Logos Word Designs. Inc.

Our apologetics booklets for sale

2012-01-19T15:17:00.000-08:00

We have recently updated most of the following booklets we have written on various aspects of apologetics, and they are now selling in PDF format here.

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The Martial Arts: Should I Be Involved? – $5

Are you already a Christian and wondering if there’s a problem being involved with the martial arts? Or, maybe you’re not a Christian but you're wondering. Perhaps you’re involved but uncertain and want more information. This booklet’s aim is to help you understand the many grave implications of involvement with the martial arts.

The Glittering Web: A Survey of the Occult and the New Age Movement in Contemporary Culture and the Church – $7.50

The broad sweep of this 33-page booklet exposes the false conversion involved. It also provides a historical perspective and a chart of 15 current major New Age (more popularly called “interspirituality”) trends. The narrative examines Eastern religions, psychedelics, witchcraft, Gnosticism, Romanticism, Mind Science, business usage, holistic health, cosmic evolutionary thought, globalism, education, women’s “spirituality,” UFO cults and mysticism, and Jungian psychology. At the end there are three pages of defined esoteric terms and two pages of resources.

The Christ of the Bible – $1.50

This booklet discusses who Christ really is and includes a chart comparing the biblical facts about Christianity with a variety of counterfeits.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit vs. Psychic Counterfeits – $3.50

Some Christians see any evidence of certain of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as demonic; others accept all spiritual manifestations as genuine. This booklet isn’t meant to take on the entire controversy but to focus upon one area we believe is of great importance—an area that many Christians largely overlook and often even avoid—that there is confusion today between the gifts of the Holy Spirit and psychic “abilities” and powers.

Strategies of Evangelism to New Age Culture – $3.50

The current shift in popular culture is affecting the Christian Church in a major way. In recent years the emergence of the syncretistic “Emergent Church” movement has swept the evangelical world by storm. The rising flood of paganism and rebellion is overwhelming many of our culture’s historical “antibodies” against it. The roots of the shift are many and deep, and focusing upon them is not this booklet’s purpose. What concerns us here is what Christians can do to reach out.

Visualization, Imagination & the Christian: Differentiating Between Biblical Prayer and Meditation and Occult Visualization – $3.50

Although originally the sphere of secret occult societies and private practitioners, the explosion of New Age / occult thinking in the past forty to fifty years has thrust occult visualization techniques into enormous popularity both in secular society and in the Church. In some instances, Christian teachers who have been confused about the difference between the two approaches have unknowingly promulgated occult methods. These days occult visualization techniques abound in many vital areas.

Worldview Comparison Chart –$1.50

This handy chart compares the biblical worldview with the Eastern religious worldview in 6 major areas: the nature of reality, the problem of evil, the nature fo good and evil, the solution to evil, the nature of Jesus Christ, and the view of the serpent/dragon.

The Christian and Yoga – $2.50

It’s everywhere these days. Schools and universities teach it. Health clubs promote it. The YMCA and YWCA (once Christian organizations) have classes in it all the time. And it constantly appears in popular magazines. Is yoga really as harmless as it seems? And is it for Christians?

The Devil’s Doorways is not available at this time.

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Buy the above PDFs through Paypal at http://www.logosword.com/pub_orders.htm

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Coming Soon!

Our new novel,

The Glittering Web

Email editor@logosword.com

for a free PDF of the first chapter
and advance notice of publication

Recognizing deception isn’t easy—especially to Loren and Eve Montcrest who are convinced they’re on the true path. Newly initiated into Seattle’s Arcane Institute, the elite training order of their occult society in the year 2025, they become caught up in a fast-paced succession of intrigues and adventure that rocks their love for each other and even their sanity—and brings them to the brink of destruction. But in the fierce battle for their souls, God is working to strip away the glittering web of false spirituality.

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”

(Isaiah 59:19, KJV)

Visit my new Logos Facebook page!

2011-12-28T21:59:00.000-08:00

A new Logos page on Facebook was a very welcome Christmas present from my high-tech son Eric. Please sign up for regular updates about the publishing world! Lately I've been focusing on the revolution in ebooks and self-publishing.
http://www.facebook.com/logosworddesigns

A must read for self-publishers

2011-12-23T19:58:00.000-08:00

I've just finished reading Mark Levine's The Fine Print of Self-Publishing, 4th ed., and cannot recommend it highly enough if you are considering self-publishing a book. In fact, you proceed at your own peril if you don't read his book before you commit to a self-publishing company.

Levine is a lawyer who has provided a stellar service for authors who are wandering in the jungle of self-publishing opportunities proliferating on the Web today. The book contains the following eye-openers:

The 8 “must-have” qualities of a good self-publishing company.
How much the top self-publishing companies mark up printing. Many mark up printing between 100%-300%.
The actual royalty amounts paid by self-publishing companies and how they are calculated.
The legalese of self-publishing company contracts dissected and explained.
Detailed analysis of the contracts and services of 25 top self-publishing companies.

Muddy Waters sells to Lighthouse Trails Publishing

2011-11-24T15:43:00.000-08:00

Lighthouse Trails Publishing has bought Muddy Waters: An Insider's View of North American Native Spirituality, which I ghostwrote for author Nanci Des Gerlaise (pseudonym). An expanded reprint is coming in March 2012, which will include new information about Nanci's life and struggles with Native spiritualism and a deeper look at the impact of New Age spirituality in general. The retail price will be $12.95. Go here if you would like to order in advance.

