To my readers out there, may you have the happiest of holidays! To those celebrating Christmas like me, may the joy of Christ meet you where you are. To those celebrating Hanukkuh, may the true, prophetic meaning of the shamash servant candle unfold in your lives. And a happy new year to all.
For the first time in my life, my family--the nuclear unit of it--will be separated this year. Crazy to think about it. We've been blessed to spend so many Christmases together, a blessing with which many families had to part ways years ago. But we'll hunker down and keep it more intimate this year!
Looking forward to a new year filled with fresh opportunities. I'm plugging away on blog tour preparations this week, which will occur around the February 10 release of Between These Walls. Speaking of that new novel, a new advance review has just appeared from a Christian blogger. You can find it here: http://tinyurl.com/mg88646
With each crack at a novel, if you give it your best, you can sense yourself grow as a writer. I believe Between These Walls is my strongest work to date. I'm so excited to share it with you!
What are your holiday plans? May you find joy, peace and prosperity in the days and year ahead.
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
facebook.com/johnherrickbooks
@johnherrick
Today's Playlist:
First Christmas by Bebe and Cece Winans
The Andy Williams Christmas Album by Andy Williams
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Monday, November 24, 2014
Between These Walls Press Release and Facebook Like Page
For bloggers, media or anyone else seeking the official press release for Between These Walls, here is the full URL to the PDF on my website: http://www.johnherrick.net/news/BetweenTheseWalls-PressRelease.pdf
Here's the Like-able page for the book on Facebook for those interested: http://tinyurl.com/k8ykrn3
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
facebook.com/johnherrickbooks
@johnherrick
Today's Playlist: Number One Hits by Tim McGraw
Here's the Like-able page for the book on Facebook for those interested: http://tinyurl.com/k8ykrn3
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
facebook.com/johnherrickbooks
@johnherrick
Today's Playlist: Number One Hits by Tim McGraw
Monday, November 10, 2014
Why I Wrote Between These Walls
Many readers will wonder why I chose to write Between These Walls. As an author, I believe you need to follow your heart and do what God plants in you to do. Several factors came into play. Perhaps the simplest way to shed light on the why-behind-the-what is to use the Author's Note from the opening pages of the new novel. I've provided the full text below.
More book details—including that Author's Note—at my website.
Love you all. Thanks for reading and for the kind words!
***
Author's Note — Between These Walls
Readers ask why I choose particular storylines for my novels. Many stories are worth telling, but I’ve discovered the best stories result from characters who come to me when I’m not looking for them.
Such was the case with Hunter Carlisle and Between These Walls.
Early in 2011, I had almost wrapped up the first draft of my third novel. One afternoon, when I went for a walk, a character arose within me: a middle-school kid who was a Christian but harbored an attraction to the same gender. I pondered facets of this character’s circumstances as I walked. His fears, his feelings of guilt, the hits to his self-esteem—everything about his struggle grabbed my heart.
At that point, I wouldn’t have had the courage to write a book about him. But when characters arise from within, I believe it is God’s way of telling me individuals share the character’s struggle and need a book written for them right now. A novel about homosexuality, however, would test the boundaries of my comfort zone. Though I hate to admit it, I worried about what others might think. So I tucked the idea, safe and silent, in the back of my brain.
But as the ancient prophet Jonah discovered, you can’t hide from God. He’ll find you.
One year later, the concept remained unexplored—until a feature story caught my attention on the television news. The nationally syndicated story revolved around the plight of a high school student on the verge of suicide. This student, about fifteen years old, had endured a continual onslaught of bullying.
The bullying occurred for one reason: The kid was gay.
After enduring all the emotional damage he could handle, this kid reached his breaking point. Desperate and exhausted, wrought with pain, he posted a video online. Too hurt to speak—I imagine the bullying included poking fun at the way he spoke—the kid had written his words in black marker on sheets of paper. So here sat a blond-haired kid who looked like an average high school freshman, wiping tears from his eyes, making a desperate plea for somebody to hear him, for someone to care … for someone to offer him hope.
