Okay, I’m feeling a little frustrated and a little embarrassed too. I’ve been studying away, rethinking my WIP, and thinking my voice may fit more into the Christian market. But wait, what is the Christian market?
I’ve read Christian Inspirational books. I know the books that are out there, but I’m not sure I know exactly what is expected. This is where I need your help. What are the guidelines? Do they vary from one publishing house to another? I’ve tried searching these houses website for writers guidelines and all I can find is that they don’t take unsolicited writing.
I know there must be rules like no profanity and dealing with characters who are romantically involved etc., but I can’t find them. Can you point me in the right direction?
And I have one more question. Have you ever felt limited by certain guidelines, no matter what you write, or do you feel that is just part of the challenge of writing a marketable book?
5 comments:
Kara,
Are you writing fiction? If it is romance, each place has its own guidelines. Check out Love Inspired for an example. You want to keep it clean of course but I would just write it and submit and worry about the editing later. You also want a Christian theme to run through it--some sort of conflict with their beliefs possibly.
Teri, thank you. Yes, I planning on gettin my feet wet with a Christian inspired novel. I will go check out Love Inspired:)
OK you're in the same boat I am. I write with a christian world view BUT there is a lot of the world in my books too. It doesn't mean I'm a heretic (it doesn't does it?) but it does disqualify me from ever publishing with the CBA. I'm OK with that. i'd rather sow in a fertile field.
Hmmm, I'm not sure this a list anywhere besides Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Oh, Heartsong (Barbour) has one. You might also want to check and see if the Christian Bookseller's Association has anything.
Other than that, Christian houses can be really different. I just read a supposedly "Christian" romance that was completely clean but had NO mention of God. Another book pubbed by Thomas Nelson had a character saying it was hotter than hell. So each publisher allows different things. If you can't find a list, the next best thing is to read the books they're pubbing to get a feel for what they allow and don't allow.:-)
Thanks everyone! Your comments have really helped me:)
Post a Comment