Bound for Glory Virtual Book Tour Featuring Author Patricia Raybon
By APOOO • Nov 2nd, 2011 • Category: APOOO Features •
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Welcome to APOOO, Patricia!
In 140 words or less, tell us a little about yourself.
I’m an award-winning journalist and author of four published books. The best way to describe my work, however, is that I write faith-building, life-changing books that help people heal. That’s true for my first book, My First White Friend, on racial healing and everything I’ve written since. That book won a Christopher Award and a Books for a Better Life Award. My second book, I Told the Mountain to Move, explored healing by prayer was a Book of the Year Finalist at Christianity Today Magazine. My two newest books, a One Year® devotional on God’s Great Blessings and also Bound for Glory, a tribute to African American spirituals written with calligrapher Timothy Botts, offer yet more healing balm. Many of my published essays—in the New York Times, US Today, on NPR and other venues—also explore ways to get healed and move on. Everybody needs that.
In 140 words or less, tell us why your book title would make a great addition to our personal library.
Two reasons. Both my new books are beautiful. God’s Great Blessings has a yummy, leather-like cover that’s a keeper. Bound for Glory is a full-color coffee-table book. Even more, both books offer the gift of knowledge. The devotional takes a path through 52 virtues that God blesses daily. If you feel lack in your life, this is your book. Bound for Glory features illustrations and reflections on 52 African American spirituals—plus a Bible verse relevant to each song. Another beautiful book treasure.
How did you come up with the premise for your book titles?
The devotional’s premise is that God blesses his people, but living with virtue unlocks that door. This book led me through a year-long path of testing that premise—that blessings are tired to virtues. And the premise proved true. Next, Bound for Glory celebrates the premise of the Spirituals—that God delivers despite our circumstances. He did when these songs were written. And he still does.
Tell us about the main character(s) in your book titles.
My books are nonfiction. So unlike a novel, the main characters in my books become the readers. That is, as you put yourself into the truth of these books, you discover your own truth—and that it’s you sitting at the center of God’s joy. I don’t preach in my books. Instead, I take readers on a journey with me. Readers tell me my books feel as if I wrote them personally for them.
What makes your book titles different from other books in the marketplace?
Scores of devotionals are in bookstores now. But none but mine explores the connection between blessings and virtues. So a virtue such as courage, for example, leads to God’s presence. Or living with righteous love leads to prosperity. Or committing to godly listening leads to eternal life. These are exciting ideas and I feel anointed to share them.
What genre are your book titles and who is the target audience?
Both my new books are inspirational nonfiction. The target audience for both is people of faith looking for a deeper knowledge of God and God’s ways in God’s world.
What lessons have you learned about the publishing industry?
Stay up with changes in publishing. But stay true to yourself.
What can readers expect from you in the future?
More books for sure. Meantime, I intend to produce and publish more articles and personal essays. I love those formats. Moreover, in the past, these pieces have led me on to full-term books. They help me birth my books. Also I’m blogging again. The intent of all of this writing is to help people stand up to their hurts so God can heal and they can move on. God is on our side and we’re running in victory. I want to create more writing that says exactly that.
Is there anything else you would like to share with APOOO readers?
Keep reading. Keep writing. If you’re an aspiring author, work on craft but protect your dreams. I heard this quote a few nights ago by Henry David Thoreau that says it this way: “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” That’s the kind of truth I seek to unpack in my new books, especially my devotional, and also on my blog, Writing In His Light, available on by website: www.patriciaraybon.com Stop by and visit. Let’s look find God’s answers and build our dreams—together. With love and sincere thanks.
Patricia Raybon
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APOOO is a book club and an online author and reader community dedicated to advancing African American literature. Our mission is to expose readers of all ages to a good book in any genre; to support African American authors, books, literary events and bookclubs; to provide marketing resources, tools and tips to authors; and, to promote literacy within the African American community.
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