Esther vs. Esther: When a Big Name Author Writes a Book on the Same Topic
Jennifer Spivey
I’m excited to share a guest post with you from Ambassador author Jennifer Spivey. On March 14, 2008 Jennifer’s book Esther: Reflections from an Unexpected Life was released. Just a few months later, promotion began on Beth Moore’s new book, Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman. Jennifer shares with us what it’s like to be a first-time author releasing a book on the same topic and in the same year as one of the best-known Christian writers. We wanted to know, does it help you? Or hurt you? Here’s Jennifer:
My book, Esther: Reflections from an Unexpected Life, was released by Ambassador in spring of 2008. Esther has been a great partner on this journey over the last several months! Writing has always been a passion, and while I am not entirely sure that I want to see my love turn into my job, one thing I am sure of: God’s Word is powerful and life changing, and if my book can be used as a tool to bring people closer to Christ, then that is something worth promoting!
Esther by Jennifer Spivey
Taken from the angle that I am “promoting” Jesus and His great love makes promoting the book infinitely easier. From emails to letters to signings to speaking engagements, I have learned that none of this is about selling a book; it is all about spreading the love of God. Asking for the Lord’s blessing on the book makes it His project, not mine, and suddenly the pressure is taken off – all I am responsible to do is take the next step, and the next, and the next, as my steps are ordered by Him.
A few months ago, Beth Moore’s study of Esther was released. Funny – when the pre-release “buzz” on her book began, there were many questions to field about my Esther versus Beth Moore’s Esther. (Esther was
never mine or even Beth’s in the first place!) Truly, there was no competition – it was great occasion for joy at the prospect of more people being reached with Esther’s powerful story! As we are all serve Christ, we can all take pleasure in the success of others: that’s the joy of working together in unity! For me, Beth Moore’s book has brought a new attention to Esther, and my little offering of a book has shared a corner of that spotlight. Chains that had not yet ordered my book to carry in stores ordered it at the same time they ordered Beth Moore’s Esther. My Esther sits on the bookshelf next to Beth Moore’s
Esther by Beth Moore
Esther, and they are very happy neighbors! I have heard from Bible study groups and churches across the nation – this one read my book first, and are now enjoying Beth Moore’s Esther with a different understanding and foreknowledge of this story. Others read Beth Moore’s first, and went looking for other material on Esther – then my book found its way into their hands! Friends are taking my Esther to their Beth Moore study groups and offering other insights here and there… and the blessing goes on, and the knowledge increases, and the Word of God changes lives… where’s the competition in that? There is none!
As an author, you might have to face the fact that Solomon was right: “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Esther’s story was not new when I wrote it, as it was not new when Beth wrote it. That is no cause for despair! That is cause for joy - Solomon also said that a “threefold cord is not easily broken…” (Eccl.4:12). I think I’ll go shop for a third book on Esther now!
Jennifer Spivey will be signing copies of her book Esther: Reflections from an Unexpected Life at the LifeWay Christian store in Brandon, Florida on February 28 from 11am until 1pm. You can purchase your copy through the publisher, Ambassador International. Use coupon code RCS09 to receive 50% off your order.
What a wonderful, generous, godly attitude you have, Jennifer. God will surely bless you for your kingdom mindset.
And — God willing, you’ll write other books!
Latayne C Scott
http://www.latayne.com
novelmatters.blogspot.com
Jennifer,
What a wonderful testiment on how the Lord is using you. What a selfless, warm, God-loving attitude towards being paired off with Beth Moore.
God is using you to spread his love as well as other writers.
Our church is beginning the Beth Moore study, and I plan on bringing your book as well.
I pray for the Lord to continue to bless your words and keep serving him through your writings
Stephanie O’Guin
I have never thought of “competition” in the book business- as being good for the competition! What a super outlook! Esther is truly one of the best loved stories of the bible, and your book will be treasured forever. It seems like success smiled on the right person. Best wishes to the writer.
Jennifer mixes humor and God’s word in such a wonderful way. Her book was a joy to read. I pray that God will bless many with the chance enjoy it as I did.
What a great insight into the heart of the author. What a great representative for the kingdom of God. We are all blessed by you Jennifer. I can’t wait for your next book.
God is doing things in your behalf that you don’t even know of yet. Thanks for your joy in writing and your Joy in the Lord.
Jennifer, I noticed that Beth Moore released a book on Esther recently… and it struck me as kind of odd that it happened to be released just months after your book was released. It never occurred to me that your book would be promoted further as a result. God is good!
Well, the world might be shocked and amazed that someone would be so gracious when another book on the same subject is released by a “big-time” author around the same time…but I’m certainly not surprised by your comments, Jennifer. God has blessed you with such a gift. After hearing a new Word on HONOR last night that struck such a chord with me, I see the evidence of its value today in this article. You have chosen to honor EVEN the work of the other Beth Moore book, and as promised in His word, you receive the blessings from God as a result. Can’t wait to see what you do next!
Good morning Jennifer,
I enjoyed reading your thoughts. The clear thought here for me is that because God has validated you and your book, you can be excited and rejoice over another author also being given the vision and foresight to share her perspective on the same subject: Esther. Your heart and spirit readily reveal that yours is not greater than hers and vice versa…God gets magnified and that is always the goal of all of us Christian authors. God is Incredible and since He is not a chump change God He can afford your success as well as hers and any other author who endeavors do work and write in His name. Get excited! God is doing an Incredible thing! Be incredible, Darnyelle
I am so thrilled that God is using you in such an exciting way! The impact of your dedication to the Lord and using your gifts for him will spread down throughout the future generations! Thank you for being a goldy example! God bless you and all you do!
Jennifer,
I think you have the right attitudes and motivations regarding the publishing of your book about Esther. It should not be about competition, buth rather doing God’s will and bringing glory to God. Your book will have far reaching effects on people, in ways you may never realize. There was a deeper purpose for you to write about Esther, and it was not about book sales and profit. It was all about removing barriers and bringing people closer to Christ. I am so proud of you, Jennifer, for maintaining honesty and integrity, and also for allowing yourself to be used by God by any means necessary to spread His word.
Love In Christ,
Melissa R. Bussler
Jennifer – you truly are a breath of fresh air and I know our Heavenly Father is so pleased with your response. What a wonderful example you are to all. Bless you and may your adventures with the Lord, through yours and His book, Esther, touch an untold number of lives which you will meet when you get to heaven!! I so appreciate who you are in the Lord!!
Jenn- I am so very proud of you. God has used you in so many different ways in my life and now he has given you an opprotunity to speak into thousands of lives. I am sad to say I have not read the book yet but I plan to when I get some money(3rd year masters student:-). Anyways I love you and miss you all so much. You are in my prayers.
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I love the geniuness with which you write. As I read your article and as I read the book, I can hear your lovely voice narrating in my head as if you are speaking with me personally. I am just finishing the Beth Moore study and will continue to soak up the the treasures within Esther as I read through the rest of your insights. Esther has always been a favorite book of mine and I love the way you clearly acknowledge that God is the original author. I just praise Him for obedient servants and sisters in Christ who generously shared with the body of Christ what He has done in them through His Word! I bet Beth Moore would love reading your book and this article!
I am currently involved in the Bible Study by Beth Moore. I was looking for a commentary that I could reference while doing my homework. Jennifer Spivey has brought the book of Esther alive for me. As I read her book “Esther-reflections from an unexpected life” God is working through her to positively change my life. This book is like a great novel that I don’t want to ever put down.
Joan, thank you for your kind words! I will pass them on to Jennifer!