Remembering the Mayflower: Happy Thanksgiving

~ fundyreformed

I thought I’d wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving today. And I want to remind us all to remember that first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, 1621.

Last year I provided my family line which goes back to John Alden on the Mayflower. If you’re interested, I scanned some articles from a really old World Book Encyclopedia set I have (1925) which gives an interesting look at the Pilgrims. Alden is, you will remember, famous for his stealing of Captain Miles Standish’s would be bride, Priscilla Mullins (known as “The Mayflower of Plymouth”). “Why don’t you speak for yourself, John?” was her famous line.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, another descendant of John and Priscilla memorialized this event in a somewhat embellished poem, The Courtship of Miles Standish. You can read that poem in its entirety here compliments of Google Books.

For now, if you have some time, scan through the brief articles here (all pdfs) and remember the first Thanksgiving.

Blogging for Books part 2

~ Bob Hayton ~ 8 Comments

Last week I started sharing how serious bloggers can get free books to review on their blogs. I shared how Reformation Trust and Thomas Nelson, both have book review programs that bloggers are free to sign up for. Today I’ll share how to get books from other publishers that don’t have such programs.

It’s really quite simple. All you do is ask. Let me illustrate this for you, by sharing my story.

My Personal Story

A few months back, I was reading some blogs and other sites online and I came across an interesting discussion on the Biblical flood. In it I found out about a book called Beyond Creation Science: New Covenant Creation from Genesis to Revelation. I looked at the website for the book, and got interested in it. I’m interested in the creation debate and prophecy, and I thought I’d like to check this book out. (Note, I’ll be reviewing this one soon.)

Once I knew I was interested in the book, I emailed one of the authors (whose email was visible on the site). I described my blog, how many visitors I get on average, and who my target audience is of my blog. Then I simply asked if they had review copies and promised to do a review if they would furnish one. Very soon I had a positive respone, and a week or so later had a free book at my door.

Later once I met Shaun Tabbat and we compared blog notes. I soon realized he was using this same method to get books from respected publishers like Crossway, IVP, Kregel and others.

I decided to try and see if I could get some books to review on my blog from them. So I sent out my requests, either via a form submission or email, to various publishers. I tried to pick books interesting to me, that would fit in to my overall blog plans. I honestly expected to get some “no”s; so I wasn’t prepared for the response. I’ve asked 13 publishers to date, and have received free books from 12 of them. The last one hasn’t responded. Besides smaller private publishers, I’ve gotten books from IVP, Kregel, Crossway, Fortress Press, Harvest House, Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing, Thomas Nelson, & Reformation Trust.

Given my success, I thought I’d share this strategy with my blogging friends. Many of you, like me, are strapped for funds and can’t get these exciting new books you hear about. This might help you like me to enjoy some good books, and then review them on your blog.

Answers to some common questions:

How many hits do you need to average to be able to do this?

I’m not really sure how many hits one has to have to be considered. The main thing is knowing your audience and describing your blog well.

Is this just a cheap way of getting a free book? Isn’t this sort of dishonest?

Not at all. In today’s world, especially, more and more books are bought and promoted online. Recently I posted a review of one of my personal books, in the comments someone shared that they actually went on to purchase the book as a result of my post. This is the benefit we bring to publishers. Their product will be talked about and publicized. And the cost for them is negligible. It’s inexpensive marketing. As long as you pledge in good faith to review the book, and you actually do follow through, there is no dishonesty. A publisher will easily be able to tell if you don’t follow through and won’t honor requests for more books.

Where do I find publishers’ email addresses? How do I request books?

I recommend Googling for Christian Publishers and just go to each publisher’s website and look around. Often you’ll find a contact form, or a media submission form. Sometimes, as with Crossway, IVP and Fortress you’ll need to register with them as a media outlet. In the comments section you clarify you are a blogger and give your request.   You can look for contact us, or about us pages on most publisher’s sites.

One other tip would be to look for smaller independent book publishers. These people are more likely to say yes as they don’t have the large marketing budgets other publishers have. A list of small Christian publishers can be found here (compliments of Christian Small Publishers Association).

