Monday, October 08, 2007

 

A really, really great day


Last week, on Thursday, I signed a contract with Abingdon Press to publish my book, Jesus Christ, Defendant. It was an incredible moment, and a dream come true.

When I finished writing the book, I was kind of at a loss about what to do next. My confusion didn't last long, though. As usual, some of my amazing mentors stepped in to help. I asked Bob and Mary Darden who I should send it to, and Mary quickly and definitively told me to send it straight to Abingdon. If there's one thing I know about the Dardens, it's to take their advice.

I sent the book off on a Friday, and heard the good news the following Wednesday-- I didn't expect, or deserve, to have it be so simple. The book will come out next fall or winter, due to the time needed for editing and marketing.

Like everything else, the book was the work of many hands, including those of the Dardens, Michelle Lowery, Bill Underwood, David Meadors, Misty Keene, Florencia Rueda, and of course Larry Bates (you can't really write a book about Jesus without involving Bates), among many others. It's hard to describe how it feels to know it will be published--I grew up in a home where books were important, not as symbols or decoration, but as tools to be used and handled. My mother read Proust while we at the beach, and from a young age I was taught to challenge myself through books. The idea that I may walk into a bookstore and find my own book there is almost too much to hope for, but now... well, I expect that to be a pretty incredible feeling.

Comments:
Prof,

As the resident ethics guy at Baylor Law, what do you think about Lynne Stewart speaking at Hofstra Law school as an "ethics" expert? (She is the one who was convicted and disbarred for aiding her terrorist client in his communications with his followers).
 
Generally, I have no problem with people speaking at Universities. It would seem that we want to challenge those with foul ideas, and one way to do that is to invite them to discuss those foul ideas.

As for her being an "ethics expert," I would imagine that claim is being taken with a grain of salt.
 
The problem with the Lynne Steward thing is that Hofstra did not properly identify her in its promotional pieces. Hofstra should have included the info on her disbarment in its announcement.

As for your book, who's going to do the illustrations? A picture is worth a thousand words, you know.
 
May I suggest that the book jacket should be designed by the artist responsible for Spinal Taps "Rock and Roll Creation" album.

Seriously though, Congrats Mark!
 
CONGRATS!!! This is wonderful!!! I will bring my copy by for an autograph!!!
 
Congratulations Professor Osler!

-Goose
 
Holy cow! Congratulations!
 
Congratulations! What's the book about? If you've posted on this before, I apologize, but I'm fairly new to the blog.
 
Congrats buddy
 
Osler CONGRATULATIONS!!!!


I am sure I will not understand your book at all, but I will buy a copy of it. AND check it out of the library! Especially if it has that great SPinal Tap cover.

Sorrry I have been absent. We have been busy moving to a goat farm.
 
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