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I have never forgotten
my first
Christian writers conference and an instructor named Ruth Peterman who said,
"In the beginning of my writing career I spent an almost equal time researching
the markets as I did writing." I was horrified! My purpose was to "minister" -
not make money. But the fact is that my work, and yours, will never minister if
it does not get into print. My writing, and yours, will never make a difference
in the lives of hurting people if we do not learn how to effectively market our
work.
Although I'm sure many of you
are working on a book, I want to encourage you not to overlook the ministry
opportunity of writing for Christians periodicals. It's a great way to "test the
waters" and to reach a huge number of people. I hope you'll study the
handouts I prepared for an October 2011 workshop on "Best Opportunities in
Christian Publications." See below.
Sample One Sheet
Idea to Publication
Best Opportunity Markets
Market Analysis Chart
How to Use a Market Analysis Chart
See also CDs and Tapes
ABC's of Marketing
ACCESS SOURCES OF INFORMATION
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1. Other writers. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of being part
of a writer's workshop and attending writer's conferences. Remember, as
Christian writers we are not in competition with one another. We are workers
together in the shared ministry of presenting the Good News of Jesus Christ. 2. Market books.
CHRISTIAN WRITERS' MARKET GUIDE. New edition released each year in
January.
WRITER'S MARKET. Writers' Digest. New edition released each year in the
fall.
3. Writing magazines and newsletters. (See "Links" for a number of
these periodicals.)
THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATOR. Monthly. One year $29.95. Pen-tips column by
Jerry Jenkins. PO Box 110390, Nashville TN 37222
CHURCH LIBRARIES. Quarterly. One year $20. Evangelical Church Library Assc., PO
Box 353, Glen Ellyn IL 60138.
THE WRITER - secular.
WRITER'S DIGEST - secular.
4. Request sample copies, writer's guidelines, and list of upcoming themes
(if any).
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1. Tips for studying samples —read the magazine with a highlighter in hand.
—pay special attention to anything written by the editor. If you don't
like his style of writing, chances are he will not like yours.
—analyze type of material used, length, tone, paragraph length, amount of
dialogue . . .
—study advertisements and publicity to prospective subscribers.
—note on cover when you have finished reading and file (or pass on to a
friend).
2. Tips for studying guidelines.
—date when receive.
—note themes and deadline dates on your "to-do" list along with ideas
they triggered.
—Highlight any taboos, use of specific translations, use of inclusive
language etc.
3. Set up samples/guidelines files alphabetically by category of magazine.
I use a portable file for guidelines and put samples in expanding folders in a
file drawer.
4. Use your samples and guidelines to complete Market Analysis Charts
for
the magazines you'd like to submit to. |
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BEST OPPORTUNITIES
It is essential to know where the best opportunities are. Too many
writers give up not because their writing isn't good enough but because
they are aiming for unrealistic markets.
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1. Study the Best Opportunity
Markets.
2. Order the CD, "Best Opportunities in
Christian Publications" that comes with three helpful handouts on the
Scope and Needs of Christian Periodicals and the Best Opportunities. Determine where you
fit on the basis of what you're called and equipped to write.
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CAPTURE THE EDITOR'S ATTENTION BY: |
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1. Submitting your very best work as unto the Lord. 2. Writing an effective query letter when the editor requires a query.
3. Submitting an appropriate manuscript that shows you have studied and
know his needs.
4. Submitting a timely manuscript.
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Carefully keep track of manuscripts to increase sales. It is also essential that you know what you have submitted, where you have
submitted it, and when you submitted it and that you keep your work out in the
mail. It will not bless anyone in your desk drawer. Reprints also need to keep
circulating. If it was good enough to sell once, it should sell again and again
unless it is on a topic that has a limited market.
1. Double Reference Submission System on 3 x 5 cards.
Prepare a card for each manuscript and each market you submit to.
2. Manuscript Inventory Log to keep track of manuscripts you have for
sale--both first rights and reprints. Use ledger paper (or a computer data
base) to list by category (i.e. PE story, inspirational article, family
living article etc) manuscripts you have available for sale. I list the
following information in columns across the page:
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Title
Length
Seasonal (note if it's a special day or special season piece)
Date first printed
A column for each place it's been printed
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3. Be a good steward of your reprints. My mentor, Anne Sirna, says her
manuscript hasn't earned its keep until it's made 10 sales. How do you sell
something 10 times? |
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a. Sell only first rights so that when your manuscript is off press you
will be free to sell it to non-overlapping markets. (Better still, sell
one-time rights so you do not need to wait until your manuscript is off
press to sell it again.) If you have any question what rights you sold, be
certain to check this out before submitting it elsewhere. b. Do market research and submit your manuscript (with reprint rights
noted in top right corner) to appropriate non-overlapping markets. Some
writers send a copy of their tear sheet. I prefer to rework the
manuscript--incorporating the changes the editor made and perhaps some
changes of my own to further strengthen it. It is your piece. You are free
to make changes, to accept (or reject) the editor's changes, or to leave
it as you originally wrote it. Only if it is substantially rewritten
should you offer other than reprint rights.
c. When resubmitting. it is a professional courtesy to note where it
was first printed. Until you have a good grasp of what markets are
non-competing, I recommend you do not send reprints out simultaneously.
(For more info on selling reprints, you may want to order my tape,
Recycling Used Into New Sales.)
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Persevere
- Learning the ABC's required
perseverance--so does the successful marketing of your manuscripts. Rely on His
promise:
We will reap a harvest of
blessing
if we don't get discouraged and
give up.
Galatians 6:9, TLB
© 1995, 2011 Marlene Bagnull
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