Christian Science Fiction & Fantasy Blog Tour

Most of you do a great job posting links, and I know it’s frustrating to find someone listed who hasn’t participated. I’m making an effort to keep the links as accurate as possible. Based on my correspondence with you or from my visit to your site, I’ve done some updating.

Please make these corrections to the list of April participants:

Correct:
<a href=”http://michael-a-heald.blogspot.com/“> Michael Heald</a>

Add:
<a href=”http://virtualbooktourdenet.blogspot.com/“> Karina Fabian</a>

Delete:
<a href=”http://paraklesis.com/childrens_publishing_news/“> Sally Apokedak</a>
<a href=”http://cwahmjill.blogspot.com/“>  Jill Hart</a>
<a href=”http://www.shadowofthewood.com/happenings/“> Rachel Marks</a>
<a href=”http://www.galacticoverlordinchief.blogspot.com/“> Jason Waguespac</a>

Thank you.

Becky

Tour Participants,

Our April CSFF Blog Tour for Lisa T. Bergren’s The Begotten, book 1 of The Gifted Series, is Monday through Wednesday—April 21-23. Participants are encouraged but not required to post all three days.

Here are the links you’ll need (the asterisk indicates those that are required).

*Featured book, The Begotten http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0425210162

Featured author, Lisa T. Bergren
Web site - http://www.lisatawnbergren.com/home.html

*Participants’ Links & TEXT LINKS:

<a href=”http://paraklesis.com/childrens_publishing_news/“> Sally Apokedak</a>
<a href=”http://www.christiansciencefiction.blogspot.com“> Brandon Barr</a>
<a href=”http://jimfictionreview.blogspot.com/“> Jim Black</a>
<a href=”http://fantastyfreak.blogspot.com/“> Justin Boyer</a>
<a href=”http://www.journeyintograce.blogspot.com“> Jackie Castle</a>
<a href=”http://www.kcreviews.blogspot.com“> Karri Compton</a>
<a href=”http://csffblogtour.com/“> CSFF Blog Tour</a>
<a href=”http://www.genecurtis.com/Blog“> Gene Curtis</a>
<a href=”http://www.scificatholic.com/“> D. G. D. Davidson</a>
<a href=”http://scriptoriusrex.blogspot.com/“> Jeff Draper</a>
<a href=”http://projectinga.blogspot.com/“> April Erwin</a>
<a href=”http://bethgoddard.blogspot.com/“> Beth Goddard </a>
<a href=”http://www.goodwordediting.com/“> Marcus Goodyear</a>
<a href=”http://anewnovelistsjourney.blogspot.com“> Todd Michael Greene</a>
<a href=”http://cwahmjill.blogspot.com/“> Jill Hart</a>
<a href=”http://michael-a-heald.blogspot.com//“> Michael Heald</a>
<a href=”http://www.christopherhopper.com“> Christopher Hopper</a>
<a href=”http://www.faithfiction.blogspot.com/“> Joleen Howell</a>
<a href=”http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/“> Jason Joyner</a>
<a href=”http://www.struggleandemerge.com/blog/“> Kait</a>
<a href=”http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/“> Carol Keen</a>
<a href=”http://www.mikelynchbooks.blogspot.com“> Mike Lynch</a>
<a href=”http://www.wayfarersjournal.com/blog.htm“> Terri Main</a>
<a href=”http://cherryblossommj.blogspot.com“> Margaret</a>
<a href=”http://www.shadowofthewood.com/happenings/“> Rachel Marks</a>
<a href=”http://forstrose.blogspot.com/“> Melissa Meeks</a>
<a href=”http://daysongreflections.com/“> Pamela Morrisson</a>
<a href=”http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/“> John W. Otte</a>
<a href=”http://zyphe.blogspot.com/“> Rachelle</a>
<a href=”http://ansric.blogspot.com/“> Steve Rice</a>
<a href=”http://godslightuponme.blogspot.com/“> Ashley Rutherford</a>
<a href=”http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/“> Chawna Schroeder</a>
<a href=”http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/“> James Somers</a>
<a href=”http://landofmysojourn.net/blog/“> Rachelle Sperling</a>
<a href=”http://jerkrenak.blogspot.com/“> Stuart Stockton</a>
<a href=”http://christiansf.blogspot.com/“> Steve Trower</a>
<a href=”http://specfaith.ritersbloc.com/“> Speculative Faith</a>
<a href=”http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php“> Robert Treskillard</a>
<a href=”http://www.galacticoverlordinchief.blogspot.com/“> Jason Waguespac</a>
<a href=”http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com“> Laura Williams</a>
<a href=”http://emporiausa.net/Cafe%20Main%20Page.html“> Timothy Wise</a>

