• News
  • Midwest Book Review critiques The Persistent Road
    
  • Blog Tour wrap-up
    
  • Interview
  • Audio content
• Preorder discount and review of Katie Powner novel
• Issues of the Heart: Communication
• Meditation Moment
• Upcoming Events

Midwest Book Review

It's challenging for small presses and independently published books to obtain reviews from review services unless they pay for them, which then brings the credibility of the review into question. When launching The Persistent Road, I pitched it to many review services that are primarily focused on traditionally published books, to no avail.

The Midwest Book Review focuses on smaller presses, and it picked up The Persistent Road and rendered this critique in the September edition of its Small Press Bookwatch:

“Original, eloquent, memorable, replete with deftly crafted characters and many an entertaining plot twist, The Persistent Road showcases author Tim Bishop's genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling that keeps the readers fully involved from start to finish. While highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists for fans of contemporary Christian fiction that The Persistent Road is also available in a digital book format.”

Blog Tour wrap-up

The Persistent Road picked up more exposure and positive feedback on its recent blog tour. This webpage links to the reviews and interviews posted at all stops.

Interview

Here's a recent interview I had with Coach Mark Prasek at PJNet.tv. We discuss how The Persistent Road came about and cultural issues it broaches.

Audio content

Last fall, I purchased audio gear to enhance audio quality on interviews, produce my own podcasts, and record audiobooks of past books.

In late August, I offered up my fourth podcast, laying down audio for Lesson 1 in Metaphors in Motion entitled "Overpreparing or Underperforming?".

More recently, I've recorded my own reading of Hedging Demystified, a niche business book I first published in e-book format in 2014. Editing the recording has been quite a learning experience.

I'm currently investigating audiobook production alternatives for The Persistent Road.

Traditionally published author Katie Powner has been cranking out contemporary Christian novels annually. I've read an advance reader copy of her latest, The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass. It's a wholesome, touching, and uplifting read; Library Journal gives it five stars. The publisher is offering a 40% preorder discount and free shipping before its release next Tuesday, September 26.

Here's my review of Katie's book:

The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass is a precious story about the fallout from broken relationships and the healing for their long-lasting effects.

Set on the Hi-Line in Northern Montana, where many miles separate small towns and where long winters foster tightknit communities but also breed the perils of isolation, author Katie Powner spins a touching tale about simple but flawed characters: A garbage collector in search of himself, an elderly widow disconnected from her adult children, a woman trapped in an abusive relationship, and a pig. That’s right, a pig! Pearl, as she’s called, offers levity throughout but also becomes a central figure in one of the more intense scenes in the book.

Family dysfunction is so prevalent in today’s culture, and this story extends hope and healing for it. No platitudes, no fantasy endings, no romantic fluff, but instead courageous, simple decisions by heart-wounded, vulnerable characters who dare grasp for the freedom and closeness they’ve been denied. The writing is solid throughout—beautiful and powerful in the poignant scenes.

It’s well worth your time to crack the cover of this book to see if you find a piece of yourself somewhere inside.

The church Debbie and I attend recently hosted a marriage conference. Whether or not you are married, it's clear that communication is an important aspect of all relationships. Here are some highlights from the presentation:

Communication occurs in three ways: verbal, vocal, and visual. It's not just what you say that communicates a message to the other party, it's also your intonation and body language. According to the presenter, these two latter nonverbal modes of communication make up 90% of how the message is received - whether as intended or not.

Some people are more concise while others take a circuitous route to convey their messages. Some people express how they feel whereas others express what they think. And then there are those who jump in when a thought comes to mind whereas others wait their turn.

Understanding another person's styles can help communicators connect more effectively.

Check out this hierarchy of communication:

Level 1: Sharing cliches and superficiality (least risky)

Level 2: Sharing information and facts (what you know)

Level 3: Sharing ideas and opinions (what you think)

Level 4: Sharing values and emotions (what you feel)

Level 5: Sharing intimacy and transparency (who you are)

As couples or friends move to higher levels of communication, they become more vulnerable and are willing to take higher risk, with the hope of a deeper connection with the other person.

Where are you on this scale? And if you ask your spouse or friend to perform the same self-rating, how will it compare with yours?

Listening is the "other half" of communication. It can be done well or not at all, moving along a scale from ignoring to pretending to selectivity to attentiveness to empathy. Listening may be the most important aspect of communication because it seeks to understand the other person's perspective, thoughts, and feelings. It's an act of service.

Nonetheless, you can't hope to know what another person is thinking unless he tells you - and vice versa. It's the responsibility of any communicator to convey an important message that hasn't already been heard and understood. Doing so thoughtfully and respectfully increases the likelihood it will take root.

“For what man knows the things of a man, except the spirit of man which is in him?”

-I Corinthians 2:11a MEV

“He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.”

-Proverbs 18:13 MEV

“Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.”

-James 1:19b-20 MEV

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

-Psalm 19:14 MEV

Order Your Copy Today!

If you've not yet picked up your copy of The Persistent Road, you can do so at a variety of online booksellers.

The Persistent Road is available for order at any bookstore through America's largest book distributor, Ingram. Requesting a copy from your local bookstore will familiarize more store operators with the book. I would be grateful.