Most of me is still incredulous that this is actually happening, but a Bible storybook / art curriculum book that I co-wrote with artist Barry Stebbing is finally rolling off the presses over six years after finishing it. The book is entitled Art and the Bible for Children and is comprised of children’s Bible stories, art lessons, and original artwork from children.
The book will be sold on Barry Stebbing’s website, How Great Thou Art; CBD.com, and Rainbow Resource. It will be released on 01.07.09.
The following is the official description of the book: After many years in the making, Art & the Bible for Children is now in print! We, at How Great Thou ART Publications, believe this is the very best of our curriculum. It includes children’:s favorite Bible stories (written at an elementary level), delightful art lessons at the end of each story, and is wonderfully illustrated by homeschoolers! Art & the Bible for Children is hardbound and in full color. This book meets a need in the homeschooling families, Sunday schools, and Christian schools, bringing great joy to children as they learn God’s word. Please enjoy this introductory offer of $24.95!
But enough with formalities. Let me give you the inside scoop. How in the world does a 12 (or was I 13?) year old get thrown into the position of writing a Bible story book? Well, it caught me by surprise as well. I wish I could say it was my outstanding writing from an early age that caught the eye of a famous person who decided to give me my big break in the writing world. But if that was the case, all the half-written plotlines I’ve sketched out in Word form would be bestsellers today. Truth is, I stumbled into the situation.
Barry Stebbing was having a contest of sorts. Write a Bible story, submit it, best one from each story written would be published in an upcoming book. My poor recollections recalls I spent approximately 4 hours writing my submission–a retelling of Noah’s Ark. I do believe I still have that original manuscript somewhere. I’ll have to try to dig it up. It must’ve been two weeks later I got a phone call from Barry Stebbing. It seems his contest had garnered very few submissions, and no quality ones besides mine. Would I be interested in writing the entire thing?
The idea was both exciting and intensely terrifying. And that point in life, I had JUST discovered how to write coherently. What if I couldn’t do it? Any writer knows the blinking of a cursor on a blank white screen is the most terrifying thing in the world. Hesitantly, I said yes.
What began was a whirlwind of story writing. I honestly can’t tell you the number of stories I wrote…the only story I remember writing SPECIFICALLY was the Resurrection of Christ. The first draft of that story was being typed out on my newly purchased laptop as I was riding in the car on the way to somewhere when a car pulled out in front of the car I was in, causing us to rear end it.
After completing the manuscript, I waited patiently on news for its release. Finally, I got the sickening phone call. The expense was just going to be too much at the time. I must admit I was somewhat disappointed, but eventually it was just…forgotten.
Fast forward six years. A voicemail. This is Barry Stebbing from How Great Thou Art. I wanted to let Josh know that we are finally publishing Art and the Bible for Children. They’re rolling off the presses now. Give me a call.
Stunned amazement. That was the only response I could have had. Incredulity was again. I probably should have acted more excited. Happier maybe. But I’d pushed that time of my life so far into the recesses of my memory that resurrecting it was difficult. But I guess it’s finally true. Me? An author? Hardly. But so it would seem.
P.S. Dug up that old Noah’s Ark story. This is THE story that began the journey. The Story of Noah’s Ark