Becky

Our April CSFF Blog Tour for Lisa T. Bergren’s The Begotten, book 1 of The Gifted Series, is coming up next Monday through Wednesday—April 21-23. Participants are encouraged but not required to post all three days.

Of course, apart from the required links, the content of your posts is up to you. I will provide you with the other participants’ links no later than Saturday.

Just a reminder: when tourers stop by your blog, you have a great opportunity to make them return visitors by creating a post of special interest—something unique, creative, insightful.

As you know, visiting other blogs on the tour can stimulate community, networking, give and take about the book we’re featuring. I encourage you to set aside some time next week to stop by at least five other tour blogs, especially ones you haven’t visited before.

The link that you are required to post for The Begotten is http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0425210162 .

An optional link you may wish to include is Lisa’s Web site http://www.lisatawnbergren.com/home.html .

I plan to send the participant links no later than Saturday evening. Be sure to include these at least once in the body of your blog OR update your sidebar to show the April participants.

If you DID NOT participate in March (for Andrew Peterson’s On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness tour) you will need to opt in (no later than Friday) by replying to this e-mail with your name and blog address so that your link can be included with the other participants.

If you participated in March but are unable to participate this month, reply to this e-mail and opt out for the month (no later than Friday).

Our tentative schedule for the coming months is as follows:

* April – Lisa T. Bergren The Begotten (adult supernatural suspense)
* May – Mindflights (science fiction and fantasy webzine)
* June – Kathryn Mackel Vanished (adult supernatural suspense)
* July – Donita Paul, DragonLight (fantasy)

Becky

What a great job you participants did for Andrew Peterson’s tour last month. Thank you!

Well, I’m on the warpath again. LOL It seems to happen after I’ve heard from industry insiders that fantasy is a hard sell (see “A Market for SF/Fantasy” posted at Forensics and Faith: http://forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com/2008/04/market-for-science-fictionfantasy.html#links ).

On Monday I gave a challenge at Speculative Faith, in hopes of stirring up more grassroots evidence that there are readers who want Christian speculative fiction. After all, I know some editors do visit that blog.

The challenge is this: tell ten people, via email or in person, about three Christian speculative titles you enjoy, then leave a comment at http://specfaith.ritersbloc.com/2008/03/31/good-news-bad-news-from-mount-hermon.aspx#Comment

It dawned on me that with a group the size of CSFF, over a hundred people, that would mean, if we all participated, we would be telling a thousand readers. That’s pretty impressive!

So what do you think? Want to play? I’ll look for your comment over at Spec Faith.

Becky

Tour Participants,

Happy Easter! Christ is risen, risen indeed! What wonderful hope we have because of Jesus.

And what a privilege to band together with others to support a genre and writers showing Good winning out over evil.

Our March tour for Andrew Peterson’s On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, first in the Wingfeather Saga, begins Monday and runs through Wednesday, March 24-26.

Here are the links you’ll need (the asterisk indicates those that are required).

*Featured book, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073847

Featured author, Andrew Peterson
Web site - http://andrew-peterson.com/
Author moderated blog - http://www.rabbitroom.com/

*Participants’ Links - March Tour Text Links:

