Called to Write

by Jeanette O'Hagan

Called to Write

So God has called you to be writer. He's given you a special story or message to tell which you know will be a blessing for others, Or He's given you the passion, the talents, the opportunity to write. It should be easy, shouldn't it? We write the blog posts, article and books and the readers will come.


Last year I shared the following parable on Australasian Christian Writers (ACW). I believe it is just as relevant today.

One day, the CEO of a large company goes on an extended international trip. She gives each of her three area-managers funds to invest while she is away. When she returns, she calls each of them into her executive office to report on their outcomes. Stephen made a killing in renewal energy futures, Zoe more than doubled the seed-investment in property developments.
The third exec is obviously nervous as he enters her office. He fidgets with his tie, fumbles the sugar spoon as he stirs his coffee.
'So Philip, how have your investments prospered?'
The young man clears his throat and pushes a folder across her desk.
Her eyebrows shoot up. 'What's this, a bank statement? Two per cent interest?'
'Yes, boss,' he mutters. 'I knew you can't stand failure. So, I put your money in the safest place I could think of.'
'You knew I can't stand failure? You could have least put it in a growth fund.'
The next day, the CEO made Stephen and Zoe partners of the company, while Philip received a redundancy package.

I've changed a few details but you probably recognise the gist of Jesus' parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). No doubt we could draw different lessons from this biblical short story (dare I say flash fiction) - but one thing seems clear to me. The CEO (or master) expected his managers (or servants) to invest and multiply his money. Perhaps even take risks with it. The one thing that got the boss' blood boiling, was playing it safe, failing to invest wisely. It seems, God expects us to invest, certainly in the sharing the gospel message, but also in the gifts, abilities and passions He has given us.


Think about it. If God calls us to missions or to the ministry, wouldn't we need to prepare, train, connect with a support base, work with others? It is no different with writing.

If God has called us to be writers, then surely He wants us to invest in our vocation. To take risks even. To give it focus, time and effort. Whether we wish to write as a ministry, as a hobby or hope to earn a living from our writing, it is usually not enough just to write without investing in the craft, in knowledge and connections.

How might we invest in our writing?

Make time to write

The first step is to make writing a priority. This can be hard when we have other responsibilities and demands on our time, and there can be seasons, fallow times, when our focus needs to be elsewhere. Still, if we are serious about writing, we need to write.

It helps to make a regular time and place. It might be weekly, or perhaps daily. Even if it's half an hour when everyone has gone to bed or before anyone rises, or in your lunch time at work or waiting in the car at soccer practice. You fill in the blanks.

Don't wait for inspiration. Don't worry too much whether what you writing is good or bad (you can edit afterwards). If you are really stuck, maybe do some writing exercises to warm up, or read over what you wrote in the last session. 

I'm convinced that sitting down and writing on a regular basis helps creativity to flow.

Learn how to write

'Anyone can string a few words together.' 

Yes, but that doesn't mean the words will connect with readers. Which is fine if we're writing a journal or as therapy (and there is nothing wrong with that). But if we we are called or have the passion to share our story or stories, then we need to learn how to hone our storytelling. 

This includes the basics like spelling and grammar, but also includes what makes a compelling blog post, or, for fiction -- genre, story structure, plot, compelling dialogue, point of view, character arcs and world-building. Non-fiction and memoir can use some of these elements and have their own skills to master.

We can learn a lot of this as avid readers. Even so, while some of these elements might be timeless, there are different style and story telling preferences in different eras. What may have worked in the nineteenth century or even in the 1990s may not be as accessible to readers in 2019.

Courses, workshops, conferences, critique groups, blog posts, podcasts, books are all resources we can access to improve and develop our writing.

Get relevant feedback.

Iron sharpens iron. 

As hard as it may be, getting feedback from critique partners, beta readers, and editors help us to see our writing with new eyes, to identify rough spots or plot holes that will pull readers from the page.

Feedback is invaluable part of writing, with two caveats. Choose your feedback partners wisely and remember you are the writer. You are not obliged to accept every piece of feedback you receive. A critique partner who writes historical romance may not like fantasy aspects in your epic fantasy and vice versa. Not all editors are experienced or understand more recent expectations in fiction or non-fiction writing. 