My heart broke for him. I know nothing about that student. The reporter didn’t mention his name. She didn’t mention his city or state. I don’t even know if he’s still alive. But I couldn’t erase the sight from my memory.
Anger arose in me. My immediate gut response was, Never again. Not on my watch. Not if I can help it.
Allow me to explain: A close family member of mine ended his life at sixteen years old. I was thirteen at the time. If you’ve never experienced such an event, trust me when I say it changes you forever. It changes your perception of life and people. From that point on, you view life with the awareness that many people appear happy but live in pain. You look into some people’s eyes and wonder if their happiness is a charade. You wonder which individuals feel they don’t matter. While others might assume few individuals consider suicide, you know better.
As I pondered the news story about that high school student, I thought, Nobody that age should know what it’s like to feel that kind of pain.
Never again. Not on my watch.
At that point, I knew I needed to pursue the book topic and pursue it immediately. So my third novel, still in its first draft, returned to the back burner, where it has resided off and on for eight years. I began work on my fourth novel, Between These Walls, which you now hold in your hands.
My novels aren’t geared toward the Young Adult genre, and I wanted to make the book accessible to as many individuals as possible. So I took my initial character idea—the middle-school kid—and doubled his age, which brought him into early adulthood. To capture the struggles and vulnerability of his teenage years, I could weave some of his memories into the fabric of the story.
I don’t have quantitative data to back up my hunch, but I’ve long believed more people deal with same-sex attraction than we assume. I believe many simply hide it well or have a simultaneous attraction to the opposite gender, which enables them to live a “typical” life without raising suspicions. Therefore, I constructed Hunter as a character who finds himself attracted to both genders—technically, a bisexual male—with a stronger attraction toward males. This characteristic would allow him to remain in hiding for years. In fact, I chose the name Hunter to call to mind a hunter-gatherer image, the classic male stereotype—and the last place we might expect to find a gay male. His name symbolizes his attributes and interests, yet belies his deepest secret.
Regardless of whether the reader has experienced Hunter’s battles, I attempted to tell his story in such a manner that the reader can find points of commonality with him. So, as a reader, you might not have experienced homosexual feelings, but you might hold another secret that torments you. A dark secret you never want revealed. You might relate to Hunter’s fears or guilt. In that respect, perhaps Hunter’s story is your story, too.
Between These Walls is not a political statement or a judgment of church bodies. It is not an attempt to interpret Scripture or resolve an argument. My purpose was to put the reader into the shoes of one character, to experience his emotions and inner fire—a story behind the story.
As you read this novel, I hope you know you are loved.
***
For the media: Publicity campaign begins November 18. Publicist: Maryglenn McCombs, Nashville, TN.
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
facebook.com/JohnHerrickBooks
@JohnHerrick
Today's Playlist: "He Knows My Name" by Francesca Battistelli
More book details—including that Author's Note—at my website.
Love you all. Thanks for reading and for the kind words!
***
Author's Note — Between These Walls
Readers ask why I choose particular storylines for my novels. Many stories are worth telling, but I’ve discovered the best stories result from characters who come to me when I’m not looking for them.
Such was the case with Hunter Carlisle and Between These Walls.
Early in 2011, I had almost wrapped up the first draft of my third novel. One afternoon, when I went for a walk, a character arose within me: a middle-school kid who was a Christian but harbored an attraction to the same gender. I pondered facets of this character’s circumstances as I walked. His fears, his feelings of guilt, the hits to his self-esteem—everything about his struggle grabbed my heart.
At that point, I wouldn’t have had the courage to write a book about him. But when characters arise from within, I believe it is God’s way of telling me individuals share the character’s struggle and need a book written for them right now. A novel about homosexuality, however, would test the boundaries of my comfort zone. Though I hate to admit it, I worried about what others might think. So I tucked the idea, safe and silent, in the back of my brain.
But as the ancient prophet Jonah discovered, you can’t hide from God. He’ll find you.
One year later, the concept remained unexplored—until a feature story caught my attention on the television news. The nationally syndicated story revolved around the plight of a high school student on the verge of suicide. This student, about fifteen years old, had endured a continual onslaught of bullying.
