A Letter to My Readers

I have been writing this blog daily since April 1, 2020. I activated the site in 2017, but I did very little writing in it until the COVID-19 pandemic became a catalyst for me to write daily to encourage others, and indeed, to encourage myself to get through this crisis.

I want to thank my loyal readers, who encourage me more than they can imagine. I have numerous dear daily American readers, but I also have readers from China, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Belize, France, and occasional readers from other global spots. I cherish each of you, and thank you for your support.

As some of my readers know, I wrote a novel that had been bubbling in my mind for nearly 30 years. That novel, Joseph Shepherd, was published in 2015. I donate all the proceeds (such as they are 😊) to New Creation Counseling Center or to Ginghamsburg Church Christmas Miracle Offering, which helps local outreach ministries serve people who are hurting in this area.  

Today, I begin the enjoyable process of serializing the novel for my readers.

My character, Joseph Shepherd, is a complex man who is… well let’s just say when you get to know him, he will remind you of someone. Here is little teaser I prepared for the book…  

What if there were someone who was not described in the history books, but who had incredible influence on the times in which he lived ? What if that man were someone who, for some reason, despite his good ideas and intentions, was accused of things he did not do? What if that man met with and influenced some of the greatest characters of the century in which he lived, but you had never heard of him? Meet Joseph Shepherd

The novel is written from the perspective of Joseph’s friend, Luke Greene, who also writes the forward to the book. Greene is his traveling companion, and his life is changed by Shepherd

So, in the coming weeks, in addition to my daily counselor reflections, I will begin serializing the novel. I became intrigued with the idea of serializing the book because it was a convention of the 19^th century when writers like Charles Dickens began to serialize novels in the newspaper. My “old school” self became enamored with the idea, so I decided to serialize Joseph Shepherd.

I will publish, on the blog, sections of the book each week, perhaps twice/week based upon the feedback my readers give. It will give me joy to publish this way, and it also does something else. It will give me accountability to complete the sequel. Yes, there is a sequel, and if you all push me, I might actually finish it!

Yes, if you get impatient and want to just read the whole book, you can purchase it www.amazon.com by searching for “Joseph Shepherd”.

Thank you again for your love and support. I wish my American readers a happy Thanksgiving. To my other readers, I wish you a blessing on your journey, whatever it may be.

John