Write and Publish Organically

Dig Deep, Tend the Soil, Help Newness Emerge

By: Catherine Lawton

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

How do faith-based writers effectively communicate the presence and love of God in a postmodern, increasingly secular and technological world? How do they maintain a commitment to their truth tradition while orienting toward unfolding future possibilities? How do they keep their writing fresh and healthy?

Using garden metaphors and narrative storytelling, Catherine Lawton explores answers to these questions and more. The author herself is a seasoned writer and publisher—and avid gardener. Written in a blend of memoir, research, and poetic styles, this book will inspire both beginning and long-published writers. Chapters discuss five aspects of what Lawton calls "organic writing and publishing":

1. SOAK. Both writer and reader are part of ecosystems. Does the water deaden or enliven?
2. SPOKE. Experiment, learn, communicate with postmodern techniques. Words have power!
3. EVOKE. Enchant with imagination, invoke the transcendent in the imminent and earthy.
4. PROVOKE. Surprise and awaken readers. Write to prompt healthy thought, faith and action.
5. STOKE. How to stoke “fires” of awareness by creatively taking your “produce” to market.

Appendices offer practical, useful tips for:

1. Publishing Models
2. The Publishing Process
3. Marketing for Introverts

Readers of this book will be inspired to plunge their creative hands into healthy, ever-renewing “soil” for a productive, fruitful life of writing and publishing. The author writes, "My vision of faith-based writing and publishing is like growing a garden that is not only productive but beautiful and good and true. It gets you in touch with 'what is really real.' It gives life to all touched by the garden: workers, pollinators, neighbors, and consumers of the garden produce. How does this fit within a postmodern, increasingly pluralistic and secular society, and a divided political landscape? In my book I consider how, why, and what to publish in a sustainable way that will last and continue to grow and have influence."