Is
the world going mad?
Here's
something I've been mulling over. I'm sure many
of you feel uneasy about the news of the Christian bakery owners in
N. Ireland who are being threatened with legal action because they
wouldn't bake a cake for a gay event. Well, suppose here at Dernier
we turned down a manuscript for a book featuring a couple in a
same-sex relationship, what would happen to us? Or if we produced a
book where a muslim child comes to know Christ, where would that
leave us? In fear for the author's life? How much longer will we be
able to sell books that show children that Jesus is the only way to
God, and that they need to turn to him for forgiveness of their sin?
Atheists are demanding that all Christian content is removed from UK
schools, and there are calls to close down every publicly funded
faith school in the country! The law is changing, our society is
changing, our world is changing. Wherever in the world you are
reading this, biblical Christianity is being squeezed on all sides,
bit by bit by bit. Anti-Christian voices are getting louder. We need
to work while we can to strengthen our children in their faith,
because we don't know what the world will be like for them in ten or
twenty years. You know the sentiment, 'you don't know what you've got
till it's gone'? We need to make the most of our freedom NOW while we
have it.
Write
for a reason
I'm
planning to launch an online course to begin in September, entitled
'Write for a Reason'. This course will be for unpublished writers who
wish to learn more about writing fiction from a Christian worldview
for 8-14 year-olds. The course will cover such essentials as building
characters, 'show not tell' descriptions, perspective, planning, and
lots more! If you would like to know more about the course, or know
someone else who might be interested, please contact me on Email Janet
and I will send more details. It would be great to have you on board!
Things
I wish I had known when I was eighteen
No,
I'm not taking you back to my youth, it's the title of a book we are
planning! I have been mulling over the idea for a while that older
Christians have so much to offer our young people. I already have
quotes from James Catford (Bible Society) Michele Guinness, Adrian
Plass among others, about things they wish they had known at
eighteen. I am also promised quotes from Gavin Calver (Youth for
Christ), Sarah de Carvelho MBE (Street Children of Brazil) and Paddy
and Carol Henderson, the founders of the Food Bank. What do you
think? If you know any Christians in sport or music, Christians who
are good role models, Christians who have achieved something
remarkable, or any well-known Christian, perhaps you would be kind
enough to ask them if they would consider being involved? The more
the merrier!
Mary
on the radio!
Paul
Hammond from UCB Radio will doing a recorded telephone interview with
author Mary Weeks Millard on Monday! The interview may be aired the
following day on Paul's Current Affairs programme, but we don't have
any definite details, so do keep an ear out. If we know the day/time
in advance, I will aim to let you know. It will be all about A
Pennyworth of Peppermints – what gave Mary the idea, why she
wrote it, and what it's all about. Do
pray for Mary!(Retailers, could be useful information to help
you recommend the book to customers!)
P.S.
If your church /school is having a
Summer
Reading
Need
some good summer reading for your own family, or to give away to
friends' children? Here's the link to our online catalogue
Don't
forget to support your local Christian bookshop too!
Are
we nearly there yet? :-)
Off
on holiday soon? How about listening to Deepest Darkness on the way?
It's a lovely family story of freedom set in the rainforest and
beaches of Vancouver Island; the CD audio version
lasts about 2 hours 50 minutes. Perfect for car journeys! You
can buy it from our website: Take a closer look here or order from your local Christian bookshop :-) Oh, and if you are
off to New Wine, Soul Survivor, Newday or Momentum, look out for our
books in the bookshop! Actually, don't just look out for them, buy
one or two while you are there . . . if
sales are encouraging, the bookshop might consider take our books
again next year! :-)
Beech
Bank Girls 4
We
have a lovely, lovely new manuscript from Eleanor Watkins, and will
be bringing it out as an ebook very soon! We have insufficient funds
to bring it out as a paperback at present; please do consider if
there is anything you can do to help because the Beech Bank Girls
books are a wonderful way to encourage and inspire girls in their
faith. Many issues are covered, including body image, bullying,
step-families, safety online and so much more, from a Christian
perspective. Eleanor is a sensitive writer, and her 'girls' have lots
of fun as well as going through all sorts of difficulties – just
like real life! Girls really do love the stories. The new book is
called 'A Time Remembered'. More details very soon!
Well I think that's all for now – do
keep in touch, it's always lovely to hear from you :-)
Enjoy the sun, and thanks for reading
this far!
Janet
P.S.
Don't forget to listen out for Mary's telephone interview!
