September news from Dernier Publishing

Welcome to the September 2014

Dernier Publishing newsletter!

Desperation v Expectation

I don't know about you, but it seems that desperation is all around us. At times the needs of this world seem overwhelming. Wars in Iraq, Syria and central Africa, terrorism in Nigeria; the fear of the ebola virus, wars and disasters and hunger and poverty; misery and the results of sin . . . all these are graphically portrayed on our TV screens 24/7. And it's often the pictures of the children in these desperate circumstances who break our hearts.

But we don't have to go so far away to hear of horrors. Girls as young as twelve are being given contraceptives without parents' knowledge . . . in Scotland. Fourteen-year-old Alice Gross is still missing at time of writing; a man has been held in custody on suspicion of her murder.

But even while all these terrible things are going on, there are three things that are sure:

1. Jesus is building his church. We can't see this kingdom, and we don't hear about it on the BBC or CNN . . . but this thrilling movement of the kingdom of God is growing in grace and faith and love and peace and joy, in praise and thanksgiving, in strength and in numbers. The kingdom of God may be unseen to human eyes, but it is there just the same. 'Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.' Hallelujah!
2. God's grace is never ending. His grace is always sufficient, whatever the circumstances. And we are all called to be a part of that grace, helping others in their time of need.
3. God is on the throne. In the end He will bring all things to himself. The old will pass away and the new will come. There will be justice, and mercy, and every tear will be wiped away.

So let's keep looking up with expectation when looking around brings distress. And do our bit to bring light and life and peace and faith as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Come, Lord Jesus!

It's not Christmas yet!

Well you hardly need me to tell you that. :-) But as the shops are beginning to stock Christmas cards, chocolates and mince pies . . . and just in case you are starting to think about planning your toddler group Christmas activities, I wanted to tell you about author Vickie Howie, with whom I recently judged a competition for the Association of Christian Writers! Vickie gives talks and workshops on storytelling, putting on a nativity play and using drama to tell a Bible story. If that's something you might be interested in, do take a look at her website: http://www.vickihowie.co.uk She also has some lovely Christmas books for small children!

A Pennyworth of Peppermints for Torch Trust

Thrilling news – Torch Trust have taken on A Pennyworth of Peppermints! They will be bringing out this lovely story in large print, in braille and on their 'daisy', which is an audio version. If you know any children who have visual impairment, do get in touch with the Torch Trust and see if they might be able to help you. Torch Trust have Deepest Darkness and the Beech Bank Girls already in their collection.

Another boon for children with even slightly impaired vision is the increasing availability of ebooks. Several of our books are now on kindle, including our new Beech Bank Girls, A Time Remembered. The font size can be enlarged . . . this also helps children with dyslexia. If you go to the Amazon store and type in Dernier Publishing in the search feature, our books will pop up. Pass it on! We are delighted to be part of something to help children who might otherwise miss out.

We are also delighted that our ebooks can be downloaded instantly all over the world, which means that they are available to children who, again, might not have the opportunity to read physical Christian books. They can even be read on computers and phones. Do you know anyone abroad . . . perhaps missionaries or workers abroad who might like to download our books for their children? Do tell them about us!

And please pray for all these projects – the potential to touch lives is enormous, one precious life at a time. Be assured that your prayers are making a difference to children all over the world, so don't stop!

P.S. If you have downloaded any of our books from Amazon, please do leave a review, it helps our ratings! Thank you very much.

The Write for a Reason* Course begins today!

I hope I will be running the course again, so if you have missed the deadline this time round, don't worry, there will be another opportunity! If you would like to sign up to receive details of the next course, or to receive absolutely free no obligation writing tips, let me know! You can read more about the course here: www.write-for-a-reason.com :-)

With many thanks once more for your enormously valued support,

Janet

*Write for a Reason is a seven week online course for writers who want to learn more about writing fiction  for older children from a Christian perspective. It covers such essentials as creating engaging characters, planning and plotting, how to use dialogue to move your story forward, perspective, description, and much more.

Dernier Online Catalogue!

We have a new online catalogue! It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord has had his hand on Dernier, ever since the beginning. Now we have an incredible thirteen books, and have begun selling eBooks, to reach the growing generation of children who are now reading on their i-pads and kindles at an ever-younger age.

Click here to see the catalogue!

If you are looking for children's books for prizes, presentations, giveaways at children's clubs and holiday camps and to send to English-speaking schools you support abroad . . . look no further! Oh, and of course you might need books for your own children :-) (Hint: pass the catalogue on to grandparents!) Do take a look and pass on to your local Christian bookshop, church minister and children's workers, your local Christian school, and anywhere there are children! All books have as their aim to encourage and inspire. Whole families have been touched through our books . . . words are powerful and the Lord is at work :-)

Do take a look and tell me what you think!

May the Lord bless you and all the children on your heart.

Janet

Sunday School prize-giving

Dernier Publishing

Extra!

Forgive me for bothering you again – but perhaps this might be a great opportunity to get some great Christian stories into the hands of children you love :-)

Does your church do Sunday School prize-giving?

As you know, the aim of Dernier Publishing is to produce books that will encourage and inspire children in their faith, and show non-church kids what they are missing!

If you would like to . . .

• encourage and inspire your Sunday School children in their faith
• reach out to families of your Sunday School children

. . . look no further! I have met so many adults for whom reading Christian books as children made a huge impact on their life, that I am convinced that we must offer our children the same opportunity. Giving a book is such a simple, yet effective way of sowing seeds in children's lives. Here are a few testimonies of how our books are being used, from the children themselves (not that the books are anything in themselves, it is the Lord who touches hearts) . . .

"I love this book and I think it is amazing.”

“I'd really like to read this book again.”

“Another brilliant adventure! I really liked the new characters and stories. It taught me that when I'm feeling down, God is trying to show me how to think about and help others, which will make me feel better again. If we stop to listen to Him, he will show us the way.”

There is a view that children aren't reading, but that just isn't true. Since Harry Potter smashed his way into the book records, children have been reading again in droves, voraciously. Unfortunately, much of what is available now isn't necessarily helpful. There are plenty of novels with an atheistic viewpoint and many stories which have incited interest in the occult and witchcraft, violence, materialism and worldly relationships, but what about books where the Lord is God, where faith in the Lord Jesus Christ matters, where people pray and read the Bible?

We need to make sure that our children have this great alternative!

Whether your church usually offers books for Sunday School prize-giving or not, may we urge you to consider doing so this year? Sow some seeds, while you can. Here are some comments by adults:

“One lady who lives 17 miles away from church, came on Sunday. She came because she had read her son's book.”

“It's now several weeks since we presented the books to our children in Kidz Church. I asked how they were getting on with them. They were very enthusiastic and have been swapping them round when they've finished their own. Most of these kids are reluctant readers, too.”

“My niece, aged 15, not overly academic, read her book right through last night and loved it. I think it's the first time in her life that she's read a whole book from choice!”

As you know, we have mystery adventures for 8-11s, exciting dramas, girlie books for 10-14s, books set in Africa and Canada . . . and more! Some have a very overt message, some more subtle, but all our books have the aim of encouraging and inspiring kids in the Christian faith.

Together we can make a difference.

 Find all our books here:

 www.dernierpublishing.com/youthf.php

or visit your local Christian bookshop!

With many thanks for your support and help,

Janet

P.S. If you don't have any input into children's work at your church yourself, would be kind enough to forward this to your church minister/Sunday School leaders, or print it out and pass it on? Thank you very much.