Posted by admin on Mar 24, 2009 in
Marketing,
News Publishers, authors and literary agents descended on Dallas last week for the first ever Christian Book Expo (CBE). But one group seemed to be missing: readers. The event was intended to be unlike other trade shows in that it was an event for the public. But reports from Publishers Weekly show that the public didn’t show up. Organizers had planned for 15,000 book fans when only about 10 percent of them actually attended. Some say it was the venue, some say it was the $29 ticket and others say it was poor timing while many were on spring break vacations. Here are some reactions from publishing execs, literary agents and other bloggers who attended the event:
Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson: I am not sure publishers are going to want to try this again next year. With the current economic realities we are all facing, we really can’t afford to try too many things that don’t promise an immediate payback. That doesn’t mean that Christian Book Expo is a bad idea.
Mary DeMuth, Writer: I ached for the folks who put the CBE together–so much sweat and toil to see so few come. It was hard for me to enjoy myself knowing that the event failed to live up to expectations.
Chip MacGregor, Literary Agent: I had a good time. Saw lots of great authors. Connected with publishers. Heard some fabulous presentations. But in terms of what it was supposed to be, the show was an unmitigated disaster. And not just your run-of-the-mill disaster, but a disaster of epic proportions. A Joaquin-Phoenix-On-David-Letterman type of disaster.
Holley Gerth, Author: I imagined writing this cool post for you about all the people I met, the stories I heard while I signed my book, and the amazing cheesecake I had. The only part that came true was the cheesecake. And it was good, my friends, very good. I felt like eating the whole thing after my signing on Saturday when only one person came to the booth. Yes, one. Uno.
Tags: Authors, CBE, Christian Book Expo, Christian books, literary agent, writer
Posted by admin on Mar 18, 2009 in
Authors,
Marketing 
Intimate Moments with the Shepherd
Christian Publishing Tips is pleased to present our guest blogger today, author Phyllis Benigas. Phyllis serves on the Assemblies of God World Missions Board and enjoys speaking at women’s meetings, retreats and conferences. Be sure to check out Phyllis’ website and pick up a copy of her book, Intimate Moments with the Shepherd. Today Phyllis writes about the intimidating and pressure-filled experience of pitching your book idea to an editor.
***
The opportunity of presenting, often called “pitching,” a book idea to an acquisition editor of a publishing house is daunting, to a new author. I found myself in this position a few years ago while attending the International Christian Retail Show. Even with the certainty that God was directing me to put into print the ever-comforting message of the Shepherd’s care in our lives, I faltered as I looked into the knowing eyes of an editor who had heard it all. My idea was not a new, earthshaking concept-David handled it quite well in Psalm 23-but when we truly grasp its truth, our world is never the same.
I had the understanding that acquisition editors will politely give five minutes to an author to present an idea, but all may be lost if the author has not grabbed their attention within the first 30 seconds. No pressure! While grooming and a winning smile are all part of the package, my acceptance that day was more or less hanging on 30 seconds. I’m not sure whether or not my understanding of this process is completely based on fact, but my personal experience at ICRS seemed to confirm it.
The first acquisition editor I met glanced at my book proposal, listened to my pitch for…about 30 seconds and then started doodling on paper. This was not a good sign. At three minutes into my presentation, he handed my proposal back to me and said he wasn’t interested, and I knew that he wasn’t. Although my presentation was concise, my book proposal orderly, and my appearance, well, I did my best with what I had to work with, I failed to plant even a seed of possibility in his mind. This was not his fault.
I returned to my hotel room dejected, determined to return home in the morning. After sharing this experience with my husband on the phone he encouraged me to pursue what God had placed in my heart and to toughen my “thin skin,” and then he prayed with me. He asked the Lord to reveal what He knew would capture the attention of the editors and that my passion for this project would be evident. It wasn’t as though we hadn’t prayed over this in the past, but perhaps form and substance had stymied divine revelation.
Later, as I sought the Lord’s direction, He reminded me of a book by Philip Keller that I had run across a few weeks before in a Christian bookstore, “A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm.” He also brought to mind a conversation with a pastor friend who expressed the desperate need we have for the Lord to guide us through all the challenges in our homes and relationships. The faithful Shepherd had given me just what I needed.
