Thursday, October 02, 2008

News Bits


1. Check out the author home page on Shoutlife. This month I'm the Staff Pick. This happened as a result of my meeting Shoutlife owner Stevie Mac at the Mall of America booksigning put on by the ACFW conference. If you're not on Shoutlife, I urge you to put up your own page. It's a Christian-oriented online community, and it will connect you with many like-minded people. (My page is here.)

2. Yesterday was the release date for John Olson's Shade, his vampire-novel-that-doesn't-really-have-vampires-but-might-as-well-have. This is the infamous manuscript presented to agents and editors some years ago at Mount Hermon, to which Steve Laube responded, "Wouldn't touch that with a ten-foot pole." Hm. Isn't the same Steve Laube now John's agent? Matter of fact, did he not sell same said manuscript to Karen Ball at B&H? Fans of Steven King and those wanting more Christian horror-type novels, John's Shade is for you. Publishers Weekly said in its review: "With breathless pacing, a sharp sense of suspense, memorable descriptions and a churning plot, this novel is a must-read for those who enjoy such authors as Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti. Readers will appreciate carefully woven themes from Dracula, science, faith, conspiracy theory and divine battle."

Order Shade from Amazon.
Watch the trailer.

3. The new Christian Fiction Online Magazine is now available. Check out October's issue here. My article, third of four parts on Story Resolution, is here. CFOM is a very informative and entertaining magazine on the industry of Christian fiction.

4. Check out this absolutely gorgeous cover for Robin Lee Hatcher's A Vote of Confidence, releasing from Zondervan next spring. Robin writes books 180 degrees from what I write. But we have the same publisher, and the cover artist has really knocked it out of the park for her next book and mine (Exposure).


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG. I just watched the Shade trailer. It's wicked scary looking. I just put it on my "to be read" book. Yikes....I'll have to read it during the daytime though.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Unknown said...

It was a sixty-foot pole. :-0

Ten years ago there was no way our market was ready for SHADE. But now it is. And it is a wonderful thing.

Another irony is that despite his story being "out there" John was awarded the honor of "New Writer of the Year" by Mt. Hermon. We all recognized his enormous talent, even back then.

Kudos! And it was great seeing Grandma Ruth in MN!

Steve
The Steve Laube Agency

~ Brandilyn Collins said...

Steve, thanks for stopping in. And you're so right--how wonderful to see where our Christian suspense genre has come since J.O. first attended Mt. Hermon. From 60 feet to 0. :)