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| Melinda Viergever Inman |
Recently I made a decision that many writers are
contemplating. Maybe you're one of them. After researching, mulling, and head
scratching, I've decided to independently publish my next novel and utilize
crowdfunding to both promote and fund it. My Kickstarter campaign runs this
month.
If you're new to publishing, you may not be aware of how
rapidly our industry is changing, almost daily. When I contracted for the
publication of my first novel, a major shift in attitude toward indie
publishing had just occurred.
A bestselling Christian writer had just launched his own
self-publishing company, first aiming predominately at writers who had been
trained by his Christian Writers Guild. It was as if a bomb had exploded.
At his writers' conference a few days after his
announcement, every agent, editor, and publisher asked me - a writer at the
conference - if I also planned to self publish, as if this were now the
expected norm. They all encouraged it.
Everything had changed.
Between 2011-2013, it was estimated there were 1 to 2
million books on Amazon. By the time my novel reached publication in early
2014, there were 8 million books on Amazon. That is an enormous glut, if you're
an unknown writer promoting your first book.
As I considered this market, often completely overwhelmed,
my autoimmune disorder worsened. And as I talked with my readers, I became even
more acutely aware of their needs. I
spent a lot of time crying, feeling hopeless and frustrated for them and for
me.
Even if you're completely healthy, this writing world may
prompt you to feel the same. What's a writer to do?
We must remember this: God is still God. None of this
surprised him.
He created humanity to work and to create. Innovation brings
change. Therefore, change is a mark of the image of God within mankind.
With change come challenges, which have always
simultaneously inspired and plagued creative people. This time in literary
history is similar to when the printing press was created, and everyone's words
could garner a hearing if they were
willing to embrace a new writing world.
As I prayed and considered, the Lord brought encouragement
from unlikely sources, including strangers (now friends) I met on ACFW Group
boards and social media. Simultaneously, the Lord impressed upon me his deep
love and his gentleness with the speed at which I can now work with a chronic
illness. He gave me hope in him.
Eventually, my way became clear. The decision was made
easier by the fact that my publisher, a small traditional house, will be
providing the editing and design, as well as the distribution connections for
my indie project. I love my publisher, so his creative input made this even
more enticing.
My decision is unique to my health, my personality, my savvy
publisher, and my readers. Another significant consideration was the fact that
I've already been published traditionally. This was a very personal decision.
What was right for me may not be right for you.
Our God is innovative, and so are the brilliant human beings
he created. You are one of his marvelous creations! As a writer, he designed
you to tell his stories.
My encouragement to you in this crazy publishing world is
that the Lord will help you to make these decisions. He will lead you. No
matter how he directs, he will get your stories to the market he has planned
for them.
God is sovereign over all. Never forget this.
Nudged
toward evil by Satan, Cain 's hard-hearted hubris results in Abel's murder and
Lilith's broken heart when he is banished, splitting the family and propelling
mankind toward ever-increasing violence as their siblings seek revenge. Crushed
by what he's done, Cain runs, certain he's destroyed Lilith, his parents, and
the entire family. With Satan hounding his every move and no idea of the forces
arrayed against him, can Cain ever find God after he's committed a sin of such
magnitude? Can he ever be forgiven?
Melinda Viergever Inman was
raised in the tornado capital of the U.S.—Wakita, Oklahoma, of
"Twister" fame. There her parents met. There her roots were sunk in a
storytelling family. During years of relocation, tragedy struck. Wounded and
heartbroken, Melinda forsook her roots and ran from herself and from God. A
journey of trial and heartache brought her home again. A prodigal now returned
to her secure foundation, she writes with passion, illustrating God's love for
wounded people as he makes beauty from ashes. Refuge is her first novel. Melinda shepherds women in church and
in prison ministry and writes inspirational material on her biweekly blog at http://melindainman.com/blog/. With
her family she is involved with Mission India, rescuing orphans and providing
theological and job training for impoverished students— http://rimi.org/.
You can learn more and connect with Melinda here:
