The right place at the right time. Fortune favors the prepared. God will provide.  All of these truisms worked together to bring about the publication of Why God Matters, a small book of faith stories I wrote with my father, Deacon Steve Lumbert.

I never expected to write a book like this. I used to write non-fiction, but I’ve pretty much established myself as a sci-fi/fantasy writer. My latest novel, Magic, Mensa and Mayhem, which won the 2010 INDIE awards for best fantasy, features a dragon detective, and my plans for 2010 included a comedic “horror” novel about a zombie exterminator and a science fiction story about an alien device that lets you see into your own soul. A book of touching stories from my own life and how they informed my faith was not in the plan—near-term or long-term.

However, I happened to see a post in one of my Yahoo groups: Catholic Writer Needed. It caught my eye. I’m Catholic, and despite my favorite genres, I’m well known for incorporating my faith into my writing. Further, I was active in the Catholic Writers’ Guild. I could certainly pass on the information, maybe recommend a few names.

However, the request called to me. Tribute Books was looking for someone to fill a gap in their production line: a small book of personal stories on faith, combined with “life lessons,” Scripture and prayer. They had the title, the format, the cover—even the website! All they needed were the words.

I had words: stories I’d written for magazines and devotionals, or stories I’d written intending to send to magazines. I’d also had several experiences of writing to spec and liked having a format. Tight deadlines don’t intimidate me. It was a tempting prospect.

Nonetheless, I held back because I didn’t think I could give them exactly what they needed—a book with a perspective that men and women could relate to.

I took my concerns to God in prayer during Mass, and the solution hit me—I have a father who is a deacon in the Catholic Church. Duh! He’d never written anything aside from homework and homilies, but I knew he had great stories from his life. Not only could he bring the perspective of a man, but also that of a convert coming into the faith. I called him, he said, “sure!” and we met online for several intense evenings editing and rewriting stories until they sang. He suggested adding paragraphs from the Catechism, which adds a whole ‘nuther dimension to the book.

Why God Matters, then, came about because I had was in the right place at the right time, because I had done the work that prepared me to take on the challenge, and because God provided me with that extra incentive—a chance to work with my dad. It might seem like a lucky happenstance, but a lot of work brought me to the moment, and a little faith helped me capture it.

Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com are the best way to obtain your copies of Why God Matters, although it is also available or can be ordered through your local bookstores. You can visit Karina’s website at www.whygodmatters.com for more information..