Published!

I just got published! I have a story in the Guideposts’ book Praying from the Heart.
Guideposts is by far the biggest publisher that I have gotten to print something I have written. So even though it is only one story in one book of a series of books, I feel pretty good about it. After all, it is the first book of the series.

In case anyone is interested in the process I went through in getting published in this book, I will describe it below.
After reading about the opportunity to submit a story to a Guideposts’ book series on the Christian Writer’s Marketplace blog (http://stuartmarket.blogspot.com/), I made a submission in June of 2009.
In July I receive some questions about which rights I was offering to the story.
On July 9, I received a letter saying “Congratulations! Your Incredible Prayers Submission has made it through the first couple of screenings for this Guideposts series.” This sounded good, but I have been at this level with publishers many times before. The editor did ask me to sign a permission letter (or contract) at this time.
The book was supposed to be out in October, but it didn’t. I did get an update from the editor saying it would take a little longer than expected.
On November 9, 2009, I received two boxes in the mail. Two books with my story included.


This is the first book-club like series. Here is the marketing information from the Guidepost website. https://m1.buysub.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=16903&storeId=15401&productId=737423&langId=-1

Praying from the Heart, a Guideposts exclusive shows you how you can deepen your connection with God through electrifying true-life stories of prayers being answered.

Featuring:
• More than 35 true-life stories of prayers answered
• Prayer-based quotes from Scriptures
• Index organized by need to help guide you
Praying from the Heart is the first volume in a new series of inspiring true-life stories exclusively from Guideposts. Other books in this series - Extraordinary Answers to Prayer, focus on the needs and difficulties we all face in our lives. Every four to six weeks you will receive another book, each with a risk-free 30-day trial. You may return any book you do not wish to keep after 30 days, and you can cancel your participation in the series at any time.
There is also a product preview. https://m1.buysub.com/webapp/wcs/stores/content/Guideposts/images/FlashfileTemplate.html?flashfile=book_preview_PrayingHeart_v1.swf

How to Read your Spouse's Mind

I occasionally send out query letters to publisher with my great ideas. Here is an idea I have sent out to several publishers, but no takers so far.

I have an idea for an entertaining article titled; “How to Read Your Mate’s Mind.” Many of us who are married already attempt to do this with tragic results. What if you could learn how to read your mate’s mind? How do the professional “mind readers” do it? Popular psychics, like Sylvia Browne and John Edward, employ “cold reading’ techniques. Recent TV shows such as "The Mentalist" and "Psych" use this as the hook to gain an audience. This article will show readers how to use some of the techniques to better communicate with their mate.

If you allow me to develop the following 10-point guide to reading your mate’s mind, you will amaze your mate with your new found “mind-reading powers!” The article will be between 1200 and 1500 words and can be completed in a month.

1. Be confident. (If you look and act as if you believe in what you are doing, you will be able to sell even a “bad reading” to your mate.)

2. Profess modesty about your talents. (Make no excessive claims.)

3. Make creative use what your already know about your mate.

4. Dramatize your reading. (Give back what little information you do have or pick up a little bit at a time. Make it seem more than it is. Build word pictures around each disclosure.)

5. Always give the impression that you know more than you are saying.

6. Hold hands with your mate. (This is much better than using a gimmick, such as Tarot cards, crystal ball, or palm reading, in connecting with your mate.)

7. Keep your eyes open! (Body language and facial expression often communicate more than words)

8. Use the technique of fishing. (Ask questions to get your mate to tell you about his/herself. Then you rephrase what you have been told and feed it back to the subject.)

9. Learn to be a good listener.

10. Flatter your mate at every opportunity. (Always tell your mate something he/she wants to hear!)

Obviously, this whole experience is designed to be a fun way to pass an evening, not a method of constant communication. However, some of the skills learned may be applied at any time.

Dealing with Deadlines

I just completed a writing assignment before the deadline! That is always a good feeling. It is better than finishing an assignment on deadline, and much better than missing the deadline and having to ask for an extension.
A deadline is important to stay motivated. The following quote sums up the value of deadlines. “A deadline is negative inspiration. Still, it's better than no inspiration at all” Rita Mae Brown.

I take deadlines seriously because of the fact that I always agree to them in advance. I could have negotiated for more time at the very beginning. Sometimes circumstances cause me to miss a deadline. I can recall at least two such occasions. (My editor may remember more.) When that happens, I
If you are a regular writer, there is always another deadline waiting out there in future for you. My next curriculum deadline is not until March 1, 2010. It seems like a long time away. But unless I discipline myself to work on the assignment regularly, it could become a stress point. I usually set my personal deadline about a month in advance of the real deadline. That gives me motivation, but no pressure if I miss it. Which I usually do, but I am then close enough to not have to worry about missing the real deadline.

I Need a Platform

I went to see the movie “Julie and Julia” with my wife a few days ago. It will never make my top ten list for 2009, but it was more tolerable than other such movies I have seen. (I was saddened by the fact that there were a couple of unexpected and completely unnecessary curse words used that make the movie unrecommendable. Seriously, don’t go see it.)

My interest in the movie was raised when I learned that it was based on a true story of Julie who turned her blogging experience into a book deal - something that apparently happens occasionally. I understand that at one point, Julie’s blog was getting 7,500 hits per day. Recognizing she got the deal only because of her blog’s media hype, Julie herself wrote in her blog entry announcing her deal: “I am, in fact, officially What’s Wrong With Publishing Today.” The movie also chronicled Julia Child’s difficulties getting her first cookbook published.

I agree that this kind of thing is a key to publishing; anyone can get a book deal as long as they have a platform. (Good writers have a hard time getting published unless they have a platform. I have a scrapbook of letters from editors telling me just that. More than one editor has told me that he or she has pitched one of my book proposals to a publishing team meeting only to have it rejected by the marketing people. It was rejected because I do not have a platform, name recognition, or guaranteed sales potential.)

So don’t quote me on this, but if I can find a way to get 7,500 hits per day on my blog, I will have a better chance at getting a book deal.

Reading, Writing, & Teaching

Welcome to my blog about things I read, write & teach. Since I teach and write professionally, read and write recreationally, much of what I put here will be about the other things I write, the writing process, and scholarship.
This is not my first foray into the blogsphere. I had a Creative Teaching Blog back in the Fall of 07, but left it alone after the semester ended. It is still out there if you are interested in viewing it. ronniejohnson.info/blog
Thought I would try Google’s Blogger for this new adventure. Maybe I will keep it up for more than one semester, maybe not. That is one thing I like about a personal blog - no deadlines, and I can keep it current, or not.
For anyone who is unfamiliar with me, you can go to my website www.RonnieJohnson.info and click a few pages and find out enough. If you want to know more, just ask. Like I said before, this blog will be about NEW things I read, write, and teach.
I am currently working on a Compass Point curriculum book and just completed a Christian Living book for Disciple Guide Resources. I am also waiting to hear from two proposals sent to publishers. I may describe them in later posts.