Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Barnes & Noble exclusive version, James L. Rubart, Soul's Gate
Good news on two fronts:
1. I’ve won the coveted title of worst blogger ever. Unfortunately I’m planning on losing the title by upping my posting schedule by 3,567% starting in a few weeks. (Which would have me posting once a month.) That might cut me out of the running for the title next year. No worries.
2. My fourth novel, Soul’s Gate has just released. I’m not big on promoting myself so I’ll share a couple of thoughts from others:
Publishers Weekly: “Readers with high blood pressure or heart conditions be warned: this is a seriously heart-thumping and satisfying read that goes to the edge, jumps off, and “builds wings on the way down.”
RT Book Reviews Top Pick! with a 4.5-star review:
“Rubart’s novel is enthralling and superlative. Truly a story about freedom from things that we hold onto, this tale will captivate readers and encourage a more active, dynamic spiritual life. The original plot and well-drawn characters elevate this book to “must read” status.”
And of course you can check out the reader reviews at the various online book sellers. (Amazon has by far the most at this point.)
FYI if you’re thinking about laying out some coin of the realm for this novel, there are two versions. The normal version which you can buy just about everywhere online and in brick and mortar stores, and the exclusive Barnes & Nobler version.
This was fun.
We did three extra chapters for the B&N version plus a special authors note. (You can buy it online or in store.)
There you be. Three books a week is all I ask. (Yes, free almonds with purchase.)
Much freedom, friends,
Jim
Filed under: Uncategorized
A friend of mine, Nora St Laurant is the CEO of a very cool organization named (yes O’ brilliant ones, you guessed it) The Book Club Network. August is their second anniversary and she asked if I’d run the following interview she recently gave.
I responded, “But of course!” So here ye be: (And yes, you have the chance to win free books–like 10 books A DAY. Read on for more info.)
What inspired you start TBCN?
The Book Club Network was born out of a desire to share Christian Fiction authors with other book clubs, share book club ideas with other leaders and to encourage the authors who are writing such amazing books. The economy has been really tough for a few years and people are not parting with money like they used to. Through TBCN they can take their time and find the right book or win it. We have give away opportunities each month. ALL of our contests are from the 19th – 21st of the month.
I run two face to face book clubs one at the Christian Book Store I work at and the other at the church I attend. It’s a position I never imagined I’d be in since I didn’t read for pleasure much before I started working in a Christian book store 11 years ago.
But since I love talking with people and the main thing to talk about in a book store is books I started reading Christian Fiction (publishers sent ARC copies to our store and I started checking them out) The first book that rocked my world and got me hooked in Christian Fiction was a book by Linda Nichols called Not a Sparrow Falls her next book did me in and I couldn’t stop talking about it, At the Scent of Water was her next book that prompted me to contact the author and let her know how much her book touched my spirit.
After reading these two books and telling customers about these reads I had a reason to read. These books spoke to me because I wasn’t expecting it. It reminded me of the stories in the bible. Jesus is the greatest story teller and He knew a story could change a life or prick our spirit and move us in a direction we never thought we’d be in.
I tell you all that to say I’m dyslexic and I have not been a fan of reading. Movies were more my thing. I could watch a movie of a book and have a lot more fun.
Reading Christian Fiction changed my life in more ways than one. I wanted to tell everyone about the greatest book I read, and I’d do that at the book store. It was possible to talk about the new book I read and loved for about a month or more but when At the Scent of Water and Not a Sparrow Falls were not on the shelf anymore, I had to find some other books to talk about at work. I’m not a very fast reader so; discovering the next new book was a challenge. Would I get the book read before it disappeared from the shelf? How long do books live on a book shelf? The shelf life of a book was a mystery to me and still is.
I was whining to my husband Fred about my problem. How can I get the word out about great books for a very long period of time??? Being a man who likes to face challenges head we began to talk about how we could do this and the fact that I can’t read books fast enough to keep up with it’s shelf life at the store.
I also told him as a book club leader I wanted to promote great books and share them with other groups. Not everyone has the advantage of working at a book store and see what new books hit the shelves each week. Another struggle I had was if I had an author speaking at my book club I wanted to share them with other book clubs in the area. How could I do that? Where are book clubs meeting?
Our answer to many of these questions and more was the birth of The Book Club Network – TBCN. Connecting authors to book clubs and readers to their books; it’s also a network of book clubs as they post what they’ve read and how the meeting turned out.
It’s a place to find where a book club is located. We have a member map where you can find a book club near you. Message them and see if they are accepting new members. I envision it to be similar to be similar to the Weight Watchers program (don’t laugh Grin) you can go to a meeting anywhere in the country right? All you have to do is look on line and get connected. This is my hope for the future of TBCN.