<a href=”http://paraklesis.com/childrens_publishing_news/“> Sally Apokedak</a>
<a href=”http://www.christiansciencefiction.blogspot.com“> Brandon Barr</a>
<a href=”http://jimfictionreview.blogspot.com/“> Jim Black</a>
<a href=”http://fantastyfreak.blogspot.com/“> Justin Boyer</a>
<a href=”http://www.journeyintograce.blogspot.com“> Jackie Castle</a>
<a href=”http://invalslittleworld.blogspot.com/“> Valerie Comer</a>
<a href=”http://csffblogtour.com/“> CSFF Blog Tour</a>
<a href=”http://www.genecurtis.com/Blog“> Gene Curtis</a>
<a href=”http://www.scificatholic.com/“> D. G. D. Davidson</a>
<a href=”http://janey-demeo.blogspot.com/“> Janey DeMeo</a>
<a href=”http://scriptoriusrex.blogspot.com/“> Jeff Draper</a>
<a href=”http://projectinga.blogspot.com/“> April Erwin</a>
<a href=”http://bethgoddard.blogspot.com/“> Beth Goddard </a>
<a href=”http://www.goodwordediting.com/“> Marcus Goodyear</a>
<a href=”http://anewnovelistsjourney.blogspot.com“> Todd Green</a>
<a href=”http://cwahmjill.blogspot.com/“>  Jill Hart</a>
<a href=”http://writingchristiannovels.blogspot.com/“> Katie Hart</a>
<a href=”http://michael-a-heald.blogspot.com//“> Michael Heald</a>
<a href=”http://fantasythyme.blogspot.com“> Timothy Hicks</a>
<a href=”http://www.christopherhopper.com“> Christopher Hopper</a>
<a href=”http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/“> Jason Joyner</a>
<a href=”http://www.struggleandemerge.com/blog/“> Kait</a>
<a href=”http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/“> Carol Keen</a>
<a href=”http://www.mikelynchbooks.blogspot.com“> Mike Lynch</a>
<a href=”http://cherryblossommj.blogspot.com“> Margaret</a>
<a href=”http://www.shadowofthewood.com/happenings/“> Rachel Marks</a>
<a href=”http://shenandoahdawn.blogspot.com/“> Shannon McNear</a>
<a href=”http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/“> Rebecca LuElla Miller</a>
<a href=”http://daysongreflections.com/“> Pamela Morrisson</a>
<a href=”http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/“> John W. Otte</a>
<a href=”http://deenasbooks.blogspot.com“> Deena Peterson</a>
<a href=”http://zyphe.blogspot.com/“> Rachelle</a>
<a href=”http://ansric.blogspot.com/“> Steve Rice</a>
<a href=”http://www.cherylrussellwrites.wordpress.com“> Cheryl Russel</a>
<a href=”http://godslightuponme.blogspot.com/“> Ashley Rutherford</a>
<a href=”http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/“> Chawna Schroeder</a>
<a href=”http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/“> James Somers</a>
<a href=”http://windfallow.wordpress.com“> Donna Swanson</a>
<a href=”http://christiansf.blogspot.com/“> Steve Trower</a>
<a href=”http://specfaith.ritersbloc.com/“> Speculative Faith</a>
<a href=”http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php“> Robert Treskillard</a>
<a href=”http://www.galacticoverlordinchief.blogspot.com/“> Jason Waguespac</a>
<a href=”http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com“> Laura Williams</a>
<a href=”http://emporiausa.net/Cafe%20Main%20Page.html“> Timothy Wise</a>

May you have a blessed Easter celebration. I look forward to reading your posts next week.

Becky

CSFF’ers,

Thanks for the great work in February. Again, your discussion of our feature generated some outstanding discussion and a favorable response from the publisher.

And now it’s nearly St. Patrick’s Day, with Easter not far behind. Can you believe it? The new year is hardly new any more.

Our March CSFF Blog Tour for Andrew Peterson’s On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, first in the Wingfeather Saga, begins a week from Monday, March 24, and runs through Wednesday, March 26. Yes, I’m sending this notice earlier than usual because I’ll be away at the Mount Hermon Writers Conference.

As always, if you choose to participate, you are encouraged but not required to post all three days. The content of your post is up to you with the exception of the required links—the Amazon link to the book, provided below, and the other participants’ links, to be provided no later than Saturday, March 22. Keep in mind, however, that you can grow your own blog traffic best if you offer content that has a unique slant.

As you know, visiting other blogs on the tour can stimulate community, networking, give and take about the book we’re featuring—so much—and I encourage you to set aside some time next week to stop by at least five other tour blogs, especially ones you haven’t visited before. Leaving a comment can also be an encouragement.

The link that you are required to post for On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073847 .

Optional links you may wish to include are Andrew’s Web site and blog (a team blog he moderates): http://andrew-peterson.com/ and http://www.rabbitroom.com/.