A new day for self-publishers

2011-11-17T14:31:00.000-08:00

It wasn't so long ago that the general assumption dominated that traditional publishing was the only way to go for authors. But I've been doing a lot of research into the area of self-publishing and am astonished at how quickly that view is changing--and much to the benefit of authors.

In a webinar by literary agent Meredith Barnes that I just took on self-publishing, she stated her belief that self-publishing isn't stigmatized any more in the general market. Traditional publishers are now seeing it as much more competitive and a huge opportunity for authors to gain the best publishing experience. It's also a way for authors to test their works. Publishers are scrambling to get on the self-publishing bandwagon.

This article by Joel Friedlander points out why "there has never been a better time to be an author, and to have a message, a cause, or a story you want to bring to the world."

If you're interested in self-publishing, I strongly recommend his website. It's full of useful, current information and links about the topic.

Endorsement by Execustaff

2011-10-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

I've been doing freelance editing of college textbooks for Execustaff Composition Services for the past five years and recently received this fine endorsement from them.

Execustaff currently has a staff of seventeen outside editors. Linda Nathan has consistently provided exceptional copyediting and thoughtful comments to the authors and publishers that we support in college textbook preparation. We have come to expect and request that all of our editors follow her lead when preparing their edit work for us. She continues to impress our staff with the flexibility to provide her editing on time and often ahead of schedule. This allows us to provide a very tight production schedule and completed books, ahead of others in the college textbook industry. In the past five production seasons, Linda has been, and will continue to be, the first choice of our production staff for copyediting.

--Jerry Hayes

Editors and the self-publishing revolution

2011-05-15T14:56:00.000-07:00


Richard and I enjoy dinner before the meeting.

Last Monday evening, May 9, I was a panelist for the May meeting of the Northwest Independent Editors Guild at Hugo House in Seattle.

The discussion focused on the current digital revolution in self-publishing and new ways for editors to help their clients. This is an exciting time for both writers and editors because it's now so easy to publish and promote our work.

Many authors are ending up being neither bestselling nor niche sellers, but independent. Online tools are now by far the fastest, easiest, and most cost-effective way to reach an audience. And authors who can use a lot of different media to promote their message will be the most successful.

As a result, many editors are morphing into publishing consultants who understand how to help their clients get quality work out in both print and e-media. This has been my approach for years now, and one I enjoy greatly. I believe a writer's best approach is to be as flexible as possible--and have fun while doing it.

Some reasons for the immense, growing popularity of self-publishing:

A tight economy
Old, established publishers are freezing acquisitions.
New fiction writers are having an especially tough time.
The self-publishing revolution is wiping out many small publishers.
POD and e-books are hot and easy to create, with no big author output.
Authors have complete control, can reprint at will, set their own marketing schedules, and make much more money if their product sells.
Self-publishing opportunities offer improved quality and far more choices.
Many self-publishers now offer marketing packages.
Royalties are far better.
Self-published authors can make more money if they have a quality product and good marketing.
Some self-published authors are making a lot of money rapidly.
It's cheaper and easier than ever to publish, obtain, and use e-books.

Stay tuned for more on the publishing revolution.
Any questions? Email me.

Book Contract Signed!

2010-09-09T16:09:00.000-07:00

Great news!

We just signed a contract with Lighthouse Trails Publishing to publish our novel The Glittering Web, which is about spiritual deception. We're very pleased to be associated with this publisher that is fighting so hard to stand for biblical truth in this age of deception.

FREE BOOK DRAWING! Taking Charge of Your Own Health

2009-12-13T21:54:00.001-08:00

Taking Charge of Your Own Health: Navigating Your Way Through Diagnosis ~ Treatment ~ Insurance by my client, Lisa Hall, is now in print—and you can win a free copy.

To enter this drawing for one of three free books autographed by the author, simply email linda@logosword.com and put "ENTER ME IN THE DRAWING" in your subject line. The drawing will take place on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, and the three winners will be notified by email.

Lisa Hall's inspiring years-long search for the correct diagnosis for her own devastating condition -- a search that involved 38 different doctors and a circus of incorrect diagnoses -- finally bore fruit, not only with her own healing but with the expertise that led to this book.

The book's contents include help taking responsibility for your own health, how to help your doctor find a correct answer, patient rights and responsibilities, avoiding the pitfalls of hospitals and taking advantage of the resources, dealing with insurance, disability, and workers' compensation, seeing the gifts in adversity, 15 strategies for coping with debilitating symptoms, numerous helpful resources, and charts for record keeping.

Lisa Hall is a passionate patient advocate as a result of her nearly ten-year search for proper medical treatment for her condition. Lisa has a B.S. in Industrial Psychology and an M.S. in Industrial Relations. Formerly she worked for nine years as Human Resources Administrator for a large aerospace company. She now works in medical sales and lives in Alabama.

Visit Lisa's blog, The Proactive Patient, for helpful information regarding health care.

2009-08-17T12:13:00.000-07:00

FREE BOOK DRAWING!