Have there been any surprises for you @TBCN? What benefits have you seen by bringing readers and authors together?
I’ve been encouraged and fascinated by our growth. I can see there were other people out there like me wanting to connect with other book club members.
I’ll tell you what has surprised me is the author/reader interaction each month. This is something I didn’t foresee as I’ve watch the authors are having a blast interacting with the readers and visa/versa. The beauty of this discussion is it’s there forever for all to read no matter when you join TBCN.
The authors have done a great job coming up with questions for reader to answer that give them a peek into their book – create interest and then the discussion helps book club leaders connect with the author. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the amount of authors that want to be featured @The Book Club Network. It’s been a great thing.
The interaction with the authors is almost like having a book club meeting on line. It’s a huge benefit for both the authors who’ve wanted to ask clubs questions and readers who want to get to know authors. The authors are catching on. Our sponsors have loved the interaction as well. Members have told me that they love the author interaction from the 19th-21st as much as having a chance to win all these books. It’s hard to know if a book will be a fit for your group so these interaction times are helpful for that and so much more. Another thing I love about TBCN members is the fact they are not afraid to share what they think in a good way. I’ve learned so much and laughed out loud in some discussion where the questions lead to sharing funny moments.
My hope is that book club leaders and/or members participate in the discussions and make that book connection with the author and their book. I want TBCN to be a tool for them in picking out their books. Maybe invite the author to speak to their book club on the phone. It’s my hope. The discussion will be there forever. No worries about a books shelf live here @TBCN. So, everyone has time to get to know each other!! It’s a beautiful thing!
How can readers join in the anniversary celebrations?
It’s easy to sign up to be a member of TBCN. We ask a few questions for you to answer and for other information that helps us keep spammers and other information seekers out of the network. It’s also FREE. You have opportunities to win lots of books. For our BIRTHDAY BASH we are giving away 10 books a day and announcing winners once a week. You’ll have all week to enter the daily featured contests.
Do you have any other comments for my readers?
If you are avid reader this is the place for you to learn about the latest in Christian Fiction and interact with the author each month.
Are you a book club leader? Well this is the place for you to find your next book club pick. We’d also love for you to set up your Book club page at our site for others to see. It’s a place to share your latest featured book. Post pictures of your club and the field trips you’ve taken. The authors you’ve met and the book fun you’ve had. Learn from other book clubs that have already set up their pages.
Want to start a book club but felt it was too overwhelming? You can learn from other experienced book club leaders, and you can start right away making your book club list!
Do you like to win books? This is the place for you. You’ll have a chance to get to know the authors and their books and read genre’s you normally wouldn’t. We’ve been giving away about 100 books a month and for our birthday bash it’s going to be 10 books every day; starting August first. Winners are picked weekly and announced each weekly.
THANK YOU! You’ve been a grand host to have me here and let me talk about The Book Club Network and our Birthday Bash!! I hope to see you there @TBCN http://www.bookfun.org
You are a Blessing!!
Nora :o)
The Book Club Network CEO
Nora Stlaurent’s Bio: Nora is the CEO of The Book Club Network Incorporated. Nora and her husband run The Book Club Network http://www.bookfun.org She runs two book clubs near Atlanta, Ga., Former ACFW On-Line Book Club. Nora currently writes a Book Club column for the Christian Fiction OnLine Magazine and is a Book Club Talk Columnist for Novel Rocket. You can read author interviews on her Finding Hope Through Fiction blog, located at http://www.psalm516.blogspot.com, and reviews around the web at The Christian Pulse Mag, Title Trakk, Novel Reviews, and Suspense Zone.
Robert Liparulo gave me a wonderful endorsement for my first novel, ROOMS, so it was great fun to be able return the favor for his latest, The 13th Tribe. The book is out now and thought I’d give a quick rundown on it.
Up till now his books have been written with a Christian worldview, but little direct Christian content. This novel is different and has an instantly compelling premise:
What if there were a 13th Tribe of Israel? And what if they were immortals who existed to this day? And what if this tribe held a twisted belief they could earn God’s favor by exacting vengeance those they see as sinful?
Plus these guys are into high tech which means they’re putting countless other people’s lives in dangeer as well.
Sound good? It is. It’s a great read.
Filed under: Our hearts
I was doing the brain rack on coming up with a New Years post that didn’t repeat what everyone else is saying when I came across this article by Anne Lamott on making time for the things that will set you free.
I couldn’t say it any better.
To you, and to finding a New Year of Life.
Jim
For a SHORT time, you can snag my second novel, BOOK OF DAYS for free at the iBookstore.
