More on the industry

Mark sent me this: “It seems that slowly the CBA is selling out. Is this true? Is it the ABA getting greedy? What does this signal for the future?”

It signals that the general market has recognized the value of Christian books, Christian writers, and Christian readers. And, yes, it probably means that more CBA houses will be sold (or come under the influence of) large ABA houses. As to the question "are they greedy?" -- good grief, they're running a for-profit enterprise. If "greedy" means "are they focused on making a profit," of course they're greedy. But I'd argue that CBA houses, for all the carefully-couched terms about having "ministry" and "doing the Lord's work," are also focused on profit. So maybe we should view this as a greater partnership, rather than a sell-out. Sure, there are some questions to face down the road – who will do commentaries and reference tools that aren't necessarily commercial but still have value to believers? What happens when a company faces a decision to publish a book at odds with believers? How will Christians respond when a company publishes some heretical tome? But, for those not in the know, those very questions are faced by some of us every day. Time Warner Book Group was a marvelous company that did many wonderful books when I was there (as well as before I came and after I left). We probably also published some books Christians would find offensive. But you know what? I was not responsible for every decision in the company. I was responsible to do good books with solid Christian content that will sell in the marketplace. I was comfortable with that role, and I believed in the company. So no, I don't find the blending of Christian and general markets a "sell out."

Suzy asked, “How do you handle it when you have a change of editors (and editor styles) in mid-contract?”

This business is all about relationships. Editors move around quite a bit in the publishing world -- even more than in most industries (the reasons can be discussed in another post). So authors can expect this to happen to them occasionally. How to respond? Be polite, be positive, try to establish a new relationship with the new editor. Say hello. Send Starbucks. Show him or her that you're easy-going. Keep a positive attitude. Don't give the editor any reason to lose enthusiasm for your book, because every new person in a role is looking for projects that will succeed and make them look good.

Tim wrote and said, “What can we do as writers to stay current on industry news?”

For CBA, read Christian Retailing, Outreach magazine, World, CT, maybe the CBA retailer's magazine if you can locate it. For ABA, read Publisher's Weekly, subscribe to Publisher's Lunch, keep tabs on book news. There are a bunch of blogs that stay current with things -- Rachelle Gardner's CBA Ramblings are Michael Hyatt's excellent blog are two I find important and helpful. Also check out the Writers Digest list of 101 Best Blogs for Writers -- a great overview of where to find good information. Have conversations with other authors and editors. Rarely do things come as a surprise to the industry. Generally, any big changes are talked about for months. By keeping up with some of these sources, you’ll be more prepared for the industry shifts.

Carl said, “Why is it important to be aware of this news?”

To impress girls at author signings and cocktail parties, of course. And, I suppose, to make wise decisions in your writing career (should you find that important).

Comments

[patriciazell]

All through the Bible, God used who Christians could call "heathens" to move His plan forward. I say if a non-Christian publisher wants to publish Christian books, great! I think we need to get off our high horses and reach out to people. I try to keep God's absolute love in front of me and to remember that He loves everyone and that His love will not fail!

[dee stewart]

Ha!"impress girls at author signings and cocktail parties."

Regarding ABA houses publishing Christian books: I've worked with publicity departments at Grand Central and Kensington on how to promote their Christian authors more effectively. Their objective is to sell books, so of course they are going to participate in activities to help sell books, regardless of whether there are written for Christian readers or mainstream.

[Timothy Fish]

There are still publishers out there that will only publish material that meets the strict doctrinal guidelines of their organization. Many of these publishers rely partly on donations from churches that are in agreement with their doctrine. While they do hope to reduce their dependence on donations the donations give them the freedom to publish some of those “commentaries and reference tools that aren’t necessarily commercial but still have value to believers.” Though these publishers have taken a financial hit recently, I don’t expect to see them go away anytime soon. As the main stream publishers lean more toward ecumenism and less toward teaching specific doctrines, I expect that churches will be more easily persuaded that there is value in supporting these publishers, both through buying their product and through financial gifts.

[Megan]

I sent your blog url to Writing-World as they are starting to highlight various writing related blogs in their newsletter. Hope it gets you a lot of hits and interest in your agency. :)

[Sharon A Lavy]

Thanks Chip, for your common sense outlook. It is refreshing in our paranoid world.

Of course the time will come when the sky really will fall, but in the meantime we have to live in today's world the way it is. With God's help we can do it.

[Stevie Rey]

Hee, hee. "To impress girls at book signings and cocktail parties". It's probably a good thing you're not my agent, Chip. They should keep us separated for our own good!

Steve