Stephanie Landsem's Publication Secrets at Loome Theological Booksellers

There are many who aspire to publish books.  There are few who do so.  Stephanie Landsem shared her publication secrets recently at Loome Theological Booksellers.

Christopher Hagen, the proprietor of Loome Theological Booksellers, grilled Stephanie Landsem in a hard hitting wide ranging 45 minute interview accompanied by challenging and penetrating questions from the audience (which included a surprisingly articulate group of 13 year old young ladies!).  From the conception of her story ideas, through writing, critiquing, submitting to contests, publication offers, and marketing Landsem unstintingly gave of her experiences and insights.

After the interview Landsem generously signed copies of her books, answered more questions, held the Hagen's infant son, and gave away a copy of The Thief.

Landsem's visit was the first of many this year at Loome Theological Booksellers.  There will be more authors and speakers coming to Loome every month of 2014.  If there is a particular author or speaker whom you would recommend to Loome and whom resides in or will be visiting the Twin Cities this year, please let us know.

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"A life in books"

Check out Lori Erickson's article A life in books, where she speaks of the spiritual importance of books-- and gives an insightful and candid account of her visit to Loome Theological Booksellers. 

To quote the photo caption: "Loome Theological Booksellers in Stillwater, Minnesota, shows what can happen when a book-buying habit gets out of hand."

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From Abu Ghraib to Loome Theological Booksellers

Mother Olga of the Eucharist came into the store while she was in the Twin Cities to give a retreat as part of the First Saturday Series at the Cathedral of St. Paul.

Mother remarked upon the antique depictions of the sacraments that are permanently on display in the store and was particularly impressed by the large collection of St. Therese items for sale in the Sacred Gifts section. Learn more about this remarkable woman’s life here.

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The Father of the Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan

When I first started working at Loome Theological Booksellers there were two books Henry Stachyra gave me to read in order to become as Loomish as possible.  One was Pieper's Liesure the basis of Culture and the other was Fr. John Hardon's Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.  I thought I was a well read person before I started working at the bookstore.  After leafing through the Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan and seeing page after page of authors I had never even heard of, let alone read, I found out I was woefully under-read, at least in the intellectual tradition that mattered at Loome Theological Booksellers.

Happily I later found that Fr. Hardon was a rather holy and intellectual priest leaving behind many good books. I have particularly benefited from his Modern Catholic Dictionary actually.  I recently met the postulator for his cause for sainthood, Fr. Robert McDermott (see him below).

Fr. McDermott visited the bookstore recently and he was after Fr. Hardon's books.  Happily we were able to show him a rare Hardon book on confession.  Fr. McDermott's visit prompted me to reflect once again on the worth of a good book and in particular, the many good books of Fr. Hardon.

Please learn more about Fr. Hardon and his cause for sainthood here.

What books of Fr. Hardon have you benefited from?

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Dr. Briel on Newman - A Vlog!

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Theological Hairdos

Some scholars and assorted bookish people come to the store with eccentric sorts of hairdos (you know, aloof scholar hair, cf. Hans Küng's hair, which is a moderate example), but we haven't seen a do like this in quite some time. It looks rather like a halo.

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A Visit by Archbishop Raymond Burke

We were very pleased to welcome Archbishop Raymond Burke yesterday afternoon. He has been a Loome patron for many years and is, furthermore, a decidedly bookish character. Bookishness, mind you, is a virtue. A bookish person is one who reads often and well, knows about books and the things contained in books. The opposing vice (for those who need to know) is booklust, which is akin to greed and several other wicked habits. But as I was saying, the Archbishop is possessed of a good dose of healthy bookishness. Judging from his book picks over some time, I should say his general interests are broad, yet he delves deeply in some areas; I believe he has gathered books from nearly every section in the store. Allow me also to add that the Archbishop strikes me as a very kind man; kindness and bookishness, being virtues, go hand in hand.

Asked when he ever has a chance to read (for archbishops are rather busy people), Burke answered (with a grin) that he finds time to read at night, very late at night. Asked what he has been reading recently which he has enjoyed, the archbishop responded that he has been reading Journet on the Eucharist.

Our very best wishes to you, Archbishop Burke! We look forward to seeing you again.


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Father Z Has Landed

Yes, it was a happy day at Loome Theological Booksellers. Mostly unannounced, but always very welcome, arrived Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, of wdtprs fame. Ready to greet him was the foot-high Dante statue which previously had but taunted him for saying that he was going to come to the store but not really coming (at least not immediately). Now, of course, the two look quite happy together (not to mention the smiling figure in the frame, Leo PP. XIII.). Father took an interest in a good many excellent books, amusing stories were shared... and fun was had by all. See you next time, Fr. Z!                                                                                                                

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7/21/10 UPDATE: Fr. Z's account of his visit.

An Open Letter to Father Z

Dear Fr. Z,

Whereas we had caught rumor of an impending visit by you to our store (aka Book Shrine), but whereas we have not yet had the pleasure of an actual visit in recent months, we hereby issue in your direction an invitatory taunt. And to render the taunt more poignant, it is hereby promulgated by the foot-high Dante statue which has resided in the Mediaeval Studies section.

Yours bookishly,
Dante & the Loomatics

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Double Dominican!

