Michael Duncan Explains Path to Indie Publishing

By Diana Savage, director of the Northwest Christian Writers Renewal conference

Whenever he preaches, NCWA board member and area pastor Michael Duncan receives immediate feedback. “I can watch the effect of my words in the eyes of those who are listening—and in the yawns of those who are not,” he says.

But he can’t see the faces of those who’ve purchased his books. “We writers want to know that our work is well received—wanted, even needed,” he points out. “It’s hard to continually remain motivated to do something when there are very few quantifiable indicators that the work is valued.”

As with many Christian authors, Michael tries to console himself with the idea that it’s not about the numbers. We truly do write to honor and obey God. But how can any of us know that our work is reaching anyone?

There is one singular gauge: sales. “Every book sale, to me, is like having another person come into the worship center—filling up the sanctuary with hungry hearts,” Michael says.

In his quest to continue honoring God through his writing and to fill up the “sanctuary” with hungry readers, Michael has authored or coauthored multiple fiction and nonfiction books through both traditional and independent venues. At the 2016 Northwest Christian Writers Renewal, he will teach a workshop on the basics of indie publishing:

7 Keys to Becoming a Successful Indie Author – Learn from someone who’s been there what it takes to be a successful indie author; investing in your career; selecting great covers; tips on selling books, building your platform, and growing your readership; as well as how to diversify for added benefit.

At the Renewal, Michael will also serve as worship leader in the general sessions.

To learn the basics of publishing your work independently and/or to request an appointment with one of our seven editorial reps at this year’s conference, sign up for the Renewal today!

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Diana Savage, a graduate of Northwest University and Bakke Graduate University, sold her first article when she was still in college, and she’s been writing ever since. Now the principal at Savage Creative Services, LLC, she also directs the Northwest Christian Writers Renewal conference. She is the author of 52 Heart Lifters for Difficult Times and coauthor of the inspirational suspense novel Pseudonym.

NCWA Meeting Highlights: Round Tables

So many choices!  The May NCWA meeting had a great array of round table sessions and maybe you wanted to attend more than one.  Click on the links to view notes from some of the sessions.

(photo source here)

Your Blog is Your Business Card!

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A Video World

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NCWA Writers Recently Published!

These are small sample of numerous books written by our own NCWA writers. Have you read any of them? Consider writing a book review!

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NCWA’s Lydia Harris, in her article “Break Into Print With Book Reviews” (in 2004 edition of The Write Start) stated:

Since reading takes more time than writing reviews (except for children’s picture books), write several reviews for each book. Multiple marketing allowed me to publish 55 reviews in eight different periodicals by reading 28 books. I published reviews of When Mothers Pray in five magazines, each slanted for the audience and magazine’s guidelines. Guidelines also indicate how to submit reviews. Many markets accept e-mail reviews; others prefer hard copies or disks.

Once you’ve found your markets, chosen your books, and written your reviews, you’re well on your way to publication. I agree with the seasoned author who told me: ‘Writing book reviews is a good way to break into print.’

(Lydia Harris is the author of Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting.)

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Charles Ray at “Writinghood” in his post “The Writing Life: Breaking Into Print with Book Reviews” wrote:

Writing book reviews is a good way to get your name into print. The pay is low; usually you only get to keep the books you review; but it’s a good way to build a clipping file and get your name in front of editors and the reading public.

Click here to read more.

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Do you blog? Bloggers are readers! Never before have there been so many choices for books. Books in print,  ebooks, Kindles, Nooks, Kobo, GoogleBooks and even iTunes, the choices seem to be growing by the day.Some are wonderful reading! Some not so great. And some….well… one wonders what the author was thinking.Here’s where you can have an impact! There’s a new book review community especially for bloggers; Blogger’s Choice Book Reviews. Check out the guidelines and opportunities for free books!

Slicing Literary Tomatoes

I stood before the subject and took out the knife – you know the one – the “As Seen on T.V.” knife that cuts through a tin can as well as a soft, ripe tomato. Soon I realized that I don’t want my tomatoes cut like tin cans.

