The Collaboration Called You
I have a friend. We’ve been through a lot together, both good and bad, and have the scars to show for it. Now this friend, he’s an artist and spends extended amounts of time in solitude creating his art. He’s quite good and, generally speaking, has the confidence to match.
But a few times a year, as we talk about the creative process and what it’s like to work through it, one of us will slide off into a funk that usually begins with the words, “I feel lost and can’t seem to figure out what comes next. My art is trash, I don’t have what it takes, so maybe it’s time to just call it quits and see what’s on TV.”
We had this conversation recently. It was his turn to slide. Normally I listen, offer a word of encouragement, and try to pat him on the back as a way of saying everything’s gonna be all right. But as we talked it dawned on me what was really going on. My friend had lost sight of who he was because no one was there to remind him. Continue Reading
AYTNTD Update
OK, so I know there are lots of people out there ready to hunt me down. You’ve turned in your submission for the AYTNTD and have been waiting patiently by your computer wondering, “Did Kaiser read it? Why haven’t we heard anything? Has he been abducted and brainwashed? Assassinated by the CIA?” Well, the answers my friends are yes, because, no (I don’t think, but how would I really know?), and not yet.
Believe it or not, I am just now finishing up the last of the submissions this week. It’s taken me almost two months to get through them since I decided to read them all personally. Originally, my plan was to solicit the help of some colleagues and spread the work around. That felt too Wal-Mart-ish to me. You deserve better so I have read each one. Every. Word. And there are a lot of them, which is impressive. Impressive on your count, not that I read them. It’s exciting to see so many writers who are developing their craft patiently and consistently. I feel honored that you were willing to share your work with me. Seriously.
Where to from here? Well, I’m going to post the results on Monday. I know, I know—more waiting? It’ll be worth it. There isn’t time or space to give detailed feedback on individual submissions, but there are several comments I can make that apply across the board. I’ll outline the hits and misses that I came across and share how to tighten up your submission and focus your writing a bit more. Fair enough?
So, keep an eye out on Monday.Oh, and to the guy who put up a tent in the woods behind my house (yeah I’m talking to you). You can go home now. Even if your manuscript was awesome I just can’t represent a stalker in good conscience. It’s just–weird. Besides, I think my neighbor’s considering shooting at you.
Tea With Hezbollah Webcast
We’re experimenting with something this month with the release of Tea with Hezbollah, the travelogue Ted Dekker wrote with Middle East expert Carl Medearis.
On January 28th, David Beasley with the Center for Global Strategies, Ted, and Carl will be hosting alive webcast called “Why Do You Fear Me?” They’ll be tackling the big questions that most people have about the Middle East, as well as the misconceptions most of us have about it as Westerners (and, specifically, Westerners of a Christian tradition). I read this book in manuscript form last year. When I opened it I had one, admittedly one-dimensional, view of the region and the controversy that swirls about Israel, the Palestine state, and the West Bank. When I closed the book I had a completely different take on it.
This really is a book that every Westerner should read to get a better grip on the Middle East.
But, back to this webcast. You can access it for free when you buy the book through Bookschristian.com. They’re offering the book for roughly the same price as Amazon, but you can also get access to the webcast ($12.97 on its own). It’s a good deal, and I think well worth it if you plan on buying the book anyway. Check out the offer HERE. Hope you can join in. The book and webcast just might change everything you think you know or believe about the Middle East and loving your enemies.
Burn Book Trailer
As most of you may already know, the New Year brings with it several new Dekker titles and the first one out of the gates is Burn, a book that was co-authored with Erin Healy who also penned Kiss which came out last January. Take a look at the book’s trailer, which was done by uber-talented designer, and good friend, Mike Heath. If you haven’t already picked it up, be sure to add this book to your reading list. And be sure to watch for Erin’s debut solo novel, Never Let You Go, which comes out in May. Very talented writer who has a long career in front of her.
2010 Gathering Update
Yep, it’s coming. I just hit SEND on this email announcement. Watch for more to come later this week.
Since the 2009 Gathering in Nashville you’ve flooded us with emails asking when and where the 2010 event will be. You’ve also given us great feedback on how to make the Gathering accessible to more people.
Well, we’ve run with those ideas and today we’re happy to announce that there will be not one, but two Gathering events in 2010, both on weekends:
Chicago, IL (4/17/2010) AND Dallas, TX (4/24/2010)
We’re calling the events Gathering 2.0 and they will be different than previous years. How? For one, they will be much less expensive. Less than the cost of a hardcover novel ($25). But, what that means is the event won’t be about dancers, performers, lights, and fog machines. It’ll be about Ted connecting with you and you connecting with each other. Each one will be several hours of Q&A with Ted with a few surprises thrown in. Think of it as a backstage event. You drive to the event in the morning, spend a few hours in the Circle, finish off with a book signing, and go home that same night.
The KICKER? Every attendee will receive a hardcover of Ted’s thriller The Bride Collector (which releases that same week) at the book signing. No additional charge.
Details are being finalized now for ticketing, venue, and times, but we hope to have those wrapped up before Christmas. A perfect stocking stuffer, maybe.
As soon as we have final information we will email everyone and also make it available on Teddekker.com, Facebook.com/teddekker, and Twitter.com/teddekker.
More to come very soon!
2010 Gathering + Book Tour
We’ve been working for several months now to lock down what exactly the Gathering will look like in 2010. Well, we’ve got it figured out and will be making an announcement this week about it. I’m excited because there will be not one, but TWO Gatherings in 2010.
You read that right. Now, I can’t spoil the surprise by spilling the beans on the when, where, and what just yet. You’ll have to wait until we send the email out. What I can tell you is that it will be stripped down, more intimate, and will be a fraction the 2009 Gathering. So, watch your inbox, the website, and Facebook for that announcement. It’s coming this week.
We’ve also locked down 9 cities that will be a part of a spring book tour to promote Ted’s upcoming thriller The Bride Collector. Dates and locations will also be coming your way in the next week or two. It will be a whirlwind trip and I’m already cooking up some ideas to give everyone an all access pass along the way. More to come, I promise.
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