Updates from Life, the Writing World and STORY 2012
- Had some great conversation with STORY sponsor, Digital Church, a couple weeks ago. That smoke rising above Nashville? That’s the DC crew trying to keep up with their dramatically growing division of Lifeway.
- Got to spend three days back home with some local authors in a nearby lakeside cabin. Feel free to check in on some of the projects from Andy Merritt, Ed Love and up-and-comer Brent Dongell.
- Enjoyed lunch with Augsburg Fortress CEO and STORY 2011 sponsor, Beth Lewis, in Phoenix, Arizona last week.
- Then it was a conference call with Moody’s broadcast team in Chicago, before wrapping up an initial rough draft of the first STORY-community inspired publishing project through Moody Publishing. It’s called Inciting Incidents.
- Although I’ve done a lot of editing work, this is my first official move behind the publishing desk to serve as editor for a book released via traditional publishing. Loving the potential this first book represents for the STORY tribe.
- In other news, Charles Lee, entrepreneur and founder of Ideation, graciously hand delivered me a copy of his new book, Good Idea. The hard cover brilliance, which is endorsed by everyone from Soledad O’Brien to Seth Godin, is already a top-selling title on Amazon since it’s release in February. It’s a collection of practical idea and business principles backed by stories from some of the country’s most interesting companies. Thank you for expanding into writing, Charles.
- Speaking of expanding into writing, it seems to be the forefront of the business world right now. I.e. Did you know that Clark Media, another STORY sponsor, started the Creative Collective to create tailored resources for the creative community? Their first two books, Creative Matters (curated by Mark Miller and Jarrett Stevens) and Untitled by Blaine Hogan released last year and they will be rolling out more titles soon.
- They’re not the only ones venturing into curating books for their respective tribes. Friend and mind behind the Burnside Writer’s Collective, Jordan Green, is also heading into specialized publishing for those who value well-crafted Christian literature. Introducing Burnside Books…
- Then there’s Creative Fuel Studios which has also ventured into the book design and creation world.
- Not to mention that STORY, as I’ve previously mentioned, is helping authors cross the book-threshold via Dream Year Books.
- Then there are those of you who are thinking about writing, but need some extra support…both practically and relationally. At the beautiful price of free. Sign up for my free online writing community where you can access resources about getting published, occasional videos, featured mentions on my website and eventually a social web experiment designed to bring attention to your writing and projects. You can also email me with publishing questions anytime. Join here.
- This week, I’ve been talking to community member Haley Hoover who has been championing a site called Divine Dating and reading some writings from friend and Church Leader writer, Ray Hollenbach, who I’m also convinced has a future in writing books.
- I’d love to take a look at your online writing too if you’d like to send me a link via Twitter to @sarahcunning.
- That’s what Twitter friend N.T. McQueen did, and by doing so, he introduced me to Between Lions and Lambs, a fictional narrative that hits close to evangelical home.
- STORY friend Jesse Oxford also tweeted me a link to his new reel, which is worth a look too.
- Are you writing or doing something in the writing field? I’d love to know about it. Write me at sarahraymondcunningham (at) gmail (dot) com.
Carolyn Weber March 21, 2012 (2:05 pm)
Hi Sarah! I love the inviting and warm atmosphere of your blog. Came across it as I began following you on twitter. I will take you up on your offer and include my website here, as I’m a relatively recent blogger on literature and faith, a wife and mommy of 3 (with surprise “dessert” baby #4 on the way :) and an author, most recently of the spiritual memoir “Surprised by Oxford.” I’d love it if you could take a look, possibly share, and I will continue to seek out your resources and obvious wisdom here. What a great find! God bless!
Sarah March 22, 2012 (10:53 am)
Hi @Carolyn! It’s great to hear a little piece of your story. I am going to check out and share your blog as well. And I’m about to look up your book on Amazon. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a note.