Drumming hoof beats become the backdrop to fire bombing, shipwreck, kidnap, torture, and the threat of widespread nuclear disaster when terrorists steal a pale wild horse from Professor Lee Cantrell. But the imagery goes far beyond the present. Borrowing from the Apocalypse in the Book of Revelation, Chasing the Fourth Horse utilizes the imagery of the pale horse to represent the imminent possibility of worldwide nuclear disaster—the powerful beat behind every scene of this thriller set in 2035.
(Chasing the Fourth Horse, Essence Publishing, 2009, ISBN 155452388-5)

I’m pleased to announce that Chasing the Fourth Horse by my client, Dr. Dennis Price, is now in print—and you can win a free copy.

To enter this drawing for one of three free books, simply email editor@logosword.com and put "ENTER ME IN THE DRAWING" in your subject line. The drawing will end on Friday, August 28, and the three winners will be notified by email.

Authentic Thriller

'Chasing the Fourth Horse' is a winner! Dr. Dennis Price has created a fast moving, action packed, futuristic novel which exudes an eerie magnetism. I could not put it down. He masterfully weaves his expert knowledge of nuclear waste with the imminent threat of terrorism and a wholesome view of Christian eschatology.
—Dr. Ray Register, resident in the Middle East for 39 years, fluent in Arabic, trained in nuclear warfare.

About the Author. Dr. Dennis Price is Professor Emeritus, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. An expert on nuclear waste management, he was nominated by the National Academy of Sciences and appointed by the President of the United States as a member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board for a term each under Presidents Reagan and H. W. Bush. He has testified to the U.S. Congress on nuclear waste management problems and received two Presidential citations for integrity and ability. The San Diego Christian Writers Guild chose his book, Why Christ Is the Only Way, their Book of the Year in 2004.

Visit his blog

Order the book

Muddy Waters: An Insider’s View of North American Native Spirituality

2008-12-08T21:37:00.000-08:00

Just out!

Nanci Des Gerlaise’s new book, Muddy Waters: An Insider’s View of North American Native Spirituality, testifies how the Lord Jesus Christ rescued her from the bondage and despair of a life of Native spirituality and gave her truth, peace, and joy.

The book also clearly sets forth the absolute contrast between Native American Spirituality and the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Born into a Canadian Métis family of medicine men, Nanci suffered intense spiritual struggles for many years. Then, as she emerged from the darkness of paganism into Christ’s glorious light, she knew she had to share what she had learned. This book is the result.

Native spirituality is spreading like wildfire as part of the larger spread of paganism, and influencing many Christians as well. This well-researched book combines Nanci’s story with a solid Biblical analysis of our culture and numerous practices popular in Native spirituality.

An excellent resource for parents, educators, and pastors.

$11.99 in paperback through WinePress Publishing.

Note: Nanci is available for interviews. Visit her Weblog for details.

I would like to thank Linda Nathan, President of Logos Word Designs, Inc., for her encouragement, mentoring and unrelenting assistance, which made this book become a reality. Her expertise in editing and rewriting, researching, publishing consultation, and oversight of the self-publishing process was a godsend for this first-time writer. I cannot stress enough my deep gratitude for her and her professional work and conduct. God bless you, Linda.

—Nanci Des Gerlaise

A Splendored Thing Faces Tough Issues

2008-12-08T21:10:00.001-08:00

After the death of her fiancé only days before her wedding, a young teacher flees the protection of family and friends and moves to an isolated place to live among very different people. Her dream turns to a nightmare when she gets caught up in a four-generation curse pronounced on her friend, an embittered doctor accused of murder. With both their lives hanging by a string in the hands of a psychotic killer, can these two who have just recommitted themselves to God, trust Him for their survival?

Christian author Jackie Strange has written a tight, fast-moving, and suspenseful novel now in the hands of a foremost agent. Jackie brings years of professional experience as a writer to her craft, as well as extensive experience as a public speaker, including on radio and television. She has won numerous honors for her writing.

A Splendored Thing integrates inspirational elements with tough issues that real women face, both personally and socially. Not a romance novel, it yet weaves romance, suspense, and the struggle with suffering into its structure as a thriller.

In other words: Real women, real issues and no simple answers.

"When Austin Boyd recommended me to Linda Nathan of Logos Word Designs, he did me a remarkable favor. Not only is Linda a great editor, but she is also a dedicated Christian who walks daily with Christ. Although I had published many articles and stories and have taught college non-fiction writing, Linda has been an invaluable wordsmith and an encouraging guide on the complexities of writing fiction. Each of her clients receives one-on-one guidance on structure, plot, characterization and other fiction elements. Another of Linda's strong points is that she stays in constant communication with her writer. This prevents unnecessary anxiety on the part of the writer and provides a much-needed sense of security that the work has relevance. Logos's rates are reasonable, and Linda keeps excellent records of her time and work.
"I believe Linda Nathan is one of the outstanding editors of Christian writing in the publishing world today. If there are other books for me, Linda would again be my editor of choice."

