(Updated 1/9/2025)
The longer I am around Christian publishing, the more I see history repeat itself. Steve Laube and I will often comment to each other about how many of the bestselling authors in the Christian book world are the same today as they were a generation ago. So, this work has a substantial element of “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”
What am I looking for in book proposals from Christian authors in 2025?
I like all types of nonfiction and some books for children.
I do not represent authors of fiction. Other agents are far better equipped than I am in that area.
If you aren’t familiar with publishing terminology, two terms used to describe the mix of sales for a publisher or book category are “frontlist” and “backlist.”
Frontlist means new titles, and backlist means titles still selling a year or more after publication.
Adult nonfiction can be an equal mix of new and backlist titles for publishers, but some publishers will skew more toward one or the other. A publisher with 90% of their sales coming from new titles is much more aggressive in acquiring new books. Those where backlist books comprise the lion’s share of sales have a different approach to acquiring new titles.
Overall, sales of books for children are heavily backlist driven, so the opportunity for new authors to break into that category is limited and competitive.
In 2025, publishers will acquire books to release in 2026, 2027, and beyond.
As a reminder, books contain big messages that can sell for a long time—or at least that’s the hope. Topics about something urgent and short-term should probably not be in books but in other media.
Since I want to be successful in selling proposals to publishers, I look for things they are looking for, reflecting their desires as much as possible when considering a proposal from a new client.
So, in a sense, it doesn’t matter what I like!
Other than compelling writing, here are characteristics I am looking for in authors:
- Effort: There is a writing track record. Books don’t just happen. They are the result of a lengthy process of work.
- Credibility: Theology books by respected theologians, apologetics books by respected apologists, history books by historians, etc. Even if you are an excellent writer, you must have the credentials accompanying your writing.
- Focus: Only a handful (as in less than a dozen) of authors successfully navigate various categories and usually succeed in one before trying another. You need to start somewhere. Pick a lane for a good long while before diversifying.
- Marketing:You won’t get far without a good start on personal marketing. The lack of an author platform will be a problem down the line, so get started now if you haven’t already.
I desire to have an author published well. This can take time, so prepare yourself for the journey.
Who and What I’m Looking For (Bob Hostetler)
I look forward to reading these posts. Thanks, Dan.
There’s a platform I did lately make,
it is both low and flat,
and is in fact a bending brake
to help me build a slat
for an aeroplane now gone extinct,
but worth a second look;
might its resurrection bring
meaning for a book?
In this work I’ve come to learn
of its builders born of old,
and find that maybe they did earn
that their story now be told,
like Pirsig’s (but in Christian sense)
‘Zen and ‘Cycle Maintenance’.
A ‘slat’ is a high-lift device fastened to the leading (front) edge of a wing; it may be fixed or extendable (on this aeroplane, they’re fixed), and behind it is an opening that allows high-pressure air to fromfrom the undersurface (where the air pressure’s higher) to the top of the wing, effectively ‘speeding up’ the air there, and through the Bernoulli effect (where air moves faster there’s less pressure) increasing the wing’s lift. Flying’s all about differential air pressure; higher on the bottom, less on top, and the wing’s pushed up (like your hand was, when as a kid you stuck it out a car window, before your Mom said, “Now you get that arm in befoe it get torn off!”).
Every modern airliner has moveable slats, extended for takeoff and landing; sit where you can see the leading edge of the wing and you can see them in action. They go forward and own, to create the slot and increase the wing’s camber (curvature) which also enhances lift. (There are also flaps on the back of the wing, which perform a similar lift-enhancing function).
The aeroplane to which I referred in the sonnet above (if anyone’s still reading, here) is a Stinson HW-75B, the ‘grand-daddy of the famout L5 series of liason/spotter aircrat used in WW2 and Korea. It’ about the size and shape of a Piper Cub, but aerodynamically a lot more refined.
Andrew,
Thanks for the info. I didn’t know there was so much physics involved. As long as I’m learning, I’m still young! 🙂
Just one more reason why I love you, brother Andrew. Thank you for the sonnet and the physics/history lesson. Still praying.
A little birdie told me
a thing which I must know,
that not for me an agency,
and I cried out, “Oh, no!
What, then, am I going to do?
What can lie ahead?
Does this mean my dream is through,
still and cold and dead?”
“No,” the feathered friend replied.
“It’s not that way at all,
for writing trails that you have plied
did answer well the call
and are themselves for God complete,”
counseled the gentle Paraclete.
Andrew, this second poem gives such hope! Just when we think our writing may be dead, God resurrects it. Or adjusts the course if we veer off. Or breathes new ideas/genres. And always, He gives new opportunities if we’re looking.
