Surviving God: Co-writing a New Book

Sometimes, it is very difficult to find good friends.

People say, “friends come and go” and I have seen my share of this throughout my life. Childhood friends become a distant memory and new friends become mere acquaintances.

As we get older, it can become harder to make new friends and keep the ones that we have. Sometimes it is even onerous to hold unto our friendships as our life circumstances change. Some of us have children, some of us don’t, some of us lose jobs and some of us relocate for new employment. Due to our transient life, it can become challenging to make and maintain friends.

In my life, I feel so blessed to have a few close friends who have been sources of joy, comfort and happiness. For these friendships, I am truly grateful. I am also appreciative to have a friend who shares similar theological understandings and perspectives as I do and even wants to co-write a book together. This is uncommon as writing a book together can be very demanding. I have heard friends co-writing books and arguing about the content during the entire writing process. I know married couples who have co-written books together and one such friend told me, “we are still lucky to be married” after they finished co-writing their book.

Co-writing a book is not easy. But when you find a friend who loves to co-write with you, it becomes a gift. That friend becomes a true gem who makes you grow and expands your theological perspective. My fabulous friend Dr. Susan M. Shaw is that friend.

We already co-wrote one book together, Intersectional Theology, which is being widely used in seminaries, churches and study groups. This has made us so happy and satisfied that our book is making an impact. I am always thrilled to meet students wherever I speak who tell me that our book, Intersectional Theology has been life-changing for them.

A few months ago, Susan and I signed with Broadleaf Books for our second co-written book, Surviving God.

This book has been challenging to write as it is a personal book on surviving sexual abuse. Abuse is prevalent in our society, but it is also in our churches and faith communities. We wanted to co-write about this as it is such a key issue for our time and context. Presently, we are in the midst of writing our last chapter and our book will be submitted shortly.

In life, when it is so difficult to find and make friends, it is a blessing to have a friend who is also a co-author. Writing with Susan has been a deep blessing. I have learned so much from her and my writing life has been enriched by her. It is a true joy to write with such a phenomenal thinker and writer, and co-writing this book has been a delight.

Watch for our new book, Surviving God, in Spring 2024 (Broadleaf Books).

You can listen to Dr. Susan Shaw on Madang Podcast hosted by Christian Century as she shares our book, Intersectional Theology.

Upcoming Events:

1. Dean Edwin Aponte’s installation service as the 14th Dean of Drew Theological School and a symposium, "Draw the Circle Wide". Panelists: Edwin David Aponte, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Miguel A. De La Torre and myself; and moderated by Rev. Dr. Althea Spencer-Miller. All are welcome.

2. Madang Podcast with Robert Ellsberg, publisher at Orbis Books will be coming soon. Please watch for it.

Special Events:

1. Join Homebrewed Christianity’s online class The Easter Stories. It is free, but donations are most welcomed.

2. I am returning to the Wild Goose Festival. Please join me and use “Madang” discount code to get 50.00 off Registration.