-- Jackie Strange --

New Apocalyptic Thriller Focuses on Nuclear Waste Mismanagement

2008-04-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

Yucca Mountain, Nevada, Proposed National Repository for High-Level Nuclear Waste

Dr. Dennis Price is so concerned about the long-term dangers of the nuclear waste pile-up in our nation that he retired from teaching engineering at Virginia Tech to write a thriller and spread the word. His fast-paced, all-too-real scenario combines vicious Islamic fascism and the vulnerability of our nuclear waste stockpiles within a backdrop of powerful apocalyptic imagery.

Dr. Price's experience and education in science, engineering, and theology uniquely qualify him to address the underlying issues of this novel, which, with the help of Logos Word Designs, is now complete, in an agent's hands, and receiving publisher interest.

An expert on nuclear waste management, Dr. Price was appointed by two presidents for two terms on the national Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. He has also testified before Congress on nuclear waste management problems and received two Presidential citations for integrity and ability on the Board.

Dr. Dennis Price has created a fast moving, action packed, futuristic novel which exudes an eerie magnetism. I could not put it down. He masterfully weaves his expert knowledge of nuclear waste with the imminent threat of terrorism and a wholesome view of Christian eschatology.

Dr. Ray Register - Resident in the Middle East for 39 years
Fluent in Arabic, trained in nuclear warfare

If you want to grasp the dangerous path nuclear power is taking this world, visit his informative blog at www.nuclearwastewatch.blogspot.com.

* 6/20/08 note: John McCain announced that as President he would promote the building of 45 more nuclear power plants. Dr. Price says that, "Without reprocessing, which has been uneconomical to do, 45 new plants over a 40-year lifetime would produce 39,000 tons more of waste that we do not know what to do with--waste that is dangerous for hundreds of thousands of years."

"Linda Nathan of Logos Word Design, Inc. is blessed with wonderful editorial skills. She has a keen eye for proofreading and correction, ensuring proper grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation. Her excellence in writing mechanics is combined with creativity, imagination, and wisdom, enhancing over-all composition. She sees the forest AND the trees and makes the good better. I recommend her without reservation." --Dennis L. Price, Ph.D.

Logos Welcomes Karen McArthur as New Associate Editor

2008-03-05T14:34:00.001-08:00

Logos welcomes Karen McArthur as an associate editor. Karen is an experienced, top-notch writer and editor with over 20 years of broad writing and editing in academic and professional environments. She loves to help writers at all levels achieve proficiency in expressing ideas clearly and concisely. Karen has a B.A. in English, an M.A. in Art History and most of the coursework completed for her Ph.D. in Art History. She and her husband Jim and their two children, Hank and Lucy, live in Kentucky. She currently teaches art history at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Karen has written a book that has been garnering a lot of interest by publishers: Why Michelangelo Wasn't Gay: And Other Stuff You Thought You Knew About Art, But Don't.

"Miss Diagnosis" Sells Book to Harvest House

2007-12-14T13:51:00.000-08:00

“Imagine you are suddenly and badly debilitated by mysterious medical symptoms in the prime of your life. For seven years, you consult thirty-seven physicians who cannot find the problem and diagnose you with everything from “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder,” to “suffering from conflict about your role as a Southern woman." You are unable to drive a car for a total of nine years, and your career is over. You can't walk more than twenty or thirty feet without getting disoriented, and you can't remember what it feels like to live a normal life. You are desperate for that coveted correct diagnosis and treatment that will give you back your life.”

This is the story of my client, Lisa Hall, whom God blessed with healing through doctor #38. Harvest House recently bought her book, How to Take Charge of Your Own Health, and will release it in 2009.

Lisa’s currently looking for the following:

“Do you have an amazing medical story to tell? Have you suffered from a condition with an elusive diagnosis or no diagnosis? Have you experienced a dangerous medical error in a hospital? Did you undergo medical testing, only to find that the test results were flawed? Have you beaten the odds and overcome what seems to be a hopeless medical situation?” If you do, she’d like you to fill out a survey on her website at http://www.theproactivepatient.com/. Likewise, if you happen to be a physician trying to treat patients like this, there’s a survey for you, too.

With a record of 38 doctors, Lisa’s crowned herself “Miss Diagnosis.” She also plans to add an “Ask Miss Diagnosis” blog to answer non-medical questions.

Austin Boyd Interview

2007-10-17T23:09:00.000-07:00

Mike Delosso interviewed my client Austin Boyd recently, and Austin has given me permission to include it here. Austin authored the Mars Hill: Classified trilogy (NavPress, 2006-07), and he's currently working with Oliver North on a fiction series for the B&H Publishing Group. Hopefully, reading about his amazing writing schedule will inspire you and not tire you!

1) What is your writing schedule like? Do you write every day? Do you have a word- or page-count goal?

I have children at home, and I’ve found that writing at night after work takes me away from them… so I adapted to a new routine that most people consider insane. I get up at 4:00 or 4:30 AM and write until 6:45, when I stop to get ready for work and take the kids to school. That way I’m writing when everyone else (sane people) is asleep.

I write every day. I love it, and it’s easy for me because all these ideas are bubbling up all day at work, and I look forward to the morning to release those ideas. I develop an outline for each novel, and with that, I can rise each morning and pick up on the scene for the day. I have word count goals of around 2,000 words a day, based on writing six days a week.

2) How long did it take you to land your first contract?

