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  In the Beginning Anthology

In the Beginning - Out Now!

10/26/2016

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Sight unseen, In the Beginning has been rejected by some as being too clerical or religiously partisan. While this is far from the case, it is easy to see why someone would make that assumption. The seeds for each of the stories are culled from passages within the Christian Bible.

The problem of retelling a Biblical story for a modern audience begins with the perception that it will be adherent to a religion and religious philosophy, and it will require a certain faith to be relevant. You might think of Sunday School, stained glass and hard wooden pews full of worshipful devotees.

Devout Christians familiar with the Bible will need to prop their minds firmly open when they read In the Beginning. There are inhabitants within these chronicles that will shake them. The narratives are peopled with witches and demons, dragons and spirits, people caught up in bloodlust, plain lust and somber twists of consciousness. But you will recognize many of the individuals and their dilemmas, because they are as old as time.  

This book does not proselytize. It is not religious. In fact, it does not take sides. It leads the reader onto dark and dangerous paths, into a maze that will challenge, delight, titillate and entertain the young adult reader.

Readers who have faith in no religion, who think of themselves as agnostics, pagans and free-thinkers, or mere skeptics for whom the idea of faith is an anathema may want to dismiss anything remotely related to the Bible as irrelevant or pointless. But the stories in this book are emphatically not written from the perspective of the pulpit, but are ancient stories fantastically retold for the imagination of the young modern audience more attuned to Dungeons and Dragons, Game of Thrones, zombies, space travel and aliens. 

Today we are bombarded with so many images from cable television and Netflix, communication by e-mail and Facebook and Twitter. It seems our appetite for connectedness and relevance is boundless. And this profusion of information might make the ideas in the ancient text of the Bible seem irrelevant.
But the Bible itself is a book full of mystery and intrigue, compelling plots and machinations. This is just where the ideas for the short stories of In the Beginning are born. Each story begins with a passage from the Bible, but like a headstrong child, heads off into its own realm, borne on the imagination of the author. There are stories from ancient times, and others set in modern times.

These are not stories from some pulpit. They do not preach. They do not judge, and they are raw and dark, fearsome and somewhat twisted.

In the Beginning challenges the reader to put aside any preconceived notions he may have about the passages from which they are wrenched. They are not meant to proselytize. They do not preach. They take twists and turns not foreseen, and not to be forgotten.  And they are somewhat messy, like life itself.
 
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In the Beginning coming in October, 2016

8/27/2016

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We are finally, FINALLY, allowed to share the cover of the Anthology, In the Beginning.

These are DARK retellings of Biblical stories for Young Adults featuring eight authors. I am lucky enough to have been chosen to add my voice in the story "The Deluge." The story is a retelling of the Noah story from the perspective of one of the folks who didn't make it onto the boat. Excerpts are posted on the first and second pages of this website, along with earlier information from my book "Dark Horse Spirit: Beyond Redemption".

I hope you will be intrigued by these stories.
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In the Beginning, an Anthology

1/20/2016

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I am so excited to be able to finally get the word out about my newest project.

In the Beginning, an Anthology, will be coming out (in paperback, hardback and ebook form) in October, 2016.

Published by Georgia McBride, this Charity Anthology will contribute to WriteGirl.Org.

My story -- "The Deluge" is a short story about Noah, his family, the ark, the animals -- and the people in his village who bully and mock him.

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November 06th, 2014

11/6/2014

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Judge’s Commentary:

As you surely meant for the reader to do, I read many chapters into the book before realizing that the narrator “you” were not actually dead.  For a long time, I imagined I was reading a fictional ghost story.  The scene where you finally wake up is particularly moving to me; I’m glad you include the mundane conversation your daughter and husband were having before you speak, because it makes the contrast between what was going on before you said “no” and afterward especially striking.

To me, this is a book I would call spiritual rather than religious, and I think you’ve done quite an amazing thing by expressing that spirituality solely through narrative, with virtually no dialogue until after you awaken.  However, as I look back at the book, it’s the ending, where you’re struggling to return to your normal life, that I find myself remembering the most.

I really like the cover.  I’ve looked at it several times, noticing the rainbow, before seeing the horse at all, and I’m sure that’s what you meant for me to do.  I don’t think the drawings really add anything to the book, though.  Additionally, although I like the idea of breaking up the narrative with poetry, I’m not sure I get a complete understanding of the original poetry you include.  (I’m also a little worried that you don’t include an acknowledgment for the Robert Frost poem, showing that you have permission to use it in the book, at the end.)

Judge, 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

Author’s Notes:

Regarding “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost:

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1923.

The author died in 1963, so this work is also in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 50 years or less. This work may also be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.

About the review:

 *If you wish to reference this review on your website, we ask that you cite it as such: “Judge, 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards.” You may cite portions of your review, if you wish, but please make sure that the passage you select is appropriate, and reflective of the review as a whole.

I have included the entire review, including what may be construed as negative commentary, because to be honest, I don’t think it would be fair to do otherwise.

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"Dark Horse Spirit: Beyond Redemption" Featured in BookDaily Campaign

9/18/2014

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"Dark Horse Spirit: Beyond Redemption" is currently being featured on BookDaily.com - a new way for people to find the book and buy it through Kindle on Amazon.

A big concern of mine - I am not a sales person. I am a writer. So the whole promotion idea is coming very slowly to fruition.


In the meantime, I have begun work on another book. The working title is "Dark Horse Spirit: The Familiar Path" which I hope to have out in 2015.

Every day I find new material in my daily contacts and in the news. This next story will be an earthly tale, I am sure of that!

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Honorable Mention for Dark Horse Spirit: Beyond Redemption

7/8/2014

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Dark Horse Spirit: Beyond Redemption won an Honorable Mention at the 2014 Hollywood Book Festival in the Spiritual Category.

I have been waiting nervously to see the publication of this year's winners. This is my first novel, my first competition, and I am very excited to see my book listed among the other winners! 

I am working on my next book, considering how to progress and getting excited about a whole new story line... but Dark Horse Spirit: Beyond Redemption will always be my first born. 

I am feeling blessed and humbled by this honor.
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Nothing Ever Stays the Same (Or so I'm Told)

5/14/2014

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As you can see, I have changed the appearance of my web site to better highlight the navigation links; I like the new site, but I liked the old one as well -- while I was working to update some things, I ended up creating a mess.  Thus, the new look.  I hope you like it. 

I've included some new photos - most of which were taken right here from our property in Red Bluff, CA - and the photo on the front page, and on the "Toby" excerpt is now my horse, Dreamer.   I have also added my own picture on the blog page, so you can see who I am. 

I'm having a lot of fun with this site, but I need to get back to writing, so I will be posting only on the weekends from now on.  
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Now At Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

5/13/2014

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I was thrilled to find that Dark Horse Spirit: Beyond Redemption is now available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble (dot coms).  Unfortunately, Amazon has it listed today as a childrens' book.  I checked with my publisher, and the info they gave Amazon did say adult fiction... so I'm hoping that gets fixed.  Not that I mind if kids want to read the book, but it is definitely not a children's book, per se. 

I'm beginning to feel like a real, live author! 

I have now started the next book, and will post a first chapter somewhere along the line, when I feel it is right. 

Here in Northern California the forecast is for 100 degrees by Thursday, and I am not looking forward to that weather.  We need rain.  Badly. 
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Words from the author. 

1/13/2014

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In Production!

Today I sent the final, final proofs of the covers and the book to publishing.  I started writing this novel two and a half years ago... it has been a long process.  I am excited to announce the impending birth of Dark Horse Spirit: Beyond Redemption.

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    Margaret (Marti) Johnson

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