A number of Christian writers desire to write a book published by a large publisher focused beyond the Christian market. The motivation and focus are well-intentioned, amplifying a Christian message to the larger world.
But while the author has this desire to reach a broader audience with a message of hope, companies that publish to the general population have an entirely different agenda, which for the most part does not include God or anything related to Scripture.
For sure, broader-market publishing has a wider creative bandwidth than Christian publishing. To illustrate, I refer to a daily summary of publishing deals available to professionals in the industry. From a recent single-day listing, here are nonfiction topics that received contracts:
–A story about an extraordinary herd of elephants and the woman dedicated to keeping them safe.
–A feminist exploration of Caesarean-section deliveries, investigating their use and misuse on “pregnant bodies,” the long-term impact on maternal health, and ways in which obstetric medicine routinely fails “pregnant people.”
–The story of America’s most important railroad and the region it defined, linked, and shaped.
–A collection of great American women who weren’t attractive, well-spoken, demure, and “sinless” enough to receive their rightful place in history.
–Coming-of-age tale of living with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a syndrome that results in excess hair growth.
–Series of essays told through a bisexual lens, exploring the author’s coming-of-age in a world riddled with harmful messages about sex and sexuality, moving toward a place of embrace and celebration unencumbered by shame.
–A humorous look at the history, mythology, science, and magical touch that make whiskey taste like liquid gold.
And then the ones with a spiritual angle:
–A journey of personal development and spiritual awakening through witchcraft and conversations with nature and the cosmos.
–A memoir to inspire nonbelievers to be honest about their true beliefs and, in so doing, fight the reflexive deference that gives religious belief far too much cultural and political power.
–A narrative chronicling the author’s year-long journey of living as a practicing Wiccan, appealing to anyone dissatisfied with our current religious options.
–A modern tour of grief and grieving, braiding together the author’s experience with his own grief, the sociocultural history of grieving rites and beliefs, and the modern therapies and industry being built around grieving today.
–A book for millennials and Gen Zers, disrupting intergenerational social conditioning of “not enough,” and exploring how to build a joyful life and a more peaceful world grounded in the concept of innate self-worth, self-compassion, and social justice.
The list of fiction projects mentioned on the one day’s list were as diverse as you can imagine.
Publishers are not book factories, devoid of agendas. Just as Christian publishers have mission statements indicating their commitment to biblical content, general-market publishers have one, too. While not stating it directly, they avoid the Bible, unless it is to critique it. Of course, there are a few exceptions. If you are famous with a large media platform, you are given more latitude, since broader-market publishers really like selling lots of books.
As a writer, you need to decide your own purpose in writing, with a key decision about how overt you want to include God in what you write.
The difference is not a narrow crevice, but a wide canyon.
Fun Fridays – January 21, 2022
Stand at canyon’s edge and shout,
and you’ll find it to be true,
that if you care to hang about,
your echo will return to you.
But these are canyons in the wild,
not divides were made by men,
and anyone grown past a child
is going to have to face and ken
distortion of the great crevasse
that tries to alter simple truth,
that tries to make a lad a lass
and twists one’s faithful words for proof
that life lived to be dutiful
is nothing but delusional.
Steve,
I was hoping the topics you mentioned were in the fiction category. They are certainly in the foolish category (Romans 1:22).
Dan, my apologies. I thought Steve wrote today’s blog.
Thanks, Dan. I really needed this reminder today. I have waivered and wobbled, and felt pulled in both directions. Your post is a solid reminder to pray about my goals and choose carefully.
I am a former pastor who has been saved 40+ years. I’ve written a novel, hoping to reach both sides of the cavern. Now, I find myself at the bottom of the great divide. I’m in the river below drowning in my accomplishment. Thanks for listening. Bill
Insightful article, Dan. Just before Covid hit, I attended the Pacific NW Booksellers Association trade show in Portland, (Keep Portland Weird) OR. I should have known better. It was and eye-opener–in a bad way. I invited my girlfriend to come with me (in this environment I should note we are female friends and straight.) Walking around the trade show floor and looking at the thousands of books coming out (free, just for the taking,) most of which were aimed at children, I ended up picking up one book–only because the author insisted I take it. The publishing agenda for the ABA market was on full display.
It was so upsetting we did the only logical thing to do…we left and got pedicures. : D
For sure, the worldview of an author is on full display!
I would have left and wandered the Portland streets, going from food cart to food cart. That’s how I am different than you and your friend.
Ah, we DID have a great lunch on the river. I wasn’t interested in going farther into Portland (we were by the airport.) The homeless mess appalled me.
That was unexpected! Less than 10 minutes ago I ordered two of your books, Carrie! To start reading through these posts and encounter yours so immediately was, well, at least surprising! Your mention of ABA prompted me to refresh my memory about that approach. It was jarring to be reminded of some of the methods used in Applied Behavior Analysis after just last night watching the Smithsonian International Holocaust Remembrance Day special and the special on the quest of forensic (!) archaeologist Caroline Sturdy Colls to uncover the truth of the death camp at Treblinka, Poland. Thanks for sharing your timely perceptions about children’s literature at the trade show in OR. Knowing the context and criticisms of ABA definitely would have made that upsetting.
Hello, Linda! Thank you soooo very much for ordering my books! Bless your heart and all your vital organs. I hadn’t been thinking about applied behavior analysis — I wish I were so wise (or at least remembered something from my degree in Social Science.) ABA also refers to American Booksellers Association which is contrasted with Christian bookselling — CBA. I believe CBA as a non-profit association does not exist anymore. Perhaps Steve or one of his folks will write a blog on that one of these days.
An interesting look, Dan. Certainly a reminder to ask the Lord’s direction as we write and look for a place where He can use our words!
A very sobering reminder of where our hearts truly are in the Lord. I frequently must ask the Lord to keep me humble and true to His purpose. That is my ultimate goal, but it would be nice to get a decent payback to live off of. Thanks Dan.
Aiming for the narrow gate!
I write without expletives because my teenage son asked me to omit them. I use “romantic” – not explicit – sex for the similar reason; I value marriage between a man and woman.
My stories are edgy about the violence. I don’t want to roll in it for some pleasure, but my stories are about young people who have endured extreme trauma and how they heal with the Lord’s love and help.
Yes, if we want to reach lost sheep we have to go to the other side of the fence!