I began writing my first novel in 1996 and signed a contract with a publisher in May 2005. In those 9 years, I spent 7 of the years writing without a great deal of insight into the necessary discipline or skills of the craft. Eventually, I decided to invest in myself. I hired a freelance editor (Linda Nathan, http://www.logosword.com/) to critique my work and show me where I needed improvement. After $5000 worth of reviews (using a second mortgage) over the course of two years, Linda and another editor, Heather Szott (http://www.hawkeyeediting.com/) contracted with me to locate an agent through their proposal submission service. Once an agent was in the mix, it was only a matter of a few months until we had a publishing contract. I was blessed to sign with a strong agent who had broad ties in the industry.

3) Are you a plotter or seat-of-the-pants writer?

I’m definitely a plotter (e.g., plodder). I’ll spend 50 to 100 hours in the research phase, and then I use the combination of two excellent methods that I learned from Davis Bunn and James Scott Bell. Some of it you can find in Jim’s excellent text Plot and Structure. Using a synthesis of their processes, I build a plot arc, then break the story into three acts, then into seven segments, then into forty to fifty chapters, and finally into about 3 to 5 scenes per chapter. As I do this expansion from small to large using the plot arc as the guide, I match character arcs for each of the major characters against locations in the plot where their activities need to occur. That leads to action for each scene, and by the time I am done, I have a 30,000 word outline with the POV, setting, key dialogue and action for each scene.

When I get up early each morning, and need to pick up a pen or hit the keyboard, all I have to do is reference the next scene in my outline… and I’m immediately back in the groove. There’s no such thing as writer’s block in my process. The outline phase takes me around 100 to 120 hours. Then I spend about 350 hours actually writing the book to a first draft. By the time the first draft is in the bag (about 12 weeks of actual writing after the outline) I have 500 to 600 hours in a book. Edits take another 300-400. Using this process, I’ve done three novels in 18 months while holding down a 50 hour per week job. I don’t recommend repeating that work load, though… it was punishing for me and the family… I take a year per book now.

4) What is your greatest challenge when writing a story?

Two challenges. Word count and writing real women characters. For word count, my editor tells me the planned word count target, and I usually write 10-15% above that target. I trim and prune and do what I can to get the words reduced after the first draft, but that’s never enough. Then I bring in my “word gardner”, Linda Nathan of Logos Word Designs. I give her my word target for each chapter and she whips through the text with a digital highlighter, recommending additional pruning. Her extra set of eyes helps me make decisions about which words I’m wedded to that I need to eliminate. I can accept or reject her recommendations.

Writing women characters. My second challenge is writing a believable woman character. To prepare, I watch lots of chick flicks, and watch other women (wife, daughter) when they are watching chick flicks. I do everything I can to observe and understand women and girls for character development, but a guy can get just so far with that approach. So, I found another trick. I have about 30 women who are fans and friends that have asked to read my drafts. I shotgun my first draft to all 30+ ladies and they read with a particular eye on the women characters, making comments on what works and what does not. I follow their advice to the letter (most of the time). That’s worked so well that I’ve gotten numerous comments about how realistic the women were, and how much my female fan base appreciates that realism. Writing a novel is a team effort, in my opinion.

5) What advice would you give an aspiring novelist?

Invest in yourself. Put some money into yourself to improve your skills, to pump up your marketing and to improve you proposal development. Hire a freelance editor and use that editor as a trusted sounding board for what is working, and not working, in your writing. Hire a publicist once you get a contract and use her to set up blog tours, signings, speaking engagements, book store visits, and TV and radio interviews. You might half to spend a third or half of your royalty check on a publicist and a freelance editor… but you’ll be money ahead once those books start to sell, and people wonder why. They’ll sell because they are quality books (the editor helps here) and because people are hearing about them (the publicist is at work.)

6) In a sentence, what do you want readers to walk away from THE RETURN with?

Always trust that God will provide for your every need, just as he did for John Wells and his wife Amy.

Visit Austin's Web site at www.austinboyd.com.

Logos Celebrates 15th Anniversary with Big Book Set Giveaway!

2007-07-18T17:56:00.001-07:00

Fifteen years ago, in July 1992 . . .

I bought a used IBM PS-2 with a bonus from the law firm I'd just left in Oregon and opened a sole proprietorship called Logos Word Designs in Bellingham, Washington.

(Anybody remember the PS-2? Impossible to upgrade! But it was on sale!)

Struggling at the time with serious health issues, I didn't see how this endeavor could possibly succeed. But I reckoned without God's mercy. My first client, recommended by a friend, flew me to Vancouver, Washington, to reorganize his marketing business; he spent thousands of dollars on my services in the years that followed.

A writer friend--also in Oregon--hired me to work on her project, in the process teaching me many valuable things that stood me in good stead in the years ahead. Other interesting projects followed.

Hope in winter. One particularly bleak winter while I was despairing what to do next, I received a call from the publisher of Northwest Events & Lifestyle Review, the region's leading arts & entertainment news magazine. He was desperate for an editor. That fruitful--and fun!--relationship lasted for eight years from 1995-2003, when the fallout from 9/11 forced him to downsize and sell.

