This past Saturday I was invited to meet the great, beautiful city of Madison, GA and to start a conversation about illiteracy in Morgan County. I was honored to be invited, since I was the only one in the group who was not a published author. Five other authors participated in the event.
We arrived to find a low turnout present. I conclude three reasons for the low numbers:
- Minimal media placement.
- The psychographics of Madison, GA (high illiteracy rate, public library under construction, attending a book event on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon isn't what Madison, GA enjoys.)
- Faith
With this poor economy, poor disposable income for readers to want to purchase books, let alone Christian books authors--especially Christian fiction authors are weakening their resolve that God is their provider. I have writer friends who are awaiting book contracts from their publishing houses, while the PH is silent. I have writer friends who have had to return to working outside of writing their novels to sustain their family responsibilities. I have writer friends who are robbing Peter to pay Paul, in order to attend writer's conferences they believe they need to attend. I have writer friends who are complaining about speaking their words in the house of God. Let me repeat. I have writer friends who are complaing about speaking their words in the house of God, because they didn't make any money.
When has it ever been not enough just to be in the House of God?
When has it ever been not enough to speak your words to the Body of Christ, no matter how small or insignificant you think those people are?
When has it ever been not enough to glorify God with your highest praise(giving book to the House of God?)
I know these questions seem no brainers. But in reality when your back is against the wall and you have pressure from your publishing house and your family and your wallet to show some money for all this writing you do you can easily forget who you are and who you(including your book deal) belongs to.
I implore us all to seek Christ first on whatever we sign up to do, with the intention that the reward will just be the opportunity to be in presence.
I implore us to wrap ourselves around our brother and sister writer's in Christ who are filling more than a pinch, but a pang, so that we can keep their eyes on God.
It is hard. I know it. I am living it. I thank God for the friends I have who pick me up when I am weak to get off my knees. If you ever need somone to lift you up, email me. That is what we do. Because believe me I will be calling you. :)
Dee
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2 comments:
This is very inspiring. :-) You've given me some ideas for outreach when my book hits print.
Thank you!
Well....
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