Still waiting to get a copy of St. Peter’s Brewery? Not sure you want to fork over $15 for a hard copy? Understood!

Since it’s my birthday today — and it’s far better to give than to receive — tomorrow morning (Feb. 25) I’m sending out a PDF copy of the book to all the subscribers of my e-mail newsletter (The Insurgency of Love)!

Of course, once you read the book in PDF format, I’m sure you’ll want to buy your own hard copy, as well as copies for all your friends…

But until then, simply sign up for my e-mail newsletter and you’ll get a copy of the book e-mailed to you first thing tomorrow morning.

It’s as easy as that!

Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy both the book and the newsletter.

What is the Insurgency of Love?

The Insurgency of Love is a monthly (sometimes twice monthly) e-mail newsletter hoping to
A.) Give real examples and ideas of how we can all be Insurgents of Love (i.e. your stories!)
B.) Give some added insight/updates into some of the projects I’m involved in.

Subscribe now.

St. Peter's Brewery - a novel by Jonathan D. Blundell

A friend shared a great post today from Jan Edmiston and A Church for Starving Artists.

Reading it, I couldn’t help but think of St. Peter’s Brewery.

As I was working here on this first Monday of the new decade, Sister Sledge was playing in the background. (“We are family . . .”) I had my coffee, my laptop, and the company of three strangers who’d joined me. As is my common experience here, we became temporary colleagues suggesting which salads to try or watching each other’s computers if someone needed to slip off to the restroom.

The two men were working together on some kind of Republican political event. The other woman seemed to be writing in her diary. After the men left, the remaining woman and I kept to our work, occasionally staring into space in search of inspiration. She was looking towards the bar when she said something out loud – sort of to herself – and I replied, “What did you say?” And she said it again: “I wish my church was like this.”

Don’t we all?

It wasn’t the first time I’ve come here alone or with friends and heard those words: “I wish my church was like this.” I interpret this to mean “I wish the church was easy and warm and comfortable and diverse and tangibly hospitable. I wish there was more art and moving around and conversation and work and laughter and sitting and even praying.” I’ve prayed here many times. I’ve had staff meetings here. I’ve celebrated births and deaths here.

Jan goes on to ask, “What makes a church a church?”

Surely it’s not the building? Surely it’s not the decor.

There must be something far deeper.

It’s about the people that gather.

Whether it’s in a brewery, an old city bar, a coffee house, a living room or under a shade tree or in the middle of a parking lot — it’s still about creating a space where people feel welcome, loved and cared for.

So if you could start from scratch, what would your church look like?

St. Peter's Brewery - a novel by Jonathan D. Blundell

This week they’ve shared a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep” as a Christmas song.

every christmastime, it seems i end up meeting out-of-place outcasts who feel even more out-of-place and outcast around the holidays. those people need songs too.

Download it. Share it. Listen and find the truth.

How have you heard this song in the past? How do you hear it now in this new context — hopefully looking at it through a God lens?

St. Peter's Brewery - a novel by Jonathan D. Blundell

Knowing that my good friend, Jonathan D Blundell was recently about to publish his first book – St Peter’s Brewery – I was fascinated to hear the back story of the book, and wanted to find out more.

I shot JD a few questions so he could unpack it a little for me:

JL: What were the seeds that made you start in the first place?

JD: As far as the seeds for the book, I guess it really depends on how far back you want to go. I’ve wanted to write and publish a book for some time now. I never really settled on a topic though as far as non-fiction goes and started 2 or 3 other projects along the way that never really went anywhere. I even started one a while back that I blogged as I wrote but I lost interest in the storyline and moved on.

When I heard about NaNoWriMo.org, I decided I’d take them up on the challenge. Essentially the challenge is to write a novel in one month (the month of November). Write at least 50,000 words and you “win.” I wasn’t sure I could do it, but having a deadline and focusing solely on writing and not going back and editing along the way.

I initially came up with the idea of a drifter, or a loner who worked at a post office (not sure why) who comes to find out the importance of community along the way. A few ideas led to another and St. Peter’s Brewery was born.

As I wrote, I found myself calling on a number of situations and experiences I’ve had personally, as well as the experiences and stories people have shared on our podcast. So in many ways, the book I wrote is biographical, just the names, times and exact situations have been changed .

Among other things, Johnny also asked me to predict what a future movie trailer based on the book might look/sound like.

