The world of writing and book publishing for authors can be tough, but with the right book sales strategies, you can find success. Below are faith-based tips for increasing book sales, improving your book sales strategies, gaining more book sales success, applying book sales advice, and book sales secrets.

We know the story: God gives more talents to some than others. One might receive a single talent, another two, others five or more. Those who have much receive more. What gives?

“Thanks” — that’s what gives. Thanks, gratitude, praise, and effort grows the “only” of your small fish and few loaves.

Here are four simple things we must do to tap into God’s marketing power. 

First, we need to believe that God is good. Jesus says He came that we might have abundance (John 10:10), not merely get by until we die. God wants us to grow, succeed, and prosper (Genesis 1:28). We might say that the Good News is the original prosperity gospel — or at least an expansion of the prosperity message delivered in the Law.

The first two servants knew God’s heart to be good. The servant with one talent believed God to be hard-hearted — a taker rather than a giver. “I knew that you are a hard man, so I was afraid. Here is what belongs to you.” Fear and the expectation of working for nothing caused this man to do nothing. The result? The one-talent author got exactly what he feared: nothing. 

Next, we need to acknowledge that we have received a gift from God. The first two servants knew the One who gave them the talents. The third servant knew about God, but he didn’t really know God, nor did he acknowledge that the talent was his to use. Many do not accept their gifts, look for gifts, or expect to receive gifts from God. Worse, when they receive a talent they do not expect much of a harvest. But even a one-book author can enjoy great success. Consider these one-book novelists.

Anna Sewell, Black Beauty (1877), Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights (1847), Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago (1957), Margaret Mitchell, Gone With the Wind (1936), J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye (1951).   

Or how about Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling? Published in 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Jesus Calling only sold 59,000 copies in its first three years: 20,000 a year. Not bad, but that little book would do so much more!  Sales took off in 2008, with the book selling over 200,000 copies that year. As of 2023, Jesus Calling has sold over 45 million copies, making it one of the most successful devotionals of all time.

Are we catching the vision of what God will do with our talents when we are faithful (filled with faith)?

Consider The Shack: 26 houses rejected it so Paul Young, Wayne Jacobson, and Brad Cummings chipped in $5,000 a piece to self-publish the book. They attracted 1,000 orders by the time the first 10,000 copies came out in May 2007. They gave away copies to friends, at talks, and at a book trade show in Nashville. Suddenly, churches began ordering copies in bulk. Pastors discussed the novel in their sermons; Bible study groups picked it apart; grief counselors gave it to their patients. By December Windblown had sold 88,000 copies. After their small publishing company had sold roughly 1 million copies, Hachette Book Group USA agreed to partner in the printing and distribution of The Shack in exchange for half the profits (plus operating expenses).

The lesson? It’s always too soon to give up on what God will do.

Third, we need to use the gifts we’ve been given. The first two servants used their talents and gained more. The lazy, wicked servant did nothing and lost his. The phrase, “Use it or lose it.” is a kingdom of God principle. Whatever open doors come your way, test to see if the opportunity would glorify God. If so, walk through until He tells you to stop. Look for cheap to free ways to market, promote, and give away copies of your book.

I use prlog.org to distribute free press releases of my ministry work and book efforts. Free social media updates work provided you are offering to help and encourage others, not hawk your books. I’ve tried Amazon, BookBub, Facebook, and Google ads. In the end, using the Holy Spirit’s power and believing God’s promises provides more peace and sales for less money.

Finally, we need to give thanks for what we receive. When Jesus fed the 5000 and later the 7000 he gave thanks for all He received (a few fish and some bread). When we thank God for the small and large, we can be sure our attitude of gratitude will lead to growth.

Trust God for your provision and book sales, not in formulas. The only increase formula we find in the story is from the master who scolded the lazy, wicked servant for not investing the talent with a bank. We cannot forecast or formulate God: we can only worship Him.

God does miracles with whatever we receive, big or small. Miraculous multiplication follows when we acknowledge the gifts we’ve received, use them for the good of others, trust God for increase, and thank Him in advance for the manifestation. When we do this our capacity will grow, and we will see God’s provision in our life — and if you’re called to write for him, book sales.

God wants us to grow and prosper, not rest and rust. Read, receive, believe, and live by the verses below.

Growth: James 4:10, Proverbs 3:1-2, 2 Timothy 3:17, John 15:10-12, 8, 14:15, Luke 2:49, Isaiah 41:10

Success: 1 Kings 2:3, Philippians 4:13, Joshua 1:5, 7-8, 1 Chronicles 22:13

Prosperity: Psalm 37:4, 7, 16, 25-26, 68:19, 84:11, 92:12-15, 112:1-9, 115:11-16, 122:6-7, 132:12-18, 145:8-9, Proverbs 3:9-10, 8:17-21, 10:2-6, 11:25, 13:4, 19:17, 28:13, 25, 27, Ecclesiastes 5:19, Isaiah 1:19, 58:10-11, Jeremiah 17:7-8, 29:11, Malachi 3:10-12, Acts 14:17, Galatians 6:6-10, Philippians 4:19, Titus 3:8, Hebrews 7:19-22, 11:6, James 1:17, 3 John 2

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