Beloved Cozy Mystery Characters Spring to Life

COVER STORY—In the 14 years our publishing house has been producing books, we have never had an author turn a book’s “story” into dinner theater. So, we hope readers will understand how thrilled we are to see cozy-mystery author Laura Elizabeth her triumphant theatrical run in partnership with Kaya Vineyard and Winery in Georgia.

We invited Laura to send us a column—and photos, too—about the experience. Please share this fun news with friends. Doing so across social media, or via email, just might bring a pleasant smile to cozy mystery fans you know.

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Got questions about the ‘Nones’?

MSU Bias Busters have the answers!

WOW! Joe Grimm—MSU’s head of the Bias Busters project—writes this week about how very timely his students’ latest book is this month! Journalists and religious leaders are running in many different directions from the latest Pew data about “the religiously unaffiliated” (aka “Nones”). Read Joe’s fascinating, newsy column and order your own copy of this important new book.

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A Glowing Review of ‘Telling Stories …’

Byron Borger says, ‘There’s power in these stories!’

WE’RE SHARING the enthusiastic video-podcast review by Hearts & Minds bookseller Byron Borger of Jeffrey Munroe’s new Telling Stories in the Dark. If you haven’t already ordered your own copy of Jeff’s book, there’s a convenient Amazon link with the video.

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Need even more inspiration?

Howard Brown shines his sunlight twice this week

SPENDING A LITTLE TIME WITH SHINING BRIGHTLY’s HOWARD BROWN is always guaranteed to boost one’s spirits and this week we’ve got two doses of Howard’s sunlight to share:

FIRST, The After Cancer website—a new company marketing online assistance for individuals facing the challenges of cancer—asked Howard to write (and illustrate with photos) a summary of his remarkable success in overcoming stage IV cancer twice in his life. Howard agreed in the hope that this version of his story will reach more people with a boost of hope in their own tough struggles.

SECOND, Howard’s weekly podcast now is downloaded 13,000 times each month around the world. This week, he welcomes Marian Evardsen who helps Howard provide a cheery invitation to “Step into HAPPY.” Simply visit Howard’s home website and listen to episode No. 70.

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A new IBPA map of producing a book

 

8 pathways to bringing a book into the world

THIS WEEK’s FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING column provides a link to the new 2024 map of publishing options by the Independent Book Publishers Association. For years, we have been active supporters of the IBPA and we’re pleased to recommend this free, 19-page PDF produced by the IBPA to help prospective and existing authors understand the many pathways toward publication.

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Holidays & Festivals

Orthodox Christians begin their Lenten fast

IF YOU’RE GREEK, you may recognize this photo of a sesame-seed-studded loaf of “lagana,” a traditional “flatbread” baked on Clean Monday—baked to mark the start of the Great Lenten fast.

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2 billion Muslims are fasting in Ramadan

JOE GRIMM, DIRECTOR OF MSU’S BIAS BUSTERS brings us this overview of Ramadan, written especially for our non-Muslim readers who want to be ready for this worldwide observance.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with film reviews and discussion guides. This resource is used nationwide by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• CABRINI—This film about “Mother Cabrini,” in Ed McNulty’s view, “is probably the best defense of immigrants that you will see in this or any year.”
• BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE—Ed writes, “Director Reinaldo Marcus Green’s film focuses upon a couple of years of the singer/composer’s life, with flashbacks to his teenage years.”
• ORDINARY ANGELS—Ed recommends this faith-based drama.
• ARTHUR THE KING—”Simon Cellan Jones bases his new film on the book Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home.”
• PERFECT DAYS—Ed urges us not to miss Wim Wender’s Oscar-nominated film.
• THE TASTE OF THINGS—Ed writes, “You do not have to be a Foodie to enjoy director Tran Anh Hung’s fabulous film about a French epicure and his female chef.”
• DRIVING MADELEINE—Ed writes, “For me it is a delightful visual parable on the rewards of kindness.“
• AMERICAN FICTION—“Jefferson’s film combines social satire with romantic comedy and is even a strong family drama—there’s something for just about everybody in this film.”
• THE ZONE OF INTEREST—Ed gives 5 stars to this unusual and haunting Holocaust drama.

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