Behind the Pages: How I Brought the Prophet Jeremiah’s World to Life in My New Historical Novel

Tod Newman — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 23:44:22 +0000

Have you ever wondered what it was really like to walk the dusty streets of ancient Jerusalem as the Babylonian army approached? My journey to answer this question led me to years of research and a novel that brings the biblical prophet Jeremiah to life in vivid detail. Check out my YouTube video series where I describe this whole process.

The Historical Canvas

Recreating the world of ancient Judah, Babylon, and Egypt required meticulous research. I dove into archaeological journals, studied ancient Near Eastern customs, and examined contemporaneous texts to ensure historical accuracy. One fascinating discovery was how the political dynamics between Egypt and Babylon created a deadly vice that squeezed the small kingdom of Judah—a tension that directly shaped Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry.

Humanizing a Prophet

The biblical Jeremiah can seem distant across the millennia, but he was a man with hopes, fears, and doubts. In my novel, I explored the human side of this reluctant prophet—his internal conflicts as he delivered unpopular messages, his loneliness, and his unwavering faith despite persecution. By developing complex relationships between Jeremiah and both his supporters and opponents, the ancient narrative takes on new emotional depth for modern readers.

Connecting Past to Present

Though set 2,600 years ago, Jeremiah’s story touches on themes that resonate powerfully today: speaking truth to power, maintaining integrity in corrupt times, and finding hope amid societal collapse. These timeless elements make this ancient prophet’s journey relevant to contemporary readers, whether they approach the story from a spiritual perspective or simply as lovers of immersive historical fiction.

The Self-Publishing Journey Continues

It’s been several years since my previous novel hit the shelves. Back then, I documented my entire self-publishing process in a comprehensive series that many readers found valuable. I’m pleased to say that following my own advice saved me considerable time and resources with this latest release. If you’re considering publishing your own work, this step-by-step guide remains as relevant as ever.

Experience Ancient Judah Through Jeremiah’s Eyes

Ready to immerse yourself in the tumultuous final days of the Kingdom of Judah? Whether you’re a history enthusiast, spiritual seeker, or simply enjoy character-driven historical fiction, my novel offers a window into one of history’s most pivotal periods through the eyes of an extraordinary prophet.

Get Your Copy Today! – Available in e-book and paperback on Amazon

What aspect of ancient history or biblical narratives would you like to see explored in future novels? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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New Novel Released February 2025!

Tod Newman — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 20:11:22 +0000

It has been a few years since my last novel was released. At the time I did a long series on self publishing (find it here). I found that the series was helpful to me even in this latest effort.

Check out the new novel over at Amazon (e-book or paperback) or Lulu (paperback). The free e-book promotion has finished, but we saw nearly 1K downloads, which placed the book at #1 on Amazon Kindle for a couple of days. Just a couple of days, of course.

I asked claude.ai to build a promotion less than 350 words for this book and this is what it gave me. Not bad!

A biblical epic of faith, power, and prophecy in the ancient world

Journey to the tumultuous world of the ancient Near East in this gripping reimagining of the prophet Jeremiah’s extraordinary life. As empires clash and Jerusalem faces destruction, one reluctant prophet stands at the crossroads of history, torn between divine calling and human frailty.

Jeremiah never wanted to be The God’s voice. Yet as Babylon’s armies threaten everything he loves, he finds himself caught in a dangerous spiritual battle against the seductive Queen of Heaven who tempts his people away from their faith. From the mud-filled cistern where his enemies left him to die to the courts of Pharaoh himself, Jeremiah’s journey reveals the high cost of speaking truth to power.

With rich historical detail and psychological depth, “The Prophet and the Queen” explores:

The fall of Jerusalem and the exile that changed Judaism forever
The complex web of ancient empires—Babylon, Egypt, and Assyria
The intimate struggles of a prophet who questions his own worth while remaining faithful
The timeless tension between cultural assimilation and preserving identity

Perfect for readers of Francine Rivers, Geraldine Brooks, and Tessa Afshar, this meticulously researched novel brings biblical history to vivid life while exploring questions of faith, purpose, and personal integrity that resonate across millennia.

“A mesmerizing tale that humanizes one of the Bible’s most enigmatic prophets while illuminating the turbulent world he inhabited. Readers will be swept away by this powerful reimagining of ancient events that shaped religious history.”