The bullying occurred for one reason: The kid was gay.
After enduring all the emotional damage he could handle, this kid reached his breaking point. Desperate and exhausted, wrought with pain, he posted a video online. Too hurt to speak—I imagine the bullying included poking fun at the way he spoke—the kid had written his words in black marker on sheets of paper. So here sat a blond-haired kid who looked like an average high school freshman, wiping tears from his eyes, making a desperate plea for somebody to hear him, for someone to care … for someone to offer him hope.
My heart broke for him. I know nothing about that student. The reporter didn’t mention his name. She didn’t mention his city or state. I don’t even know if he’s still alive. But I couldn’t erase the sight from my memory.
Anger arose in me. My immediate gut response was, Never again. Not on my watch. Not if I can help it.
Allow me to explain: A close family member of mine ended his life at sixteen years old. I was thirteen at the time. If you’ve never experienced such an event, trust me when I say it changes you forever. It changes your perception of life and people. From that point on, you view life with the awareness that many people appear happy but live in pain. You look into some people’s eyes and wonder if their happiness is a charade. You wonder which individuals feel they don’t matter. While others might assume few individuals consider suicide, you know better.
As I pondered the news story about that high school student, I thought, Nobody that age should know what it’s like to feel that kind of pain.
Never again. Not on my watch.
At that point, I knew I needed to pursue the book topic and pursue it immediately. So my third novel, still in its first draft, returned to the back burner, where it has resided off and on for eight years. I began work on my fourth novel, Between These Walls, which you now hold in your hands.
My novels aren’t geared toward the Young Adult genre, and I wanted to make the book accessible to as many individuals as possible. So I took my initial character idea—the middle-school kid—and doubled his age, which brought him into early adulthood. To capture the struggles and vulnerability of his teenage years, I could weave some of his memories into the fabric of the story.
I don’t have quantitative data to back up my hunch, but I’ve long believed more people deal with same-sex attraction than we assume. I believe many simply hide it well or have a simultaneous attraction to the opposite gender, which enables them to live a “typical” life without raising suspicions. Therefore, I constructed Hunter as a character who finds himself attracted to both genders—technically, a bisexual male—with a stronger attraction toward males. This characteristic would allow him to remain in hiding for years. In fact, I chose the name Hunter to call to mind a hunter-gatherer image, the classic male stereotype—and the last place we might expect to find a gay male. His name symbolizes his attributes and interests, yet belies his deepest secret.
Regardless of whether the reader has experienced Hunter’s battles, I attempted to tell his story in such a manner that the reader can find points of commonality with him. So, as a reader, you might not have experienced homosexual feelings, but you might hold another secret that torments you. A dark secret you never want revealed. You might relate to Hunter’s fears or guilt. In that respect, perhaps Hunter’s story is your story, too.
Between These Walls is not a political statement or a judgment of church bodies. It is not an attempt to interpret Scripture or resolve an argument. My purpose was to put the reader into the shoes of one character, to experience his emotions and inner fire—a story behind the story.
As you read this novel, I hope you know you are loved.
***
For the media: Publicity campaign begins November 18. Publicist: Maryglenn McCombs, Nashville, TN.
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
facebook.com/JohnHerrickBooks
@JohnHerrick
Today's Playlist: "He Knows My Name" by Francesca Battistelli
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Between These Walls - Book Description Unveiled
After keeping Between These Walls on lockdown for three years, I'm excited to unveil its official description. The new novel hits retail outlets on February 10, 2015:
***
***
Hunter is a
Christian. Hunter is the man next door.
Hunter Carlisle is
gay.
At 26 years old, Hunter Carlisle has a successful sales
career, a devoted girlfriend, and rock-solid faith. He also guards a secret torment:
an attraction to other men. When a career plunge causes muscle tension, Hunter
seeks relief through Gabe Hellman, a handsome massage therapist. What begins as
friendship takes a sudden turn and forces the two friends to reconsider the
boundaries of attraction. Along the road to self-discovery, Hunter’s secret is
exposed to the community. Now Hunter must face the demons of his past and
confront his long-held fears about reputation, sexual identity, and matters of
soul.
