Thank you to each individual in the Christian publishing industry who elected to tackle the question which produced nine days of responses from authors, an agent, and editors. Thank you also to those who for various reasons were unable to respond. I appreciate the time and effort involved for all of you to either address the question or to decline to answer. If you look at the passion in some of the answers, and the repetitive theme in many, it’s easy to see some change is desired in the CBA/Christian publishing arena.
You know my primary gripes as previewed in the posts before the pros got their chance to answer. It was good to see my concerns affirmed by the majority of them.
So, in summation:
The tone sounds a bit forlorn but not terribly angry. Frustration.
Acknowledgement of needed change but no real solid implementation factor(s), other than from Jeff Gerke.
Marketing, marketing, marketing: the black hole. The unjust assignments to authors with seemingly limited responsibilities to actual marketing “experts”. Unsuccessful attempts or efforts, if any, to market to men and particular audiences.
Menu, menu, menu: the consternation. Only a portion of the available audience is seriously being pursued. And the ignored writers and readers of other genres feel some disgust about the chosen path of what is published in CBA, not wishing to exclude the majority genres but to either reduce them and add on more of other genres, or add on more variety period.
Out of touch booksellers and CBA stores.
Stretching the boundaries of content and format. Creative styles, lengths, and genre stretches need implementation.
Fairness to authors in ebook royalties.
And finally, the most important:
The consensus to consult God on publishing decisions, to honestly seek His will instead of man’s will.
Thank you also to all of you who stuck with this ongoing report from the professionals and took the time to leave comments. It would be good to hear feedback from those who desire to seek publication in CBA or from those readers who wish to express their opinions concerning these areas discussed by the pros.
A lot of viewers faded away after the first few days. I hope they return to read the valued opinions of those posted in this second week.
The questions remain: Are those who hold the keys to publishing in CBA listening to the outcry? Do they care? Do these opinions voiced by professionals both named and anonymous matter at all to them? Do they foresee any potential “danger” to ignoring these responses? Legitimate questions remain unanswered . . .
Father, you ordain talents. Some fulfill your calls on their lives. Some never acknowledge where their desires and talents originate. Those who choose to serve you and honor you with what you’ve given them to do often face struggles with those very things. You lead them through the deep waters and you’re with them in the fires.
Help us to align our efforts with your perfect will and to accept our success as you define it. Help those of us to work toward better realizations of your plans for gaining more access to people who need you desperately as all of us do in this fallen world headed for destruction.
Lord, please bless each one who took the time to thoughtfully answer this publishing question. You hear their hearts, you see their lives, you know their thoughts. Reassure them, Lord Jesus, through your Holy Spirit that you’ve not looked past them, you don’t ignore them, and remind them how deeply you love each one. Continue to instruct them in their places in the kingdom. Cause them to hear your voice above all others.
Thank you, Father, for each one who read with interest, who commented, and for those who wondered and thought about all the things writerly. Please lead each one in your ways everlasting. Let them know you know.
God, you know me: this desperate for you writer who tends to push against the boundaries hopefully for the right reasons. You care for me, I know. You’ve been so gracious to me—it’s beyond my comprehension why you would, other than it’s just who you are. Thank you for all my life. I’m amazed at you every single day, hour, minute. And I remain desperate for you.
In all of this, I ask it all in the Name, Authority, and Blood of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Into the Fire 
Leave a comment