I don’t call enough attention to other bloggers. I devour them, read their words, and am grateful for their voices. Sometimes I comment on their blogs, mostly I don’t. But I read daily, and I am amazed, encouraged, grossed-out, surprised, infatuated, envious, incredulous, amused, and other participles, in no particular order. I’ve been reading a book called Joyful Noise: The New Testament Revisited, edited by Rick Moody and Darcey Steinke. They solicited writers of all backgrounds—agnostics, atheists, old-time religionists, cultural critics, novelists, poets, essayists, spies—to contribute an essay based on a text or passage from the New Testament, something that organizes or delimits or confuses or explains some aspect of their lives. And it’s amazing. I would love to do so with you who blog, whether I’ve known you forever or you read and never comment or you’re a truck-driving proletariat or a five-point Calvinist or a militant Baptist or an evangelical hater or a committed Muslim—as long as you blog. I’d like to collect short pieces—200 to 2000 words—using a phrase or verse or passage from the Gospels as the organizing thought for a short personal essay, or a poem if you must, and I don’t care whether you consider yourself a good writer or not; this is no competition, but a show of gratitude for what you all give me. If you’re an artist, I’d love a photocopiable drawing. I’d like to collect these (reserving the right for some minimal copy-editing) and put them together in something like a chap-book, depending on the number of responses. I’d like to do this over my Christmas break. I would like to make about 200 copies and sell them through the blog at a price that will cover only the copy and postage expenses. I would like more people to be amazed through amused at your writing, as I am. If you’re interested, or have questions, you can comment here or e-mail me at junkmailforblankets@hotmail.com. I think this would be really cool.
Posted by ghetto monk at October 26, 2004 03:45 PM | TrackBackThis sounds supremely interesting; I'd love to do so in return for the great writing you do here.
Posted by: Manders at October 26, 2004 03:48 PMthanks, manders. very cool. that makes one.
Posted by: jeremy at October 26, 2004 04:04 PMvery cool.
i would like to submit a short piece (of ...) to the effort.
Posted by: steph at October 26, 2004 04:13 PMthat's TWO!
Posted by: jeremy at October 26, 2004 04:22 PMI'm in.
Posted by: rob at October 26, 2004 05:10 PMthis is so exciting. thanks, rob.
Posted by: jeremy at October 26, 2004 05:11 PMI'll do it, Jeremy.
Posted by: apple at October 26, 2004 05:48 PMi'd like to
Posted by: jeep at October 26, 2004 05:58 PMconsider me signed up...just make sure you hold me to it!
Posted by: heidi at October 26, 2004 06:31 PMI would love to. Further, I think that idea is a great idea. (Sorta like those guys--recently on Letterman--who put together a book of scrap notes they had found.)
As we do not know one another, this may not interest you, but...
I have a guy that owes me around three to five thousand dollars worth of printing. If, perhaps, you were interested in printing more copies to try and sell to bookstores; and if you would be willing to have a partner in this; I would strongly consider using this owed printing in this way. (IE: Instead of for some short story collection of my own.) Did I make sense? Anyways, if you are interested, my email is " vonnoh --at-- c-a-n --dot-- net "
Carl
Posted by: Carl at October 26, 2004 06:39 PMSure.
Posted by: Kammer at October 26, 2004 07:39 PMme too, if you want.
Posted by: emily jane at October 26, 2004 07:57 PMAnd you can count me in. (oh the horror that will be unleashed on us all)
Posted by: Paula at October 26, 2004 08:19 PMeveryone who's offered, hear my grateful and excited yes. 12 and counting, not including myself. this is so cool.
and carl, thank you for the offer. let's talk over e-mail. it's so gracious of you, and i have a hard time accepting grace, so i'm hesitant, but man if that isn't generous. i'm humbled.
Posted by: jeremy at October 26, 2004 10:49 PMcool beans jeremy! i'm in! can i broaden the appeal by posting on this on my blog, or would you like to keep it for your readers?? i LOVE this idea!
btw - you need to add a paypal icon to your blog so we can pay for the book eventually. i was trying to find one the other day to paypal you some long johns!
