Into the Fire

You know: what is that final decision-making moment that spurs you on to buy one novel over another? Do you browse in specific bookstores? Do you peruse Amazon or Christian Book Distributors? Where do you go and what pushes you toward one novel and convinces you to buy it—or not?

And for those of you writers who are avid readers, what type of marketing turns you on to a book or off to a book? Come on—I find it hard to believe that all of us writer types don’t find some kinds of marketing off-putting? Is it really just me?

I certainly understand the joy in getting a good review or a thoughtful comment about one’s book. It’s a bona fide thrill to know that someone benefited from something that you invested heart and soul into, that someone actually “got” you, that someone found something, anything, redeeming about what you wrote. There’s no getting around the rush.

But when do the “praise reports” become annoying to read? Or do they? When do authors who continually promote their stuff start grating on us? When do the hard push marketers chafe our sensibility? Or, again, is it just me?

If I really like a novel, I’m fairly certain to get another one by the same author. And you know I have my favorites. How about you?

I guess what I’m looking for is the answer to this question: what is it that ultimately sells you on a book? Can you nail it down? Does it vary? And I’m not talking about your favorite authors. At some point you read their first book. Word of mouth? An ad? Facebook recommendation? Twitter? A blog? What? Or who?

Lord, you lead and direct people in so many ways. You provide words, plots, characters, and stories. You are the audience of one, but you have a plan for all things, a purpose for the work we do. I’m so grateful for your leading. And I’m so desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.