But the damage was done. Tomato seeds were scattered like casualties in a war by my amateurish application of the blade. I learned a valuable lesson: to successfully cut tomatoes takes a sharp knife.

What does this have to do with writing?  Let me tell you…

 

“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened much strength is needed; but skill will bring success.” (Ecclesiastes 10:10).

Define Success

 

Success is precarious because it is often perched upon our own opinions.

Do not measure success by the standards of this world.  Bill O’Reilly sold over 1.5 million copies of Killing Lincoln. However, he connects to about 30 million people every week. That’s one in twenty.  How many people do you connect with—a thousand? One in twenty is selling fifty books. Who is more successful? It all depends on how you measure success.

God defines success this way: FAITHFULNESS.  Jesus said, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4).  Paul writes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have KEPT THE FAITH” (2 Timothy 4:7).

 

Sharpen the Blade

You sit at the computer and out flows this stream of prose like liquid crystal. When you’re done, you exhale a sigh of absolute contentment.  You are certain a Nobel Prize waits – until an editor gets hold of it.

There are three things you need to sharpen your blade:

1. Education

You cannot expect to rise in your calling if you take no pains to educate yourself.  “Study to show yourself approved…” (2 Timothy 2:15)

2. Encouragement

“As iron sharpens iron…” (Proverbs 27:17) You need to connect with others who are willing to be a “friendly abrasive.”

3. Experience

Experience is the best teacher.  There are efforts you can make which will help you gain experience along the way.  To paraphrase our LORD: “be faithful in the little things and I’ll give you more.” (Matthew 25:21)

 

Swing the Ax

During weapons training in the military, we heard the story of a man who got two steps of the process completed: “Ready… aim… aim…”  Finally, the instructor came to that man and said: “You will never hit the target if you don’t pull the trigger!”

There are many opportunities waiting for your step of faith.  It is not a step of faith unless you actually go beyond where you’re comfortable and do that which God has commissioned.  You need to run the risk.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

What is holding you back?

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Christian author and pastor, Michael Duncan has served the Lord and the church for nearly 25 years preaching and teaching God’s Word. He has shared God’s message across the U.S. and beyond. He is currently the senior pastor of his church and a co-host on the Alive in Christ radio network as well as co-director of Christian Discipleship Ministries. He is on the executive board of the Northwest Baptist Convention. Michael has been a member of NCWA since 2008, and serves as a board member.  Michael is the author of Starting Out and Shadows. Click here for his website.   Given the opportunity, he may also be found on the golf course!

Christian Fiction: Birth of a Genre

Christian Fiction has evolved through the years to take a prominent place in mainstream publishing. Fiction writers will want to read this article in the Library Journal written by Melanie C. Duncan.

These books are a sample of great selections by NCWA authors. Click on each book to purchase or know more about them.

Writers Can Be Practically Creative

 

Do you feel like you’re just spinning your wheels? Wasting time? Do you sense that your writing is little more than an exercise in futility? You’re not alone. One of the greatest struggles with any creative endeavor is finding the will to continue.

I was raised by a father who, perhaps, was the most practical man on the planet. He possessed great skill with words, both speaking and writing, and yet he pursued a career that held no outlet for his creativity. I asked him, once, why he never became a writer. His answer stood me on my proverbial head.

“Son,” he said, “a real man doesn’t chase after stupid dreams.”

With that thought neatly tucked away in my subconscious I spent the next thirty years fighting a war between the practical and the creative.

Don’t misunderstand; my dad was a great provider and a hard worker. But he had dreams that died in silent pain. Thirty years after his comment I found that I also languished in the silent pain of dying dreams. The iron words of my father hammered against my soul and beat down the nearly vanquished dream of becoming… well… of becoming more than a mindless robot doing what was necessary for survival. I feared my dreams were about to die.

God, however, entered the battle between the practical and the creative. He opened my eyes to understand that He was creative and loved creativity. For all the practical realities that exist in the world (gravity, air, etc.), God still made the platypus. If that’s not creative, nothing is!