Posted by: bobbie at October 27, 2004 03:20 AMI'll probably do it
Posted by: JosiahQ at October 27, 2004 06:53 AMthanks for the thought, bobbie. that's a good idea. and yes, by all means, link it.
josiah, i'll take that as a "probably."
Posted by: jeremy at October 27, 2004 09:05 AMSo, are you going to make assignments, or are we set free to romp through the entire open fields of Scripture?
Posted by: jeep at October 27, 2004 10:13 AMI mean the New Testament.
Posted by: jeep at October 27, 2004 10:25 AMjeep,
you're free, though i'd like to keep the gospel narratives as the main parameters. there are places throughout the NT, of course, that could work, as well as a direct reference to the person of Jesus, so i guess "the person/life/work of Jesus" is the focus, using a particular word, phrase, verse, or passage as the direct inspiration. and between 200 and 1200 words is my preference, since it looks like we've got a good company signing up. once i get a pretty good list set, i'll send out e-mails with specific formatting instructions, but until then, go at it however you like.
Posted by: jeremy at October 27, 2004 10:39 AMJeremy, I'll commit. I may be slow at it - kids, family, work, once a month preaching. But this is an opportunity with which I'd love to help!
Shalom ("Tounge-0-My-Fathers" was it?)
Jason
when i see morrissey tonight, i will ask him to change his song to your suggested title. nicely done, mac.
Posted by: shull at October 27, 2004 02:28 PMtake your time, jason. i'm glad you're in.
Posted by: jeremy at October 27, 2004 04:03 PMshull, you bastard. let me know how it sounds.
Posted by: jeremy at October 27, 2004 04:03 PMdaniel, i was wondering what took you so long. so glad you arrived.
Posted by: jeremy at October 27, 2004 04:04 PMI'll give it a try... but I'd like something more specific for inspiration/reference. Maybe a book in the New Testament?
(The guys on Letterman were from Found.)
donnell, i'll put some more specific parameters on the blog in a day or two.
Posted by: jeremy at October 27, 2004 06:52 PMi'm not sure if a livejournal counts as a blog, but i'd love to be in. it would give me a reason to write.
Posted by: maria at October 27, 2004 07:59 PMI'm in. Keep reminding us (or at least me).
Posted by: jon at October 27, 2004 08:05 PMmaria, a hearty yes. jon, i will. i'll put up a post in a day or two with more specific parameters (not content-wise, but form- and length-wise). i'm glad you're both in.
Posted by: jeremy at October 27, 2004 08:45 PMJ
I have pieces up at www.ouruf.org
You can see the archives by clicking on the 151 seconds words.
Which would you like?
Serven
Jeremy, I'd love to participate.
(still owe you a ring...we will catch up sooner or later)
glad to hear it, allyson.
Posted by: jeremy at October 28, 2004 08:34 AMJeremy, I'm one of those people who reads and never comments. I'd love to be a part of this---I've been thinking about it all day.
Could you count me in? Thanks!
Posted by: brenda at November 1, 2004 07:18 PMI am interested, and having just come across this post, need to let the idea tumble around a bit in my head. Consider me a "probably" too?
Posted by: Heather at November 3, 2004 05:40 AMbrenda, i've counted you. glad you're in.
Posted by: jeremy at November 3, 2004 07:44 PMI'm in. I have a verse and image rumbling around my head. I've been deficient in posting & blogging, but count me in, as your token apostate heretic. Now you just need some Muslims?
Posted by: ck at November 17, 2004 04:58 PMThanks, ck. I'm glad to have your voice. Think we could rustle up some B'Hai?
Posted by: jeremy at November 17, 2004 05:08 PMSomehow I managed to miss this. Count me in.
Posted by: evan donovan at December 8, 2004 06:31 PMwelcome aboard.
Posted by: jeremy at December 8, 2004 10:43 PM