The next day I had the privilege to meet with six acquisition editors, with a “pitch” that began, “Back in the 70’s, a man by the name of Philip Keller wrote a book entitled, ‘A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm.’ Over a million copies of that book have been sold, and my book is a 2lst century dimension of that same theme….” Well, needless to say, when an editor hears “one million copies,” you have his attention. I went on to share with passion the desperate need readers have for the Shepherd’s guidance. At the end of the day, five editors kept my book proposal and later responded. For a newbie like me, this was monumental. Strang Communications published my devotional book last year, “Intimate Moments with the Shepherd – Guidance Through the Challenges of Life.” With the many struggles we are facing today, we need Him more than ever.
My book is light-years away from a million copies sold, but as it moves out into the marketplace, I know from the dozens of testimonies I’ve received that it is touching lives, one by one. I will never forget that night in a lonely hotel room when the Lord guided me through my challenge. Whether it is a pitch, a query letter or a book proposal, our ideas can be presented with confidence when the Lord is directing our first 30 seconds.
By Phyllis Benigas
Visit Phyllis at www.shepherdmoments.com
“We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3
Tags: author, book, book pitch, Phyllis Benigas, pitching, selling books, story pitch
Posted by admin on Mar 12, 2009 in
Authors,
Marketing,
books
Unbelieving Husbands by Ann Velia
Christian Publishing Tips is pleased to welcome author Ann Velia today for a guest post entitled Unintended Markets: When Your Book Impacts People You Never Expected. Last year Ambassador International released Ann’s book Unbelieving Husbands: The Neglected Harvest. Although Ann fully expected– as you can tell by the title– that the book was purely for wives, she soon realized that God had BIGGER plans for her book. If reaching the unbelievers in your life is a topic you need encouragement or help with, pick up Ann’s book today at Ambassador International’s online bookstore. Use coupon code BOOK40 to receive 40% off your purchase. And remember, as Ann explains, her book isn’t just for wives:
Don’t think you know it all, just because you wrote the book! After writing Unbelieving Husbands: the Neglected Harvest, which I aimed at a very specific readership, the Lord keeps surprising me with new opportunities to teach — and to learn.
The book arose out of my notes for a six-week bible study I taught to five women who shared my situation: married to a man who did not share my Christian faith. The study seemed to be helpful to each woman, and three of the five husbands eventually became church participants.
After more bible study and reflection on real-life experiences, I sent a query to Ambassador International and got an immediate response asking for a prospectus and sample chapters. And then for a longer sample….
And by the time the manuscript when to press in March 2008, it had grown to many more pages than the original estimate. There! I thought. I’ve said all there is to say!
Then a friend who reviewed my manuscript asked if I would teach a class based on the book at her church, and she participated enthusiastically, even though she is unmarried. She thought the principles in the book were applicable to winning other unsaved family members as well as husbands.
Oddly, that class also attracted a woman who was divorced, but hoped to learn how to win her ex-husband — her children’s father – to the Lord. Another woman came to seek ways to reach her children.
In a current class I am teaching, one woman attends out of concern for her son-in-law. Just this week, a man with an unbelieving wife inquired about getting a copy of the book.
It makes me think there’s another book possibility here, on general “household evangelism.”
My message for writers is, interact with your readers. Teaching a class on your non-fiction subject is a great way to learn what else readers want to know and, by the way, what good things they can teach you!
By Ann Velia
Tags: Ambassador International, Ann Velia, author, Christian books, markets, selling books, Unbelieving Husbands
Posted by admin on Mar 9, 2009 in
Awards,
News,
books We received dozens of entries for our second Christian Book Giveaway! In all, 98 people left comments hoping to win! Special thanks to Book Room Reviews for organizing this network of giveaways! And now for the winners…
Welcome Home by Steve Lorch
Our Lifeship by Lynn Wallace
The winner of Ambassador International’s newest book, Welcome Home: A Practical Guide to House Churches, Small Groups, Home Fellowships or Whatever You Call Them is Sharon Fairclough! Congrats Sharon! Please let us know what you think of Welcome Home.
The winner of Our Lifeship: A Study in Proverbs for Women is Jennie A! Congrats Jennie A! We hope you enjoy this wonderful book.
If your name wasn’t picked– don’t worry! We still have a special gift just for you! Christian publisher Ambassador International has agreed to extend a HUGE discount to CPT readers! Use the coupon code BOOK40 to receive 40 PERCENT off your ENTIRE PURCHASE! Use it to buy your own copy of Welcome Home, Our Lifeship, or any great Ambassador title! Special thanks to everyone who entered.
Tags: Christian books, free books, freebie, Lynn Wallace, Our Lifeship, Steve Lorch, Welcome Home
Posted by admin on Mar 2, 2009 in
Marketing,
books NOTE: Don’t forget to leave your email address or contact info in your comment!!!
