I got a book deal! Now, can you help me pick a title?

[TLHines]

I'm happy to announce I've signed a two-novel deal with the fine, fine folks at Bethany House Publishers. I won't go into all the details here (if you want those, they're on my blog), but suffice to say I'm wearing a perma-grin.

But that's not the real reason for my post. One of the major tasks is to decide on a title for the first novel, which will be released summer of 2006. If you have five minutes, could you visit my blog (http://www.tlhines.com/blog/), click on the link for the survey, and vote on the seven finalists? My publisher and I will be using the survey results to help us pick a final name.

I'm thrilled, just thrilled. Did I mention I'm thrilled?

[Merry]

Big Congrats, TL! I did your survey, too! Sounds like a winner of a novel! :D

[BrotherDave]

Wow! I have begged off even trying to find an agent, and you just walk in there and succeed!

Congrads!

Looking forward to seeing and reading the book!

Brotherdave

[Hisart]

Looks good! !thumbsup!
Took your survey and signed up too.
God Bless!
Hisart :cool:

[AngelAzariah]

_____Eh, where be the vote thing? I can't find it.

[wgjones3]

Wow... cool.

Did you go through Dave by chance?

[MsSherry]

Way to go!!!!!!!! !thumbsup! !thumbsup! !thumbsup!

I'm on my way to vote now!! :D

[Hisart]

Click on...
Visit my Blog
Scoll down to ....
go do that voodoo that you do so well.
And thar ye be! !thumbsup!

God Bless!
Hisart :cool:

[Bill Snodgrass]

Congrats! Great job!

[TLHines]

WG - The deal did, in fact, happen through the auspices of Dave Long. For those of you who haven't visited Dave's faith*in*fiction project, go to his blog at faithinfiction.blogspot.com (http://faithinfiction.blogspot.com)

And thanks, Hisart, for posting the quick links to the blog and survey. I guess I could have done that, but I'm still a bit mushy-headed. :)

[wgjones3]

I just found his blog today. Cool deal all around.

[BrotherDave]

FAithinfictionblog is very interesting.
I don't get the mechanics of how this blog led to you being published.
I understand that a rep from Bethany House runs the blog, but what did you do to get him interested in your book?

brotherdave

[edmmom]

!thumbsup! !thumbsup! !thumbsup!
Way to go, TL!!
Congradulations:)

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Great stuff! I voted.

[TLHines]

BrotherDave - I'm doing a post on my blog about that later today. But the short story is: the f*i*f blog didn't specifically get me the contract. Dave Long actually found my web site, downloaded the first chapter of my novel, then contacted me via email to ask for a partial...and that started the ball rolling.

I'd been marketing that particular book for more than two years, going through rejections from 80+ agents. (Frankly, I'd already given that particular book up for dead, written another, and started querying agents about it.)

So, the book tht got me a deal with Bethany House was one I'd already abandoned, thinking it just wasn't gonna happen.

God is good.

Dave Long, though, does welcome queries through his faith*in*fiction blog/project: that's the whole point of why he's doing it.

[Gumpngreen]

Would you happen to know if Mr. Long handles SciFi?

[TLHines]

I'd suggest bouncing around Dave's f*i*f blog a bit, reading some of his ideas, and seeing if your work matches what he's looking for--I think he's more interested in how you approach the story than the actual genre, if that makes sense. He's also on the faculty of the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in September, so if you go to the faculty page on their site and scroll down the page to Dave's entry, it gives you a "current needs" digest and other information -

http://www.americanchristianfictionwriters.com/conference/faculty.shtml

[Gumpngreen]

Bethany House's Current Publishing Needs

Bethany House is seeking talented and distinct voices, new or experienced, across a number of genres and styles. We are seeking writers who are dedicated to their craft, to telling a compelling story readers will love. At the same time, we seeking writers devoted to their faith, those who believe, as we do, in the opportunity for fiction to share countless perspectives on God and His love.

Particular areas of interest for us include:

- Well-researched, in-depth historical fiction
- Contemporary women’s fiction, including chick lit, mom lit, etc.
- Literary or emergent fiction
- Genre or popular fiction, including men’s suspense, procedural crime, romance (particularly historical), and mystery
- Romantic comedy

We are also interested in fresh, original ideas that push the boundaries of the Christian fiction genre.

Areas we're currently avoiding include:

Biblical fiction
Spiritual warfare fiction
End times fiction

Nothing specific about SciFi. Considering my books get into time travel those historical sections are well-researched. Doing a little reading on the blog it appears the "approach" he is looking for is Christian values embedded into a good story. Basically Fiction that is Christian and not the stereotypical "Christian Fiction".

Though I have to say that "chic lit" makes me go :bleh:

[writegirl1949]

CONGRATS on the contract. I can imagine you are still walking on air. And thanks for what you posted on your blog -- I think sometimes we have to let go in order to allow God to work (did I say "sometimes" ;) ? Oh, I voted as well. When do we get to know the results? :confused:

And Gump, thanks for the info on what Bethany House is looking for. That's what makes this place so great ... there's all kinds of info here from some pretty neat folks.

Blessings, Francine

[DrRita]

TL,
Congrats big time! God is sooooo good and I'm very excited for you. I took the survey and signed up also. Will be looking forward to reading the novel. !thumbsup! !thumbsup!