tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30625835.post115199613397326037..comments2023-03-28T07:40:21.567-07:00Comments on The Christian Writer's Notebook: Self-Publishing: Frank's CounterpointUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30625835.post-1153908335508066662006-07-26T03:05:00.000-07:002006-07-26T03:05:00.000-07:00Karri--Thanks for stopping by!For any of you unfam...Karri--<BR/>Thanks for stopping by!<BR/>For any of you unfamiliar with Karri, she's literally a professional book reviewer. <BR/>http://www.kcreviews.blogspot.com/<BR/><BR/>If this article gave the impression of a "can't be published" blanket statement then I stated my point far too strongly. My was to indicate the current market trend toward proven writers and the subsequent trend away from new authors. I so wish I still had that litter-box doomed January Writer's Digest for quotes!<BR/>Regarding secular publication methods of Christian speculative fiction, the finished section of my Christian fantasy braided-novel is probably vague enough for the American Booksellers Association, but the ending will be too evangelical in purpose for their tastes. In any case, there are only two fantasy-specific traditional houses that still accept unagented submissions.<BR/>The big problem is that my Christian dystopian cyberpunk sci-fi sub-genre setting is what He's really called me to write, and it's purpose is not merely a bit-o-God evangelism but post-evangelism, which mandates high-performance theology. No secular house will touch a new author's work written for such a "narrow" audience, and no Christian house will gamble on dystopian cyberpunk.<BR/>Regarding the literary quality of books from non-traditional houses, I agree that there are cubic-miles of dumpster stuff out there. One needs to master the craft before leaping into print. But I think your definition of SP may simply be an antithesis of traditional house methods. POD and SP are as distinct as the CBA, the ABA and the AMA!<BR/>Publish On Demand companies tend to draw the real amateurs because 1) the initial cost is so much cheaper than SP and 2) most PODs give a false impression that they will will sell your books for you. SP used to be equated with vanity-press, but POD has made vanity affordable.<BR/>Actual Self-Publishing requires thousands if not tens of thousands of investment dollars, subcontracting all services from printer to publicist, and lining up all your own galley, interview, and review promotion.<BR/>The formula is: start your own small press + subcontract the essentials + plug into the Christian market-niche subculture's existing print, radio and TV media = doing his will. I'm a second-shift factory worker but He's made me a perfectionist. I've spent a lifetime learning the craft and now I'm stepping out in faith. I'm forty and my ministry won't wait decades for the CBA to get courageous.<BR/>Im staking our retirement money that His will be done.<BR/>Faith,<BR/>Scott “Frank Creed” Morris<BR/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<BR/>e-mail: frankcreed@insightbb.com<BR/>Home: http://www.frankcreed.com<BR/>Blog: http://frankcreed.blogspot.com/<BR/>Book Review Blog: http://afrankreview.blogspot.com/<BR/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Frank Creedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11635583213577356111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30625835.post-1153843186000763132006-07-25T08:59:00.000-07:002006-07-25T08:59:00.000-07:00Yes, very good points indeed. Though I wonder abou...Yes, very good points indeed. Though I wonder about your blanket statement's validity which expressed that new authors can't be traditionally published. That's hogwash. Look at Robin Parrish. Or the hundreds of other "Christian" fiction authors out there getting contracts every day with traditional CBA houses. I didn't say it was easy, but it does happen.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, I do realize CBA won't publish your heart's desire - spec-fic. Too bad. I really think they should. 'Course, couldn't you just market your book for ABA? Or are they even more picky with authors they will publish?<BR/><BR/>I'm still in limbo about SP. I've no doubt there are many quality books out there. Thing is, you have to wade through the crap to get to them, seeing as how anyone can do it.<BR/><BR/>Agree?<BR/>God bless - keep us informed with your progress. Perhaps we can change the face of fiction yet.<BR/>Karrikchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150824444740146937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30625835.post-1152058908527116762006-07-04T17:21:00.000-07:002006-07-04T17:21:00.000-07:00I really enjoyed reading your article, you make so...I really enjoyed reading your article, you make some very good points.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com