About that vacation...

Yes, I know I need a vacation. I'm always tired, mostly because of that dang fibromyalgia, but these days I'm beyond tired -- but in a good way and for a delightful reason. July 15, 2013 was the official publication date for The Social Media Gospel: Sharing the Good News in New Ways.

Weeks before pub date were filled with pre-publication stuff. The past two weeks have been filled with blog touring. Blog touring? That's the 21st century equivalent and fabulous replacement for author tours of bookstores and other venues to promote a book.

A blog tour generally involves providing answers for a list of questions provided by the blogger. In some instances, the host blogger may also offer a book giveaway via social media. I was very fortunate (blessed) because bloggers who hosted me wanted to give away books and folks at Liturgical Press were generous with comp copies.

Relative to the book, the past few weeks have also included online chats sponsored by Patheos and the Seminary of the Southwest. A Google hangout with Paul Steinbrueck from Christian Web Trends is scheduled for July 31.

And then there's all the regular stuff of daily life: watering plants, cooking, food shopping, client work, naps. Last Saturday, I binge-watched all 13 episodes of "Orange is the New Black" on Netflix and will be writing about that.

All this adds up to no blogging on my own blog and I'm tired and I need a vacation. But that, too, presents challenges that hardly make it worth leaving the comforts of home.

I must sleep in a bed that won't generate more pain. I need access to gluten-free food, even if I have to prepare it. I really cannot comfortably drive much more than three hours, so anything at a distance would have to be accessible by public transportation. And yes, costs are an issue. (All suggestions and invitations are welcomed!)

Never mind that I'd love to be someplace quiet and either cool or air conditioned if it's hot outside. My wild wishlist involves access to a chapel, preferably where the Daily Office is chanted, although I'd only make it to Vespers and Compline. WiFi, although I'd even be willing to renounce that. Mountains, which for me always makes God's presence known. And so forth and so on.

High maintenance? Maybe. I much prefer to characterize myself as having a heightened self-awareness. Please let me have that!


Image: A Girl Reading in a Hammock by Robert Archibalt Graafland (1875-1940)

The Social Media Gospel: My Author Copies Arrive!

Of course I'd shoot a Vine video

of opening the carton

 of author copies!

 

And the thrill of doing so has not faded, nor have 

I become jaded about the gift of being able to write

and work with great publishers. Blessed by my

experience with the Liturgical Press team.

Habemus Book Cover! The Social Media Gospel: Sharing the Good News In New Ways

The Social Media Gospel: 

Sharing the Good News in New Ways

Foreword by The Rev. David L. Hansen (@Rev_David)

Soon and Very Soon!

July 2013

from Liturgical Press

This fabulous cover designed by Stefan Killen.
Grateful to Liturgical Press for welcoming
my creative direction and ongoing input.

Habemus Book Title! The Social Media Gospel: Sharing the Good News . . .

The Social Media Gospel: 

Sharing the Good News in New Ways

forthcoming July 2013*

from Liturgical Press**

How many Christians did it take to come up with this book title? Lots! But that's because I'm:

1. deeply committed to working ecumenically, 
2. use social media to engage with people from all denominations, and 
3. understand the power of crowd-sourcing.

In some instances as many as three folks from these denominations opined about title options: Episcopal Church USA, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ECLA), Presbyterian Church USA, PCA Presbyterian, Roman Catholic Church, and United Methodist Church.

This note from the publisher, "Wooooo hooooo! And I love your Vatican II ecumenical process!"

Some good titles landed on the proverbial cutting room floor, but these things happen when majority rules. All glory, honor, and praise to those whose #1 choice wasn't chosen.

More to come about the book's content (e.g., excerpts) and how to pre-order. You already know that I'd love to visit your church, right? More information about what I offer at my website: meredithgould.com.

* Unless, by some miracle, the production process gets goosed.

** On my publishing bucket list for years.

An Author's Life: Beginning Again Again*

This post has been on my list of Posts to Write for a while, but before hunkering down tonight, I had to do one more thing. I reread all previous ones tagged "author" to get a sense of my own twisted history. Sentimental journey, for sure.

Four years ago, I invoked the pregnancy metaphor to write about book dedications and the ridiculousness (read: stupidity) of writing one book after another.

Such a great metaphor, here it is again: Having recently endured two book miscarriages, I needed to wait a few months before announcing that I'm expecting a new book to be out this Spring. It will be my ninth.

I wanted to wait until a mutually-acceptable contract was signed (done!), until I'd connected with my new editor (done!), and until I'd gotten far enough into writing to fall in love with this new manuscript, even when it's giving me heartburn and sleepless nights. Manuscript due: January 1, 2013. Publisher: Liturgical Press. Working title: Building Church and Faith With Social Media: Embracing a Future That's Already Here.

So there you have it, news about this author's life as well as an explanation for skimpy posting on this blog.

Had to laugh (at myself) as I read through my previous posts about my writing rituals. Yes, my nails are once again clipped down to power-typing length and our refrigerator is stocked with salami. For this book I've switched from Diet Cream to Diet Orange soda; from Cheez Doodles to corn chips. This change in protocol seems to be working so far.



*I've stopped numbering these posts for two reasons: 1) I've lost count; and 2) I stink at Roman numerals.