Into the Fire

There have been numerous conversations about the “requirements” of CBA publishers. Some of those conversations list qualifications for certain imprints within the industry which are, in fact, very strict, and, frankly, what some of us might deem over the top or even archaic in light of the current condition of this world.

(And not just the USA. Yes, we have our serious issues and definite failings, but it’s ridiculous to exclude any other nation in the serious issues and failings departments when you take a close look at each individual country. So I’m speaking in a general sense about the current moral climate of this world in what many of us believe is indicative of the end times.)

If you stop by here often enough, you will have read a number of reviews for Christian novels which do not adhere to the strict submission guides for these certain imprints. And, yes, each review is of a book which is or has been available for purchase in Christian bookstores. As I’ve pointed out in some of these novels, the gospel is nowhere to be found, topics such as adultery, prostitution, drug/alcohol abuse or addiction, racism, homelessness, serial murders, homosexuality, fake religiosity, and self-righteous attitudes on opposing sides of faith have been written about in a multitude of interesting and realistic styles and stories. It is clear to regular readers of Christian literature that the incorrectly perceived rigid boundaries have been expanded for some time.

Having said that, the assertion has also been made that some writing is still too strong, perhaps graphic or profane, for the broadened Christian publishing standards but too “religious” for the secular/general market publishers. Real or perceived, and it seems quite possible to me, this can present all kinds of arguments—which it already has—and problems for both writers and publishers. Landing somewhere in between these two markets is a hard spot to hit ground.

Each writer has his own opinion of graphics and profanity. It’s an old and ongoing argument. The point I’m making is that even without writing out sexual graphics or cussing and swearing, these actions can be implied, and even the strong implications can strain their acceptance in a small part of the CBA marketplace. Likewise, if you include written out sexual graphics and profanity of all kinds but also include a “graphic” conversion to Christianity along with a changed life, some general market publishers won’t be interested. As a side note, I think the CBA is probably more flexible than the general market, but that’s just my opinion. What it might inevitably require for publication from some authors is some sort of compromise.

“Compromise” is not a user-friendly word in these circumstances. I’ve read enough blog commentary to note that some writers would rather be burned at the publishing stake than sacrifice a four letter word or a possible male hand touching a female breast. But I also know that revealing the gospel in story form will not be denied to others of us.

I’m not opening the door for or against the subject here. It’s a well-traveled argument with retread propensity. My preference is reality with implied graphics and profanity. The Lord knows I used to speak profanely and regret every word of it. I don’t need to read it in stories to get the drift of anger, frustration, or limited vocabulary in characters whether secular or Christian. And contrary to the argument that if a writer chooses to use graphics or profanity, he’s a lazy writer, I don’t uniformly agree.

The reason I brought this up is because it occurred to me that my writing might have landed in that hard “in between” place because of its sexual content, none of which is graphic but all of which is “real”. What inspired this consideration is a comment left over on Christianbooks.com in the review section for Dr. Harry Kraus’s novel Perfect. My goodness. I suspect the lady in question was probably a 20ish single person who hides her life inside a very rigid community of believers. Now don’t get me wrong by that statement. I’m not challenging her faith nor am I a proponent of any denominational conduct which doesn’t include holiness. But that holiness doesn’t translate to a judgmental lack of graciousness, and it isn’t manufactured by a human heart and actions but by the Holy Spirit’s reworking of our natural ways by the washing of the Blood of Christ. I can tell you this: Dr. Kraus was genuinely hurt by her comments. As I would be because she missed the entire point of the story.

Readers have a responsibility, too. They can read back cover copy, reviews, blogs, websites. Especially if they’re sensitive to certain subject matter. Obviously this woman had no business reading such an honest depiction of a heroine whose struggles involved a concept of religion she didn’t measure up to in any way because of a distant trauma in her history which she perceived as failure and for which she totally blamed herself. Her choice was to rebel in the only way she could imagine: to immerse herself in her sinful imperfection.

Anyway, I was just thinking how often I fall “in between”. In between “real” royalty publishing and custom/self publishing. Possibly in between CBA and general market publishing. In between the common concepts of hard marketing and hiding out. In between outright rejection of the whole publishing gig and a total endorsement of the same . . .

Lord, you know my “place”. You’ve had it all designed and are patiently leading me on through the maze I tend to make things in this life. Thank you for the encouragement along the way, for the hope that is totally based in you, and for all things. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.