WALKING THE (CHRISTIAN) LINE

Presented by: GINGER MARCINKOWSKI, AUTHOR & SPEAKER

Introduction

How the book came aboutMemoir

Fiction

Nonfiction

Where to Pitch?Secular market

Christian market

First Pitches• The New York Pitch Conference-secular market• American Christian Fiction Writers-Christian• Queries, queries, queries

WHAT THEY SAID

SECULAR MARKETToo “Christian”

Well-written

Take out “God” references

Be more graphic

Try again

No looking for “that” kind of story

Make it fiction

CHRISTIAN MARKET

o Too graphic

o Well-written

o “Christian” wouldn’t do that/say that

o Sell as “faction”

o Try againo Too dark

o No references to alcohol and lighten up on abuse

What Happened?

• Recognition from both sides• ACFW would not allow it to go

farther than semi-finalist as my publisher was not an “approved” publisher at the time

• Kindle Book Awards was unsure what category to place it in

• Rose to #1 in Amazon downloads

• Sales are still increasing

2013

ACFW Semi-Finalist for 2012 GENESIS AWARD

So Now What?

DO’S FOR THE CHRISTIAN MARKET

Know Your Market

Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) has rules

o Read the genre

o Interact with Christian Bloggers

o Make characters react to “worldy” situations using a Christian Overview

o Romance must be the clean, “wait until we are married,” barely a kiss, kind of romance

….More Do’s

Other characters & even the main character may be revengeful and angry in beginning. They need not be “born-again,” but they must have an epiphany that leads to change.

Inspire, teach and entertain the reader

Understand that the Christian main character always react to adversity in a loving, forgiving way, and never try to exact revenge, even though inside they may be battling with it. They may show anger, but will always give in to the will of God.

DON’T’S

Use foul language

Take the Lord’s name in vain…ever

Speak of sex, alcohol, smoking or anything “bad” in a graphic way. You can allude to it.

Allow main characters to act in a way contrary to what other Christians find unacceptable, even though the character can be flawed. A reader will not empathize with those who profess their faith and fail to live it out. They can be tempted, but should always choose to go the right way despite the odds of failure.

…More Don’ts

Preach at your audience. A writer’s faith shows through in the actions of their characters

Fear that your subject will be rejected. Most subjects are welcome in the Christian market, but it is how the writer handles the subject that counts. Most editors & agents in this genre follow a “pattern” that speaks to their readers. The readers of Christian works want to be able to identify with the way a characters lives. They want to see hope and a way out of a situation they are relating to. The reader will most likely be able to empathize with a character’s weakness, but they also will want to see that their weaknesses can be overcome with their hope in Christ.

WHAT CHRISTIAN PUBLISHERS WANT

Good writing

Fast pacing

No gratuitous language, adult situations or viloence

Main character must always learn something

Writers that keep the reader in mind

BEST BREAK-IN AREASRomance-

Amish with a twist

Historical Fiction

Contemporary that portrays purity & chastity in a believable way

Suspense, Mysteries & Thrillers

YA

YOUR BEST RESOURCES

www.acfw.com American Christian Fiction Writers Association

ACFW Conferences

Local ACFW Chapter

CBA Book fair

Guideposts- http://www.guideposts.org/tell-us-your-story?nocache=1

Writer’s Weekly- http://writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/006353_10272010.html

WALKING THE (CHRISTIAN) LINE

Presented by: GINGER MARCINKOWSKI, AUTHOR & SPEAKER