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Tom Nixon's Self Pub News blog featured The Adoption Network earlier this week. Nearly every day, Tom overviews a newly-published book.
Tom and his wife, who just returned from a week at Ethiopian culture camp with their two adopted daughters, will be making a guest appearance on my blog in the near future.
National Public Radio (NPR) is running an in-depth, four-part series called "Adoption in America."
Here are links to each of the stories in the series:
Transracial adoption insights from a mother and son (July 23, 2007)
The dark side of international adoption (July 24, 2007)
Korean-American reflects on life as an adoptee (July 25, 2007)
An adult adoptee reunites with her birth mother (July 26, 2007)
You'll also find loads of interesting sidebars, statistics and resources about adoption posted on the NPR site. Check it out!
Laura's book, The Adoption Network,
has just been released. Click here to learn more about a limited-time
offer: Buy 1, Get 1
Adoption and adoption ministry were the topics of the day as I chatted with host, Candace House, on her radio show, "Today's Breathing Room."
Candace and I talked adoption for nearly an hour. Some of the topics we discussed:
You can listen to the streamed broadcast from your computer (while you're checking e-mail or doing whatever), or you can download the podcast to your MP3 player and listen anytime (to download, visit Today's Breathing Room at TalkShoe.com, look for Episode 17, 7-25-07, 1 p.m. EDT, and click "Download."
To listen now, just click the button, below.
Laura's book, The Adoption Network, has just been
released. Click
here to learn more about a limited-time offer: Buy 1, Get 1
I'm exited to announce the launch of "Adoption Writers," a social networking site I created for people who blog, author books, or write articles or other materials about adoption-related topics.
Adoption Writers is a virtual space for those of us who educate and advocate for adoption to network with one another, announce the latest news about the adoption-related writing we're doing, and discuss trends in the world of adoption publishing.
When you join Adoption Writers (which is free) you can:
I've posted content in several of the categories to give you an idea of how it works. The site is very easy to use. Stop by to say "hello," and if you're an adoption writer, be sure to join Adoption Writers so you can network with others who share your interest and expertise.
Here's a sample of the slideshow feature on Adoption Writers (these photos were taken last week, during a party my writers' group threw for me in honor of the release of my first book).
Find more photos like this on Adoption Writers
Once you join Adoption Writers, you can post a personalized badge on your own site/blog that will look similar to this:
I had the opportunity to meet author (and soon-to-be adoptive mom), Tricia Goyer, at the International Christian Retail Show in Atlanta last week. Tricia and her family are in the process of adopting an infant from China. She told me the process is moving slowly, but they're hopeful of welcoming their little one home soon. Tricia provides adoption updates on her blog, "It's Real Life."
Tricia recently interviewed me for her blogs (she is quite a prolific blogger, as well as a prolific author!) and she's posting the interviews today. Here are links to our discussion:
Here's some info about Tricia:
Her most recent work, A Valley of Betrayal (Moody Publishers) was released in February, and the second book in the series, A Shadow of Treason will be out in September 2007. The series is about the Spanish Civil War.
She also has a teen non-fiction being released in September 2007: My Life, Unscripted.
She also has 3 more books coming out in 2008: Generation NeXt Marriage in January, the final installment of the Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War -- A Whisper of Freedom -- in February, and 3:16 by Max Lucado, the teen version, in March.
Tricia was named Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference "Writer of the Year" in 2003. Tricia was a finalist for the Gold Medallion Book Award and she also won ACFW's "Book of the Year" for Long Historial Romance in 2005 AND in 2006. She has written hundreds of articles, Bible Study notes, and both fiction and non-fiction books.
Tricia is married to John, and they have three great kids whom she homeschools: Cory (17), Leslie (14), and Nathan (12). They make their home in Northwest Montana with their dogs, Lilly and Jake.
For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.
Laura's book, The Adoption Network, has just been
released. Click
here to learn more about a limited-time offer: Buy 1, Get 1
The reviews are starting to come in for my newly-released book, The Adoption Network: Your Guide to Starting a Support System.
TitleTrakk.com's reviewer, Darcie Gudger (an adoptive mom), makes no apologies for what she calls her "rabid promotion" of my book. Darcie suggests that people become involved in adoption ministry as a practical means of demonstrating a pro-life stance. Interesting concept...I don't mention abortion at all in my book, but apparently, the numerous suggestions I offer for ways adoption networks can "look" got Darcie's mental wheels turning.
Here are excerpts from her review of The Adoption Network:
"The Adoption Network exposes the deep heart needs of adoptive families for building community and being understood. Network lays out instructions on how to create mission statements, gain non-profit status, educate church and community leaders, find speakers, build a member base and more.
Christianson’s writing style is clear and concise. She presents details in an easy-to-follow sequential manner so the most inexperienced organizer can successfully pull together their own adoption network.
The information doesn’t stop with organizing. Laura offers ideas on network meeting content, group types and managing a baby item exchange.
Mentoring relationships are encouraged and explained. Mentors can be adoptive parent to adoptive parent, or former birth-mom to future birth-mom and adoptee to adoptee. Again, the pairings are limitless and adaptable to a group’s demographics.
I’m shocked at how ignorant the Christian community is in regard to adoption. If churches are serious about their pro-life position, then leaders MUST buy this book and act on its content. No one can say, “I don’t know how.” Laura lays it out pure and simple...I urge all people who hold some sort of leadership position in their churches to drop everything and take a careful look at this resource then implement immediately."
To read the complete review, visit TitleTrakk.com.
If you're feeling inspired to purchase The Adoption Network, click this link for a terrific, two-for-the-price of one deal. Buy one for yourself and give one to a friend, colleague, adoption professional, or clergyperson. Only $12.95 for TWO books (INCLUDING shipping!). Pay instantly via PayPal!
For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.
In yesterday's post, I recapped my adventures at the International Christian Retail Show in Atlanta. Here's one more addition. The group, Point of Grace, performed at the premiere of the movie, "The Redemption of Sarah Cain." POG also premiered their first video, "How You Live" (they sang the song live while the video played on huge screens).
It's a beautiful song; here's the YouTube video of it (the children in the video are the band members' kids). If you like the video, POG is pre-selling it at their Website for half price ($7.99) .
Several of my readers have e-mailed me, saying that they enjoy experiencing (vicariously) my adventures at ICRS and viewing my slideshows. Now that I’m home and have had a chance to get caught up on my sleep, here’s a recap of my week in Atlanta and a slideshow to provide the visuals.
(To view slideshow full-size, click inside a photo. To view captions, click the callout box in the lower left corner).
What is the International Christian Retail Show?
ICRS, also known as CBA (Christian Booksellers Association), is a tradeshow, much like a home show, garden show, RV show, or technology tradeshow. Vendors of every product you can imagine seeing in a Christian bookstore set up booths to display their wares.
In addition to the usual artwork, greeting cards, toys, jewelry, clothing, and nativity sets, book buyers and distributors can place orders for more bizarre eclectic items, such as “Faith Heels,” (athletic ankle socks with “Faith,” “Hope,” or “Love” inscribed on them; Gospel Golf Balls (golf balls with Bible verses printed on them), and Scripture Candy (“Saving the world, one piece at a time”).
Books, books, and more books!
The exhibit floor was divided into a “gift” section and a “books and music” section. In the books and music section, all the publishing houses had booths, and many of them hosted book signings. Many authors (famous and not-so-famous) attended to autograph their latest books. The authors gave their books away to the bookstore owners, media, and fellow authors who came through their lines, in hopes that the book buyers will decide to order zillions of copies for their bookstores.
My role at ICRS
I played double duty this year, interviewing eight authors for clients who hired me to write profiles for their publications. Two of my most intriguing interviews were with Tom Davis, president of Children’s HopeChest, an organization that provides relief for AIDS orphans around the world, and Melody Rossi, a former opera singer turned director of an outreach ministry for inner-city gang members and at-risk kids in L.A.
I also promoted my two adoption-related books, The Adoption Network (did my first-book signing and had a blast), and The Adoption Decision (did a meet-and-greet and handed out postcards).
Fun Stuff
In addition to attending a lovely author dinner, where I met quite a few of my fellow Harvest House authors, I got to do more fun stuff. My roommate, Jenn Doucette, and I, attended a sneak peek of the upcoming Veggie Tales movie, “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything,” and enjoyed a special performance of the movie’s theme song by my favorite group, The Newsboys (along with Steve Taylor). We also got to meet Veggie Tales co-creators, Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki.
We dropped by the Jars of Clay listening party, during which the guys from the band previewed three songs from their upcoming “Christmas Songs” album (in stores October 16). The party was very small—only about 30 people attended, so we had a chance to have a nice chat with Matt, one of the “Jars.”
Immediately following the Jars of Clay party, we headed back to the convention center, where FoxFaith treated over 1,000 people to a free steak/salmon dinner and premiered the movie, “The Redemption of Sarah Cain.” Musicians Point of Grace performed some songs from the soundtrack, and afterwards, we met Michael Landon, Jr. (the director/producer), Abigail Mason and Soren Fulton, two of the young actors from the movie, and Beverly Lewis, author of the book from which the movie was adapted. What a treat!
My first TV appearance
ICRS marked my first television interview. I am used to doing the interviewing; being interviewed with cameras staring at me was a nerve-wracking experience. Before my interview, Kay Arthur (founder of Precept Ministries International), came to my rescue. She was interviewed right before me (yikes; I had to follow the queen of TV interviews!). When she came out, I told her I was a little nervous and she grabbed me (literally), told me exactly what to do, and then prayed for me, right then and there. Needless to say, I felt much more confident after that little pep talk. And being prayed for by Kay Arthur is about as close you can get to being prayed for by God Himself!
Karen Kingsbury encounter
Although Karen Kingsbury is a best-selling inspirational fiction author, she says that being a mom comes first (she’s the mother of six, three of whom she and her hubby adopted from Haiti). Karen endorsed my book, “The Adoption Decision,” so I decided to go to her book signing to say hello. I told Karen that I just seen the back cover of my book for the first time. On it, her name and endorsement are in GREAT BIG, BOLD LETTERS. My name is in little, teeny, weeny letters! Ah yes, God has His ways of keeping us humble!
All in all, ICRS was a blast. I worked hard, played hard, ate well, walked a lot, and slept little. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Maybe I’ll see you there next year in Orlando!
One of my most popular posts discusses cultural exchange programs for orphans. It's time to update that post and I need your help.
If you have participated in or run an orphan hosting program, in which an orphaned child from another country (often Eastern Europe or Guatemala) visits your country for 1-3 weeks and stays in your home (with the ultimate goal of being adopted), I'd love to share your experiences and impressions.
Please e-mail me your responses to any/all of the following questions, and I'll write and post an article about hosting programs:
I look forward to hearing from you! Together, we'll provide a firsthand education to others who may be considering hosting an orphaned child.
For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.
Laura's book, The Adoption Network, has just been
released. Click
here to learn more about a limited-time offer: Buy 1, Get 1
My upcoming book, The Adoption Decision: 15 Things You Want to Know Before Adopting, just received its first review--in CBA Retailers+Resources magazine (formerly Aspiring Retail), the trade magazine for the Christian publishing industry.
Reviewer Elizabeth Wisz writes:
"The Adoption Decision has all the essential information couples considering adoption need...thoroughly addresses common misconceptions, doubts, and challenges...Christianson includes entertaining anecdotes and writes with an easy style..."
Click the link to read the complete review: CBA Retailers+Resources Review of The Adoption Decision, 7-07
For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.
Laura's book, The Adoption Network, has just been
released. Click
here to learn more about a limited-time offer: Buy 1, Get 1
