Into the Fire

It has occurred to me that I may sound antagonistic at times. Not something I want to do. Not something I intentionally set out to do.

To disagree with an established practice, a tradition, a set way of doing something, does not have to be done with antagonism. In fact, when it is, it’s usually met with acute resistance and a form of defensive aggression.

So, once again I would like to set things straight as to my opinion of some of the publishing world’s procedures. Number one, I know very little about the intricacies of how the major Christian publishing houses conduct their “bottom-line” business dealings. I’m an observer for the most part, having never been offered a contract for any of my books. What I have learned has come from some minimal, some enlightening, discussions with a few editors, a few agents, and several authors—and none of these have been in-person contacts. Some of what I’ve discerned has come from agents’/editors’/authors’ websites or blogs.

Here is what some of these professionals have discussed, professed, admitted, inferred, or said:

1.Don’t take rejection personally. “It’s a business.”

2.Literary novels don’t sell well. This both grieves and/or gripes some editors.

3.For the most part, novels should be in the 80-100,000 word count bracket, but there are exceptions.

4.Fantasy doesn’t sell well, but there are a few current editors who are pushing for it and a few houses leading the charge.

5.Under the radar, some will admit that the main marketing dollars go to the big name authors. The powers that be are asking/requiring more marketing/investment ($$) from their authors. Authors don’t have a clue what kind of marketing will sell their books.

6.Platform isn’t necessary—it’s good writing that makes an author attractive. However, an author with a platform is far more likely to make it to the top of the slush pile, better writing or not.

7.Trends, projections, and statistics/sales determine more about what is published than actual knowledge of the reading audience, perpetuating more of the same.

8.Some methods used in certain publishing businesses are short on integrity and some of the people involved are minimal, if at all, Christians.

9.The almost identical mantras from nearly all the professionals echo the Donald Maass concept of Writing the Breakout Novel, coupled with Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne and King.

10.You must go to a writers’ conference—at least one a year.

I didn’t come up with these. These are not my ideas, suggestions, or opinions. These are the gist of comments made on blogs, websites, e-mails.

I happen to disagree with some of these. Not that it particularly matters. Except for the fact that I am a writer of Christian fiction. And I am a reader of Christian fiction. And I am a consumer—as in pay money for—Christian fiction.

The only time I can become antagonistic is when it is insisted that the current way of producing books—and by that I mean the “controls” which determine what is published—is the best, the only-without-exception-way to provide quality in Christian fiction. I disagree.

God, I trust in you. You are the judge and jury of all that’s right and holy. I fall so short sometimes, but you lift me up and dust me off and place me back on the path ordained for me. Thank you for your benevolence, your kindness. Help me to stay the course, remain on the path. I want more of you, Jesus. Teach me, Holy Spirit. Lead me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.