At the same time I became the editor of Christian Coalition of Washington's state newsletter, The Watchman. It was an enjoyable and unusual combination of publications for sure. While researching the Northwest for strawberry, tulip, music, and Shakespeare festivals, I was also interviewing state senators, house leaders, and political figures and writing stories on all manner of issues vital to Christians.

Needless to say, I progressed from the PS-2 (glad to see it go!) to a Compaq with much larger capacity. We incorporated. My husband Richard and I wrote two novels (The Glittering Web and The Protege--still unpublished), and a prominent agent agreed to represent us.

THANK YOU, ERIC! As the Internet grew and developed, so also did my techno-whiz son, Eric. Obviously possessing a mutant technological gene that had skipped me, he took to the new technology like the proverbial duck to water. He came alongside of me with a generous and loving spirit, as well as much power, strength, and wisdom about how best to develop my business.

"You need this, Mom," he'd say, installing the latest gadget. Or, "let me show you how to do that," guiding me in my half-paralyzed state through the terrifying intricacies of caring for my fancy Dell with all the bells and whistles. As he developed his own consulting and photography business, he built my Web sites, set up my emails, touched up my photos, helped me with my marketing, created the idea "Author 911: Solutions for Authors," created a podcast, bought my husband a laptop ... the blessings of my son are beyond counting. I thank God for him.

Today I'm doing the work I love, thanks to the grace and mercy of God. It's been a thrilling, if not at times an unsettling, ride. And it's time to celebrate.

BOOK SET GIVEAWAY:

Austin Boyd's Mars Hill Classified Series

Book 1: The Evidence

Book 2: The Proof *** Finalist in 2007 Christy Awards***

Book 3: The Return (NavPress) - just out!

Austin Boyd is one of those great blessing successes. Not only is Austin a remarkable and visionary writer and a good friend, he is a kind and gentle man who loves the Lord Jesus Christ and strives to glorify Him in his writing. It has been an honor and a pleasure to be Austin's editor and to assist him with the rewriting of his novels.

Therefore, it seems only fitting to celebrate my 15th year in this amazing ministry/business with a drawing for a FREE SET of this exciting series.

To enter, simply email editor@logosword.com and put "ENTER ME IN THE DRAWING" in your subject line. The drawing will end on Friday, August 3. Here's to another 15 years!

Working with a Freelance Editor

2007-04-09T23:35:00.000-07:00

Does the idea of working with a freelance editor seem mysterious? Do you know the different levels of editing? How do you find the right editor for you? What fees should you expect to pay? Do you need a written agreement?

If you wonder about these and other questions, email me at editor@logosword.com for a free copy of my new article, "Working with a Freelance Editor: Tips and Tactics for Success." Austin Boyd (author of NavPress's popular Mars Hill Classified series) used it during his recent workshop at Mount Hermon. By the way, Austin just won the Mount Hermon Conference's annual Pacesetter Award for his dynamite fiction.

Questions for unpublished writers

2007-02-21T11:42:00.000-08:00

I frequently receive inquiries from unpublished writers wondering if I can help them get published.

My first concern is to ask the Lord if I should take this particular project (the same goes for published writers)> Then, if so, how exactly to know and meet the person's needs. I try first to understand the best way to help a writer meet his goal. Then I can best provide whatever editing and writing assistance is necessary.

But much depends upon the writer's faithfulness and determination. Here are some suggestions to consider. I'd appreciate hearing your own tips.

1. What are you doing to stay faithful to writing?
2. Is there a method of discipline that helps you most?
3. What life situations make it difficult for you to write?
4. What is the biggest obstacle you encounter?
5. How do you overcome "I can't do it!"?
6. Are you studying writing?
7. Are you studying the market?

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised" (Hebrews 10:36, NIV).

Holiday Free Book Giveaway

2006-11-20T19:41:00.000-08:00

It's time for another drawing for free autographed books by popular Christian writers. Just in time for Christmas.

During October, we gave out several copies of The Evidence, Austin Boyd's first novel in his exciting Mars Hill Classified series (NavPress, 2006). The series' second book, The Proof, is now on the stands, and we have an autographed copy to give away. (The series' final book, The Return, is heading for the publisher this week. Look for it next summer.) (www.austinboyd.com)

Tricia Goyer graciously provided two autographed copies of her exciting new novel, Arms of Deliverance (Moody, 2006). Tricia is the author of a number of powerful novels about the WWII era. The American Christian Fiction Writers awarded her book Night Song Book of the Year for "Best Long Historical Romance." (http://triciagoyer.com)

Janine Ridings' Comfort in the Storm: Devotions for the Chemically Sensitive (Pleasant Word, 2004) is full of strong Biblical comfort for any affliction, not just MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity). And the foreword by David Buscher, M.D., sheds much light on this little understood malady. Dr. Buscher is one of the nation's foremost authorities on MCS and environmental medicine. (www.aromaofchrist.com)

To enter the drawing, please email your name and answer to the following question to editor@logosword.com by December 10:

"I think the highest purpose of a novel is _____."

The drawing will take place on December 10, and the winners will be notified by email.

October free book giveaway!

2006-10-10T21:51:00.000-07:00

We're celebrating the release of a client's new book with a drawing for free autographed copies of several of our clients' books. Read further for how you may win one of the two following books.

