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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
 

    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).
 

  ANALYZE YOUR INFORMATION
    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.

 

  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.

    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.

 

  CAPTURE THE EDITOR'S ATTENTION BY:
    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.

 

  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:

 

   

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

 

  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?
    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.)

 

 

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

 

 

 

   
Email mbagnull@aol.com with questions or comments.
Copyright © 2011 Write His Answer Ministries
Last modified: 12/20/11