There Is No Magic

Summers' Love, A Cute and Funny Cinderella Love StoryWhen it comes to book promotion there is no magic.  Authors may think a version of pixie dustpixie-dust can be purchased and sprinkled on their book, but they are mistaken. The book buying business is mysterious but the formula for success is not.

Write a great book and get it into the hands of influencers of that genre. Repeat as necessary.

In four weeks I’ll serve on faculty at the Blue Ridge Christian Novelist Retreat where I’m sure the topic of book sales, the publishing industry, Amazon, Nooks, Kindles, eReaders, print books, bookstores, etc… will be discussed at length. (Did you notice the way I included all those key words early in this blog post? This is a subtle way of marketing you and your books.) I know these topics will come up because this discussion dominates almost every writers’ conference I attend.

For example, this week I returned home from the Maranatha Christian Writers’ Conference. The Somersault Group, a marketing and service firm for authors, ran MCWC this year and several of the workshops – perhaps as many as half – focused on marketing, social media, and platform building. But in one sense these workshops only confounded the conferees.

“Platform seems to be all anyone cares about,” one author complained. “But I’m not (famous author name here) with two hundred thousand blog followers and I doubt I ever will be. Does that mean I don’t stand a chance getting published?”Snoopy, the frustrated writer

No. This author can self publish. But that doesn’t solve the missing magic problem. You still have to find readers. Which brings us back to your first goal: write a great book.

But you may ask, “If I write a great book and no one finds it, no one reads it… what’s the point?” The point is, a poorly written book marketed well will sell … once. A great book marketed poorly may not sell, or may sell years later, but it will always be a great book.

Let me say it again; there is no magic. There is, however, work. Book selling is seed sowing: and authors must sow lots of seeds.

Parable of the SowerThe thing to remember is that not all seed will take root. In fact, in the Parable of the Sower only 25% of the sown seed fell on good soil. That seed yielded a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

If there were magic, the rich would buy, horde, and use it for themselves. Praise God, when it comes to book selling, we’re all farmers sowing seeds.

Work as if your book’s success depends on you; pray as though it depends on God.

And stop looking for pixie dust.

Every Writer Needs a Team – Build Yours at Maranatha Christian Writers’ Conference 2014!

Every Writer Needs a Team

Build Yours at Maranatha Christian Writers’ Conference 2014!

Join me September 15-18 at the Maranatha Missionary and Bible Conference Center in Muskegon, Michigan.

2014 Theme: Every Writer Needs a Team

It’s true! While writing is a solitary expression of your thoughts and faith, if you  want to grow in your writing  career, then you need a team to help you! Let us help  you build your team. We’ve designed the 2014 program  around these three goals

1. Chart Your Course Through Today’s Publishing Options

2. Build Your Readership

3. Grow in Craft and Creativity

Early Bird Registration ends August 15, 2014

Here’s a sneak peek at the 2014 program in store for you:

All new program features!

  • Witness “Experience it Live” sessions
  • See a mock Pub Board in action
  • Watch as a social media strategy is demonstrated
  • Speed-dating the experts
  • Building your social media strategy

 Favorite program features return!

1. One-on-one consultations with editors and faculty

2. Hands-on small group critique sessions

3. Premium sessions

4. Fun & fellowship with other writers and faculty

4 Enriching Days of…

  • Inspiring Keynote Speakers
  • Compelling General Sessions
  • Expert Panel Discussions
  • Music and Worship
  • Skill-building Sessions
  • Over 30 Small-group Workshops

Go to www.maranathachristianwriters.com for complete program, schedule, workshop descriptions, and to register.

 

 

 Conference Rates

Total Package – includes tuition, lodging, and meals (Monday dinner through Thursday lunch)

Single Occupancy $673 ($698 after Aug. 15)

Double Occupancy $651 ($676 after Aug. 15)

 

Don’t need lodging? Tuition and Meals Package: $510 ($535 after Aug. 15)

Coming for one day only? One-Day package: $189 ($199 after Aug. 15)

Bring a group of 5 or more and save $25 each!

 

Announcing New Leadership

The Maranatha Christian Writers’ Conference has a rich 37-year history as an informative, inspiring, and intimate conference. In 2014, Somersault Group

has partnered with Maranatha to design and implement a new program. Somersault believes that the evolving world of Christian publishing provides a playground of new possibilities for authors and publishing professionals alike.

 

Our 2014 theme verse: “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)

 

We hope to see you there and we can grow together.

Register TODAY online at www.maranathachristianwriters.com

 

 Follow Maranatha Christian Writers’ Conference on Facebook.

 Follow Somersault Group on Facebook.

 

Questions? Email us at info@maranathachristianwriters.com