A story of faith, fire and restoration, Between These Walls braves the
crossroads of love and religion to question who we are and who we will become.
***
More book details at my website.
Reading the description, many of you might understand while I kept the book under wraps for so long. As with a previous novel, From The Dead, I expect some readers will understand the book. For others, Between These Walls won't settle very well. But it's a book I believe God entrusted to me to write, and when that happens, you need to follow that direction. The Bible says, "The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in GOD protects you from that" (Proverbs 29:25 MSG).
That doesn't answer people's questions about why I chose to write this particular book. So next week, I'll post the Author's Note from Between These Walls. That text appears at the beginning of the book and explains the why behind the what. Stay tuned!
Thank you, readers, for waiting since 2012 for the new novel. I've made a lot of new friends along the way. Love you all.
Note for members of the media: Publicity campaign begins November 18. Publicist: Maryglenn McCombs, Nashville, TN.
Never give up!
John Herrick
Today's Playlist: Night Visions by Imagine Dragons
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
New Book Cover Unveiled
I'm so excited to unveil the book cover for my new novel, Between These Walls, which hits shelves on February 10, 2015:
Book details are forthcoming. For those who like to preorder books so they can receive them on the release date, retailers will begin offering that availability around November/December.
In the meantime, the nonfiction 8 Reasons Your Life Matters is available as a free e-book on Amazon and other retail sites.
Thanks for all the messages sent through my website. Knowing the books encourage you is an encouragement to me as well. Love you all!
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
facebook.com/johnherrickbooks
@JohnHerrick
Today's Playlist: Night Visions by Imagine Dragons
Book details are forthcoming. For those who like to preorder books so they can receive them on the release date, retailers will begin offering that availability around November/December.
In the meantime, the nonfiction 8 Reasons Your Life Matters is available as a free e-book on Amazon and other retail sites.
Thanks for all the messages sent through my website. Knowing the books encourage you is an encouragement to me as well. Love you all!
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
facebook.com/johnherrickbooks
@JohnHerrick
Today's Playlist: Night Visions by Imagine Dragons
Friday, October 17, 2014
Between These Walls - Street Date February 10
Here's the banner showing up on my Facebook page and other spots. Very excited!
At long last, I finally set up an honest-to-goodness, like-able Facebook page. Here's the full, non-tiny URL: facebook.com/johnherrickbooks
Love you guys.
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
facebook.com/johnherrickbooks
Twitter: @johnherrick
Monday, July 21, 2014
Baby Nephew Born
Uncle John is gonna brag about his baby nephew born a few hours ago! Welcome to the family, little buddy!
Today's Playlist: JOY-FM
Never give up!
John Herrick
Today's Playlist: JOY-FM
Friday, July 18, 2014
Blog Reviewers Wanted!
Hey there, bloggers! My next novel, Between These Walls, is scheduled to hit shelves early 2015. The tone and storyline will be along the lines of my first book, From The Dead, but the subject matter will be different. I need to keep the book's premise under wraps until down the road. But here's some general info: The main character is a Christian who struggles in a way Christians generally don't like to talk about. So it has a heavy faith element. It's mainstream fiction with potential Christian reader crossover, but it is NOT Christian fiction or an attempt to proselytize. As a mainstream novel, it does contain some adult content and profanity. So some Christians will enjoy the book, others will be angry. Probably the same goes for non-Christians!
Currently, I'm doing preliminary marketing research to locate book review bloggers. Word of mouth among that crowd spreads like wildfire!
If you're a book blogger and think you might be interested in reading and reviewing Between These Walls (based on the little I've told you!), feel free to get in touch with me directly.
You can get in touch through my website Contact form, my Facebook account, a reply to this post, or however you feel comfortable. We'll figure it out. I just don't want to post my personal email address online for the spammers. :-) Thanks so much! Looking forward to hearing from you. You're appreciated for the time you take to read and review these books and are NOT taken for granted.