The Proof, Austin Boyd's second novel in his exciting Mars Hill Classified Series for NavPress was just released, and we have several autographed copies of Austin's first book in the series, The Evidence (2006), to give away. Once you read The Evidence, you won't be able to stop reading the series. As Austin's editor, I guarantee they're page turners! Author T. Davis Bunn called The Evidence "An explosive first novel by a major new talent." Austin and I are currently editing his third and final book in the series, The Return, which will be available in early 2007.

In addition, we're offering several free autographed copies of The Dark Side of Karate, the dynamic story of Tonie Harris Gatlin, who rose to fame as a national karate champion and gave it all up for Christ.

To enter the drawing, answer the question: "I would consider using a freelance editor when _____" and email it to editor@logosword.com before October 31. The drawing will take place on that date, and the winners will be notified by email.

Austin is a long-time client and now good friend whose remarkable faith, hard work, and perseverance should inspire any writer. Check out his Web site at www.austinboyd.com and see especially his valuable "For Fellow Writers" section.

Christian Blog Alliance

2006-09-27T11:50:00.000-07:00

I just discovered the Christian Blog Alliance at http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/. Thought it might be useful for some of you.

"Christian" Romanticism

2006-08-08T10:15:00.000-07:00

The thinking of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien is sweeping the Christian church these days. Have you ever had any concern about it? My husband Richard and I just completed an article researching the historical and Biblical roots of this movement: "'Christian' Romanticism, the Inklings, and the Elevation of Mythology." Read it online at http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/006/nathan/romanticism.htm.

Richard's blog is a great place to go for more thoughtful analyses about such trends as "Christian" Romanticism and the emergent church movement: www.gloriousriches.blogspot.com

Of Gatekeepers and Paraliterates

2006-05-10T17:34:00.000-07:00

Of Gatekeepers and Paraliterates

I started thinking about it last year after the Mount Hermon conference, but now my concern is bigger than ever. What are unpublished writers to do? There’s always self publishing and the Internet, but if you aim for a traditional royalty publisher, the slush pile is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.

The way the market is today, you need to enter through a gatekeeper—an agent or an editor. You either have to have an agent already or go to a writing conference to present your book idea to an editor or agent. The door is no longer open in most publishing houses for unsolicited manuscripts. And even solicited manuscripts can sit for months in the massive piles most editors have to deal with. So what happens to those writers who are limited by financial, health, or other types of problems and can’t attend a conference?

There seems to be the same need developing for an intermediary between unpublished writers and agents and editors as has occurred in the legal and medical fields—professionals who can help unpublished writers take the long-term view and cover everything from editing and rewriting to writing targeted proposals and eking out appropriate agents. Paralegals and paramedics arose out of similar types of need.

"Paraliterates?" So what should we call them in the writing world? Paraliterates?!

As a former paralegal, I’m not sure I want that title, but that’s the role I find myself called into more and more since I became involved helping Austin Boyd rewrite his manuscript, develop his proposal, and break into the market a few years ago. And Austin was a shoo-in, a humble hardworking student, eager to learn and a natural marketer with a terrific timely story and powerful credentials. He just never gave up. (Be sure to pick up The Evidence when you get a chance.)

But what about the rest of us? Have we spent years creating our “missile” but given little thought to how and where to aim it? Are all the elements there for it to fly? Or will it crash and burn on its first flight? Forty rejections later will we discover those missing pieces? Or will we fall along the way, as many do?

Do we know how to take the long-term view with our writing? I didn’t. And like myself, most writers I’ve encountered seem to wake up slowly and painfully to The Publishing Facts of Life:

The Publishing Facts of Life

(1) The story is wayyy too long. (First manuscripts I see are sometimes 140,000 words and up, whereas the average novel is generally 80,000–100,000 words.) Our first novel went over that amount. (No, I’m not going to admit the total page number!), so, voila! It made a good series. Fortunately it divided naturally in half. But many don’t.

(2) The market isn’t interested in your kind of story. Autobiographies are hard to sell, for instance. But turning one into a novel may work.

(3) You forgot to research the market in advance, and there are already three hundred books on your topic. How is yours unique? Why do they need 301?

(4) Or you need to be an established expert to get any interest for your book.

I’m sure you have your own items to add to the list. The issue burning in my heart now, that seems to increase with each writers’ conference, is: When there are so few gatekeepers, who will help those unpublished Christian writers whom God is calling? Les Stobbe seems to be the only agent out there who specializes in first-time authors—bless his soul. But we need dozens, if not hundreds!

Am I an Agent?

2005-08-31T16:36:00.000-07:00

Am I an agent?

Sometimes I’m asked that. Or someone wants me to act as one. The short answer is no. There are a number of big differences between how an agent works and what I offer. On the other hand, I do provide some unique services designed to help you get an agent. Or get by without one.

An agent works on speculation and normally receives 15% of all royalties and advances the client earns through a book sale in the U.S. Before being paid though, the agent must do a great deal of work to sell the manuscript, whose acceptance is never guaranteed. It can take a long time and a lot of effort.

Payment, if it does come, can take a number of years between when a book contract is offered, negotiations are complete, and the contract is signed. The agent also must negotiate the contract and obtain the best possible deal for the client. This can be a long and detailed process (although not necessarily). My negotiations for a recent client stretched over nearly four months with numerous phone conversations with the publisher lasting many hours.

