Randal Rauser

The strange journey of the Swedish Atheist (book that is)

Posted on 12/10/11 5 Comments

In June 2010 I contracted with Biblica to write a book consisting solely of a dialogue between an atheist and myself in a coffee shop. It was meant to provide a unique introduction to apologetics. I finished the manuscript in September 2010 but to my frustration the process of moving the book to market dragged on rather long. It wasn’t until this past summer, ten months later, that I received the cover as well as the provocative title (based on a couple chapters): The Swedish Atheist, the Scuba Diver, and Other Apologetics Rabbit Trails.

The release date was then set for February 2012.

I blogged about the book a few times including here:

http://randalrauser.com/2011/08/the-swedish-atheist-the-scuba-diver-and-other-apologetics-rabbit-trails/

And then a few weeks later in August I got word from Biblica that they had decided to cease publication of their entire line of non-Bible related materials, including The Swedish Atheist. Suddenly my book was in limbo! (I know the Catholic Church came out against limbo about six years ago but it really does exist, at least in the publishing world.)

I am pleased to announce that as of yesterday I received official word that InterVarsity Press, who contracted to take Biblica’s existing line (including two of my other books) has also accepted The Swedish Atheist. For me this is bad and good.

It is bad in that there will be another delay in publication. I’m now looking at a projected release date of November 2012, meaning a 26 month lag from manuscript completion to publication. That’s frustrating for an author.

However, let’s not punish our new parents for time spent in the orphanage. This is much better than limbo. And that brings me to the good news. As much as I have enjoyed working with Biblica and their progressive and creative approach to Christian ideas and publishing, they simply lacked many of the resources of a much larger publisher like IVP. So all in all this is a good conclusion.

It also means that Swedish Atheist will probably be released around the same time as God or Godless, my debate with John Loftus.

Now you know what to put under your 2013 Christmas tree!