerald Wolfe: My Kind of Christmas

Pictures

Here are a few pictures I snapped of my nieces & nephews recently. Most of them were taken with my cell phone, with the exception of the last two photos, but they turned out pretty decent.

Below: all six kids from oldest to youngest: Stephanie, Allie, Katie, Josiah, Benjy, and Nathan

Nathan, trying to pick up one of the pumpkins my dad grew

A few weeks ago, the Johnny Appleseed Festival was held here in town. They had this apple by the gazebo, so I snapped my nieces' pictures in it. Here is one of Katie & Allie

And Stephanie - the apple wouldn't hold all three girls at one time:

Josiah, in his denim bib overalls worn for pictures at Walmart

And Benjy in his denim bib overalls

If God Is Good, by Randy Alcorn

I was fortunate to get a copy of If God Is Good, by Randy Alcorn to review.
The book is subtitled Faith In The Midst of Suffering And Evil, and was much more than I expected. Not only was it longer than I expected - at 510 pages, I thought the packagae contained two books! - the author goes into more detail discussing the subject of why there is so much evil and suffereing, if God is truly good and in control of this world.

I have read similar books, and I have to say - and not just because this is a book review - I try to be kind, yet honest about book reviews - this may be the best book book on this subject. Ever.

The book explores how different people and philosophies deal with the issue of suffering and evil. From putting forth a God whose knowledge is limited, to explain how God could let people like Adolph Hitler be born - surely He couldn't have known what Hitler would do, or He wouldn't have let Him be born - to a God with limited power - God is just unable to do anything about the evil and suffering that exists.

On a personal note, this was a book that I needed to read. I gained a lot of insight from it, and I plan on going through it more later, focusing on some specific parts of the book. A couple of things that I took away from the book:

Sometimes it is good for us to lose faith, if our faith is more in tradition and in our church, than in God.

Suffering can be good for us. People who have never suffered are weak and shallow.

And God may have a purpose - most likely does - in our suffering. It could be to help us, spiritually, or otherwise; or it could be to help others.

The author does not present neat, little glib answers, but presents Biblical ideas, and tells a lot of stories about people in the past and modern day who suffered, some of them unbelievable pain or tragedy, yet clung to God and it resulted in a deeper Christian experience.

I read more Christian fiction than other types of reading, but this has got to be one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read. It is definitely worth reading. I very much recomment it, especially if you find yourself wondering why you are going through something, or how God can let certain things happen, or certain people live for doing such atrocities. I guarantee you will learn something, and Randy Alcorn just might answer that question for you - if God truly is good - and cares, then why?

Available from randomhouse.com