Category: News (Page 8 of 10)

There are two Christian writers events that are particularly relevant in the industry–the Calvin Festival of Faith and Writing (held in Grand Rapids, Michigan), and the Baylor Art and Soul Festival (held in Waco, Texas).

The faculty, the workshops, the atmosphere—these are the places where writers meet to encourage one another, and contacts are made between the people that write and the editors that want to publish them.

I’ll be attending the next Baylor Art and Soul Festival starting Thursday, April 7th. I’ll be working a booth in my capacity as managing editor of Fire By Nite.

If you’re going, drop by and say ‘Hi’. If you’re not going, drop by swshinn.com where I’ll be posting updates live from the Festival.

For more information, visit the Baylor Art & Soul Festival Web Site.

This MSNBC article talks about the new Christian chick literature which Christian women are buying in droves.

Chick Lit is a new genre of writing for and about single women in search of happiness and fulfillment in their lives.

Says the article:

Of the roughly 150 million Christians in the United States, more than 60 percent are women. And based on the growth of chick lit book sales, many of them like to read.

Reviewers continue to praise the crime fiction debut by Chris Well, “Forgiving Solomon Long” (Harvest House Publishers). Already hailed by “Publishers Weekly” for breaking new ground in faith-based fiction, it is a suspense thriller for fans of “Get Shorty,” “Macbeth” and “100 Bullets.”

CCM Magazine reviewer Anneka Morgan gave “Forgiving Solomon Long” an A-plus:

We join the bandwagon. It’s good — very good. … This faith-based thriller will both surprise and delight you.

In case you’re near San Jose, California:

From Newsweek to the New York Times, Christian books are everywhere. Bay area bookstores, including Borders Santana Row, which now offers Bible imprinting, are no exception. Seven members of American Christian Fiction Writers will be featured at the 356 Santana Row store in San Jose, Thursday, March 17, 2005, 7:00 to 8:30 PM.

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Non-Christians and nominal Christians are embracing Christian media in droves:

In a survey released yesterday, the Barna Group stated that the number of people who utilize Christian Media is substantially higher than those who actually attend Church.

Why the appeal? I think it is in part because Christian media is ‘family friendly.’ Picking up a Christian CD or book is akin to buying something with a ‘Rated “E” for Everyone’ sticker.

Could it also be that Christian Media has other qualities that appeal to the masses? Improving content is no doubt a factor.
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