IndieView with Peter Wilkes, author of A Woman Called God

At 45 pages and less than 500 words, it’s literally a 5-minute read, but the questions it raises and the thoughts it leaves seem to be really quite extraordinary, at least according to the feedback I’ve been getting.

Peter Wilkes – 28 May 2015

The Back Flap

So, why couldn’t God be a woman? Really, why not? In this adorably playful, yet poignant and timely book, A Woman Called God asks all of us – women and men alike – to consider how the world would and could look if our universal perception of The Creator were not male but female: a mother-figure of unconditional love.

The result of a seventy-year personal journey by the author, A Woman Called God revolutionizes the traditional thinking of organized religion and makes possible a new and inviting path for every woman and man on the planet.

In its short five-minute read you may discover a new way of thinking. In its simple 27 hand-drawn stick-figures you may find a new dialogue. And in its less than 500 words you might even uncover answers that will take you and the world in a new and welcome direction.

Second Edition. Proceeds from the sale of this edition of A Woman Called God will go to fight violence against women throughout the world.

About the book

What is the book about?

Essentially A Woman Called God asks the question, ”What would our world look like if God had been conceived as a female instead of a male as dictated by the patriarchal religions?” This then, hopefully, leads to further discussions of who decided God was male, when did it happen…and most importantly, why?

When did you start writing the book?

April 2014. The first edition came out in June of 2014, the second edition in April of 2015.

How long did it take you to write it?

Two months, but doing the research took considerably longer.

Where did you get the idea from?

Initially from a book by the late Merlin Stone titled, When God Was a Woman. This book changed my life, and A Woman Called God is my homage to her work.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Telling a rather complicated — and certainly controversial story — in the simplest manner possible is always a challenge.

What came easily?

Combining the artwork with the words wasn’t easy but it was easier than I ever thought it would be. I found that one sort of flowed into the other. It was nice how that worked out.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

The book is non-fiction.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I read a lot – both fiction and non-fiction – and in all different genres, but for A Woman Called God the major influences (other than the aforementioned Merlin Stone) were Joseph Campbell, Raine Eisler, Bishop John Shelby Spong, Neale Donald Walsh, A.H. Almaas, Carol Christ, and Heide Goettner-Abendroth.

Do you have a target reader?

As several of the Amazon reviews state, A Woman Called God is for anyone, male or female, ages 8-80+, and it’s gratifying that so many different people seem to get something different from it. It is essentially “a picture book for adults,” but children have read it and loved it. At 45 pages and less than 500 words, it’s literally a 5-minute read, but the questions it raises and the thoughts it leaves seem to be really quite extraordinary, at least according to the feedback I’ve been getting.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I “write” every day. Now, that may not necessarily include the physical act of writing, but it will always include time spent planning, organizing, thinking about the story, etc. In short, there is rarely a day that goes by where I am not involved in a “story” in some way, even if it’s just working out some details as I’m driving to the store.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

That depends. Thematically I always determine where I think I want to go (i.e. what the ending is, what I really want to say) before I start. The logistics may change, but the theme usually stays pretty well set. Then it’s a matter of finding the steps to get there. It’s less of a formal process and more trial and error.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

The first draft (or the vomit draft as I call it) sort of pours out, but for subsequent drafts I edit as I go.

Did you hire a professional editor?

No. I’m fortunate in that my wife is a scientific writer and has extensive editorial experience. She’s a huge help in anything I write.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Nope, no music. I love music but it distracts me when I write.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Not A Woman Called God.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I had submitted other work to agents and publishers but felt I wanted more control over the process with A Woman Called God. Its format and content were both a bit unusual for a traditional press and I knew it wouldn’t easily fit in with any genre or category.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I did it myself.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have an excellent publicist that I have been working with. They’ve gotten me some outstanding exposure.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

If you have something to say – and I sincerely hope you do – say it. We desperately need new ideas and thoughts in this world.

About You

What would you like readers to know about you?

Here’s my bio — As the son of an Episcopal minister, Peter Wilkes had a first-hand look at the inner workings of organized Religion (with a capital “R”) throughout his upbringing. Now seventy years of age he has reached the conclusion that this institution, like many others, has continually done more harm than good. In A Woman Called God, the first in his series of Little books for Big people, he goes back to the source and examines how it’s possible to leave the institution of Religion behind and reclaim your soul. Peter always welcomes intelligent discussion on the subjects he writes about. Learn more at www.awomancalledgod.com.

What are you working on now?

A Woman Called God is the first in a series of Little books for Big People™. The second is presently in the works.

End of Interview:

For more, visit Peter’s website.

Get your copy of A Woman Called God at Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).