Every night God paints the sky in crimson and orange. Every autumn He transforms the lush green into dazzling gold. Why? Scientists will tell you their perfunctory reasons, but I believe it is because God loves to express Himself in His creation. We are made in His image, so expressing creativity is a part of the Divine heritage.

There is no war between the practical and the creative. Both exist in God and must exist in you. As you write, you’re not simply spinning your wheels and accomplishing nothing. God looked upon His creation and said it was “very good” and that included the platypus. When God looks at your faithfulness expressed through the gifts He gave you, He says the same thing: “very good.”

Your creativity must be set—even locked in—for the glory of God. No other reason is relevant to Him. Even as Scripture says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). When you are set for God’s glory, don’t worry about the practical aspects of it. I may never become a published author—it doesn’t mean I give up trying. I keep writing, creating, striving to hone my gifts so that God will be glorified in my efforts. That, alone, should be sufficient for any Christian.

(Since this article was originally written, I have published my first book: STARTING OUT: A Study Guide for New Believers.)

©2009
Rev. Michael Duncan

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This post appeared November 1, 2009, on Author Haven. Used by kind permission.

Pastor Michael Duncan has spent over twenty years preaching and teaching God’s word. Rev. Duncan has served on staff in four churches and currently is the pastor of Mountain View Baptist Church in Darrington, WA. He is an alumnus with the Christian Writer’s Guild, a contributor to Author Haven, a blog geared to the encouragement of writers. He has been a member of NCWA since 2008. Visit his website and his blog.

His first book, STARTING OUT: A Study Guide for New Believers, was recently published with WinePress Publishing.

Hey, Writer, Who Do You Work For?

 

“I hate my boss!” said a young Christian in the Air Force. Her head hung with frustr ation as she recounted to me the difficulty of serving her commanding officer.

“Who do you work for?” I asked. The bewildered look on her face was priceless.

“You know my commander,” she said.

I did, but I pressed the conversation further. “Could it be that you have the wrong point of view? You don’t work for him, you work for the Lord,” I said, “and God has given you this opportunity to express your faith to a man who needs to know Christ.”

As a Christian writer, whom do you work for? Do you work for the editor that demands major revisions before publishing? Do you work for an agent who loads you down with tasks that leaves you stunned? Or are you a self-employed writer, working for the benefit of your own life? None of the above are correct.

Colossians 3:23 states, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

From the writer to the sales person, and everyone in between, you must view your part of the process as an opportunity to serve the Lord. To step out of that point of view invites a world of frustration. The Scripture says, “Whatever you do.” It’s not the writer, the editor, the typesetter, the sales person or anyone else that takes a higher position than the others. It might seem like it, but each one must see themselves as “working for the Lord, not for men.”

Christ is your employer. He has permitted you to experience the circumstances you’re in right now. You might have a difficult time with someone in the process, but understand your first obligation—to be well-pleasing to the Lord Jesus. Work for Him, and your work will not be in vain.

Be encouraged to work “with all your heart.” This literally means to “work from the soul.” I like that. You work from your core, from the very place that your life springs forth in abundance. It is hard to work from the soul when you face a difficult boss. Refocus, and remember that it is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Who do you work for? When you can say with certainty, “I work for the Lord,” then no other boss can discourage you.

©2010 Rev. Michael Duncan

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This post originally appeared March 20, 2010 on Author Haven.  Reposted by kind permission.

Pastor Michael Duncan has spent over twenty years preaching and teaching God’s word. He has spoken at churches and events across the U.S. and in two different countries. Rev. Duncan has served on staff in four churches and currently is the pastor of Mountain View Baptist Church in Darrington, WA. Michael has been a member of NCWA since 2008. He is an alumnus with the Christian Writer’s Guild, an occasional contributor to the MBBA section of the Northwest Baptist Witness, a contributor to the blog, Author Haven, and the author of the blog, From the Mountain. His first book, STARTING OUT: A STUDY GUIDE FOR NEW BELIEVERS, will be released soon. You can contact Michael at luvtogolf@hotmail.com .