I attended a magnetic high school. The parental units wanted me to be exposed to, get to know and appreciate people of different cultures as well as have a rigorous and challenging education with diverse subject matters and opportunities that would prepare me for college.
One of my “could have” been favorite courses was English Lit. The reason I say, "could have" been is because most of the required readings at that time bored me to tears. I didn’t have as much appreciation for works by Emily Bronte' as I did for Bach in my music appreciation course. If only I could have read my Sweet Valley High paperback novels, things would have been a lot more exciting!
Then in college the same required course found me,only this time it was college English lit! Who knew I would have to read the same works again and write critical essays and term papers. In retrospect, I wish I would have expanded my horizons more in high school English Lit. Not just because it would have benefited me in college, but because I can see now how it benefits a person in the long run when we stretch ourselves, our interests and our imaginations--even though we think we may not like it.
As a Christian book promoter I really enjoy placing multicultural books and diverse writings. I think it brings an unforgettable experience to readers when they stretch themselves and read novels (and books) outside of that which they are accustomed to. Whether the reasons a reader may select a novel is based on bestsellers lists, brand, author, price point, story, theme and subject matter or frankly, because of the race or ethnicity of the author leads me to my next point.
On GoodGirlBookClubOnline.com the July GOOD GIRL Pick was Redeeming Love by beloved author Francine Rivers. Redeeming Love may be considered a classic to some because it’s not a new release, and while the genre of the novel is historical, the message transcended everything including the age, race, gender and background of the author as well as the genre. Reader’s who normally would have disregarded Rivers work because it didn’t fit into their favorite genre or it wasn’t marketed to their “market” so to speak, would have missed out on an amazing and life changing story. E-mails continue to pour in from women of various cultures and ethnicities thanking us for turning them on to Redeeming Love and that they have now purchased other works by Francine Rivers.
My point is this. There are times when I feel like tsk-ing when I do not see more representation of gifted multicultural authors on Christian bestsellers list or in Christian publications or secular publications for that matter. I know for a fact Christian fiction has a diverse readership. Why then is it not reflected across the board? Why should readers have to miss out on the rich diversity and amazing life changing stories that are present in Christian publishing because books are rarely cross marketed or promoted in more places where readers of diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and interests can find them?
As is evident with the favorable responses to Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, clearly, the readers who wouldn’t have otherwise found this title or considered this title because it wasn’t marketed to them, just might disagree with the way books they really desire, need and want to find out about are marketed. In book marketing, by the focus being only on a narrow market, instead of a narrow and general market, are Christian readers and book buyers and non Christian readers and book buyers not benefiting from that which they want to benefit from: Discovering good stories by gifted authors with messages that impact lives? After all, a good story knows no boundaries.
On the Christian book promotion trail,
© Marina Woods
The Pruning Principle
2 years ago
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