Rev. Dr. Johnson attended Evanston Township High School. From there he went on to study at Illinois Wesleyan University. His professional education for his Doctor of Optometry degree was completed at the Southern California College of Optometry, now known as Marshall B. Ketchum University. Rev. Dr. Johnson received his Master’s degree at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. “I plan on leading a crusade against blindness due to age related cataracts. I’m able to do all these things because I serve a great God who does great things and He has allowed me to do great things,” commented Rev. Dr. Johnson. He has set up a foundation known as the Rev. Dr. Leonidas The Optometrist and The Miracle Eyes Foundation. See this web site for more information www.revleonidastheoptometrist.org. Due to his work demands – Dr. Johnson lives in both Chicago and Los Angeles.
Visit his website at Books | Christian Faith Publishing | Free Publishing Kit | Christian Faith Publishing and www.revleonidastheoptometrist.org.
Tell us about your book! What is it about and what inspired you to write it?
I’m a licensed optometrist. I’m also an ordained minister. I have spent my life helping people to see. Vision is what I know, vision is what I do. I’ve discovered something about vision that I believe will change your life. Next to life itself God’s greatest gift is sight - the key to this mysterious thing called life. I believe I can help you and many of your readers live a phenomenal life. Understanding vision is the key. I put this key, life transforming information in the form of a book, Phenomenal Vision Eyesight to Life Sight, so I can help people with their vision of life.
I believe I can help you see yourself and the world God created more clearly and in a new light. I believe this new perspective will lead to a more fulfilled, productive, and meaningful life.
Tell us about your publishing process. What was it like? Did you go indie or the traditional way?
I submitted my ideas and sample manuscript to Christian Faith Publishing. They reviewed it, accepted my proposal, and agreed to publish my title. I signed a contract, which included an initial payment, to have it published. We went through several editing versions. When I was satisfied I finalized the edited manuscript. After the editing was done we moved to the book layout phase. I wanted to include a lot of colorful illustrations. I wasn’t sure if I was going to need to get an illustrator to do all the illustrations. The publisher referred me to a large library of illustrations. I was able to find and select the illustrations that fit my project. Some of the illustrations needed to be customized and modified and the publisher was able to that for me. We went through a few version of the layout phase before I finalized the layout. After the layout phase we moved to the cover design stage. Once the cover design was done and the final version of the book complete, the book was made available for on demand printing. The conversion process to the electronic book format took another 8+ weeks. iTunes took the longest to get approved.
How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?
I didn’t come up with the title right away. I played around with a few ideas at first. As I started writing the book it became clearer to me what the title should be.
Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like?
I selected and submitted a couple of images and ideas to the publisher to consider for the book cover design. When I was looking through the catalog of illustrations for the interior illustrations for my book I came across a few images I thought would be good for the cover design. The publisher looked at what I submitted and came up with a design. I liked what they came up with. I just made a few minor adjustments to get to the end product, the final cover design.
Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?
I used the publisher.
How was your experience working with the designer?
I was able to make suggestions and changes before I approved the cover design. I felt like my input was welcomed and acknowledged.
What has been the readers’ response to your cover?
So far, I have had nothing but good responses to the book. The book was just released so I don’t have much reader feedback yet, but my prepublication book reviews were very positive.
What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?
Work with a professional. Work with someone who is open to your vision and ideas but who will give you professional advice based on professional experience and best industry practices. The cover design so very important to the success of your book.
Anything else you’d like to say about your book?
This book will
change your whole outlook on life. It can change your life, for the better.
Title: PHENOMENAL VISION EYESIGHT TO LIFE SIGHT
Author: Rev. Dr. Leonidas A. Johnson
Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
Pages: 116
Genre: Nonfiction
BOOK BLURB:
“I’ve spent my life helping people to see, both as a licensed optometrist and also as an ordained minister,” said author Rev. Dr. Leonidas Johnson. “Vision, what is it? I discovered that physical vision is very similar to spiritual vision and the mind is the bridge between the two.”
In Rev. Dr. Johnson’s book, readers will experience a concept called learning by comparison. Comparing physical vision with spiritual vision will help the readers see themselves and the world God created in a whole new light. Readers will see the world God created from a physical, mental, and spiritual vantage point that will enrich their lives, Rev. Dr. Johnson says. These vantage points help build a foundation for developing a decision-making strategy that is both liberating and biblically sound.
Rev. Dr. Johnson went on to say “The title of my book – – Phenomenal Vision: Eyesight To Life Sight – – came after contemplating the impact vision has on one’s life, not just physical but eternal. It leans into the concept of one’s worldview. A proper view of oneself and the world can deeply impact the outcome of one’s life. Jesus said I come that might have life and have it more abundantly. How can you see physical beauty if you are physically blind? Conversely, how can you have an abundant life if you are spiritually blind? Vision should never be taken for granted and vision that incorporates physical, mental and spiritual vantage points is not ordinary but phenomenal and lead to a phenomenal life.”
Praise
I just read Phenomenal Vision Eyesight to Life Sight by Rev. Dr. Leonidas A. Johnson. It is a delightful book written thoughtfully. He linked the physical aspects of vision with the metaphysical aspects of vision in a creative way. I share a common perspective as Rev. Dr. Johnson because I am also an Optometrist and a Christian minister. He has captured both the physical science of vision and the metaphysical science of vision. I am confident that there will be “aha moments” for readers who may not have a foot in either area.
This author so wonderfully explained the spiritual nature of vision. His linking of disorders or disease to both the physical and spiritual makes it easy for the reader to “get it.” His use of graphs, diagrams, pictures, and charts is also very creative. Often books are “dumbed down” and don’t trust the intellect of the reader. This book soars in bringing light to something that has often been opaque. This book is a must-read. It will be a blessing for those who desire to have a more in-depth understanding of the link between the physical and metaphysical aspects of life.
— Rev. Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr.
The title of this book, Phenomenal Vision: Eyesight to Life Sight, written by Rev. Dr. Leonidas A. Johnson, is one that entices the reader’s curiosity towards further exploration of its content. The author is an Optometrist and an Ordained Minister, therefore, this book is a valuable resource for various professional and religious environments, i.e. universities, colleges, seminaries, along with local churches for both clergy and laity. It is an insightful reference for readers interested in the relationship between eyesight and life sight. In other words, the reader will gain a wealth of knowledge concerning physical, mental and spiritual vision.
Rev. Dr. Johnson presents a thorough explanation regarding the connection between the mind, body, spirit and soul. His approach is holistic as he delves into the medical terminology towards understanding physical vision and creatively references biblical scriptures and stories to engage the reader in components of spiritual vision. Furthermore, Rev. Dr. Johnson has included several graphics, i.e. diagrams, charts and pictures to assist the reader “to see” and comprehend the three major areas emphasized in the text: 1.) inter-relatedness of physical vision, 2.) mental vision cognitive, and 3.) spiritual vision.
It is evident that the author has a passion for the love of God and God’s people as he reveals the depths of his knowledge, research, spirituality and life experiences as an Optometrist and Minister of the Gospel. Rev. Dr. Leonidas Johnson has written a phenomenal book that is a true treasure as each written page is most enlightening!
Rev. Dr. Venus L. Butler
Associate Minister,
Second Baptist Church, Los Angeles
No comments:
Post a Comment