At least, this is what it’s been like for me.
Thanks!
Looking forward to these posts! Thanks, Dan!
This was a very helpful article! I still have one question about one of the processes involved in publishing. Where does partner-publishing fit into the equation of different ways to publish, and how do agents feel about it? How it was marketed to me was a mix of traditional and self-publishing, but is that actually accurate? If one chooses to partner-publish a book, is it still possible to market that book to agents if one still retains full rights to it? More specifically, how would agents feel about that?
Partner-publishing doesn’t need an agent involved, so we really don’t feel one way or another about it. It’s an option open to an author to get their book published.
Consider partner-publishing as a way to establish yourself as an author. If it is successful and sells well, agents would view future projects positively.
Thank you for the information!
What exactly do you mean when you say credentials, that we need to have
What exactly do you mean by we need credibility as for first time author’s
Simply, credentials and credibility are things bestowed on you by others as they consider your background and work. Non-fiction books are written by experts in a field.
Being a writer or a speaker is simply the method you communicate your expertise.
No matter the topic, publishers want to publish experts.
They say I was an expert, once,
and taught my students very well.
But at real life, I was a dunce,
made manifest the day I fell
from pinnacle of minor fame
into failure’s bleak abyss;
forgotten, quickly, was my name,
but I learned, so slowly, not to miss
the conference glad-handing,
the learned papers for review,
for defeat brought understanding
that I had so much more to do
than beat my own loud ego-drum
to be the man I must become.
What will we need in 2025?
The road will fork, I think;
hard change will let the country thrive,
or we’ll badly need a drink.
In the last few dreadful years
we’ve seen righteousness depart,
seen how this land could end in tears
with Stupid as high art,
and so we call the steady voices
of the sage and learned men
to ensure that voting choices
don’t become Remember When
exchanged by the dank lonely grave
of freedom we’d not deign to save.
Ooooh, I love this one, Andrew!
Thanks, Pam!
I unexpectedly connected with a movie producer a few days ago. She posted about her movie in a social media group. This group is not specifically for writers, screenwriters, or filmmakers; it involves discussions about a well-known Christian and his work.
I asked if I could read the script and she graciously said she would email it to me. When I messaged her with my email address (after vetting her account) I thanked her and said I’m reading many scripts because I’m writing a screenplay, and mentioned my story topic. She seemed very interested and asked me to contact her when I’m ready. When she emailed the movie script, she included her phone number.
Initially, I had no intention of mentioning my work-in-progress–it was an afterthought. So, my take away from this is that God orchestrates everything; I don’t have to strive. If He wants the world to hear my story–and I believe He does–I know He will work the right connections and opportunities when the time comes. I can rest in that.
Thanks Dan. I appreciate the transparency and insights!!
Thank you, Dan. This was quite helpful.
We need some books by Mom and Dad
who’ve fought the culture wars,
who are got het up, really mad
and went to settle scores
with their school board gone insane,
feeding their kids trash,
rising in wrath after prayin’,
heading for a public-meeting clash
in which they chose to not back down,
but made their voices heard,
even when out they were thrown
for speaking Holy Words.
We need books from these stalwart few
to inspire me and you.
I appreciate what Dan said and I am very new in the field of authoring a book. I need helpful advice regarding how an author personally advocates his book. I just finished my first book and I just submitted it to the publisher. But I have been told that as the author I need to be out there advocating the book.
I realize there are book fairs, Amazon, etc. but I would like to hear what others have found successful.
I am in the process of developing a website but it needs much work yet.
Thank you.
Bill, I’m no expert, but one useful outreach might be local libraries; maybe they’d be interested to have you give a talk on your book?
Hi, Dan Balow,
When I read your post I felt encouraged to break out into the nonfiction genre with a book, HEALING AMERICA: HOW TO TALK ABOUT HOT ISSUES WITHOUT FIGHTING. My years of experience with teaching communication skills at the college level give me credibility. I have a modest platform and work gently to reach out to more readers. Your post gives me strength to finish a formal book proposal.
My three sci-fi books are published by Winged Publications, and I have the final book in the Soul’s Warfare series underway. So I have my toes wet in the publishing ocean.
I also want to thank you for your leadership with the Write-to-Publish Conference. I have attended and benefited greatly.
Rosemary
Thanks Dan! As always, the journey proves to be a deeper dive than what’s seen on a shallow surface. Substack has been my platform of choice to find a wonderful Christian audience. Here’s to a new year of growth and resilience— Onward!