Christian Publishing Tips is excited to announce our SECOND Christian Book Giveaway! This time we are giving away two books published by Ambassador International. One winner will be among the first to receive a copy of the new release Welcome Home by Steve Lorch. This is a great book for anyone who is currently leading or interested in leading a small group. Here’s some additional information on Welcome Home:
Win a Copy of Welcome Home
Unlike anything you may have read before on the subject, Welcome Home is a uniquely practical and soundly theological guide to nearly every aspect of house churches and small groups. Whether you are an elder of a large congregation with hundreds of small groups, a house church pastor, a church planter, or anyone at all interested in home fellowships, this book is sure to be an encouraging help to your ministry.
By placing significant emphasis on developing leaders, Welcome Home maps out step-by-step ways to begin a house church ministry or to greatly improve existing small group programs. Drawing from solid, Biblical examples and over two decades of hands-on experience, “Welcome Home” sets a clear path for discipleship through home fellowships. The book also includes a CD containing various teaching outlines that may be printed freely for use as class materials.
The second winner will receive a copy of Our Lifeship: A Study in Proverbs for Women by Lynn Wallace. Lynn is an author and speaker who previously served as a missionary to Navajo Indians. You can read more about Lynn on her website. Here is a little more information about her book:
Win a Copy of Our Lifeship
Our life is a ship.
The helm steers the ship.
“Wise counsels” in Proverbs 1:5 comes from a word that speaks of the rope that guides the ship. Our Captain, the Lord Jesus Christ, will enable us to guide our ship right as we stay in His Logbook, the Bible. In Our Lifeship several examples of Biblical characters and modern-day women are used. This book contains quotations from Proverbs and other Bible books. In the section, “Challenges Today’s Women Face,” the author interviewed several women over the phone to obtain ideas. This section brings it down to where we live. She closes each chapter with a challenge, “Give the Helm to Jesus.
This time, CPT is joining dozens of other book bloggers in giveaways through the Bookroom Reviews Book Giveaway Carnival. You can enter to win lots of other books this week, too! We will draw a winner on Saturday, March 7. The contest is open to anyone in the US. Just like last time you can enter up to THREE TIMES! Here’s how:
1. Leave a comment. Be sure to include your name and e-mail address so we can reach you if you’re the winner.
2. Include your twitter address in a comment and start following Christian Publishing Tips on Twitter (@ChristianPubTip). Make sure you send out a tweet about us and this contest. If you’re already following us just tweet about this giveaway.
3. Spread the word about this giveaway by linking to us. Leave us a comment with the link to your announcement. Make sure you include contact information in case you’re the winner.
Tags: Ambassador International, book giveaway, books, Christian books, contest, freebies, Lynn Wallace, Steve Lorch, win
Posted by admin on Mar 2, 2009 in
Authors,
Resources 
Searching for inspiration?
Do you ever find yourself blankly staring at your computer screen, longing for inspiration, feedback or help with your writing project? We’ve all been there. Here are some free online resources for authors. If you have others you like to use, please leave them in a comment below! We’d love to know what online resources you’re using.
Critiques
In case you’re wondering whether something you wrote is sensational or silly, try signing up for an account at FaithWriters.com. The free service allows you to post articles or works and request feedback on them. You can also network with other Christian writers in the forums.
Dictionary/Thesaurus
When we need help with spelling or coming up with new words we head to merriam-webster.com. It’s easy to use and extremely helpful.
Quick Research
If you need to do a little quick research try Enclyclopedia.com. The site includes data from 49 encyclopedias and 73 dictionaries and thesauruses. When you don’t want to take a trip to the library, this is a great site to check out. Refdesk.com is another one worth a visit. It brings a lot of websites and resources together in one place which makes searching easy for authors.
Miscellaneous Help
Need to figure out the best way to collect an outstanding payment? Wondering how to avoid scams? Check out WritersWeekly.com. It’s one of the most well-known freelance writing ezines in the world.
Design Inspiration
Needing a little inspiration for cover designs? Or maybe just motivation to keep working on that book? Head to BookCoverArchive.com and see books that look more like artwork. I don’t know about you but seeing a great cover is good motivation to finish writing.
Grammar
Have a grammar question? If your 10th grade English teacher isn’t available, try using online resources like Towson University’s Online Writing Support. They’ve even got a writing support hotline that allows you to submit your grammar question. Someone should respond within 24 hours.
Photo courtesy of Extra Ketchup
Tags: books, Christian author, Christian writer, dictionary, free resources, grammar, writing resources