Sometimes a publisher will want to work with a client's manuscript before offering a contract. One client received great interest in his manuscript by a publisher who then worked with him for over a year before finally considering the work ready for publication and offering a contract. This can be a great blessing because you receive the benefit of the publisher's personal attention and expertise and may end up with a stronger contract. This client actually ended up with a larger advance as a result. For an agent though, it can be a long road to travel before receiving his or her percentage of the advance. Plus, with many publishers giving more modest advances these days, that amount may not be very large. Payment of the agent's 15% of royalties may take a few years after that—if the book has some success. Again—no guarantee! You can see an agent's life isn't necessarily easy or glamorous!

Finally, one of the most important features an agent should have is a strong network of personal contacts with key people in the publishing industry. I don’t lunch with New York editors, but I do have some contacts. Although they’re growing in number, they aren’t enough to promote myself as an agent. It simply wouldn’t be fair.

A liaison, not an agent

So if I’m not an agent, what am I?

I can’t guarantee the sale of your material (no one can, for that matter). But I do act as a liaison between writers, agents, and publishers, providing services for every step of the way. These include initially brainstorming your literary creation with you, editorial consultation, interviewing, developmental writing and editing, in-depth manuscript evaluation, ghostwriting, all levels of editing, rewriting assistance, and final polishing. I have over 30 years of experience with a wide variety of areas such as journalism, academia, law, and business, and over 20 years of experience with Bible teaching and Christian apologetics. I work a lot with both fiction and nonfiction, but I don't accept material that promotes or exalts the New Age/occult, immorality, or pornography.

I can help you understand the market (especially the Christian market), prepare your manuscript for it, research appropriate agents and publishers, create a cutting edge query letter and proposal package, and assist in the pre- and post-contract stages with agents and publishers. I can also walk you through the self-publishing process. I’m not an attorney, but I’ve had ten years of experience in the legal field, ranging from legal secretary to paralegal and notary public. I've edited a number of large publications, including that of a major Christian ministry, a university alumni publication, and a regional newspaper.

My recent book proposals have acquired:

(1) immediate interest by a major New York publisher followed by a contract and a potential series;
(2) a strong interest by a major publisher in the Christian market and signing with an agent; and
(3) five major publishers in the Christian market vying for a series, leading to a three-book contract.
(4) In addition, an acquisitions editor at a major publishing house in the Christian market decided to use one of my proposals as the gold standard for their fiction authors.

For more details about how I can help you, visit my Web site at http://www.logosword.com/.

Blessings,
Linda

P.S. As a member of the national Editorial Freelance Association, I adhere to the organization's Code of Fair Practice. You might like to look at it. It’s at http://www.the-efa.org/CodeTOC.html.

Welcome and purpose

2005-03-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

Hi! Welcome to my blogspot!

I hope you'll feel at home, browse the entries, and add your own comments.

Since I was a child I've loved working with words, both in writing and editing. One of my earliest memories is of the big black letters in Dick and Jane. (Guess I'm dating myself!) But although I did all kinds of writing for years (academic, journalistic, creative), I never thought of myself as a "writer" until much later in life. "Writers" lived in Tudor-style manor houses or on Polynesian islands and earned lots of money; they "starred" at New York cocktail parties or traveled to distant wars. Also, because it came easy, I didn't think of writing as a career in itself but as a craft that enabled me to do other work. Fortunately, I no longer believe this misguided notion .

Christian Fiction

Although I take all kinds of projects (fiction, nonfiction, theses, publicity, etc.), and have worked in the general market for years, increasingly I am focusing on Christian authors and books, offering writing and editing services, preparing queries and proposals, and providing consultation on publicity and the publishing field.

Christian fiction is exploding, and as I see authors pushing the "edge" in this field that a little over twenty years ago barely existed, I am concerned that the Word of God is handled correctly. Therefore, I rely heavily upon the wisdom of my husband Richard, who has an M.A. in Religion in Church History. (For more information, see the "Christian Services" section of my Web site, www.logosword.com.)

Media services

One of my joys has been working with my son, Eric, who developed his own photography and media consulting business, Gateway Media Consulting, Inc. and Gateway Art Photography. Our He created my Web site design, along with many others. And he's a whiz publicist, with many years of experience, including being the campaign manager for a twice-victorious state representative (no proud mom here!). On top of that, his wife Nikki is a terrific professional photographer. In other words, besides the fact that I love our family, they're really fun to work with, too.

Writing for the general market.

A word about writing for the "secular" or general market. When I was the editor of a large regional arts and entertainment news magazine for eight years, Christians sometimes accused me of compromising. The real issue is whether I did what I thought was right. I believed at the time that God placed me in it. And, although I couldn't share the wonderful Gospel, I could pray over the content, write and edit with integrity, and scrutinize incoming articles for truth. When necessary, I took a strong stand and refused to allow certain items. I could filter the content and protect my audience from corruption. And I tried to never compromise on important issues.

That's my philosophy of writing for the general market, and if you come to me with a manuscript or project, I will do my best to accomplish it with the utmost integrity and excellence--whether it's from a Christian perspective or not. My main criteria are that content not be anti-Christian or harmful to others in some way.