Proofreader of 'Lion of Babylon' Shares How the Novel Impacted Her

Dear friends,

I wanted to share this note with you because it is one of the most astonishing testimonies I have ever received, about any book I have ever written.

Dear Davis,

I have been a freelance proofreader for Bethany House since 1997, and I have just had the pleasure of proofreading your amazing book, Lion of Babylon.

I was very moved by the story and what felt to me to be its purpose. When I proofread, I am of course "on the clock," so I will look forward to purchasing your book when it is published and sitting down to truly read it. However I had to write now, while it is fresh. You really have done something special with this book.

I want to tell you a quick story. In my freelance work, I sometimes proofread and edit for individual authors. For a few years I did some projects for a well-known evangelist/author. I found some of his work to be disturbing and negative, but I took it on nonetheless. I was at that time a stay-at-home mom and I appreciated any projects that came my way.

Then the events of 9/11 hit, and less than a month later, this evangelist/author contacted me by phone, asking me if I would proofread a book he had just written about the Koran and how Christians were in danger from all Muslims.

I listened. I listened some more. I asked him questions.

One thing that struck me was that he stated he would be using an error-filled translation of the Koran, and that I should not worry; just leave the Koran as is.

I objected mightily. We talked some more. And finally I asked him, "Why would you intentionally put out a faulty translation of the Koran and write a book that is intended to incite hatred for all Muslims?"

He then went into a tirade about how we were all in danger and that Muslims were our enemy, that our lives were all at stake, and that Christians needed to know this. At that point, I let him know that I would not take this project on.

He was very upset with me and ended the conversation as he always did, saying that he would pray for me to find God's truth in this matter and that he continued to pray for my Jewish husband to find Jesus.

I never heard from this client again. That conversation stuck in my craw for all these years. Then, while reading your book, I was so relieved to see the way you described the amazing transformation when the human-imposed divisions between us start to fade and we are united. Wow! You also shed much light on the complexities of Iraq and Iran. We just do not understand this well in the U.S.

As I said, I look forward to reading Lion of Babylon as a reader! As the first proofreader, I was very moved, and I had to write to tell you.

Warmly,

Sabrina Rood

Edmonds, WA

Dear Sabrina,

Your wonderful email has impacted me on so many levels, I honestly do not know where to start.

In twenty years of writing, this is the first time I have ever received such a reaction from a proofreader. You are doing a professional's job, pushed both by time and by the need to inspect the words with a magnifying glass. To have you connect at such a visceral level, despite these responsiblities, is such an accolade. Whatever else might come from this, I will hold your email as a true sign that this book does what I had intended, and hoped, and prayed for.

My wife and I have both endured such hostile antagonism towards the Muslim faith from within the body of believers. And it has distressed us, just as in your case. There was some very real concern on my part in starting this story, because I knew some people would resent my depicting the Arabs in anything other than a dark and dangerous light. But I hoped and prayed that my story might indeed find readers who hungered for a deeper and more compassionate understanding. Your kind words are a realization of my prayers for this story.

Thank you so much for writing.

Warm personal regards,

Davis