I signed a contract for my book!
After years of work (okay, often sidetracked by work that pays the bills) and a slew of rejections, I signed with Wipf and Stock Press and A Gracious Heresy: the queer calling of an unlikely prophet, will arrive in the fall of 2018.
It really is like a pregnancy. A long, seemingly endless, pregnancy. Scads of creative energy that depends on your blood and bones, heart and mind, to mature into a viable being – that’s what it feels like. And I am proud and terrified, relieved and anxious. Like any new parent.
NOW I get it that I have exposed myself and I am like Eve, looking around for a fig leaf. Memoir writing depends on truth telling. And my truth-telling reveals a complex conundrum that is at times humorous, sad, lonely, connected, and very, very, human. But if I can use a piece of well worn wisdom, “In for a penny, in for a pound.” I don’t know what will come next but that’s nothing new for me. I’ll hang on for the ride and see if I can steer.
Today, with pleasure and trepidation, I invite you to a snippet of the work:
” Frankly, I am the very last person you would consider to be a prophet. Even writing that feels grandiose. My life is untidy. I don’t always do my best. There are times I’ve wanted to give up. More times than I’d like to admit. And even though I am driven by grace I can be harsh in my opinions of others and harsher in estimations of myself. Or worse, I give myself a pass but find it hard to allow for the frailty of others. And there are times I get so pissed off at God I could spit. I am like Jonah who sat under that bush and groused because God extended compassion to the people he despised.
The following tale is a story about how I got myself – or God got me – into the heresy of challenging the church to justice over doctrine and compassion over polity. You might think I’m a heretic and you might be right. I’ve been called worse.
Here is a story about the gracious heresy of my life and an unlikely call to prophetic ministry. Nothing grand. Nothing large. Mostly it’s a story about the risk and the price of being faithful and learning to trust that somehow it makes a difference.”
Oh my gosh – that is wonderful! Congratulations to you! I enjoy your posts very much and am looking forward to purchasing your book. Again, congrats and many blessings!
thank you, Lyda!
Looking forward to reading it! Your style seems to real and honest.
thanks, Eddie!
Yes❤️❤️❣️???????
Congratulations. I have recognized you as a prophet for more than 30 years. I’m glad to reconnect through your blog.
Yay!!!! So happy for you!
thank you!