How to Get Your Book into Lifeway. Part Two

Jim Shull, director of LifeWay's corporate services department, responds and here is that response. However, before you read it let me tell you that I have bolded a part of this response, which I would like your comments on--what is strong quality of content?

For those of you who don't know me very well let me clue you in on a few things about me: (1) I'm very persistent, downright agressive at times and (2) I'm from the South, so I need things simplified for me. So you guessed it--I will be responding to this email.

Yet, this time I would like your input. Should Jim Shull's answer suffice? If the book buyer is the final determinant of shelf placement, then why do I have to keep ordering books by the same author under the same publisher that Lifeway carries? Do I need to start launch some grassroots e-campaign, whereby every month my fellow Lifeway patriots, christian book club and writing group club cronies blow up Jim's email when we want to make sure that a particular author's work is on the shelf? I mean...I know a few people in most major cities, who could oblige my sick request. Or will I create a monster? Or worse will Lifeway bar me from their store and press harassment charges against me? I know...I''m way over the loop. That's why I need your input. Jim Shull's response below. Your comments coming?

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee

************************************************************************************
Dear Dee,

Thank you for your email of February 15 asking for more Christian
fiction
books in LifeWay Christian Stores. I am pleased to respond.

Our fiction book assortment determination is based on several
parameters,and the final assortment is determined by the Book Buyer. One of the
mostimportant determining factor is quality of content. Other factors are the author sales history, publisher's promotional plans for titles, our
space availability, and funds available for not only Christian books but the
fiction area within the books category.

Thank you for shopping at Atlanta area LifeWay Christian Stores and for
taking the time to write and express your concerns on this issue. Your
input is important to us as we make decisions that will meet customer
needsand help people know Jesus Christ and seek His Kingdom.

Blessings,

Jim Shull
LifeWay Christian Stores

Why Christian Writing Groups Matter

Why Writing Groups Matter 

An excerpt from Untitled:The Gospel Diva.....

Reverend Toliver Pugh’s sweaty handkerchief fell in my lap, and drenched his press release that was resting ontop of it.

“Sorry, baby.” His voice heeved as much air as his big frame could take in when he leaned down to take his napkin off the paper and my lap.

My eyes followed him weeble back and forth on the smallest Stacy Adams I’ve ever seen on a man, all the while praying that he wouldn’t keel over and die or worse have a stroke and spew out whatever clogged his throat to the point that every word came out of his mouth began with a hiss.

Reverend Pugh weighed more than a rotund man, but less than a bull. His sweat soaked his collar and the back of his shirt and his polyester jacket. And it dripped all over everyone, especially me.

Whoever, told him to dress like the three tenors combined under a sweltering Suwanee summer stage deserved to be fired. As his publicist, I could only make him appear crisp and cool on paper…not in person. And that was a major problem.

I didn’t know which was worst being on tour with a struggling gospel singing group or being stuck to this wooden bench because a dull nail or worse—a dried up piece of gum—held my sundress hostage.

Drip.

Drip.


Yeah...

That's my gigantor head seated in the middle of the prettiest women writers on the planet (got to represent for my peeps.) Hee Hee.

This photo was taken at Tia McCollor's[the lady in red]Heart of Devotion Book Release Party this past Sunday at Copeland's cajun inspired restaurant in Buckhead.

We had a blast. Not only because the food was great, but because we were all together fellowshipping with each other and cheering on our pace settter, Tia, who's spirit personifies her title.

I joined this group--The Atlanta Black Christian Fiction Writer's Group--about a year and a half ago when I decided it was time to take off my journalist hat and jump into the land of novel writing. At the time I was a short story writing phenom, but committing to a novel I knew would be a challenge.

This group turned out to be more than I had hoped for. They have become my prayer partners, confidants, ride-or-die chicks, and a safe place to fall. I don't have to be gospel diva/book critic-The Reaper. I just have to be me. Belonging to this group I've had the chance to have Jacqueline Thomas critique my first novel chapter(another book long gone.) Sat down with Kendra Norman Bellamy, Victoria Christopher Murray and Stephanie Perry Moore and talk shop. And most importantly find my voice.

Why do writing groups matter outside of the obvious?

For me they let me know that I matter, my book matters, and my soul matters.

Kudos, ladies.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee