Craft, Cost & Call: How to Build a Life as a Christian Writer (Friesen Press, 2019) is a new and welcome release into the world of writing books. Written by veteran Canadian Christian writers Patricia Paddey and Karen Stiller, the book is intended specifically for writers of faith who want to grow in their craft, or establish a productive professional writing life; a goal the authors think is still possible, even in today’s challenging publishing environment.
“We brought together all the lessons and tips we have learned, often the hard way, into one book,” says Patricia Paddey. “We wanted to make it a little bit easier perhaps, for new writers coming up, or writers who may feel stagnant in their writing life and need a little shot in the arm.”
The book, divided into the three sections of craft, cost, and call, contains practical guidance on topics like how to conduct interviews for stories, how to write great openings and endings, how to edit one’s own work as well as work well with editors. The book offers guidance on topics like what to charge for a writing job and creative tips on how to find work as a writer.
“It is immensely practical,” explains Karen Stiller. “We hope to save time—and maybe a little bit of agony too—for writers by sharing what we have learned in the writing trenches. This is the book we wish we had read years ago, when we started out as freelance writers and editors.”
Craft, Cost & Call explores the spiritual side of the writing life, delving into the unique calling of a writer of faith, spiritual care for writers, as well as the responsibilities of writing to make the world a better place.
Canadian authors Mark Buchanan, Maxine Hancock, Carolyn Arends, Carolyn Weber and editor Bill Fledderus are all well-established voices who offer endorsements for the book, which released in early September. “This book—it’s like I found a bundle of money in a paper bag under a park bench. I’m leaping for joy and feeling a tad guilty all at once,” writes Buchanan. “I have been writing for print for a goodly while, and every word of this little masterpiece has me either nodding, sagely, my approval or wincing, ashamedly, at things I once knew and then forgot, or maybe never knew at all. Karen Stiller and Patricia Paddey stuff these few pages with so much wit, wisdom, clear prose, and hard-earned counsel that no writer—no matter how green or seasoned—will fail to benefit from it. Take the money and run.”
Craft, Cost & Call: How to Build a Life as a Christian Writer is available through www.craftcostcall.com and major online book retail sites.
Product details
· Paperback: 198 pages
· Publisher: FriesenPress (July 30 2019)
· Language: English
· ISBN-10: 1525554123
· ISBN-13: 978-1525554124
Website: www.craftcostcall.com
For review copies or media inquiries:
Email: info@craftcostcall.com
Patricia Paddey: 905-616-1326
Karen Stiller: 289-354-0697
Picture: Craft, Cost & Call book cover
Picture: Authors, Karen Stiller (L) and Patricia Paddey (R)