JL: If St Peter’s Brewery was made into a movie, and there was a trailer playing in the movie theater, what would the voice over guy with the deep voice be saying about it?

JD: Wow. Great question! Do I get to pick who plays the various parts?

Whenever I think of the movie guy it always reminds me of over dramatic or horror movie trailers. I’m not totally sure that would fit this particular story/movie but let’s see if I can answer your question either way.

A young man… trying to escape his past…

A pub…. in the most unlikely of places…

A group of friends… all finding sanctuary…

Within St. Peter’s Brewery… a sanctuary for all.

Based on the New York Times bestselling book, by Jonathan Blundell.

Take a fresh look at an old love story.

St. Peter’s Brewery

Coming to a theater and pub near you.

Christmas 2010.

Ha ha! Maybe I should have used that for the back cover instead!

Read the full interview and leave a comment or two for Johnny – he might just have a future in journalism…

If you’d like to set up an interview via email/Skype/Wetoku or in person about the book, visit the contact page and drop me an email. I’d love to chat.

St. Peter's Brewery - a novel by Jonathan D. Blundell

I received my proof copy in the mail today, clicked approve and immediately the book went live on my printer’s website.

Excellent!

It’ll still be a week or more before the print version of the book will be available on Amazon.com, but you can order it TODAY, directly from the printer — or for the Kindle fans, a Kindle version is available now as well.

Thanks for all your support! I hope you enjoy the book and it challenges in fresh new ways.

Available now!

Available now!

St. Peter's Brewery - a novel by Jonathan D. Blundell

St Peter’s Brewery by Jonathan D Blundell is different. In a good way.

Before I tell you why let me first say that Jonathan is my friend and co-host on the Something Beautiful Podcast and he gave me an advance copy of the book.

That could have made this review a little awkward. At least it would have if the book wasn’t great!

I read it all in one sitting, unusual for me, and was drawn in to this story of Jimmy, a man who has withdrawn from life because engaging is just too painful.

Jimmy finds sanctuary in St Peter’s Brewery, the converted church where he now drinks alone. His only friend is the barman, Pete, who lends an ear when he wants to talk and knows when to leave Jimmy alone when he doesn’t.

Jimmy’s life is one that so many can relate to. Things haven’t gone well for him. Relationships have been broken, work has become a place to escape life rather than live it, life is empty and that’s just fine with Jimmy.

Be sure and read the full review and drop Stewart a comment or two as well.

Have you posted a review, let me know. I’d love to share a link back to your site as well!

St. Peter's Brewery - a novel by Jonathan D. Blundell

Tonight I submitted the interior file (aka everything between the front and back cover).

I finished my 5th (or was it 6th) edit of the book and sent it on it’s way.

All that’s left now is finalizing the cover and submitting the entire book for publication. Hopefully I’ve done all my work correctly up to this point and everything will be good to go.

Once my files are reviewed, a proof copy of the book will be printed, I’ll check it and then if nothing else needs adjusting, we’ll send this book out into the wild.

I’m still hoping for a mid-December publication (if not before).

I’m also hoping to have a Kindle version ready by then as well. So keep checking back and be sure to submit pictures of your sanctuaries on the http://www.flickr.com/groups/stpetersbrewery/ or Facebook page.

There are a few submissions already, hoping to see many more in the days to come.

Thanks again for your interest and support!

Shalom!
jdblundell

St. Peter's Brewery - a novel by Jonathan D. Blundell

The book is getting closer and closer to sending to press. I’m working through my third or forth read of the book and making a few last minute changes before sending it to printer.

Here’s the description that’s planned for the back cover of the book ::

As a twenty-something living in Austin, Texas, Jimmy Gaines had it made.
A great job in the tech industry, a great girlfriend, great friends and a great life.
Or so he thought.
When it all came spiraling down, Jimmy quickly realized that the life he had built for himself wasn’t as great as
he’d originally believed.
Jimmy decides to run from his problems and finds sanctuary within the walls of a small pub in central Texas.
It’s there that he’s ultimately forced to face the demons of his past and come to grip with true grace and forgiveness.
Discover Jimmy’s slow road to fulfillment with the help of a few friends who have set out to share life together through the community they’ve built around the local pub…

St. Peter's Brewery - a novel by Jonathan D. Blundell