An Agent, or Not?

Do I want an agent to represent me as I grow my writing career, or not? This question is foremost in my mind at the moment because there are now two agents who have expressed interest in my work.



The first is Mary Beth Chappell from Zachary Shuster Harmsworth Literary Agency, and the second is Steve Laube. Both these agents are of good repute and if I want an agent then I should decide on one or the other.



Zachary Shuster Harmsworth is a large agency based in NYC and Boston, so they have wonderful connections. Steve Laube is based in the south west part of the country and he also has wonderful connection.


I will have to commit this to prayer

"The Woodland King" Accepted for Publication

The ball is rolling now. You know what they say: it never rains but it pours? God poured blessings this weekend.

One of my short stories, The Woodland King, has been accepted for publication by Long Story Short! Look for it to appear on their site (http://www.longstoryshort.us/). It will be in their October issue.

This is very encouraging news and I felt a bit overwhelmed because it came the day after the publisher contacted me. I am joining the ranks of the published!

AMG Publishers likes "Sword of the Dragon"

It has been nearly a year since AMG Publishers requested Sword of the Dragon and today I received news that made me ecstatic: My manuscript is scheduled for presentation at the next new product meeting! The reader "loved" it! And they "like what you have done" !

This is big, very big! I'm in the door, praise God! As long as everything passes as well at the meeting I should land a contract.

I've sent the acquisitions editor some useful info, now I must continue to write and wait to hear more! This is amazing, it feels wonderful knowing that they feel my manuscript has that much merit!

Site Under Construction

Please bear with me as I revamp this site. I thought it needed a new look.

Feel free to comment and let me know what you think of the changes!

Sobriety: the Lost Virtue

Let me leave you with a thought today from the Scripture. Titus 2:4-8 "... teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speach, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."

How many young women and young men do you know who are sober? How many young women are content to be keepers at home? How many young men are sincere? Do you know twenty peers who you can describe that way? If not, what about a dozen? Less?

Do you know what that is? That is sad! Why do you think so many Christian youth jump from relationship to relationship? Could it be that they are insincere and look down on sobriety? I believe so, in most cases.

Look to those around you, look at yourself, and consider your spiritual condition. Are you sober? If not, Beware! Your adversary is the Devil and he walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

A Lovely Wedding

Honestly, Cody and Monique's wedding was the nicest one I have been to yet. I am so happy for them. CONGRATULATIONS!

I had the honor of being one of Cody's groomsmen and of meeting several very nice Christians in the bride's and the groom's parties. Also, I did a photoshoot for them.

I'm not the only one to say that this was the nicest wedding I've been to. I heard if from several others as well.

Cody and Monique, may God bless you as you start your lives together. May your focus be on giving to one another and not what you will receive. May your life together remind people of the unity of Christ and the church. And, as Ricardo so eloquently put it, may you look at your wedding day as the day you loved each other the least!

Remember to keep Christ first, at the center of your lives, as Stephanie encouraged you to do, and be bold to share the gospel.

I love you both very, very much!

Know What You Believe & Why You Believe It

I got into a debate with an older gentleman the other day about Christ, the Bible, science, etc., etc. First he started out saying that I didn't know the Bible but after I verified a few points with Old Testament passages (for instance: he said that Adam had abosolutely not lived over nine hundred years) he adjusted his stance, saying that he believed in the New and not the Old Testament... which he claimed was based on the authors' speculations. But as the debate progressed and I asked him to prove his points he kept repeating that I was just 'close-minded'. I replied that no, that was not the case, I'd studdied these things out and found them to be true but that if he wished to believe that my stand on Scripture as the final authority is shaky then he must prove why. When he did not satisfactorily answer I told him that I believe that the majority of Americans are, sadly, in the same boat as he is: unsure of what they believe and unable to show that what they claim to believe is true.

Norman Geisler wrote a book--if I recall correctly--titled "Know What You Believe and Why You Believe It". How very true that is. How often I have heard people tell me that my faith is a chancy thing, but when I turn around and ask them to prove I am wrong and to show me truth... they back down without offering it. I have more respect for an Athiest who presents arguments based on his own study, than I do for an agnostic who stands half-way, unwilling to choose a side.

How sad that is! They are offered truth and challenged to test it... but they are unwilling to explore the possibility that they need to repent and turn to Christ.

We, the Christian youth in America, have the opportunity to spread the truth to this dying world, and we have the responsibility to convince people that Jesus Christ died and rose to save us and that He is the ultimate Truth and our Life. Let's be bold to make the Way, the Truth, and the Life known and understood.

Employed by Ritz Camera

My job interview went very well yesterday. At first the manager told me she'd start me at $8/hour but when I said I was looking to make $12/hour she bumped my hourly to $10/hour and assured me that with sales commissions I should be able to make my desired additional $2/hour. I'm not sure when my starting day will be but I am looking forward to it. My only concerns now rest with my dying car. I hope it lasts long enough for me to either replace the engine and transmission, or until I can afford another car. Please pray everything will work out without the car breaking down on me.