You'd have to live under a rock not to have heard "The sky is falling, the sky is falling!" lately when talking about the publishing climate out there. I'm not the fearful type, and I'm confident those of us in the writing world will weather all the changes. I have utmost faith in my publisher Thomas Nelson--but even more faith in God. But that doesn't mean I'm not constantly analyzing what is happening around me. It's interesting and I'm enjoying seeing things play out.
A thought struck me the other 
day thought--change is a period of great opportunity. Remember when the early church underwent intense persecution and then had to spread out into the world? What if This current situation is God's way of pushing us out into the world? The buzz word right now is discoverability, and with so many people buying books online, the walls are down. Niche writers will find their readership. Those of us who write from a Christian worldview will be able to find a great audience beyond the walls of Christian bookstores. Those who are sick and tired of gratuitous sex will be able to discover us even if they don't frequent a Christian bookstore.
So I'm excited about what is happening! If you're a reader, what are your habits? Have you discovered new authors online yet or do you still find your next book by word of mouth or in a bookstore? And if you're an author, what new opportunities to you see in this brave, new world?
And this is my darling granddaughter Alexa with me. She's spending the night with her Mimi as we speak. So love to be part of her life!
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Colleen Coble writes romantic suspense with a strong atmospheric element. A lovable animal of some kind--usually a dog--always populates her novels. She can be bribed with DeBrand mocha truffles.
Denise Hunter writes women's fiction and love stories with a strong emotional element. Her husband says he provides her with all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too.
Diann Hunt writes romantic comedy and humorous women's fiction. She has been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, chocolate, her dog, and well, chocolate.
Cheryl Hodde writes romantic medical suspense under the pen name of Hannah Alexander, using all the input she can get from her husband, Mel, for the medical expertise. For fun she hikes and reads. Out of guilt, she rescues discarded cats. She and Mel are presently taking orders from four pampered strays.
8 Comments:
You look great Colleen. To answer your question, "How do I find out about new authors?" I became familiar with you and Denise because Dollar General had books of yours on sale for #3.00 each and then I just devoured your books. Another way is I follow my fav authors on Facebook and twitter and you guys give recommendations for other authors. Another way is that I follow a page on FB "Christian Fiction for your Kindle" which keeps me up to date on specials. That is how I began reading books by Sharon Gillenwater, Karen Heitzmann and others. I also receive Christian Books catalogue and peruse their catalogue. I buy some books for the Kindle and borrow a lot from the library. I put a lot of time into my hobby. So as you can see, I'm not dependent on a bookstore.
I, too, frequent the library and browse and follow you as well as other authors on facebook. I don't read on a kindle. I gotta have the book in hand and don't want to spend the money on the kindle. I buy some books if I'm following an author like you, Colleen, and don't want to wait on the library.
A lot of the books are free on Kindle or $.99 that I acquire.
Interesting responses so far from your readers Colleen! I just want to say that Alexa is getting so big! What a beautiful little girl!
I spend lots of time trying to find new authors online. I found Travis Thrasher online years ago when researching Christian fiction authors. I recently discovered Karen Young online too (only three of her books are Christian fiction and she's since retired). Once in a while I'll wander into B&N and write down all the names of the new books I want to read.
I am a reader, though not as avidly as I once was. I keep a book in my bathroom (don't laugh, you know you do it too!), one or two on my nightstand, along with my ipad and there's always another waiting in the wings. However, very surprisingly to me, I recently bemoaned the fact that I already had a paper copy and didn't want to pay again for a kindle version of a book I wanted to read on my ipad. I never thought I would be comfortable with it, but I am and I love how it holds my place and tells me how much I have left to read, and I can make the print larger if I need to. I used to re-read books, but now I basically read them once and that's it so having them in digital form saves space for something I'll not touch again unless it's a reference book. Truthfully, even patterns I can use with my ipad. The ipad is much lighter than the 500 page book! I can't get used to the Nook so my hubby uses that (which is technically mine) and I use the ipad (which is technically his). lol I do use my library a lot as well.
Also, I often will read about a book in a blog or on Facebook, or a link in a sig line and I will request it through the library. They will often buy the ones I request as well. If it's a reference book and I like it, I will buy a copy for myself too.
I began my writing career in 1999 because I loved to read Christian based novels which at that time were few and far between. Fortunately, that has all changed. There are now many wonderful authors that inspire me to greater service to the Lord.
I recently, decided to share my passion with others and created an "Inspirational Book Club" in my town in Woodbury, Ct. The library provides the books and a local church the space.
Apparently, I'm not alone in my love of Christian fiction because as soon as the word got out, I received so many responses that there now is a waiting list!
I highly encourage readers to do the same in their hometowns. It's a wonderful way to support the authors you love and wish to continue writing great Christian novels.
Katherine Valentine
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