Into the Fire

. . . what you wish for. You’ve heard the little phrase. Maybe you’ve used it. It has merit, I think. Sometimes we’re convinced we want something a whole lot without thinking it through, and we strive to make it happen. When it turns out badly, we wonder why we were so charged up about it.

It occurred to me that sometimes people might interpret some of my commentary on the publishing business as harsh or negative or, because the opinions are from a self-published author, that I hold a grudge or am resentful toward it. So I asked myself if those things are true. And here’s what I concluded: I do not resent or hold a grudge against the publishing business. Yes, sometimes my commentary is harsh and negative because, unlike some people, I see some flaws in the industry. And why not? No industry/business is perfect.

And as I’ve pointed out innumerable times about novels, everybody has an opinion. So, likewise, I have my opinions about the Christian publishing industry. Some of them aren’t favorable. You know, it’s a “catch-22” situation. The biz couldn’t exist without writers, but writers are an expendable commodity. Sometimes I think some authors are treated unfairly and impatiently. Other times I think “platform” carries too much merit while the ability to market unfairly influences selection. I think marketing is a black hole in the publishing industry—one that the professionals have yet to figure out while expecting their authors to come up with a dynamite plan. It takes too long to produce a book—when in reality if they want to get one into the market quickly, they can do it. Most of the editors and other industry professionals complain that they have way too much material to go through—their “slush piles”—yet this is what they do: they read and produce books. I don’t blame them for wanting to meet potential clients face to face at conferences, but most of the events are pricey to attend, requiring a significant sacrifice for some. The current trend of shorter, leaner novels is producing more inferior products with limited character development. These are the problems I see in the biz. I repeat: JMO.

So, if royalty publishing is your ultimate goal: approach with caution and be careful what you wish for . . .

Father, guide each writer to the place you’ve designed just for him or her. Help them to honor you in all they write and do. Continue to remind all of us who has given us the privilege and pleasure and call to write. Along with that comes the responsibility to be obedient to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.