what are people reading?

2013 Reading by Category

80% of US families did not buy or read a book last year

is jack reacher the most unique character in commercial fiction?

In Jack Reacher, Lee Child created one of the most unique and interesting male characters in commercial fiction today. Army brat, West Point grad, and decorated military veteran, Reacher never lived in one place more than a year in childhood or work career.

When he leaves the Army - as a matter of honor, of course - he begins a new life as a drifter - traveling by bus or as a hitchhiker with the clothes on his back, a toothbrush, and an ATM card. He always finds trouble - and he is always ready to fight for the underdog.

Reacher hit the big screen in 2013 with Tom Cruise in lead role, which created a storm of controversy with fans of the 6' 5" literary character.

As of this writing Child has created 18 full novels ... the series might finally be losing steam (at least for me), but Child has pulled off no small feat.

Reprinted from my Pinterest board, Spies, Detectives, Hit Men, and Vigilantes.

daily grace

I wrote and compiled most of A Daybook of Grace a couple years ago and "packaged" it for Fall River Press (an imprint of Sterling Publishing, owned by Barnes & Noble). After three years in the market, the publishing team at Falls River recently updated and upgraded it with an exquisite new cover. (Thanks Stefan and Betsy.)

This project will always be near and dear to my heart for a couple of reasons. Of course I like (and really need) a daily devotional book to help me focus spiritually and emotionally each morning. I also like the title and the theme of daily grace. There are certainly some mad-dash sprints in life, but overall it is a marathon that takes daily endurance.

how to make march madness even madder

On "Selection Sunday" each year, a committee appointed by the NCAA selects and seeds the top 64 Division I men's basketball programs to play in their championship tournament. Oh, in case you missed it, there is an Opening Round that started in 2001 where two teams played for the final spot in the tournament. Starting in 2010 there were four play-in games, so 68 teams get selected for the tournament. The winner of each play-in game would go to one of the four regions, except this year, when two went to one region. Go figure.

What most of us think of as the first round is actually the second round. But on to my point of how to make March Madness even madder.

Even with 68 teams making the tournament, there is angst and gnashing of teeth and cries of "no fair" for those "bubble teams" that don't make the tournament. No matter where you draw the line this would be the case, of course. (Note: Just because the top four NCAA DI college football teams play a mini tournament starting this year, don't believe for a second that there won't be impassioned cries of "unfair" from the next few teams in the final BCS rankings or whatever rankings they use.)

a look at the Christian fiction category

Publishing professional and friend, Dan Balow, recently took a look at the Christian fiction category in his blog for the Steve Laube Agency. His analysis includes some counterintuitive insights for publishers and some very specific advice to retailers that I wanted to share here. (Since my novels are considered "tweeners" - somewhere between the Christian and general markets, I especially appreciated what he had to say.) Dan - thanks for permission to use the following!

Just how well is Christian fiction doing?

Last year, two Christian publishers downsized or suspended their fiction programs. Currently, some Christian publishers are nervous about fiction and in a wait-and-see mode before they attempt to expand it or try new things. Others are excited about growth potential in the category and are taking an aggressive stance toward it.