Early this week I stopped in to our local Barnes & Noble, and as always, I walked into the sci-fi and fantasy section to check out what new titles they had out. I was surprised to find Raven's Ladder placed right in the center of the new releases, and here's why. There are a large number of sci-fi and fantasy publishers like Tor, Daw, Baen, Eos, etc. who usually have rule and reign over any other publishers in the sci-fi/fantasy sections of secular bookstores. AND! Even within those big companies the bookstores usually only stock the bigger name authors who have proven track records. Unknown authors within these large companies aren't given near the promotion as the big authors. So...how did Raven's Ladder find its way on to the exclusive sci-fantasy shelves? Well, I don't know...
But I can tell you this, with its great cover, and its prominent position, it's going to be bought. Exposure is huge in a bookstore. Overstreet, is not a small name in the Christian community, but it's not a big name either. Donita K. Paul and Bryan Davis are about the only Christian spec authors I know that can regularly be found in the exclusivistic sci-fantasy section. But here Overstreet has...overcome. At least in my local Barnes & Noble.
For most new authors--even of big publishers--you're lucky to have your book on a shelf. So how do you get to that point? Self-promotion. Not what any author wants to hear. A combination of hiring a big publicist, lots of money, and hitting up all sorts of events is one way to get big (and I suspect it's a way many authors HAVE gotten big). But what about the average Joe/Jane writer...how can they get on those sacred shelves?
When you find out...let me know.
Actually, I believe there is one thing that can make the impossible possible, and that's God. But then I remind myself, God doesn't care about "getting big," God cares about restoring us and the world through us to Him. So maybe we write a great book and only a few people will ever read it. It's the simple fact that we are doing it to glorify Him that brings a smile to his face. This life is not about us, it is about Him.
Personally, I have to fight my ego and pride daily, and remember my ultimate purpose in life. With friends and family, with work, and with writing, the ultimate fulfillment of life which we were created for is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever. That is human purpose. That is the only place I can find absolute satisfaction and live a fulfilled life, not in selling books.
Brandon Barr
Rachel Briard (BooksForLife)
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Ryan Heart
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher
15 comments:
Ha! Excellent words of wisdom. It is a constant challenge to keep our ego (and self-smugness) down.
Best of luck.
Thanks for the reminder :). Glad to hear Overstreet is overcoming! I wonder if that's also true here in Canada. Hmmm ... I should take a visit to our local Chapters one of these days!
Hey Logan,
So true. Pride is ingrained in us.
Hi Rachel,
Yeah, I was curious if it was just an anomaly here at my local B&N or if it was more universal.
What a hopeful sign to see Overstreet doing well at B&N. As far as sales and outreach, I think you have to look at it that you reach one reader at a time, and trust the Lord to find the readers who NEED your words. The glory is ultimately HIS.
Good points Amy :)
Beautiful, Brandon. One of my favorite posts of yours.
What a wonderful surprise to find Overstreet "overcome". I think your post on his Cynder's Midnight, was the first thing I ever read on Christian Science Fiction.blogspot. That and something on Donita Paul.
This one looks good. I read the first chapter on Amazon. . .I wasn't hooked, but the cover and Overstreet will spur me to press on, for sure.
Can't wait to find out what Amanda has to say.
So glad to hear Barnes & Noble has it displayed prominently!
You know why? It's because the publisher has paid for this spot. All these prominent spots are paid for now, according to speakers at the ACFW convention.
So the challenge becomes, how to convince the publisher to spend the $ to put your book front and center...
Paid spots are my bet too. I have a family member whose job it is to go around to different Wal-Marts and make sure that specific items companies paid to be in prominent positions on the shelves are actually where they are supposed to be.
Good article, by the way.
KM,
:) thanks for your encouragment (I think that's one of your gifts!).
And Phyllis and Joe,
I'd heard about paid spots...I guess I just figured they were the ones in the front of the store. But perhaps they're even in the individual genre sections too! That's wild.
Yep, Raven's Ladder was front and center in the New SF & F section of the Barnes & Noble I visited in Destin, Florida.
Hi Fred,
Well, that is really interesting...and it seems to be confirming what Joe and Phyllis said.
That is amazing that Raven's Ladder made it onto the shelf at B&N. Fantastic!
But your other thoughts hit home ... writing is a humbling business despite the aggrandized thoughts everyone has about it.
Lets all just keep plugging away and give the glory to God for every single reader who *does* read our work!
-Robert
Hi Robert,
Agreed :)
Let's keep writing, and singing the songs God gave us to sing, no matter how many people hear.
Self promotion, building a platform, etc, that's a concept that I really, really have trouble with.
So I loved your conclusion that it is all about God, not about us; about glorifying Him, not bringing attention to ourselves.
Yet, still delighted to see Christian authors getting that recognition.
Yes Peter, I feel the same way. I cringe at the thought of trying to "pump up my own book". My very personality is the antithesis of a salesman's.
Promoting ones own book needs to come with humility and a real respect for people.
Post a Comment