I plan to send the participant links no later than Saturday, March 22. Be sure to include these at least once in the body of your blog OR update your sidebar to show the March participants.

If you did not participate in February, featuring Chris Walley’s The Shadow and Night, you will need to opt in (no later than Friday, March 21) by replying to this e-mail with your name and blog address so that your link can be included with the other participants. (Note: mention in a previous email regarding your intention to participate does not alter your need to opt in).

If you participated in February but are unable to participate this month, reply to this e-mail and opt out for the month (no later than Friday, March 21.

Our tentative schedule for the coming months is as follows:

*   March – Andrew Peterson On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (Juvenile fantasy)
*   April – Lisa T. Bergren The Begotten (adult supernatural suspense)
*   May – Mindflights (science fiction and fantasy webzine – tentative)
*  June – Kathryn Mackel Vanished (adult supernatural suspense)
*  July – Donita Paul, DragonLight (fantasy – tentative)

Becky

Tour Participants,

Our February tour for Chris Walley’s The Shadow and Night begins Monday and runs through Wednesday, February 18-21. Post, discuss with others on the tour, and enjoy!

Here are the links you’ll need (the asterisk indicates those that are required).

*Featured book, The Shadow and Night - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414313276

Featured author, Chris Walley
Web site - http://www.chriswalley.net/
Author blog - http://chriswalley.blogspot.com/

*Participants’ Links:  TEXT DOC OF LINKS
<a href=”http://www.christiansciencefiction.blogspot.com“> Brandon Barr</a>
<a href=”http://jimfictionreview.blogspot.com/“> Jim Black</a>
<a href=”http://fantastyfreak.blogspot.com/“> Justin Boyer</a>
<a href=”http://gracebridges.blogspot.com“> Grace Bridges</a>
<a href=”http://www.journeyintograce.blogspot.com“> Jackie Castle</a>
<a href=”http://blog.carolbrucecollett.com/“> Carol Bruce Collett </a>
<a href=”http://invalslittleworld.blogspot.com/“> Valerie Comer</a>
<a href=”http://csffblogtour.com/“> CSFF Blog Tour</a>
<a href=”http://genecurtis.blogspot.com/“> Gene Curtis</a>
<a href=”http://www.scificatholic.com/“> D. G. D. Davidson</a>
<a href=”http://writeandwhine.blogspot.com/“> Chris Deanne</a>
<a href=”http://janey-demeo.blogspot.com/“> Janey DeMeo</a>
<a href=”http://scriptoriusrex.blogspot.com/“> Jeff Draper</a>
<a href=”http://projectinga.blogspot.com/“> April Erwin</a>
<a href=”http://www.goodwordediting.com/“> Marcus Goodyear</a>
<a href=”http://rebeccagrabill.blogspot.com“> Rebecca Grabill </a>
<a href=”http://cwahmjill.blogspot.com/“>  Jill Hart</a>
<a href=”http://writingchristiannovels.blogspot.com/“> Katie Hart</a>
<a href=”http://michael-a-heald.blogspot.com//“> Michael Heald</a>
<a href=”http://fantasythyme.blogspot.com“> Timothy Hicks</a>
<a href=”http://www.christopherhopper.com“> Christopher Hopper</a>
<a href=”http://www.viewfromstonewater.blogspot.com/“> Heather R. Hunt</a>
<a href=”http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/“> Jason Joyner</a>
<a href=”http://www.struggleandemerge.com/blog/“> Kait</a>
<a href=”http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/“> Carol Keen</a>
<a href=”http://www.mikelynchbooks.blogspot.com“> Mike Lynch</a>
<a href=”http://cherryblossommj.blogspot.com“> Margaret</a>
<a href=”http://www.shadowofthewood.com/happenings/“> Rachel Marks</a>
<a href=”http://shenandoahdawn.blogspot.com/“> Shannon McNear</a>
<a href=”http://forstrose.blogspot.com/“> Melissa Meeks</a>
<a href=”http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/“> Rebecca LuElla Miller</a>
<a href=”http://mirathon.blogspot.com/“> Mirtika</a> or  <a href=”http://mirtika.livejournal.com/“>  Mir’s Here</a>
<a href=”http://daysongreflections.com/“> Pamela Morrisson</a>
<a href=”http://questwriter.blogspot.com/“> Eve Nielsen</a>
<a href=”http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/“> John W. Otte</a>
<a href=”http://otter.covblogs.com/“> John Ottinger</a>
<a href=”http://deenasbooks.blogspot.com“> Deena Peterson</a>
<a href=”http://zyphe.blogspot.com/“> Rachelle</a>
<a href=”http://ansric.blogspot.com/“> Steve Rice</a>
<a href=”http://godslightuponme.blogspot.com/“> Ashley Rutherford</a>
<a href=”http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/“> Chawna Schroeder</a>
<a href=”http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/“> James Somers</a>
<a href=”http://www.landofmysojourn.net/journeyarchive-blog.html“> Rachelle Sperling</a>
<a href=”http://windfallow.wordpress.com“> Donna Swanson</a>
<a href=”http://christiansf.blogspot.com/“> Steve Trower</a>
<a href=”http://specfaith.ritersbloc.com/“> Speculative Faith</a>
<a href=”http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php“> Robert Treskillard</a>
<a href=”http://www.galacticoverlordinchief.blogspot.com/“> Jason Waguespac</a>
<a href=”http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com“> Laura Williams</a>
<a href=”http://emporiausa.net/Cafe%20Main%20Page.html“> Timothy Wise</a>