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
Today's Playlist: Astronaut by Kip Fox
Currently, I'm doing preliminary marketing research to locate book review bloggers. Word of mouth among that crowd spreads like wildfire!
If you're a book blogger and think you might be interested in reading and reviewing Between These Walls (based on the little I've told you!), feel free to get in touch with me directly.
You can get in touch through my website Contact form, my Facebook account, a reply to this post, or however you feel comfortable. We'll figure it out. I just don't want to post my personal email address online for the spammers. :-) Thanks so much! Looking forward to hearing from you. You're appreciated for the time you take to read and review these books and are NOT taken for granted.
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
Today's Playlist: Astronaut by Kip Fox
Saturday, June 28, 2014
NEWS | New Novel Title
Early Thursday morning, I finished the final revision for the latest novel! The manuscript is now done, done, DONE.
No better time to announce the novel's title: Between These Walls.
Barring any unforeseen changes, the book is scheduled to hit shelves in winter 2015, around the February timeframe. Details will be released down the road, closer to the shelf date. As even my family can tell you, this manuscript—right down to its premise—has been on total lockdown. The concept came to me three years ago. I started developing the story a year later. That's how long the secret has remained intact, except for a couple of individuals who were key in its coming to life, of course. Once the story's premise comes forth, many people will understand why I've held it back.
I'm totally old school with how I track some things. I grab a napkin or paper, write a note, and it becomes my official log because I fail to take the time to organize it. If you want to know just how old-school this writer's mind works, here's a look at my ratty paper showing revision page progress:
Pretty sad, huh? It hit the trash can this morning. The photo above was BEFORE crumpling it up for the wastebasket. On second thought, maybe I should've auctioned it... ;-)
Meanwhile, what a thrill to hear from so many of you who have read 8 Reasons Your Life Matters! The e-book is on the verge of crossing the 100,000 downloads mark. Recently, a consultant decided to incorporate the paperback into her program package. Both were unexpected and amazing to see happen. It was just a little side project intended to perhaps encourage a few people out there.
What's new with you? I hope you're enjoying your summer.
Love you all. Have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for allowing my books into your lives. Feel free to message me on my website's Contact page. Feel free to friend me on Facebook—the icon is at the upper corner of my website.
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
Today's playlist: August and Everything After by Counting Crows
No better time to announce the novel's title: Between These Walls.
Barring any unforeseen changes, the book is scheduled to hit shelves in winter 2015, around the February timeframe. Details will be released down the road, closer to the shelf date. As even my family can tell you, this manuscript—right down to its premise—has been on total lockdown. The concept came to me three years ago. I started developing the story a year later. That's how long the secret has remained intact, except for a couple of individuals who were key in its coming to life, of course. Once the story's premise comes forth, many people will understand why I've held it back.
I'm totally old school with how I track some things. I grab a napkin or paper, write a note, and it becomes my official log because I fail to take the time to organize it. If you want to know just how old-school this writer's mind works, here's a look at my ratty paper showing revision page progress:
Pretty sad, huh? It hit the trash can this morning. The photo above was BEFORE crumpling it up for the wastebasket. On second thought, maybe I should've auctioned it... ;-)
Meanwhile, what a thrill to hear from so many of you who have read 8 Reasons Your Life Matters! The e-book is on the verge of crossing the 100,000 downloads mark. Recently, a consultant decided to incorporate the paperback into her program package. Both were unexpected and amazing to see happen. It was just a little side project intended to perhaps encourage a few people out there.
What's new with you? I hope you're enjoying your summer.
Love you all. Have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for allowing my books into your lives. Feel free to message me on my website's Contact page. Feel free to friend me on Facebook—the icon is at the upper corner of my website.
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
Today's playlist: August and Everything After by Counting Crows
Sunday, April 13, 2014
NEWS | 8 Reasons Paperback Now Available
For those who have asked about a hard-copy version of 8 Reasons Your Life Matters, I'm excited to say the book is available NOW as a trade paperback! Distribution is making its way to retailers one by one.
