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Last week we watched our grandson run the 1500 meter. Took 4th place in his heat. We clapped and hollered, pleased as a couple of blue-ribbon winners at the county fair.

“Looked like you were hurting on that home stretch,” I said afterward. He smiled. “Yeah.” (He’s kind of the strong, silent type.)

If you’ve run any distance, you know about the vast gap between your unseen pain and the obvious composure of those smiling spectators. “The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy,” Proverbs 14:10.

You can’t feel my pain, but I’m running right now. Not quite to the home stretch, yet pressing toward the goal: my book release this summer.

Indie (self-published) authors can set their own deadlines. As for me, I actually have a publisher. That’s great, but I have no control over the timing. July or August, I’m told.

Evading obscurity

Meanwhile, I’m working on marketing strategies. As a writing coach says, “You may write the best book in history but if nobody knows about it, so what?”

One helpful bit of publicity is an endorsement from someone with his own following. I already have the first, from my friend and former pastor, Stu Weber.

Stu is the founding pastor of Good Shepherd Community Church here in Oregon. He’s authored 8 books himself, and has a national speaking platform, especially at men’s gatherings. Stu has been a giant in my life and was kind enough to say this about Someplace North, Someplace Wild.

Thank you, Stu!

Meanwhile, I’ve asked three more acquaintances: a former lieutenant governor of Alaska, and two well-known Christian authors.

Would you pray with me for favor with these three brothers?

Of course, God doesn’t need any human help … but He does use means. David testified, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord,” Psalm 20:7. Nevertheless, you can be sure he had the best chariots and horses in the kingdom.

You also will have opportunity to help by joining my launch team. More about that next time.