“Lord, is there life after Amazon?”

That’s the question isn’t it? For authors and publishers? If Amazon conquers Barnes & Noble, LifeWay, Family Bookstores, and Books-A-Million, will there remain the freedom to write, publish, and sell novels and nonfiction outside of Amazon?

In July Amazon banished LPC from its KDP Select program. When I asked to be re-admitted, they replied, “We can’t offer any additional insight or action on this matter.” So while our titles continue to appear on Amazon as Kindle eBooks, they are no longer prominently featured or promoted by Amazon.

Thus my question to God: “Lord, reveal to me what you want me to learn from this. Show me the next step for LPC.”

Here are a few insights God gave me this week, followed by my prayers.

David was banished from the presence of Saul. I Chronicles 12:1

“Lord, may you be with us and bless us during our time of exile.”

Some Gadites defected to David. I Chronicles 12:8. The least was a match for a hundred. I Chronicles 12:14

“May the God of our fathers see what has happened to Christian publishing, and send modern-day Gadites to help change the face of publishing. Individuals who are strong in faith, where the least is a match for a hundred.”

Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you. I Chronicles 12:18

“I do not assume this verse of success is for LPC, but if it is your will, please give us success in the marketplace.”

Day after day men came to help. I Chronicles 12:18

“I ask that you send men and women to help LPC grow and reach new markets and more readers.”

Will not God also graciously give [you] all things? Romans 8:32

“Lord, show us a better way. Create opportunities for us outside of Amazon. If the LPC Ambassador Program is your idea, bless it.”

I do not know what will become of book publishing in the wake of Amazon’s growing influence, but the trends remain discouraging. Here are a few recent headlines from the book publishing industry.

Beacon Hill Press Closing – Kansas City-based Nazarene Publishing House, parent company of trade imprint Beacon Hill Press, will shut down on December 1.

Abingdon re-evaluates publishing programs beyond 2015 – Abingdon Press, an imprint of The United Methodist Publishing House, announced Thursday that it is reassessing and realigning its Christian Living and Abingdon Fiction programs as a result of shifts in the industry.

Last week I received word that another popular romance imprint was shutting its doors. Each time a house or imprint contracts, another group of authors looks at the landscape and considers self-publishing with Amazon – a company that demands total loyalty.

Where are our Gadites of our day? Where are those men and women eager to change the face of book publishing? If you feel called by God to rise up and run at the giant, please email me. Together, I believe we can make a difference.

One percent of anything with God by your side is a recipe for success.

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