Disqus - Latest Comments for Mary DeMuth

Re: Why Evangelical Christians Should Vote for Obama

Mary DeMuth — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:23:25 -0000

I read in the Dallas Morning News that someone saw these two bumper stickers on a car:

I (heart) Jesus
You cannot be a Christian and vote for Obama

Wow. So now we've decided for everyone? What ever happened to the beauty of free choice God has given humanity?

I'm off to write a post about this.

Re: You Can Do Anything - Letters to a Young Editor 3

Mary DeMuth — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 10:02:48 -0000

I meet lots of people who want me to give them ten easy secrets to getting published. If only that were true. Or maybe it is:

I spent TEN YEARS writing before I had a single publishing credit. The five books I have out now came out in the last two years, but they took a generation to birth. During those ten years, my children were young, so my main role was to love them and play with them. Now that they're in school, I have time to write.

I created deadlines for myself. And I was ruthless about meeting them. This discipline helps me tremendously right now.

My advice? Labor in obscurity, long enough to know the literary world doesn't hinge on your very words. Write or edit for free. Get your feet wet. Accept lots and lots of critique. Be humble and teachable.

Re: The Finances of Publishing - Letters to a Young Editor 4

Mary DeMuth — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 17:44:34 -0000

My first agent, Chip MacGregor, said he'd never met a great writer who wanted to be published who wasn't eventually published. So, take heart, all. Hone your craft.

As to money. It takes a while to make a living. The better income is to write for magazines, the Internet, and periodicals because that income comes in at regular intervals. Books? Well, first you need several books you've written that have "earned out" their advances. And you need a few contracts to keep you writing into the future.

Most books don't break out. Most sell less than 5000 copies (which usually means you wouldn't earn out your advance). The key is quantity.

I'm getting close. Four books behind me, one releasing in July, five more ahead of me in the next two years. I'm guessing I can make a living in 2008, perhaps. We'll see.

Re: Is My Family Great?

Mary DeMuth — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:54:34 -0000

So cute, they are! Thanks for sharing.

Hey, here's something fun: Office Max (at their counters) is giving away FREE posters of one of your favorite shots (24x36). Pick up the coupon there. You can enlarge your family!

Mary

Re: The News of Mass Media’s Death Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Mary DeMuth — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:42:16 -0000

Thanks for an interesting post, Marcus Goodyear. Your name has an everyman quality about it. Perhaps you'll write that staggering work of genius and publish it to us first! That would be something.

I have often heard criticism about bloggers or blogging from the writing community. "It sucks too much time," some say. Or "I'd be wasting my words."

P'shaw! Blogging is an artform in itself, for this culture. Doing it well is a ministry. Keep at it, all you venerable bloggers!

Re: Download a Free eBook: Passion Play and Other Poems

Mary DeMuth — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 09:18:45 -0000

Wow. Haven't digested them all, but cherished a few. Will mull over. You have a gift, Marcus. It's true.

Re: Download a Free eBook: Passion Play and Other Poems

Mary DeMuth — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 09:44:39 -0000

You inspired me.

So I wrote one.

http://relevantblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/father...

Re: Writing (and Blogging) Is About Relationships

Mary DeMuth — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:43:39 -0000

I admire a man who uses the phraseology "super cool." You're right about the relationship thing. That's what it's about.

Please, please post the picture of L.L.!

Re: Writing (and Blogging) Is About Relationships

Mary DeMuth — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:44:04 -0000

BTW, what's with the tie?

Re: 2 Big Limitations to Social Media

Mary DeMuth — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 16:02:43 -0000

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I think it hits on what you wrote a little back. It's about relationship. My blog tour is coming up (thanks Marcus and Tina for all your amazing help). So far what I've learned is that people who know me are happy to help me.

By far the highest percentage of people willing to host the tour have some sort of relational attachment to me and me to them. We help each other out.