Any other tips for getting them to say “yes”?

I’d recommend having a book in mind when you contact a publisher. Tell them why you’re interested in the book and that you think it will interest your readers. I try to stick to books that I’d be glad to blog about on my blog, and that would fit into my existing blog themes.

Also, be sure to mention you will post your review on your site as well as on Amazon.com or some other site like that. Posting the review on Amazon helps publishers have a voice in the largest bookselling site out there. Reviews on Amazon consistently influence shoppers, so this is a great help in a publisher (actually the publicist or marketer) deciding to accept your request.

You can also save the review in pdf format so you’ll be able to email a copy of the review to the publicist. There are a few free pdf creating programs online, I use Open Office.

Be timely with your reviews and stay in touch with the publicists. This will help build rapport. You can get to the point where they let you keep extra books to give away on your blog, or they can work with you to help sponsor give-aways on your blog to promote traffic for you, and interest in their products.

So now that the secret is out, get to it. Let’s use this avenue as a way to grow spiritually as Christians, and become better bloggers along the way.

Update: More and more publishers make book review blogging easy.

Racial Reconciliation at BJU

~ fundyreformed ~ 4 Comments

A while back I heard about a movement among Bob Jones University alumni to confront the institution about its racist roots. At please-reconcile.org, various proofs of racist policies and actions in the history of the school were brought forth. Always the goal was to get the college to own up to their mistake, admit that they have made an about face on this issue and to apologize.

That actually happened. BJU has put forth a statement on race in which they apologize for following their Southern culture more closely than the tenets of Scripture. I applaud them for “caving in”. The truth is, it’s sometimes harder to admit wrong when someone else points it out to you, than if you yourself see the problem. Wisely, BJU realized this wasn’t some attack on their institution’s name, but represented a real concern for the reputation of Christ.

I don’t think everyone has to apologize for all grievances, especially those of a long time ago. In this case I think it was appropriate, however (as some of the racial bias persisted even in the last 10 years). I’m glad BJU is doing what is right and setting an example. Here is an excerpt from the university’s statement:

Bob Jones University has existed since 1927 as a private Christian institution of higher learning for the purpose of helping young men and women cultivate a biblical worldview, represent Christ and His Gospel to others, and glorify God in every dimension of life.

BJU’s history has been chiefly characterized by striving to achieve those goals; but like any human institution, we have failures as well. For almost two centuries American Christianity, including BJU in its early stages, was characterized by the segregationist ethos of American culture. Consequently, for far too long, we allowed institutional policies regarding race to be shaped more directly by that ethos than by the principles and precepts of the Scriptures. We conformed to the culture rather than provide a clear Christian counterpoint to it.

In so doing, we failed to accurately represent the Lord and to fulfill the commandment to love others as ourselves. For these failures we are profoundly sorry. Though no known antagonism toward minorities or expressions of racism on a personal level have ever been tolerated on our campus, we allowed institutional policies to remain in place that were racially hurtful.

On national television in March 2000, Bob Jones III, who was the university’s president until 2005, stated that BJU was wrong in not admitting African-American students before 1971, which sadly was a common practice of both public and private universities in the years prior to that time. On the same program, he announced the lifting of the University’s policy against interracial dating.

Our sincere desire is to exhibit a truly Christlike spirit and biblical position in these areas. Today, Bob Jones University enrolls students from all 50 states and nearly 50 countries, representing various ethnicities and cultures. The University solicits financial support for two scholarship funds for minority applicants, and the administration is committed to maintaining on the campus the racial and cultural diversity and harmony characteristic of the true Church of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Music Mondays: “Jesus, Thank You” by Pat Sczebel

~ Bob Hayton ~ 2 Comments

Music Monday posts highlight the music which touched my heart on Sunday. I pray the message of these songs will help us all to live in the spirit of Worship all week long.

This Sunday one song in particular blessed my heart. The words “Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table” always send chills down my spine as I think about how glorious it is that God saves us sinners who were His enemies. He saves us and also bestows on us incredible honors and blessings.

