Do I only represent Christian Writers? by Terry Burns

Well now, that's a good question?

I'm not sure, because I don't ask people about their faith in the submission process. I suspect since people can clearly see that this is a Christian agency (even though we do work in the secular market as well) that they would probably be comfortable with that if they were going to submit to us.

But I don't ask.

I do know one thing, an atheist or non-Christians might be decidedly uncomfortable in my client group. You see, I require all clients to be in a private online group which gives me the ability to contact them all at once. The group offers three options, priority messages only (I'm the only one that can send a priority message), on digest, and on full access where they can talk directly not only with me but with other clients as well.

I do watch what the group talks about and do participate, maybe more than I should. Once the group was set up another interesting aspect came out. They turned out to be an amazing group of prayer warriors who genuinely care for each other and pray for one another with great effectiveness.

See why I think a non-believer would probably not be comfortable in the group?

Then there is the fact that I am drawn to content that has a good faith message. Yes, that narrows the possible places it can be submitted but that is after all why I decided to start doing this. Will I represent something that does not have faith content in it? Sure, we need good family entertainment as well as Christian books. Saying that you can tell I don't park my beliefs and morals at the door even if I am doing general market books.

My mother has passed on now, but she is still my measuring stick for projects. If it is something that would have offended my mother then it isn't something I want my name associated with. It's a measuring stick that I'm comfortable with and I don't mind if people shake their head and say I'm giving up sales. Of course I am, but they aren't sales I want to make. There are plenty of agents that do those, they don't need me doing it.

But I'm taking the long road around the mountain answering the question. Do I only represent Christian authors? Probably. Is it intentional? No, I just think all of my clients are Christians, and whether I actually ask someone or not, that is who I am likely to end up with.

It's Friday but Sunday is Coming!

A few years back- ahmm, I don't want to say how many, I attended a Jesus event where Tony Campolo preached a sermon titled, It's Friday but Sunday is Coming! He brought us to our feet and in our hearts, to our knees.

I have returned often to that powerful analogy many times through out the years.

At the Philadelphia Writers conference last year I shared it with a few authors and editors while taking a break midst our 15 min appointments. The message turned into church right there and we were struck once more with the power that Christ provided for our lives by going to the cross on our behalf, suffering as he did to take upon himself our sins and triumphing over the grave to rise and now reign on high.

When they laid Him in the tomb it looked like the enemy had won, but it was Friday...and Sunday was comin'!

The bills are piling up and you have no idea where the money is going to come from, but I would like you to consider it is only Friday, and Sunday is coming...

You just lost your job, and your interviews are not bearing fruit, but it is Friday and Sunday is coming....

You just buried your loved one and you are heart broken, will you ever feel real joy again? I t is Friday, and Sunday is coming...

The rejection letters are piling up, but it is Friday, but Sunday is coming....

I would like to encourage you to look at your present circumstances with this new perspective.

May your life be empowered as you celebrate with family and friends Christs sacrifice and victory this weekend.

Easter Blessings,

Diana

For the Love of Words by Diana

I Love Words. Like many of you I read everything. Toothpaste tubes, Cereal boxes and passing buses with their quirky signs. Words have gladdened my heart during times of sadness,inspired me to reach toward new enterprises as well as filled me with inexpressible worship for my God.

This morning I got up early and settled in with a book I have been reading. It is a self help title and has been another fortuitous read I came across by accident. In a used book store. Just what I needed to read at this time in my life.

God is Good, All the Time.

Amongst it's helpful pages this morning was a quote by Robert Louis Stevenson.

"The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at hand, the path just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life."

Do the thing at hand. That has been a word I have been meditating on the past few months. When our paths are not so clear before us, do the thing at hand.

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on thine own understanding and He will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5

What wonderful words to meditate on today.

May they be an inspiration to you as they have been to me.

Feel free to share a short word that came to you recently through a book, a friend or a blog.

Spring blessings,

Diana