The paperback is already available at Amazon. Here's it's product page: http://tinyurl.com/og92xre
The list price is $5.95, as close as possible to being free for readers. Several people have mentioned wanting to use it for a Bible study, so it should be affordable for that purpose too. (And it's the type of price where, if you're a few dollars short of the free shipping minimum on Amazon, it's enough to push you past the tipping point. I kinda think that's cool!)
The e-book version will continue as a free resource on retail sites and my website. The PDF version is still available for free on my website if you wish to print it out. The book was intended to be a free gift to encourage anyone who might need it, so I don't mind if you exercise either of those options. It will continue to be free in those formats as long as it doesn't conflict with any publishing or distribution arrangements, which as of today, it still does not.
Thanks for everyone who has let me know God has used the book in your life. It has encouraged me these past months. God has a purpose for you. You were not an accident. God bless!
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
Today's Playlist:
Shake Heaven by Montell Jordan & Victory World Music
Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship
The paperback is already available at Amazon. Here's it's product page: http://tinyurl.com/og92xre
The list price is $5.95, as close as possible to being free for readers. Several people have mentioned wanting to use it for a Bible study, so it should be affordable for that purpose too. (And it's the type of price where, if you're a few dollars short of the free shipping minimum on Amazon, it's enough to push you past the tipping point. I kinda think that's cool!)
The e-book version will continue as a free resource on retail sites and my website. The PDF version is still available for free on my website if you wish to print it out. The book was intended to be a free gift to encourage anyone who might need it, so I don't mind if you exercise either of those options. It will continue to be free in those formats as long as it doesn't conflict with any publishing or distribution arrangements, which as of today, it still does not.
Thanks for everyone who has let me know God has used the book in your life. It has encouraged me these past months. God has a purpose for you. You were not an accident. God bless!
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
Today's Playlist:
Shake Heaven by Montell Jordan & Victory World Music
Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
NEWS | 8 Reasons Paperback Coming in April
For those who have asked, I have great news: 8 Reasons Your Life Matters will be available in trade paperback next month, April 2014!
The e-book will remain free. Because printed books involve a cost factor, the paperback will not be free, but will be available at a list price of $5.95 and about 100 pages in length. That means the paperback is priced to cover costs, not make a profit. So my goal as a writer for 8 Reasons remains intact: to get the book into as many readers' hands as possible as an encouragement. I'll share more details as I have them.
In exciting news last week, after lingering at the #2 spot since January, 8 Reasons finally hit #1 on Amazon's (free) Motivational Self-Help list. It has spent #1 on Amazon's Christian Inspiration list, bouncing in and out of that spot, since January. And even more amazing, it also reached Amazon's #1 spot on lists in the U.K., Australia, and India. In India, it was the #1 book for the entire Christianity category back in February. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, READERS!
So God did some crazy stuff beyond what I ever imagined. I've been blessed to hear from readers in the U.S. and Canada, and as far away as Australia and South Africa. Thank you all for contacting me and sharing about your lives, letting me know the book made a difference. I don't take those messages for granted because I know the kind of courage it takes to share your heart. God bless.
What's going on in your life? Hope and pray all is well for you and that some things happen beyond all that you ask or think in the days and years ahead.
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
Today's playlist: Love, Marriage & Divorce by Toni Braxton/Babyface; You Are My World by Hillsong
The e-book will remain free. Because printed books involve a cost factor, the paperback will not be free, but will be available at a list price of $5.95 and about 100 pages in length. That means the paperback is priced to cover costs, not make a profit. So my goal as a writer for 8 Reasons remains intact: to get the book into as many readers' hands as possible as an encouragement. I'll share more details as I have them.
In exciting news last week, after lingering at the #2 spot since January, 8 Reasons finally hit #1 on Amazon's (free) Motivational Self-Help list. It has spent #1 on Amazon's Christian Inspiration list, bouncing in and out of that spot, since January. And even more amazing, it also reached Amazon's #1 spot on lists in the U.K., Australia, and India. In India, it was the #1 book for the entire Christianity category back in February. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, READERS!