(To read it you’ll need an iPhone, iPad, iTouch, or download iTunes on your PC and read it for free that way.)
Here’s the link: http://tinyurl.com/6vkl3vg
Just thought you might like know.
Hope your Thanksgiving is fab, full of life and joy.
Jim
Filed under: Uncategorized
It’s sad when I’m a lurker on my own blog! So since I haven’t posted in eons, thought I’d send you a link to post I put up on a site where I’m a monthly columnist.
Here tiz: http://tinyurl.com/753gmbw
And yes, there is great hope I will up my posting frequency. I’m thinking maybe as often as once a month.
I know, that would be a deluge.
Jim
Filed under: Our hearts
I met an artist named this past weekend named Casey Lynch that sometimes doubts his ability when he sits down to create—even though he has massive talent.
(Check out his art here.)
Sometimes he hears a voice that shouts, “Who do you think you’re fooling? You can’t do this!”
I told him I know that voice. It’s the same one that whispers to my heart, “Pretty soon they’re all going to find out you can’t write, Jim.”
I know none of you reading this post hear that voice. Ever. You take the gifts God has given you and with utter confidence offer back to Him an expression of those talents.
But in case you have a microscopic sliver of doubt sometime in the future, I wanted you to know you’re not alone.
Filed under: Dreams
I’ve wanted a dirt bike since I was five. Okay, maybe not five—it was more like three.
Growing up, I knew it wouldn’t ever happen.
No way.
Not while I lived with my parents. My mom was not a fan of the two-wheeled neck breakers. I was strictly forbidden from ever getting on a motorcycle. It was a non-negotiable.
(No, I won’t mention the time during high school I jumped on friend’s street bike and screamed past my mom who just happened to be traveling the same road going the opposite direction. Dinner was not fun that night. Nor breakfast the next morning, etc, etc.)
But four years ago I did something about that dream that kept flitting around my heart; I bought dirt bikes for my boys and me.
We’ve all wiped out multiple times.
I’ve hurt myself—badly.
The bikes take work to maintain.
Is it worth it? Are you kidding? They’ve given us eternal memories that are gold. The first time Taylor and Micah rode out in front of me I couldn’t stop a massive grin from bursting out on my face. It was so fun. So freeing. So full of life.
It was just a small dream. To ride dirt bikes with
my sons. But it came true because I stopped putting it off and took action. And when Micah said it was the best gift I’d ever given Taylor and him, I smiled that big goofy grin again.
What’s yours? That little dream you’ve been meaning to do for years. That dream that won’t go away.
That dream that whispers to you just before you go to sleep.
I’d love to know what it is. And I’d love to see it come true.
Filed under: Dreams
In May of 2001 a friend called with a fun invitation. “You and Darci want to go to eastern Washington with us this weekend? We’re going to look for property around Lake Chelan.”
Lake Chelan is in the middle of Washington State. It’s a summer Mecca for tourists looking for sun, water adventures, and great family memories.
To have a vacation home there? Slice of paradise.
My friend and his wife had dreamed of having a place in Chelan for eons—and ten years ago they’d inherited enough money to buy a nice chunk of land and build a very fine summer casa. Darci and I thought it would be fun to go along and watch our friend’s dream come true.
We spent two days looking at land with them and had a blast. A month later our friends bought a half acre overlooking Lake Chelan.
Gorgeous view. Close to the small town of Manson.
A few weeks ago I was in Chelan and on a whim drove by my friend’s property. We lost touch five or six years ago and I wanted to see what he’d done with his land.
When I reached his property my heart sank. No house. No building permit signs. There was a sign, but it said For Sale.
I wondered what happened. Did they lose their inheritance money in a bad stock deal? Did they keep putting off building until they felt it was too late for them and their kids? Were they never able to decide on house plans?
Why did the dream die?
As I drove away I realized I’ve done the same thing. Many times. So have you.
We’ve let life crowd out our dreams.
We’ve let our regimented schedules get in the way of our beautiful visions.
We’ve let circumstances eat away at our someday isles till there is no sand left.
I regret letting some of my dreams disappear, but the other day my youngest son reminded me of one that came true. “Dad, those are the best gifts you’ve ever bought Taylor and I.”
Stay tuned, in a few days I’ll tell you all about it.
Filed under: Uncategorized
We are glorious beyond belief and we are nothing,
We are a galaxy, and but a mite of dust,
We are children of the King of kings, and a slave to the least of those who walk the earth,
We are joy and sorrow,
Peace and war,
And in the end we are nothing,
And in the end we are everything because of Him who is all, and is Life and is the fulfillment of our every longing.
jimrubart.wordpress.com 