Timing is something too. Today, my book released and my rankings went down on Amazon (a good thing.) It's to be expected because of the release. Other things I can't control have to do with the society in general, the climate surrounding people buying books, etc.

We'll be experimenting, hopefully with hard data, about how this blog tour thing works. Marcus will report his findings. I know all authors don't want to do blog tours if they're entirely ineffective. So stay tuned to what we've learned.

And Marcus, get thee back to vacating!

Re: Godzilla-Jesus Coming Soon to a Theater Near You

Mary DeMuth — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 12:01:35 -0000

I was stunned to see battle/warfare metaphors EVERYWHERE at ICRS. It bothered me to no end.

Re: 4 Reasons I’m Excited about the Christian Fiction Writer’s Conference

Mary DeMuth — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 12:46:32 -0000

I'll be there, and I'll be cheering for good opportunities for you!

Re: Practical Tips for Parents

Mary DeMuth — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:59:49 -0000

Yes, men participate. And they should. It's such a cool way to study the bible!

Re: A Great Resource for Parents

Mary DeMuth — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:01:14 -0000

Ack! I thought I'd commented here. I must've dreamt it. Sorry about that. Thanks so much for being a spectacular part of this tour, Marcus!

Re: Editors Make Less Than Teachers

Mary DeMuth — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:41:33 -0000

It's okay. I can hear the frustration. Especially since you feel the weight of supporting your family. May the Lord send increase!

Re: Authentic Theology in a Postmodern World

Mary DeMuth — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 09:34:51 -0000

Thanks, Marcus, for your kind words. I joke that I can't be deconstructionist or relativistic because I'm married to a Dallas (Theological Seminary) grad!

I'm passionate about Jesus. I'm passionate about Scripture. I love to exegete its meaning. Thank for highlighting that part of the book.

Re: Firefish: An Editor Evaluates the Whole Book Based on One Page

Mary DeMuth — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 19:07:28 -0000

I give a book about 50 pages. If it's not grabbing me, I leave it behind. But if I were an editor (sung to the tune of "If I were a rich man"), I'd give it one shot. One page. Can you grab me by the throat or am I yawning?

Re: We Don’t Need More Christian Writers.

Mary DeMuth — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 09:44:32 -0000

I absolutely adore The Importance of Being Ernest! Congrats to your wife.

Way to go on 1000 words a day!!!

mary

Re: Anatomy of a Blog Tour - Startling Stats from Mary DeMuth’s 6 Week Tour

Mary DeMuth — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 16:19:28 -0000

Marcus,

Thanks to you and Tina for all your tireless work. I so appreciate it. I wish the tour would've been some sort of rip roaring success, but at least we took a risk!

Blessings,
Mary

Re: A Short True/False Quiz about Blog Tours

Mary DeMuth — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:04:10 -0000

That skinless zombie freaked me out. This site is certainly not safe enough for the whole family.

:-)

Re: I’ve Been Sick

Mary DeMuth — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:21:42 -0000

Poor Marcus. I hate strep. It's yuck. Get well soon.

Re: Are Blog Tours Helpful or Just “Hype”-ful?

Mary DeMuth — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:19:45 -0000

You can either pay to have a tour done, or do it yourself, or ask a web savvy friend to help you.

Another way to analyze hard data is to sell books directly on your site. Then you can see whether book sales spike or not.

Mary

Re: Gold Plated Compass Can’t Find North

Mary DeMuth — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:54:52 -0000

Omygosh, you made me laugh with that link to Left Behind! So flaky!

My daughter is seeing the movie tonight with a group of savvy friends. Afterwards, they're having a discussion about it. I think that's the cool way to watch a movie, and I'm so proud she's taking that tact.

Re: Good Words for High Calling Bloggers

Mary DeMuth — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:57:07 -0000

Marcus,

Here's a cool thought. My friend who is a professor of media arts at Dallas Seminary said JUST LAST NIGHT that DTS is often looking for placement of their media interns to great places. This might be a perfect fit, as long as much can be done online and not in person. Email me and I'll give you the contact information. These are folks who are bright, creative, and are excellent writers.

