News for July 30th 2010

Becky Minor is a guest blogger at The Book Lightwalker Files, talking about God's power in fantasy:
http://victortravison.webs.com/apps/blog/show/4379365-god-s-power-in-fantasy

Janalyn Voigt continues on the topic of fantasy - is it hard to sell?
http://waysinger.blogspot.com/2010/07/is-christian-fantasy-hard-to-sell.html

Jeremy Robinson gives us a sneak peek at his upcoming novel Threshold:
http://www.jeremyrobinsononline.com/2010/07/28/threshold-sneak-peak/

Splashdown Books is seeking published authors and established reviewers to preview and endorse upcoming releases, in particular Alpha Redemption by P.A. Baines (more info here). Write to admin at splashdownbooks dot com if you are interested. Ebook and print available.

Marcher Lord Press Announces Marcher Lord Select

October 17, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marcher Lord Press Announces Marcher Lord Select

(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.

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Latest in Spec: All the news about Christian Spec-Fic

The April issue of Latest in Spec is chock full of news about Christian speculative fiction.

If you don't receive one in your email, you can sign up for it at www.latestinspec.org.

You can now view issues at the Lost Genre Guild site.

Highlights:

• Karina Fabian's virtual book tour for Magic, Mayhem and Mensa (including a very nice review from Publisher's Weekly!);

• Part 2 of the Christian Speculative Fiction Panel at Novel Journey

• Great news from Bill Snodgrass: Mindflights has received the coveted "Top 100" designation from Writer's Digest;

• Member Profile: Wayne Thomas Batson

• Lots of novel reviews, new stuff on the web, new book releases and much more . . .

Latest news in Christian Speculative Fiction: newsletter

LATEST IN SPEC

A collaborative effort of the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour and the Lost Genre Guild, Latest in Spec aims to create a forum where authors of inspirational speculative fiction can inform others about their work. Inspirational speculative fiction,as we define it, refers to science fiction and fantasy written from a Christian and specifically, a Biblical worldview.

Our hope is that this free newsletter can facilitate the promotion of the kind of fiction we long to see available in bookstores everywhere.

The most recent issue of Latest in Spec is found here: latestinspec.org

If you'd like to download a copy to print off and taken to a bookstore or give to anyone interested in Christian Speculative Fiction, get your copy here.

Subscribe to Latest in Spec

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