This is Jocelyn Green, and today I have the pleasure of offering a book review of Cheri Cowell’s Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life. Many times, it’s easy to discern a good choice from a bad one. But when neither option is bad or wrong, how does one know which path to choose? While most of us would prefer the proverbial “handwriting on the wall” to show us the way, that kind of unmistakable message from God is rare. But according to Cowell’s book, that’s OK. We don’t need it. In fact, instead of trying to guess what…
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read latest news from our blogOrganization To Do
My article last month was titled Organization to go. Wouldn’t it be nice if things were that simple? Organization could be handed to us the same way we’re able to get our clothes from the dry cleaners, fast food from McDonald’s, and prescriptions from Walgreens. But it’s not that simple. We have to work for it. As mentioned in last month’s article, we all have the same twenty-four hours in a day. Have you ever been amazed at how some people can get so much done during the day? I’m a big fan of to do lists and…
Be Flexible?
Hello from Bonnie Leon here on my mountain top in Southern Oregon. Fall has arrived, and I'm breathing deeply. You'd think that since I'm a country gal I'd be the laid back type. Sadly flexibility is not one of my strengths. I always have a plan. And barring flood, famine or threat of death I stick to it. My kids have told me on numerous occasions that I need to be more spontaneous. I’m practicing—honestly.
Essential: Writing Nonfiction with the Reader in Mind
Jan here, enjoying a beautiful fall afternoon in the foothills of the Sierras. Today I’m considering the readers of the books we are writing–the essential person that we must keep in mind. Over the years I’ve critiqued quite a few nonfiction proposals and manuscripts. The writers pored out their souls in their manuscripts, sometimes to the point of (figuratively) bleeding on the page. Each hoped their story would make a difference in the lives of others who had experienced similar struggles. I found the ideas of many of the stories compelling. And yet, for some, the delivery left me feeling alienated from or…
Tips from the Pros: Myra Johnson
Hi everyone! Sarah Sundin here, and I’m loving this fall weather. Makes me think of Christmas. Okay, so I live in California, where we have two seasons – hot and not, and my kids still talk about The Day It Snowed (back in ’98) – but let’s embrace the Christmas spirit for today’s interview. I had the privilege of meeting Myra Johnson last month at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference in Denver, where she was signing her just-released first novel, One ImPerfect Christmas. Myra’s second book, Autumn Rains, releases this month. This will be one memorable autumn for Myra….
Marketing Lessons from the World of Retail
Hi all, Tracy (T.L.) Higley here, posting another marketing lesson I’ve learned from my years in online retail sales. As I mentioned last month, I’m currently in the midst of an experimental year, applying principles from my retail business to the marketing of my fiction. If you missed last month’s post, and would like a better explanation of my background and what these posts are about, as well as Principle #1, you can find that post here. So on to Principle #2: Build a List. As promised, I’m going to continue to give you real numbers and stats…
Meeting Our “Big Face” Needs
Hey, friends! Jennifer Devlin here. As this is my monthly board post, let me begin by saying how proud I am of our CAN board. Together, our team is praying, serving, and sharing our love for writing and reading. We are bonding as a group of leaders, and gearing up to offer some new and exciting things to our membership and readers. I ask you to continue praying for us as we serve you, that we would be obedient to God’s will for this network, and that we would boldly proclaim the truth of the gospel. Now, you may think…
Computer Withdrawals
I’m on vacation with my parents and son this week but brought my laptop along so I could keep up with e-mail, post a lesson for an on-line workshop that I’m teaching, and do my blog posting. Then my computer started doing some really weird things and I had to pack it up for the week. Thankfully my dad let me use his laptop for the posts (thank you God for portable flash drives) but I am silently freaking out about what I’ll do once I get home. In the mean time I’m taking this as God’s way of telling…
Marketing to Libraries, by Sharon K. Souza
Hello, fellow CANners. This is my second year as a member of CAN, but I admit I've kept a low profile up till now. This is my first post on We CAN promote our books! I hope you find it helpful. Some months ago I attended a workshop by our own incredible Judy Gann about marketing to libraries. I'd heard Judy speak about this before, but the point was driven home last spring when I heard her share once again about what an untapped source our libraries are. I came home from that conference determined to complete my list and…
CAN Book Feature: Hearts and Harvest by Amber Stockton
Hearts and Harvest By Amber Stockton September, 2009 ISBN-10: 1602605769 ISBN-13: 9781602605763 William's is a true riches to rags story… Once members of Detroit's elite society, the Berringer family lost everything they had in the financial crash of 1893. From a life of influence and privilege, they now find themselves working a potato patch alongside immigrants and other destitute folk on borrowed land. William's resentment toward his current situation—and mostly toward God for allowing it—simmers barely beneath the surface. All it takes is one charitable visit to the fields from a lovely society darling to burst his façade of acceptance….
