Ask Andrea

Last month, I had the opportunity to read Jantsen’s Gift, by Pam Cope with Aimee Molloy, which is in essence a biography that covers Cope’s journey through grief after the loss of her son Jantsen and how this led her to begin Touch a Life (see link under Cope’s name). It’s a very touching story with the occasional difficult paragraph, meaning in a few spots, we could have hit enter (paragraph breaked) a few more times, and with Molly’s help, you could well need the tissues yourself.

Of course, if you really love children, many, many paragraphs are difficult because much of their stories are heart-breaking, which is a credit to the writers, or perhaps Molloy, who like any good ghost, is nice and invisible in the text, which, if you understand how ghost writing works, creates a bit of dissonance when she shows up in the story line, as usually ghosts write the actual text based on often-verbally communicated material the author who hired them  provides. But the ghost keeps the narrative in her client’s voice even when she ends up a “character” in the story herself, and that’s to Molloy’s credit.

Without prejudice, there is some content some readers may find objectionable,  which includes some cussing (which is mild by secular standards), references to the consumption of alcohol, and the unavoidable, but potentially disturbing details of the horrors of childhood slavery and sex trafficking brothels.  If you have a weak stomach for such things, that’s something for you to consider. Otherwise, I think those are stories that do need told and the authors do so well.

Besides the topics already mentioned, if you’re interested in overseas adoption or concerned about the self-centered materialistic lifestyle that’s currently fashionable in the United States, or overseas missions, especially helping children, you’ll find this informative, edifying, and encouraging. Likewise if you’re struggling with grief.

The authors do a good job of moving the reader and convincing them of the need to act. My critique is that they may not do such a good job of closing the sale. Like many such books I’ve read, the reader is left wanting to do something, but not sure what to do, besides give money, and they shied away from coming right out and asking the reader to donate to Cope’s  non-profit, perhaps at the request of the publisher, I wouldn’t be privy.

My recomendations, unfortunately, can’t include giving to touch a life, as I am concerned about the references in the book to taking care of the children for the rest of their lives. If I understood the intent correctly, I believe this policy is harmful to the children and one of the many, many problems plaguing Africa.  Giving a handout to an adult is keeping that person a child and depriving them of their dignity. The proper path, which I believe the bible depicts,  is to provide him the resources he needs to fish (including fishing lessons) and therefore give him the dignity and pride of an honest day’s living.

Now, should we say, “oops, you’re eighteen now, nothing more I can do for you?” Of course not, but the goal should be to bring the child to a place where they’re able to take care of themselves. That’s what good old fashioned parenting is all about, after all.

Groups I give to and recommend, by the way, include Compassion International, an overseas child sponsorship program, and Kiva, which grants small business loans to impoverished families in third world countries.

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The modern world puts a lot of pressure on families to have dual income sources, putting mothers in a tough position, given that children need to be raised 24/7 and employers aren’t friendly to waiting for their work to get done while you tend to your family. If that’s the position you find yourself in, then you might find interesting the following guest post from the Work at Home Girls:

Let’s face it: a lot of people want (and in some cases need) to set their own hours and work from home. Are you one of those people? What’s stopping you? If you’re serious about making money from home, you’ll do what it takes – including investing in your own learning-either to get your company off to a strong start or to help you move to the next level more quickly. Work at Home Girls is designed to help you.

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(Colorado Springs, CO)–Marcher Lord Press, the premier publisher of Christian speculative fiction, today announces the debut of a revolution in fiction acquisitions.

“Marcher Lord Select is American Idol meets book acquisitions,” says publisher Jeff Gerke. “We’re presenting upwards of 40 completed manuscripts and letting ‘the people’ decide which one should be published.”

The contest will proceed in phases, Gerke explains, in each subsequent round of which the voters will receive larger glimpses of the competing manuscripts.

The first phase will consist of no more than the book’s title, genre, length, a 20-word premise, and a 100-word back cover copy teaser blurb. Voters will cut the entries from 40 to 20 based on these items alone.

“We want to show authors that getting published involves more than simply writing a great novel,” Gerke says. “There are marketing skills to be developed–and you’ve got to hook the reader with a good premise.”

Following rounds will provide voters with a 1-page synopsis, the first 500 words of the book, the first 30 pages of the book, and, in the final round, the first 60 pages of the book.

The manuscript receiving the most votes in the final round will be published by Marcher Lord Press in its Spring 2010 release list.

No portion of any contestant’s mss. will be posted online, as MLP works to preserve the non-publication status of all contestants and entries.

Participating entrants have been contacted personally by Marcher Lord Press and are included in Marcher Lord Select by invitation only.

“We’re also running a secondary contest,” Gerke says. “The ‘premise contest’ is for those authors who have completed a Christian speculative fiction manuscript that fits within MLP guidelines and who have submitted their proposals to me through the Marcher Lord Press acquisitions portal before October 29, 2009.”

The premise contest will allow voters to select the books that sound the best based on a 20-word premise, a 100-word back cover copy teaser blurb, and (possibly) the first 500 words of the book.

The premise contest entrants receiving the top three vote totals will receive priority acquisitions reading by MLP publisher Jeff Gerke.

“It’s a way for virtually everyone to play, even those folks who didn’t receive an invitation to compete in the primary Marcher Lord Select contest.”

Marcher Lord Select officially begins on November 1, 2009, and runs until completion in January or February 2010. All voting and discussions and Marcher Lord Select activities will take place at The Anomaly forums in the Marcher Lord Select subforum. Free registration is required.

“In order for this to work as we’re envisioning,” Gerke says, “we need lots and lots of voters. So even if you’re not a fan of Christian science fiction or fantasy, I’m sure you love letting your voice be heard about what constitutes good Christian fiction. So come on out and join the fun!”

Marcher Lord Press is a Colorado Springs-based independent publisher producing Christian speculative fiction exclusively. MLP was launched in fall of 2008 and is privately owned. Contact: Jeff Gerke; www.marcherlordpress.com.

[For full disclosure, my husband, Adam Graham entered our manuscript Genesis of Judgment into the premise contest today.]

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