Catch 22--Why CBA May Not be the Place to Publish
For those of you unfamiliar with CBA--it stands for Christian Booksellers Association. It's changed names over the years, but most of us still call it CBA. CBA publishers produce books for the Christian market be it fiction, non-fiction, children's books, etc. What they have in common is the theme of faith in the saving grace of Jesus' death and resurrection. In fiction that plays out through characters who either live consistent lives of faith or characters who struggle toward that faith. The message is sometimes overt, but hopefully, if it's well written faith is intrisic to who your characters are.
Just as a novel about a happily married couple doesn't ring true without moments of physical intimacy (I'm not talking about anything graphic here) so would life in America without the message of faith lived out in people's lives. We are a people of faith. If someone in your family dies you'll see this plain and clear in the outpouring of love and messages of hope from your community.
If you've come to that relationship of love with Jesus as I have you'll want to reach your readers with this message that has transformed your life. But if you publish your books at a CBA house your books will be sold mostly to Christian bookstores--most shoppers there already share your hope. Those who need the message rarely venture into a Christian bookstore. We're preaching to the choir. And if you do push the envelope with your writing with edgier characters and plot lines, the bookstore owners--who tend to be much more conservative than the publishers you're publishing with--may not choose to carry your books at all.
So, how do we reach the market we're looking to reach? Maybe we're choosing the wrong publishers. Or perhaps our publishers need to sell more through traditional channels--think Sam's Club, Wal-Mart and Barnes and Noble (although even here your books will be relegated to a back shelf labeled "religious"). More publishers are going this route but with bookstores still pigeon-holing our work what are we to do? It's a catch-22, that's for sure.
Some have managed to break through this barrier. Leif Enger's Peace Like a River had far stronger Christian themes than my books, yet his was sold as a mainstream piece of fiction. Why? Simply because of who he chose to publish with.
It's food for thought.
More later,
Traci DePree
6 Comments:
I don't think this as dire as it seems anymore. The Barnes & Noble store near my home is loaded with Christian fiction and they keep expanding shelf space for them. Yes, they're in the "Christian" section, but that happens to be right next to the Sci-Fi, Romance and other various fiction sections. Seekers pick up Christian fiction a lot, which is a good thing. And don't forget, the choir needs all the help it can get--I'm saying this as one who knows :-)
Traci,
I know what you are saying. There is something about being Christian that labels a person. It would be nice if Christian books, which Christians read and are blessed by, could reach the mainstream audience more. Not everyone can break through the barrier or find a secular publisher, even though it is getting easier. We are all called to spread the gospel, some by their writing. Ted, Frank, Jerry, others (and Traci Depree) will get to heaven and find out how many people are in heaven because they accepted Jesus because of a book they penned. We don't see this world from eternity too often - thanks for reminding us of the eternal perspective. More food for thought.
Have a great day!
It's also important to note that several "Christian" publishers now have their books in the general market section. That's because the books aren't categorized according to what house published them - rather, they're placed into the category that their ISBN dictates. If your book is categorized (by your publishing house) as Inspirational Fiction, then that's the section it's placed in. If you're publishing with a Christian house and want your stuff in the general section, just ask your publisher to categorize your book in that fashion.
Hi. I put your blog on my Favorites list, but every time I come to it, I don't get a fresh word from you! What's happened? I like your voice. Talk to us!
Wow. As a big fan of your books and the wife of a manager of a non-profit Christian Bookstore, I'm torn.
It is true that some Christian bookstore owners are your typical very old, very conservative people. There are also a fair amount of bookstores that are ran by people like my husband and I. We are in our 20's, our store is very up to date and trendy. I think it is unfair to pigeon-hole all christian bookstores into the box you just put them in.
Yes most people who read Christian fiction are already Christians. However since when don't christians struggle with their own faith?
I can't count the number of times that I have been down for many reasons and a christian fiction book has spoke to me. Look at Francine Rivers books for example.
I also can't tell you how many customers have shared stories with us about passing along a book to their unsaved family and friends. If a story is at it's heart a good story no matter what background you are from it will speak to you.
The answer isn't to cut Christian Bookstores out of the picture. I for one probably wouldn't try and wade through the muck in most big box bookstores to attempt to find the rare gem of a book that I would want to read.
I'm just wondering, since when are christians not the market you want to reach with your books? Who in the world doesn't need to be reminded of God's saving grace? I know I do, day in and day out I still need to be reminded.
Thanks for that reminder, Mandi! You are right, of course, that Christian bookstores are the best place to find great Christian reads. We can be assured that the books there will edify and encourage. And the choir certainly does need that, but not only the choir.
I appreciate that you took the time to add that in.
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