Into the Fire

Many of the professionals I solicited to address this question were eager to do so. Others had schedules which wouldn’t permit their thoughtful participation. Still others didn’t feel like addressing the issues and others claimed they didn’t have any answers. You will find conflicting opinions and many in agreement. The majority of participants and some who weren’t able thanked me for asking this question. All comments from industry professionals are welcome. There is no way I could reach all of you with my inquiry. The posts will continue until everyone who responded is quoted.  

Without further fanfare, let’s get started. These participants in the industry of Christian publishing decided their names could be attached to their responses. All answers to this question are unabridged and unedited.

The question: If you could change five things (or less) in CBA publishing, what would they (it) be?

From Author Mike Dellosso:

I'd like to change the attitude of readers toward Christian "horror". There's a misconception out there that really needs to be debunked and tossed.

I wish more men would pull themselves away from the TV and read.

I'd like to see more dollars invested in marketing "faith-based fiction" to the general market.

I'd like to see more mass market paperbacks hitting the shelves.

I'd like to see Christian bookstores stock a wider, more balanced selection of fiction.

From Editor Mick Silva:

1. More God. Pub boards would seek God in prayer, know they were only publishing books that mattered, and throw out any consideration that took precedence over what God wanted them to publish.

2. Editors would edit. Too often, there's not enough time, attention, or sacrifice made for authors in Christian publishing houses.

3. Complainers would stop shopping. If you don't like the books, get your money back and accept that not everyone is like you and that's okay. You don't have to complain to the bookstore owner about carrying the book, the publisher about publishing the book, and the people who get something out of the book. It wasn't for you. Deal with it.

4. People who aren't yet published would realize there's a reason. Fix what's not working, get edited, be humble, change to meet audience expectations in your genre, and follow the rules before you try to break them. Humility would tell them they still have a lot to learn before they assume they're just too edgy or too brilliant to be published.

5. We'd all stop assuming that CBA is anything more than a collection of fallible people trying their best to follow God and exercise their talents for him.

From Author Sibella Giorello:

I would change our "safe" view of things. Jesus's parables were radical in their time. My hope is that stories told by Christians would project a similar loving shock to the human system.

Listen to the Spirit of the Lord and follow His lead rather than continuing to do business the same old way.

Support new authors so that CBA will have a voice in publishing 25 years   from now.

Set up bookstores so that they are destinations (like Starbucks or Barnes & Noble) so that people of all ages want to spend time there with friends discussing ideas over a good book and a cup of coffee. Offer free wireless service and tables where people want to sit and work during the day. It's amazing how many will buy books, magazines, or gifts before they leave the store.

Offer a course in customer service to every employee, even those who only work part-time. I've gotten some of the worst service in Christian bookstores.

Hand-sell fiction. You have to read the book to recommend it.

From Author Chris Fabry:

  I would forge a stronger bond between local bookstores and Christian radio stations. Great ministry happens in both venues.

  I would put my books next to the front door. J

 From Author Susan Hill:

I've heard the panel discussions at Christian Writers Conferences where publishers want to assure their audiences that they buy a Christian Book and it will be safe–no language, no sex, no stuff…but they err on the side of being White Picket Fence land. We will not reach the world that way. Characters need to be relevant, have issues and still find redemption in their journeys. I think there needs to be more freedom but this doesn't have to look like the secular version of anything goes. It's a line we can walk with the help of the Spirit.

To be continued . . .