Mary

Re: A Widget for Writers

Mary DeMuth — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:36:53 -0000

So cool. Thanks so much. I added it to my personal blog and my new writing blog (www.wannabepublished.blogspot.com)

Blessings,
Mary

Re: Ignite the Average Joe, One Slob at a Time

Mary DeMuth — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:52:58 -0000

This whole marketing thing is a bit of a mystery to me. Of course, I do my best. I give copies to inflential folks. I have blog tours. I speak. Part of the whole phenomenon, though, gets back to God's sovereignty. I have to rest there.

Re: One of the Greatest Theologians of the Century Talks about Writing

Mary DeMuth — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:18:27 -0000

Nice production. Very clear voicing. Pretty setting.

I loved hearing/watching this; it's inspiring to hear a snippet of his story.

Re: Oulipo Style Meme - Christianity Is So Predictable

Mary DeMuth — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:56:48 -0000

Meeting Jesus under an evergreen tree when I was fifteen and so terribly lost.

Since my father passed away, and my mom had cycled through various father figures, I was desperate for a Father that would not die, leave, or break my heart. When I heard the Gospel, I knew I had found Him.

True to His word, He's been the most faithful, dedicated, hands-on Father I could ever need.

Re: Philanthropy 2.0 - Raise Money and Engage Volunteers Online

Mary DeMuth — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:19:38 -0000

Great stuff, Marcus. Well researched. Very nice presentation.

Re: Jesus Creed Takes on Evolution

Mary DeMuth — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:03:09 -0000

I agree that sometimes evangelicals preach reactionary, out of fear, instead of intelligently discussing the existing science out there. Wouldn't it be lovely if we treated those we disagreed with in civility and kindness? If we treated people with differing views (no matter what the view), with the kindness of Jesus? If we treated them with the same respect we would like to be treated?

Re: All the Top Religion Stories in One Place

Mary DeMuth — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:27:17 -0000

The one that caught my eye: Ghana: Kufuor Asks Education Ministry to Include Rme in School Curriculum.

Why? Because we're headed to Ghana (Lord willing) in June....

Re: Hello from Mount Hermon!

Mary DeMuth — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:14:52 -0000

Hey, say HI to Steve Laube and Nick Harrison for me! They're both terrific guys!

Re: Mount Hermon Christian Writing Conference 2 - Who I Met

Mary DeMuth — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:49:11 -0000

Hug Dena for me!!!! And Brandilyn. And everyone!!!

Re: Mount Hermon Christian Writing Conference 2 - Story of the Day

Mary DeMuth — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:51:17 -0000

Beautiful.

Re: High Concept Means Death and Flying Ninjas

Mary DeMuth — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:08:50 -0000

Your task: Write Ninjas in the Time of Pride and Prejudice.

BTW, Mr. Collins? Ew. No. Keep thinking you're Darcy. Mr. Collins is a dweeb.

Re: Thomas Nelson Leaving Christian Booksellers Association? Not Exactly.

Mary DeMuth — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:19:06 -0000

I don't think they're leaving the CBA; it's core to their sales. They're re-evaluating whether it's fiscally wise to continue to go to trade shows.

Re: And we have a winner!

Mary DeMuth — Fri, 09 May 2008 20:54:16 -0000

You are certifiable. Truly. Which is why that video was so fun.

Re: Disqus Comments, Lijit Search, Better Sidebars and Lederhosen

Mary DeMuth — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:19:30 -0000

Patently NO. NO LEDERHOSEN! Scary! Kids and wife look marvy, though!

Re: book review: daisy chain by mary demuth

Mary DeMuth — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:42:54 -0000

Thanks so much for your review of Daisy Chain. I appreciate it!