Into the Fire

Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God

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As an author, sometimes it "feels like" I've got nothing to recommend concerning my novels. In fact, I have few reviews for each of my books, although I can say a lot more readers have read and enjoyed them than chose to write reviews. Irrelevant. I will not denounce my writing abilities – I savor the love stories I write. They're not for everyone because some readers of Christian Fiction don't appreciate their reality at times. So I'm careful to recommend them to those who I think would be my audience. 

As a person, I can tell you if we become friends, I'm loyal to a fault and genuinely care about you and your life circumstances. I can also say if I'm into a subject, a "thing", I am passionate about whatever-it-is or it wouldn't be in my life. I can tell you I'm terribly undisciplined about many things and slightly rebellious to being told I "have to" do something – so probably best not phrase anything like that. 

Weird things. This one is new: I'm unofficially a "crow whisperer" as of recently. I have several noisy birds who come to eat every morning now. They make me happy. I said it was weird. 

The basics. I love and am devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ. My family is precious and loved deeply. My true friends are amazing people. I treasure my country, the United States of America, One Nation under God. All beyond the adequacy of words to describe. 

Nothing to recommend? You decide. 

 

Father, you're the One who matters. It's really all about you. Thank you for it all. Still desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

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2 responses to “Nothing to recommend?”

  1. Brenda S. Anderson Avatar

    The difficulty, when you don’t write popular fiction or use popular tropes, is determining who the reader is for your stories.
    Some things I’ve observed about who’s recommending my books:
    They’re not the readers on the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction group on Facebook, which heavily influences readers.
    They’re not typical Christian fiction readers, period, so that makes marketing difficult.
    I have had success getting BookBub ads which has greatly increased my reach. I haven’t done a thorough analysis (I plan to, though) but judging by reviews, the readers who enjoy my books are most often readers of secular works, sometimes erotic works (don’t know what that says as my books are not that!), or a mix of secular and Christian. (My unscientific study of what my reviewers read.)
    Yet, when I look at Amazon’s “Customers also bought by…” it’s Christian authors.
    So, what do I make of that…?

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  2. Nicole Petrino-Salter Avatar

    Good questions, Bren. Certainly don’t get the readers of erotica leaning in your direction! Hahahaha! However, many readers outside the tight “accepted” circle of Christian Fiction readers would prefer your women’s fiction because it tackles real issues w/o the typical secular stereotypes and graphics.
    Obviously, I have zero answers as to the whole marketing scheme/appeal/process. All I know for sure is I’ve never yet seen a foolproof formula for marketing novels.

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