Even so, if a beta-reader or editor flags an issue, it's worth taking note - even if you find a different solution to the one suggested. And understand the 'why' of the rules, before you decide break them.

Look for opportunities

At some point, our novel or memoir or blogpost is ready to be launched into the world. 

So, how will we make it available to readers? Do we put our writing up on somewhere like Wattpad - where a lot of content is provided for free - or on our own blog or someone else's or share it in a newsletter or specific group (a support or interest group, extended family)?

If we decide to publish, then should we seek a traditional publisher or got the Indie publishing route (while avoiding predatory or vanity publishers)? Either way we will need to promote our work (look for ways to make our work visible and to connect with potential readers).


And while we wait, we can keep on writing, learning, honing and giving back to the community by encouraging and supporting other writers. 

To last the distance as writers, we need Commitment - not to give up, but to keep on going despite setbacks and obstacles - and Covenant - the willingness to keep God at the centre of what we do, to honour Him and trust Him with the results.

Whatever we do, let's not be like Philip in our re-told parable and bury what we've been given through fear or complacency or pride.

****
Images © Jeanette O'Hagan 2017

Jeanette started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children and new release Ruhanna's Flight and other stories.

Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.


Find her on:

Facebook |Jeanette O'Hagan Writes | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Publish or Perish? Part Two

By Jeanette O’Hagan

In Part One of ‘Publish or Perish?’ we looked things to consider in the journey to publication and the pros and cons of traditional publishing. In the not-so-distant past, traditional publishing was basically the only way forward except for the dubious route of vanity publishing.  With the advent of the World Wide Web, e-books, Amazon and print on the demand (POD) technology, the publishing landscape has changed dramatically in the last couple of decades. On the one hand, writers don’t have to wait around like wall flowers waiting for a publisher to offer them a contract if they are prepared to go solo. On the other hand, because the market has become so tight, traditional publishers do less for their authors and expect them to be actively involved in platform building, marketing and promotion.

So what about the other options?

The Vanity and Subsidy Publishers

Some publishers will offer to publish your book for a price (a co-payment). As with a traditional publisher they will negotiate a contract for the rights of your manuscript and in return will pay you royalties. However, they will also ask you to pay upfront a portion of the costs in producing the book and/or may ask you to commit to buying a certain number of books (10, 100, 500, 1000 etc).

The difference between a vanity and subsidy publisher is that a vanity publisher generally charges exorbitant prices and often gives shoddy results in return (e.g. poorly edited work, terrible cover design or low quality materials). Vanity publishers make their profit from the money authors pay them, not by selling and distributing books. So they have little incentive to promote your book.

Some small publishers offer co-payment as a way of reducing their financial risk and to assist in publishing more authors and titles. A true subsidy publisher offers genuine services (such as thorough editing, good cover design, some form of promotion and marketing) at reasonable prices and, often, with access to a distribution network.

It may, at first glance, be difficult to tell the difference between a vanity and a genuine subsidy publisher. If in doubt check out websites like this and this on scammy publishers, ask around about the reputation of the publisher and/or look at the quality of the books it produces. Always check the proposed contract for gotchas. Don’t sign a blank cheque.

Vanity and Subsidy Publishers
Pros	Cons
Generally the publisher may be anxious to accept your manuscript – especially in the case of the vanity publisher – this may be despite of the quality of your work.	They require a substantial up front co-payment and/or a commitment to buy a certain number of books (often regardless of the quality of the finished product).
Publisher arranges editing, cover design, typesetting, printing and possibly distribution.	Despite paying upfront (sometimes an exorbitant amount), the publisher probably still gets a cut of ongoing profits (your royalties).
Publisher may provide some marketing and promotion – though this may be little more than a listing on their website. Make sure you know what they offer.	Your work may be poorly produced and/or the publisher may have a bad reputation.
Publisher may have access to distribution networks.	You will need to do your own marketing and promotion if you want your book to be successful.
It may be a less expensive option than self-publishing (then again, it may not!)	While you have some degree of creative control, this is limited. Some publishers can be inflexible on issues such as price or the format of the book.
	You may be locked in with this publisher even if the book is a disaster or it is not selling, preventing you from seeking other publishing options.

