Into the Fire

So. As an author, I realize how important marketing is, but I also know that I'm a total failure at marketing my own work. Part of that is due to the fact that I have come to recognize, the hard way I might add, that the – for lack of a better term – "mainstream Christian Fiction audience" does not belong to me. Although all of my novels are clearly and uncompromisingly redemptive, they are apparently too raw in capturing the intensity of romance – in that the sexual attraction is real and passionate, the tempting scenarios authentic (at least in the world of most people's experiences) – does not appeal to that particularly large and stalwart typical Christian Fiction reader. Plus, in my stories the world is also portrayed with authenticity – which we all know can be pretty ugly at times – without judgment.

Now, having said all that which is a mouthful, I need to confess I feel a minor surge of anger every single time I see the "clean", "sweet", etc., marketing label on Christian novels. Please, again, don't misunderstand, I get it. If you want to read a good romance or love story from the general market arena, of which there are zillions of offerings, you can certainly expect graphic, pornographic, moment-to-moment explanations of sexual conduct of probably every kind. So, the clarification of "clean" or "sweet" when attached to a romance novel insures that any of the graphic content will be excluded. And that's a definite plus. But, what it also tends to infer is that the reality of sexual attraction and temptation will be absent. Not entirely but often mostly. 

So. Back to marketing my work. I could talk probably for hours about each character and story I've written, but can I tell you that you need to read them or that you should read them? I cannot. I must know your tastes and preferences before I insert the suggestion that you try one of mine. I write "Love stories with a passion", and my tagline is Raw Romantic Redemptive. Beyond that, it's up to you, the reader. 

Father, each one of us has to do what we believe is our particular mission in this writing journey. We trust you to check us, help us, and direct our steps as only you can do. I thank you for each word, each character, each story because apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.