I found myself also thinking of Mephibosheth, a potential rival to David’s throne, who was welcomed to his table in a place of honor. Mephibosheth’s own servant had left him alone and vulnerable.   He was lame. A normal king would have killed him to ensure his place as king. But David, prefiguring Jesus, accepted him into his house, and set him at his table. The same has been done for me by my Lord Jesus. (The story can be found in 2 Samuel 9).

Enjoy the words of this song today as you seek to worship Christ throughout the work week.

Jesus, Thank You

Words and music by Pat Sczebel

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You

By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end

Lover of my soul
I want to live for You

 © 2003 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP).

Listen to a sample of this song, or hear the whole thing for free on rhapsody.com. You can download guitar sheets or a simple score of the song for free. You can purchase an mp3 download of the song, or purchase either of these albums which include the song: Worship God Live, and Cover the Earth.

Books, Blogs, and Blogging for Books

~ Bob Hayton ~ 6 Comments

The votes are in from my recent poll regarding books and blogs. Out of 30 votes, 9 read blogs more than books, 9 read books more than blogs, and 5 were a toss up. 6 people claimed to read more because of blogging, and I think I’d find myself in that category too.

I could do another poll to see what we think are more valuable and of lasting impact, books or blogs. I don’t think I’ll do that poll though. Most would agree books are more valuable, yet blogging has value and has a place — it offers something books don’t.

Still, books are important, and as a blogger I want to be reading more books than blogs. I want to push myself to grow more through reading more substantive, edited material.

So why not use my blog to get books? Free books at that. I am a sucker for anything free, but this makes sense really. I can read books and review them on my blog. I already do that.

What I’ve found recently is that if you want to read books and review them on your blog, you are a candidate for getting free books directly from publishers.

The only catch is you must agree to review the book. This will cause a buzz to surround the book and earn the publishers free publicity.

In this post and the next, I will share some secrets on how to get free books for blogging. I’ve just started using this technique and I’m up to around a dozen books to review. Some of them are kids books, so I think I can handle it. In truth I hadn’t thought I’d get so many “yes” responses. But I’m getting ahead of myself here.

For starters, two publishers make it very easy to get free books. They are courting bloggers and have blog for book programs.

1) Reformation Trust, which was founded by R.C. Sproul’s Ligonier Ministries, will provide up to 2 pdf books for your review. Once you are finished with your review, notify them and they’ll send you a free copy of the actual book. I recommend browsing through their selection and finding one you are truly interested in since pdf books are not the easiest way to read, and you want to make this worth your time. For my part, I got Joel Beeke’s new book Living for God’s Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism. I’m close to 100 pages in to it and I’m very excited about the book.

2) Thomas Nelson. They recently created a Book Review Bloggers club, where certain select books are made available to you and you can request more once you finish the books they’ve sent. You have to select the genres which interest you and there are not an unlimited supply of books available. In fact some of the choices they offer aren’t that great, but when i signed up, I was able to get a copy of the The Chronological Study Bible (NKJV) to review. (They actually sent me two copies, so when I get close to posting my review, I’ll be giving the second copy away with their blessing.) I would at least sign up to be included and then keep checking to see when a book is available that interests you. Or be brave and pick a book you don’t know much about, and explore new territory.

In a follow up post I’ll give pointers for how to get books from other publishers. But for now, let me encourage you to check out Shaun Tabbat’s blog, where he reviews books almost weekly, which he gets from publishers. Seeing how others review books, and promote them, can give you ideas for how to do the same yourself.

One last word. I don’t want to turn my blog into a book blog. I don’t think you have to do this in order to take advantage of free books. I try to choose books which fit in to my blog’s overall theme. I’ve gotten a book on worldliness by C.J. Mahaney, and one on redemptive historical interpretation by Dennis Johnson. These are themes that I already cover in my blog, so reviews of these books will fit right in.

Okay, enough for now. Happy reading, I mean, blogging…. 😉