Parts of Speaking Publishing

 I read Joel Miller's Substack (not sure how I got started) because he does thoughtful book reviews. Here is one worth reading: https://www.millersbookreview.com/p/no-books-are-not-remotely-too-expensive?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=564548&post_id=194518187&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=2pwl1&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email If you can't get to it, essentially he defends the costs of new books (especially in retail stores) because they have stayed below inflation for other things in the market. He uses the costs of the original To Kill a Mockingbird and The Fellowship of the Ring in the early 1960s: $3.95 and $5.00.  Today a hardcopy of TKAM is $27.99, but if it had followed inflation rates for everything else, it would  be $43.00.  He then presents a clear argument about what you're getting for that $19.99 or $24.99 you pay for a new book. As a writer, I appreciate this. As someone who works closely wi...

 I feel as if I have been in a funk recently. For one, I've been suffering, off and on, from sinusitis and pink eye, of all things, for over a week and am beginning to feel some relief from antibiotics I got too late in the game, as usual. My husband , of course, caught it from me, so I've been dealing with his as well. Nothing can make you feel funkish like conjunctivitis, which I have not had since my son was a toddler and I worked in the church nursery. To someone who spends most of her time reading and too much of it from a screen, this is miserable, and even two types of antibiotics (oral and drops) have not given total relief yet. Of course, there is the pollen and dryness right now. O Lord, send rain! I should be elated, as my eleventh novel is to be published in late-ish summer, and we are working on the launch and revisions. This one is going to get what it deserves, finally. Although I am not 100% happy with it yet. The title and cover should get sales, though. Whethe...

 Nice article on the subject:  https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/04/to-write-well-is-human-ai-writing-editing-church/ However, I think the writer is a little soft on people who use Generative AI. Its use is pure deception (if not admitted to upfront) and there is no reason to make excuses for them. 

 I am speaking of his bizarre tweets/social media posts about Pope Leo, and the AI where he is dressed like an imagined image of Jesus and healing someone.  I think his associates should stand far away from him when he gets struck by lightning.  He has been called King Cyrus because of helping the Jews. He is more like Nebuchadnezzar, although he has surpassed Neb's nonsense in Daniel 4:28. I would say Trump would be walking around in madness but I think that has already happened.  God help us. It would be an answer to prayer to have leaders we need rather than those we deserve. 

 This past week I watched my granddaughter twice, caught an infection (sinus and eye) that I'm trying to recover from today by staying in bed and not acting like I can ignore it, recorded a very good podcast (because of the guest), spoke at church to a small group, and lived, I hope, for Jesus. I also reviewed my upcoming book that will be out in the early fall and thought a lot about its launch and marketing. I made a lasagna, cared for a garden, talked with friends, and read about self-publishing for a presentation next month.  This morning, thanks to YouTube, I listened to my pastor at Brainerd Baptist Church speak on Colossians 1:24-2:2.  Colossians and Ephesians (which I used as a basis for the reflections on Lent) have a lot of parallels. In his sermon, Pastor Hill brought out the theme of what drives us. In this text (which starts a little hard to understand, see below*) Paul expresses how his motivation:    Him we preach,  warning every man and teac...

 Alan Jacobs has a truthful and helpful essay in Dispatch Faith on "C & E Christians" (not to be confused with C of E - Church of England - Christians). I think he may be a little tongue in cheek, but he reminds us not to judge them since we all are in need of grace. Here is the link:  https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/christianity-easter/ I think you'll get a free read.  I want to add to it that maybe those C & E Christians are kept from attending for valid reasons. Many people have to work Sundays. Many are caregivers. Many can't get regular transportation. I know this is not the case for most people who only show up on Christmas and Easter. I'm not sure I would call all of them Christians. In the South, they might be showing up for "Momma" or "Grandma" before the big holiday meal and not have too much interest in the practice of worship the other 363 days per year.  But then again . . .  This morning I sat next to a y...