In the last week we were visited by two different sorts of Dominican sisters. In the first photo are two sisters of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, i.e. the Nashville Dominicans, along with our venerable founder, Dr. Thomas Loome. The congregation will be celebrating their 150th jubilee this summer. Congratulations! I might also point out the college which they operate, Aquinas College. Dominicans, naturally, are very bookish!

Here in Stillwater during the school year we are graced by the presence of several sisters from the same congregation teaching at the local Catholic school. They are a joy to have around.


And here's a sister of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, based at Ann Arbor, MI. This congregation, which is relatively new, grew out of the Nashville congregation. They also tend to teach and be rather bookish. And like most sisters, they are quite merry. Perhaps that is because serving Our Lord is a joy. Cheers to the sisters!

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My Favorite Lutherans

Kind of like "My Favorite Martian". Remember that show? Retractable antennae and all? Perhaps I digress. Or do I?

Allow me to introduce my favorite Lutherans (Missouri Synod, mind) - Rev. Dean Bell & Rev. Jim "Antoine" Anthony, of Ada and Deer River, MN, respectively. These bookish characters stop in several times a year to crack jokes and find a few good books. Here they are pictured in one of their favorite sections: Reformation Studies. Dean made a quip about Calvin just before this photo was taken, which may be the reason for the smirk on his face.

Springing into Marriage at Loome Theological Booksellers

Today Loome Theological Booksellers had a first - we assisted in a romantic and literary proposal of marriage!  Greg called us this morning and asked for a favor.  He had a very special book he asked for us to put on hold so that his girlfriend could pick it up this afternoon. He further explained that he had written this book for her and that in the end of the book was a marriage proposal. We agreed to help him out this one time.

Around 12:15 he brought the book which we promptly put on hold.

Around 2 PM Greg started browsing around the bookstore (but he was really waiting for his girlfriend Lindsey to show up!).  Lindsey DID show up at 2:26 and retrieved the book on hold for her (she had been told it was a first edition C.S. Lewis title - but it really wasn't!).

Then much waiting ensued - both on the part of Greg and the staff here at the bookstore.

Lindsey had to read the whole book before she came to the end - the important end!  It wasn't until 2:33 that she finished the book and headed outside to meet Greg and her destiny.  By 2:38 (note: only five minutes from the time she finished the book) the happy couple was back inside to report the great news: she said "OK".  That was probably the most important "OK" she ever said in her life.

We at Loome Theological Booksellers extend a hearty congratulations to Greg Atkins and Lindsey Wible on their happy engagement. Greg, what an awesome proposal. We cheer on your romanticism and literary flair in writing a book and proposing at Loome Theological Booksellers.

"We know that all of us need God's blessing at all times; but at the time of their engagement to be married, Christians are in particular need of grace as they prepare themselves to form a new family. Let us pray, then, for God's blessing to come upon this couple, Greg and Lindsey: that as they await the day of their wedding, they will grow in mutual respect and in their love for one another; that through their companionship and prayer together they will prepare themselves rightly and chastely for marriage." (Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, page 237).

Seminarians Visit from Lafayette, IN

It happens about this time of year: vocations directors show up at seminaries for the dreaded (not exactly) evaluations of the young men studying for their dioceses. If this brings them to the Twin Cities AND they know what's good for them, they make a pilgrimage out to the store in order to hunt for theological books.

This week we met Fr. Brian Doerr, along with 7 of the 30 (!) young men from the Diocese of Lafayette (Indiana) studying at St. John Vianney Seminary. There were also 2 other young men who came with Father in order to check out the seminary.

They seem to have enjoyed their time here (note the genuine smiles), and we enjoyed meeting them. We hope the books from our store will serve them well!

Fr. John Berg, FSSP

Today at the store we experienced a surprise bibliographical visitation by Fr. John Berg, superior general of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Father Berg, a native of the Twin Cities, has had a long history of making pilgrimages to the store. We were pleased, as always, to be able to provide a nice stack of good books for good uses. (As is evident in the photo at right, Fr. Berg is pleased with his book selections.) May God bless Fr. Berg and the FSSP!

Which leads me to consider more the idea of making a "pilgrimage" to Loome Theological Booksellers. I am amazed at just how many people refer to their trips here as pilgrimages. Even prelates of the Church have used the expression!

So what would it take to have an indulgence attached to visiting the store (with the usual conditions, of course)? Could we have the store named as a sort of Holy Book Shrine? I should have asked Fr. Berg while he was here.

Meet Fr. Kevin from the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center, Boulder, CO

This last week we were pleased to meet Fr. Kevin Augustyn, pastor of the campus ministry parish, the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center, at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Fr. Kevin made the trip here in order to select a good many books for the Center's growing library, which serves the Catholic students of the university.

We at Loome's were impressed with Fr. Kevin's book selections; one could readily apply the term "bookish" to him (mind you, this is a good thing). He definitely knew what he was after, and if I may say so, he came to the right place to find it.

Allow me to recommend taking a moment to visit the Center's website. For it is interesting and rather encouraging to see the good things they are up to, including the hosting of some very fine upcoming lectures (one of which is on Newman's idea of a university by Fr. Ian Ker).

Dante's Friend Fr. Z

We never know who will show up at Loome Theological Booksellers. Last week we were pleased to welcome Dante (the short one standing on the bookcase) and Fr. Zuhlsdorf (http://wdtprs.com/blog/). When will you visit?