"Why do people choose the substitute over God himself? Probably the most important reason is that it obviates accountability to God. We can meet idols on our own terms because they are our own creations. They are safe, predictable, and controllable; they are, in Jeremiah's colorful language, the 'scarecrows in a cornfield' (10:5). They are portable and completely under the user's control. They offer nothing like the threat of a God who thunders from Sinai and whose providence in this world so often appears to us to be incomprehensible and dangerous . . . [People] need face only themselves. That is the appeal of idolatry."
- David F. Wells
Friday, August 1, 2008
OK, you know it, and I know it. Jared deserves to be published. He should have been published already. But here's the deal. Publishers need to know that they can sell books. Makes sense to me. Here's what I'm thinking...
Jared's probably got quite a few fans around here who would love to read his book. And, no offense, but everybody loves free books. But if we all think that Jared's gonna be able to send us free copies of his book when it comes out, we got another think coming. It's time to put your money (or at least your future money that doesn't exist yet) where your mouth is.
Under comments please say how many copies you'll be buying when his first book comes out. That way Jared can say to a prospective publisher, "Hey, I can guarantee you that more people than just my mom will be buying copies." (Of course, if anybody deserves a freebie, it's Jared's mom.)
Now is this a petition that matters? OK, so it may not ACTUALLY give weight to a prospective publisher. But it will send a message of support to our very own Jared.
So here's the challenge: if you will promise to buy at least one book or better yet two copies, one for you and one to give away...
please say so under comments. Step up people. Let your voices be heard.
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Trackback URL: http://thinklings.org/bloo.trackback.php/4751.
Comments on "Will You Buy Jared's Book?":
3. nhe
- 08/01/2008 1:40 pm CDT
I will buy one!.......though I'm not sure that "gainful employment" via book sales would still qualify Jared as a "stay-at-home-dad".....and he's justifiably very fond of that monicker......so if I have to take one for free in order for him to keep that status, I'm willing to take one for the team :)
4. Warren
- 08/01/2008 2:20 pm CDT
Well, I was on the fence until Jared volunteered to sign copies for us. I'll buy at least one, and I promise a review at Blogcritics.org (50,000 hits minimum per day).
5. Martin
- 08/01/2008 2:41 pm CDT
This is probably my first comment here (ever) but I've been a long-time reader. I'll definitely buy a copy. Hopefully there are more "lurkers" like me out there who have read many posts by Jared, and would like to read his book, too.
10. Bird
- 08/01/2008 4:16 pm CDT
I'll buy one! Maybe even two! (Someone's going to have to give Blo a copy.)
11. Raindream
- 08/01/2008 4:23 pm CDT
I will buy at least one for myself and think about gift-giving, book giveaway, or generic distribution opportunities beyond that.
14. blest
- 08/01/2008 6:51 pm CDT
I'm buying at least one - and I'm holding Jared to the autographing! After all, I have 3 autographed Lars Walker novels... A Jared Wilson tome would go well with them. ;-D
17. Milly
- 08/02/2008 10:31 pm CDT
I’ll buy three.
I’ll give two to the ministers at my church and get them to indorse it then the ministry I work for will sell a few copies for you.
22. salguod
- 08/06/2008 10:01 pm CDT
I'll buy one and recommend it to our book ministry.
Here's an idea I heard. Rather than trying to sell your book to a publisher, get it to sell itself. I heard once that a guy had an idea for a new product but didn't know how to get stores to talk to him, let alone buys some. So he took out ad time himself and told folks to go to the store and ask for his product. Pretty soon the stores were coming to him asking to buy some.
Take out some ads, maybe online or Christian radio, telling folks to go to their local christian book store and ask for that new book on Jesus (forgot the title :-P) by Jared C. Wilson. :-D
23. Bill
- 08/06/2008 10:25 pm CDT
"Here's an idea I heard. Rather than trying to sell your book to a publisher, get it to sell itself."
[Bill edges carefully away from Sal-Good and begins taking all breakables down from the shelves, keeping a watchful and nervous eye peeled for the coming of Rod, the Screaming Banshee]
24. salguod
- 08/07/2008 7:37 pm CDT
That's sal-goo-odd, mister. :-D
OK, so it was more of an excuse to tell a story that I heard than a real idea. Anyway, I thought it was clever, at least applied to that guys product.
(Sal-goo-odd, sensing the tension in the air, backs away as well, looking for a dark corner in which to hide ...)
Leave a Comment:
I promise to buy at least three, one for me and two to give away.
And after I read it, if it's a good fit, I may even do a church book study with it, which will mean more sales!