Do you believe in your job? I mean, really believe in it?

Recently I went to an event where I hadn’t planned to talk at all about being a literary agent. But I found myself talking about books all the same. Granted, I didn’t talk about being a literary agent in the same way I’d talk about it with writers; no one at the event was a writer so they weren’t interested in having a novel published. In fact, I think this may have been one of the few times I went somewhere when no one said, “Hey, my cousin writes children’s books!” As writers, you know what I mean, don’t you?

I think we in Christian publishing, or perhaps in any kind of publishing, are especially blessed to have careers we believe in. Granted, there are many important jobs people do every day and I’m grateful for them. But does my airport shuttle driver think, “Wow, I’m really committed to the eternal mission of being sure everyone gets to the United terminal.” Yes, my ability to arrive at my airport terminal is extremely important. But does a shuttle driver, for example, talk eagerly about her work during off hours?

I find it’s hard to resist letting people know I’m in Christian publishing because I really believe in what I do. I believe in my writers. I believe in the books I represent. I want to serve the editors I send submissions to. I love our readers.

I believe this is a calling.

Your turn:

What are you writing now? Why?

What motivated you to write the book you’re writing now?

How do you express your belief in your work?

Are you called to write or otherwise be in publishing? Why?