I like to keep up with what’s going on in the publishing industry through reading a free newsletter called Publisher’s Lunch. I enjoy skimming it to see what new books are coming out and what the trends seem to be. It also lists people changes at different publishing houses, and sometimes I recognize names here and there, so it’s interesting. The whole industry is like a revolving door — changes happen so quickly.

Yesterday, my eyes rested on one story — shocking I believe. Here, see for yourself:

Anne Rice, Born Again (Truly)

Newsweek finds out what’s next for Anne Rice. Her new book, releasing in two weeks (and her first since 2003), is CHRIST THE LORD: Out of Egypt. “The chronicler of vampires, witches and-under the pseudonym A. N. Roquelaure-of soft-core S&M encounters, will publish a novel about the 7-year-old Jesus, narrated by Christ himself.”

She tells them, “I promised that from now on I would write only for the Lord.” They add, “It’s the most startling public turnaround since Bob Dylan’s ‘Slow Train Coming’ announced that he’d been born again.”
Newsweek

If you read Newsweek’s story, “The Gospel According to Anne,” you’ll be inspired. But it fills me with questions. What changed her way of thinking? Was it something she read, or did someone share the truth with her in person, and it at last broke through? She, who is the author of Vampire chronicles and other evil — will now be writing for the glory of God.

I checked on Amazon, and her new book is due to be released Nov. 7. I’ve never read any of her books before, but this is one I’d be interested in. The book has a white cover, which contrasts sharply with many of her other covers that are dark and scary looking.

I wonder how her fans will react. They’ve come to expect certain things from her. I hope she’ll take the time to respond to their emails personally — they’re going to have some big questions, and she’s putting herself in a vulnerable position, yet one in which she can make an incredible impact!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!