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.
