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BOOKS TO MAKE YOU PONDER
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FAQs / NEWS 2024-2027
Please scroll down for
Section 1: General FAQs
Section 2: Reformation Walking Tour FAQs
Section 3: Plans for 2024-2027
SECTION 1: GENERAL FAQs
Q: How do I buy Dictum books?
Our UK bookstore is at www.churchbooks.co.uk (10ofThose). Our US bookstore is www.goodread.store. Come and browse. They are also available through any bookshop. (Distributed by Kingsway/CLC and Gardners.)
Q: What kind of books does Dictum publish?
Dictum has four lists:
1. Dictum Essentials: core titles to serve the church and mission agencies, all modern classics of global worth. These include The Art of Good Governance: Seven rules for growth and stability.
2. Oxford and Cambridge books.
3. Unique angles on John Stott's life and ministry, including an authorised children's biography.
4. List Four: A growing list of titles which do not fall neatly into the above categories
Q: What is 'Ebooks for the Global Church' about?
'Ebooks for the Global Church' was launched in September 2023 as we believe Christ gave gifts to the church to share. Dictum books are rich in perspectives from Christians around the world, gifts given by Christ to his church, so we decided to give away ebooks in countries where the church has fewer resources. For more, see NEWS UPDATE on the home page.
Q: How many books do we need to buy to get a discount?
Dictum sells core titles in multiple copies to churches and agencies through our bookstores, above. Individual purchases may also be made from these stores. Feel free to email through these sites to discuss your needs for bulk purchase. Dictum 'Essentials' include questions for reflection and discussion so may be used individually or in home groups / fellowship groups / study days. Use the contact form to ask for a review copy at no cost, or with any other questions, and with no obligation.
Q: Will there be further Dictum titles?
Yes. Each title aims to make a unique contribution, so we build our lists slowly. We don't want to duplicate what other publishers already make available.
Q: Does Dictum have a statement of faith? It borrows others. All its faith books are consonant with the UCCF doctrinal basis and the Cape Town Confession of Faith.
Q: Does Dictum produce resources for midweek home groups?
Yes. See Dictum 'Essentials' in Church Resources. Review copies are available - ask for one using the Contact form.
Q: Money and the Gospel works well for small group study. Discussion questions are included. It could be used as a series before a special appeal; or as part of the ongoing life of the church.
The Cross: A fresh look at the meaning of the death of Christ has been used by churches for a Lent study over 4-6 weeks. Again, discussion questions are included. It brings a fresh approach, based on the gospel narratives, and it is also appropriate for those exploring the faith.
The Leadership Files: From around the world across a century contains much to talk about, think about and pray about, as does Authority and Joy: The Bible in your Life.
Take care of yourself : Survive and thrive in Christian ministry is a companion title to The Leadership Files.
All these titles would repay study personally / in groups.
Q: Does Dictum accept unsolicited manuscripts?
We regret that we aren't able to do that.
Q: We would like a special edition of a book with our logo. Is that possible?
Yes. Dictum has flexibility. If you would like a special edition of any book for an anniversary or special event, with your logo and some text about your ministry, or the event, let us know.
Q: Why has Dictum published a rather quirky feline travel guide to Oxford?
Well done for noticing that OXFORD By a Very Oxford Cat doesn't really fit our list. But as it's 'in a genre all its own', it didn't fit any other publishers' lists either. So for the moment, it's with us! It's a lot of fun. Take a look. Or you can buy it from Blackwell's, with free shipping.
SECTION 2: FAQs RELATING TO THE OXBRIDGE REFORMATION WALKING TOUR
1. Is the Reformation Walking Tour available in North America?
Yes. It is sold through Blackwell's and shipped from the UK, so it can take a few days to arrive. Shipping costs are minimal from Blackwell's. (And free to UK addresses if you go directly to their site and not through Amazon.) The ebook is available from goodread.store (10 of those/ USA).
2. How long do the Reformation walks take?
Each walk can be done within two hours. But if you have longer, you can follow sideways trails in the 'Glancing Around' sections.
3. How much does it cost to see the Reformation sights?
In Oxford the walk involves entrance only into churches, and there is no charge for this. However St Michael-at-the-Northgate charges a small fee if you want to climb the tower. (Here you would see the door of the Bocardo jail where the Reformers were imprisoned.)
Should you wish to visit the Cathedral, which is within Christ Church, you could purchase a ticket at the Visitor Centre in Christ Church Meadows (entrance fee £10, with a very fine audio commentary) or you could participate in one of the Cathedral services, entering through the main Tom Gate on St Aldates. There is no charge for entrance to services.
Several colleges are open to the public for a small fee. However Hertford College, home to William Tyndale, isn't generally open to the public.
The Divinity School may be seen in a tour of the Bodleian Library. These tours run throughout the day, and cost from around £6.
In Cambridge you may like to enter some colleges. Please bear in mind that these are residential and working communities, so it is not always possible to look around them. As with Oxford colleges, a small fee is sometimes charged.
All sites in both towns can easily be viewed from outside.
4. Are there other guides to historic Christian sites which you would recommend?
There are excellent books on the wider Christian history of Oxford and Cambridge by Andrew Atherstone (Travel through Oxford) and David Berkley (Travel through Cambridge), both published by Day One, and available globally. Andrew Atherstone's Travel with the Martyrs of Mary Tudor (also Day One) gives a picture of all those who died under Bloody Mary's reign.
NB Cambridge Christian Heritage (see map on the inside back cover) offers a fine exhibition and daily walking tours, which include aspects of the Reformation.
5. Is there a mobile-friendly version of this Reformation Walking Tour?
Yes, for Oxford. This has been created by the Taylor Institution as part of the university's Oxford Stories project. Our thanks to Prof Henrike Lähnemann and Emma Huber for their idea. It covers pp 12-29 of the book. The QR code is found on p4. Alternatively, the whole book is available as an e-book from www.churchbooks.co.uk (UK) or www.goodread.store (US).
6. Is it possible to have a guided tour of the main Reformation sites?
(See 4. above for Cambridge.) The Oxford sites are easily found by following the walk in the Oxford and Cambridge Reformation Walking Tour. See Q5 above for mobile and e-book versions.
SECTION 3: PLANS FOR Autumn 2024 - Autumn 2027
Pause on new titles: There will be a pause on the commissioning of new Dictum titles from Autumn 2024 until Autumn 2027.
General enquiries: All enquiries about translations of current titles, or orders for purchases, should still be made at any stage, and in the usual ways.
‘Ebooks for the Global Church’: This ministry will continue as normal, and publishers who would like to publish locally or in other languages are welcome to get in touch at any time.
Articles, short pieces, obituaries: Julia Cameron will not be able to undertake new writing or editing work (articles, short pieces, obituaries etc) until 2027, as she is committed to two research projects, which will take at least three years to complete. Feel free to write to Julia after September 2027 if you would like help then. She won’t be able to take on anything before that, or to commit herself in advance of that time.
If you need assistance: Julia highly commends Eleanor Trotter. (Contact her through Linked-in.) Eleanor is an experienced editor with a good sense of evangelical history. She worked with Lion Hudson and with IVP for many years before setting up her own business.
A note from Julia: Thank you for your understanding. The projects I need to work on have been delayed for some years, hence the difficult decision to pause on helping with any writing or editing. I look forward to keeping in touch about 'Ebooks for the Global Church' / translations / orders. If I'm still able, I'll be glad to start helping again once my other projects are completed.