If You Build It, Will They Come? By Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans

The idea gained traction about four or five years ago: Publish books, then, revisit your back list and offer older titles at a discount, or for free, to better enable new readers to ‘take a chance’ on you as an author, to hopefully enjoy your work, and purchase new releases at full price.

Today the idea of free or deep-discounted books is becoming the norm rather than the exception to a degree that I’m starting to wonder if the CBA isn’t causing itself to implode. In a quest for interest/reach/reader loyalty are we giving away sustainability?

Like many others, I’m broken hearted by the news that Family Christian is closing its doors. I’m broken hearted by the fact that the Christian market—not just for books, but any variety of retail merchandise, is dying a slow, painful death. I’ve had four signings at my local Family Christian over the years and I treasured the store’s support. I couldn’t get my books on shelves, or even do signings, at Barnes and Noble or Books-A-Million. Meanwhile, Family Christian welcomed me with open arms and the results were mutually beneficial.

Now, that avenue has come to an end; yet another pathway closed to Christian authors (and retailers) who are being squeezed into non-existence.

The idea behind my post today? That we need to support one another. From the pocket book. For the record, I’m all about freebies. I’m all about sale prices on great merchandise, like Christian books for example. I’ve taken advantage of many a bargain and discovered awesome new authors at the result. However, I’ve concluded that I need to dig deeper than that and support our industry by purchasing goods at a price and in a manner which creates sustainability. I need to hold to the truth that the effort authors (in this case) and other Christian retailers put into their businesses is worthy of patronage and financial compensation. If not, these ministries will perish.

In Jesus’s day, his followers existed, and then survived, by banding together, by forming a community and supporting one another. Today is no different. If we want to survive, we must live in a spirit of mutual viability.

And so, I’m eager to know: What are your perceptions on the current ‘state of the Christian industry?’ Any thoughts about ways to stem the backward slide of store closures, lack of exposure and sinking sales? Blessings, friends, and see you next month!

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Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create. Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence Award. Hearts Communion earned a win for Best Romance from the Christian Small Publisher's Association. She is also a two-time recipient of the Selah Award, Then & Now for Best Contemporary Romance and Finding Home for Best Novella. Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President.

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Amy Monarch is a tireless volunteer at the Dupont Rescue and Recovery Center, an establishment for the destitute founded by her mother. There, Amy has kept her identity a carefully guarded secret. She is actually Princess Amelia Marguerite Louise DeLaGrande of Remeth. Working at Dupont offers the opportunity to serve in blessed disguise.

Fresh into a promising career in commercial real estate brokerage, Patrick Sawyer returns to the picturesque isle of Remeth intending to reconnect with his collegiate study abroad friends and figure out 'what's next' in his life. Since his father's passing, the world he knows leaves him uninspired. He volunteers at Dupont during his visit and becomes enchanted by Amy.

But Amelia is trapped within a silken web. When she reveals who she is, Patrick pulls back. He's not interested in royalty--at all--but how can she ever break free? How can she find a way to service and God's plan for her life? Most of all, how can she reconcile the call she feels toward a remarkable man who may be 'common,' yet is 'uncommon' when it comes to matters of the heart?

You’re Still a Lily! by Susan Tuttle

The writing world can be tough, can’t it? Especially for those of us in the CBA market. We believe we are called to write. We believe God created us for a purpose and that purpose includes weaving His message into words on a page and then that page being placed into the hands of readers where it will change lives. Inspire. Bring hope. Stimulate growth. Begin healing.

Yet what happens when we do all we can and our message is not received? When we string those words together into stories that sit on our computers? When we cannot find an agent or a publishing house willing to take us on?

Are we still a writer?

Will he still use us?

I’ll admit to asking God these questions. In fact, I’m about to start a new WIP and there was a part of me that wondered if I really should. With nothing new occurring, was God really ever going to use me? To which he responded with this picture and verse:

Lily courtesy of Morguefile

Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 

~Matthew 6:28-29

Then he spoke quietly to my spirit. He reminded me that I was still a lily, even if I was alone in the middle of a forest. Even if I only ever bloomed for him. I was still a lily and nothing, no nothing, would ever be as glorious to him.

See, we think we are only living in our purpose if there are people who witness it or if there is some sort of external achievement to measure by. But God calls us to bloom even if HE is the only one to ever enjoy our petals. That lone flower in the middle of a forest is as devastatingly beautiful as the one people pay hundreds of dollars to create displays with. It may not be seen by as many people, it may not be seen at all, but he still created it, and it’s still a flower. Whether or not anyone ever admires its color, the shape of its petals, or its sweet fragrance changes nothing. God created it. Values it. Gave it a specific purpose.

And it should never stop blooming or growing because then, and only then, will it miss its calling.

So today if you’re frustrated in your writing career, I challenge you to take a moment out with God. Let him refresh you and remind you that you are as valuable as any writer who is agented or published. Your talent was given to you for a reason. You were created for a reason. And even if your blooms right now aren’t being seen by many, you are still a lily, glorious beyond words and valued beyond measure.

Don’t stop blooming.

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Susan Tuttle

Susan Tuttle is a homeschooling mom of three who is crazy about coffee, dark chocolate, and words—both reading and writing them. Combine that love of words with her passion for leading women to a life-changing encounter with Christ, and you’ll find her crafting Inspirational Contemporary Romance stories laced with humor, love, and healing transformations. When not cheering on her Ironman hubby, chasing the family dog, or tackling complex math problems to teach her kids (yes, even the third grader), you can catch Susan at her blog, Steps.