So God did some crazy stuff beyond what I ever imagined. I've been blessed to hear from readers in the U.S. and Canada, and as far away as Australia and South Africa. Thank you all for contacting me and sharing about your lives, letting me know the book made a difference. I don't take those messages for granted because I know the kind of courage it takes to share your heart. God bless.
What's going on in your life? Hope and pray all is well for you and that some things happen beyond all that you ask or think in the days and years ahead.
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
Today's playlist: Love, Marriage & Divorce by Toni Braxton/Babyface; You Are My World by Hillsong
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
8 Reasons Hits Amazon #1 Spot
It's a thrill to announce that my free ebook 8 Reasons Your Life Matters officially hit the #1 spot on Amazon's Christian Inspiration (free) bestseller list for Kindle today! It also hit #2 on Amazon's mainstream Motivational Self-Help bestseller list, a position at which the book has bounced in and out for the last month or so. It's an honor, and I hope that position represents people who have received encouragement from the words in the book. Thank you to all who have spent time with the book.
I've begun the revision process for the fourth novel, which is expected to be the third novel to hit shelves. It has turned out to be a cleaner first draft than my first couple of novels. It's cool to see that you've grown as a writer. In truth, after several years spent revising your work—books and otherwise—you develop a sharper eye while writing your first draft. Aware of things to look for and past areas of weakness, I tend to edit myself as I write that first draft. That can lengthen your draft process, but it means less revision later on.
Do I have a title? Off the record: Yes, I've had a title since day one. On the record: No, I don't have a title until the book is complete. (Read into the paranoia however you choose!)
I hope your new year is going well and pray 2014 is full of joy for you and me. Cheering you on. Love you guys.
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
Today's Playlist: 10 by Mercy Me
I've begun the revision process for the fourth novel, which is expected to be the third novel to hit shelves. It has turned out to be a cleaner first draft than my first couple of novels. It's cool to see that you've grown as a writer. In truth, after several years spent revising your work—books and otherwise—you develop a sharper eye while writing your first draft. Aware of things to look for and past areas of weakness, I tend to edit myself as I write that first draft. That can lengthen your draft process, but it means less revision later on.
Do I have a title? Off the record: Yes, I've had a title since day one. On the record: No, I don't have a title until the book is complete. (Read into the paranoia however you choose!)
I hope your new year is going well and pray 2014 is full of joy for you and me. Cheering you on. Love you guys.
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
Today's Playlist: 10 by Mercy Me
Monday, January 6, 2014
Fourth Novel Done
As it turns out, there are advantages to getting snowed in. I just finished the fourth novel a few minutes ago—the first draft, anyway! Very pleased with how it turned out. It clocked in at 434 pages and a total of 113,249 words, which is also my longest by far. That said, the prologue no longer seems to fit, so that's 8 pages that will probably get nixed during the revision process. The book should hit shelves next year.
On the e-book front, the response to the free nonfiction book 8 Reasons Your Life Matters is beyond what I imagined. About 30,000 copies have been downloaded since its May release. But the exciting thing is the messages people have sent to let me know the book hit their hands at the right moment. I consider messages private, so I don't show them to anyone else (not even my family), but it reminds me of why I want to write. Thanks for entrusting those words to me. Your life has a plan.
Happy new year. And if it applies to you, happy frigid snow day!
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
Today's Playlist: The Blessed Unrest by Sara Bareilles
On the e-book front, the response to the free nonfiction book 8 Reasons Your Life Matters is beyond what I imagined. About 30,000 copies have been downloaded since its May release. But the exciting thing is the messages people have sent to let me know the book hit their hands at the right moment. I consider messages private, so I don't show them to anyone else (not even my family), but it reminds me of why I want to write. Thanks for entrusting those words to me. Your life has a plan.
Happy new year. And if it applies to you, happy frigid snow day!
Never give up!
John Herrick
johnherrick.net
johnherricknet.blogspot.com
Today's Playlist: The Blessed Unrest by Sara Bareilles
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