Becky

At long last, we’re ready to put together the next issue of Latest In Spec and would like to include your news specific to speculative fiction. You do not need to be a LIS subscriber to give us your information.

* Send your news to Rebecca LuElla Miller: rluellam at earthlink.net by Tuesday, February 19, 2008.

Follow the steps below:
1) Identify the category in which your news fits.
2) Provide all the necessary news in the correct format as shown in the example. Improper formatting may exclude your item from appearing. (Please be sure to give the EXACT LINK to a blog post).

Categories and examples:

Member Profile (CSFF or LGG)
Up to 250 words about you and your writing, along with a picture.

Favorite Bookstore
Example:
State
Store name
Address
URL (if available)

Author Appearances
Book Signings
Speaking Engagements
Teaching Engagements

Example:
Donita K. Paul:
Mardel Book Store
Littleton CO
April 7th, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Book Releases (include a book that will release within the next 3 months—building pre-release buzz is important)
Example:
The Restorer by Sharon Hinck
NavPress (May, 2007)
A soccer mom stumbles into an alternate world waiting for a promised Restorer. (limit hook to 15 words or less)

Contract News
Example:
Bryan Davis with Zondervan, a three book deal
Untitled contemporary fantasy
Spring 2008

Reviews (ones you have done; ones featuring your book)
Example:
Return of the Guardian King by Karen Hancock - Bethany House (April 1, 2007)
Rebecca LuElla Miller at A Christian Worldview of Fiction
Exact Link

Interviews (ones you’ve conducted; ones featuring you)
Example:
George Bryan Polivka by Rebecca LuElla Miller at Speculative Faith,
Exact Link

What’s on the Web (new web site or new section; genre blog information you wish to announce)
Example:
Lost Genre Guild: Shoutlife: forums, podcasts and live-chat.
Exact Link

Contests
Example:
Dragons, Knights & Angels Annual Fiction Contest
First Prize: $60.00 plus publication online and in print and a bonus prize
$5.00 Entry Fee. Electronic submission
Deadline: April 10, 2007
Contest details at: Exact Link

Awards
Example:
Waiting For Appa by Mirta Ana Schultz
Winner of The Sword Review Annual Fiction Contest
Exact Link

Podcasts or Web chats
Example:
Author Virginia Lori Jennings’ Live Web Events
Jo Linsdell’s live chat, with guest speaker Virginia Lori Jennings
Sat. May 26, 6:00 pm (CET)
Exact Link

And-Then-There-Is-This (Miscellaneous)
Example:
Suspense Technique Challenge by Wayne Thomas Batson: Show off your writing chops and hone your craft.
Exact Link

Happy Valentine’s Day, CSFF’ers,

Becky

What a great tour we had in January. From WaterBrook publicist, Kelly Blewett: “thanks for an amazing tour of Jeff Overstreet! I know he thoroughly enjoyed it, and the participation was awesome. Yay!!”

Becky