 "Photo: Fortis Press")
“Instead of going with a major publishing house, a couple of buddies and I formed our own company,” Bellah said. “It’s called Fortis Press.”
Bellah said publishing his own work was much more involved than if it were published through a major publishing house.
He had to be “involved in everything, from designing the cover to finding a printer, getting ISBN numbers, developing a marketing plan, Web site” and so on.
“It’s been rewarding and a lot of work. A whole lot of work,” he said.
Bellah’s novelette began as a devotional.
“I was at a 40th reunion of a summer youth camp and had this idea,” he said. “I call it a supposal.
“Suppose I sat on the edge of Palo Duro Canyon wishing I had been with Jesus in first-century Palestine. Suppose that wish came true. “What would I do there? What would I see and hear? How would the experience change me?
“My story tries to answer those questions.”
Bellah’s motivation for writing I Saw Jesus This Morning was love. “Jesus said we are to love one another as he loved us,” he said. “I guess I want us to do that and, through a story, my book suggests practical ways to go about that.”
Fortis Press describes I Saw Jesus This Morning as “a journey” that is “part memoir, part dream vision.”
“Bellah’s fast-paced novelette examines what it means to meet Jesus today through his body, the church.”
Bellah said the main thing he wants readers to take away from his book is “that God reaches out to you through your brothers and sisters in Christ.
“And the corollary. He wants to touch them through you.”
“I know from reading his book that he is a thoughtful writer with a cool imagination,” said Mike Haynes, a mass communication instructor.
“I think it’s neat that he can combine his professional field of literature and writing with his passion for the Christian message.” “I’m impressed that he has the time (to write books),” said Daniel Ferguson, an associate professor of English and department chairman. “He teaches a lot of composition classes, and that takes a lot of work.”
By publishing his own book, Bellah is an example to students. “I also think it’s great that he models for his students,” Ferguson said. “He wants them to see themselves as writers, so he writes as well. I think it’s great.”
Bellah also published the book, Baby Boom Belivers, through Tyndale House in 1988.
In addition to teaching and writing books, Bellah writes for magazines, e-zines and blogs. I Saw Jesus This Morning is available online and through mail order.
For more information on Bellah, his book and to view his blog, visit www.fortispress.com.
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