by Ray Keating
Commentary
DisneyBizJournal.com
September 28, 2023
Hello Disney Friends:
This isn’t the usual Disney article that you expect from us at DisneyBizJournal.
If you’ve enjoyed my writing at DisneyBizJournal, or the podcasts I’ve done at “Daily Dose of Disney,” I’d like to ask you to consider my fiction writing, too. In addition to all the other hats I wear, I’m a novelist, the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novel series, as well as the Alliance of Saint Michael series.
Indeed, one of the reasons that I admire Walt Disney is the fact that he was a great storyteller, and he created a storytelling company. Along with others in the writing universe, Walt was an inspiration.
I love writing novels, and in order to be able to write even more of them, I’ve launched a “Kickstarter” campaign as a challenge to try and reach a certain number of readers to pen 7 new novels, including two additional novels in the Pastor Stephen Grant series, two more in the Alliance of Saint Michael series, and 3 new series, including a series featuring Father Quinn Porter.
You can access 10 different levels of participation for the Kickstarter campaign here. There are options for ebook readers; those who would like signed paperbacks of the new novels; and even a mix of options that include “gift packs” where you can buy a set to keep for yourself as well as a set to send to friends or family as a gift. (It will make a great Christmas option!) If you sign up, you will receive one of the seven new novels about every 3-4 months throughout 2024 and 2025.
If you haven’t participated in Kickstarter before, you should be aware that your credit card doesn’t get charged for the purchase until the end of the campaign, if it reaches its funding goal. So, in our case, the campaign ends on November 18, so if you sign up now, you won’t get charged until then, as long as we reach the required number of readers.
If you aren’t familiar with the fictional Pastor Stephen Grant, there are more than 18 thrillers already in the series. Stephen Grant is a former Navy SEAL and a onetime CIA operative, who became a pastor. His previous career often collides with his current career, creating exciting (and frequently dangerous!) adventures around the globe. The Alliance of Saint Michael novels center around a group of Christians brought together in the early 1930s to work, as best they can, against the rise of fascism and communism.
The novels have been well-received, with such comments as:
Kirkus Reviews calls Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant “an engaging and multifaceted character” and “a consistently entertaining hero.”
Lutheran Book Review says, “I miss Tom Clancy. Keating fills that void for me.”
The retired host of KFUO radio’s "BookTalk" declares, “Ray Keating is a great novelist.”
David Keene of The Washington Times calls the Pastor Stephen Grant novels “great reads.”
And another reviewer observes, “How I'd love to see Pastor Grant on Netflix!”
In an article titled “If James Bond Became a Pastor” covering Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries series, author and columnist Gene Veith notes, “Mr. Keating knows how to tell an exciting story. And these books, like the James Bond novels, are ridiculously entertaining.”
And regarding Cathedral, Self-Publishing Review says, “A stellar depiction of time period and tension. With so many swirling motives and three-dimensional characters in the mix, there is inherent tension for readers, as they eagerly anticipate one of Keating’s classic twists. The depth of historical detail is notable; a good deal of research went into the crafting of this novel, which gives it an authentic and immersive feel. The complex puzzle makes for a page-turning and unpredictable ride, and a firm foundation for Keating’s enticing new series.”
To bring this back to Walt, I often wonder how he would have used the various technologies available today to storytellers. Personally, I think he would have put most to good use, and the creator-entrepreneur in him would have seen opportunities via services like Kickstarter.
Thanks for taking the time to consider participating in this Kickstarter campaign to help get me to the next level of novel writing. I appreciate your time, and look forward to writing more for you in the future!
Thanks!
Ray Keating
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right? (Keating is a Disney shareholder.)
Consider books by Ray Keating, including…
• The Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. There are 18 books in the series now.
• Order The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist. Kindle editions and paperbacks via Amazon here and signed books here. And don’t forget the first book in this growing series, i.e., The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.
• Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel is at Amazon.
• The Lutheran Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement, inspiration and consolation from the Christian faith.
• Signed editions of Ray’s books are at www.RayKeatingOnline.com.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