Subsidy publishing may suit you if you have a good manuscript which you want to get published sooner or a manuscript aimed at a niche market where you have good contacts (a hobby group, a family history), or a sizeable platform. You are prepared to pay something up front but would like to rely on the expertise and experience of the publisher.

You need to be very wary that the subsidy publisher is not overcharging for their services, is inflexible or has unfavourable contracts that are hard to get out of and/or will give you an inferior result. Buyer Beware.

Indie or Self-publishing

With self-publishing, the author takes the financial risks and retains full rights of their manuscript. Using their own capital, they contract different services required to produce their book – such as editing, cover design, ISBN numbers, barcodes, typesetting, formatting, library rights, printing, promotion, marketing and distribution. They also receive all the net profits on the book (if it makes any).

This model has become more accessible with the advent of e-books and Print on Demand (POD) services like CreateSpace or LightningSource. Also companies like Book Whispers or BookCoverCafe will guide authors through the process of Indie publishing and/or offer different services.

Indie or Self publishing.
Pros	Cons
You don’t have to wait (sometimes for years, maybe never) for a publisher to accept your manuscript. You publish when you are ready to publish.	You pay all the costs involved in publishing your book upfront – this can vary depending on how much you are willing to invest. The more you invest (wisely), the more likely you are to be successful but the bigger the financial risk you take.
You receive full net profits and a higher cut from Amazon for your e-books.	You arrange everything, from editing, cover design, typesetting, ISBNs, barcodes, printing, promotion and distribution.
You have full creative control and flexibility.	You may lack experience and expertise in the industry and knowledge of the market.
You retain full rights on your manuscript.	You will need to do all your marketing and promotion. Having or building a ‘platform’ is vital.
You can join distribution or promotional networks for indie-publishers like John  3:16 Marketing Network	It is much harder for self-published authors to gain access to the big bookstores, including Christian bookstores like Word or Koorong.
Print on Demand (POD) means that you don’t have to print off thousands of print copies that don’t sell. You can print smaller numbers or at the request of the buyer.	You need to understand all the financial aspects of the process, including taxes, getting exemptions for US taxes, maybe setting up your own tradename, etc. Essentially, the ‘buck stops with you.’
Self-publishing has less of a stigma than it did in the past.	Some reviewing sites, groups, awards etc don’t recognise self-published works.
Many indie-authors are successful though they often have multiple titles or built their name through traditional publishing.	Covering all sides of the publishing business means that you may have less time for writing.

Self-publishing may be for you if have a good or outstanding manuscript that is timely or you are no longer prepared to wait for a traditional publisher to discover it or it appeals a niche market or it doesn't fit into the narrow categories often favoured by traditional publishers. You are prepared to pay up front and to invest your time and energy into both publishing and promoting your book.

You need to make sure your manuscript is at an acceptable standard and that you don’t skimp on quality especially in terms of covers, editing and formatting (for the printer or e-book). Unless you only wish to sell or give the book to a small number people (your extended family, friends, fellow hobbyists, church group), you need to tap into distribution networks and/or put a lot of hard work into marketing and promoting your book.

Self-publishing is not for you if don’t have expertise and are not prepared to learn or hire it; if you don’t have or wish to invest money up front and if you lack time and energy to put into it.

Regardless of the mode you choose, if you want your book to reach many people, you will need to put time and effort into promotion. Still, from a spiritual perspective, success does not depend on numbers or even on publication. Our writing may touch lives or change our own without being ‘successful.’

Ultimately, as Christian writers we write to please God and to use the gift he has given us.

Image ‘Hope Definition’ above courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Jeanette has practiced medicine, studied communication, history and theology and has taught theology. She is currently caring for her children, enjoying post-graduate studies in writing at Swinburne University and writing her Akrad fantasy fiction series. She is actively involved in a caring Christian community.

You can find her on her Facebook page or websites JeanetteO'Hagan Writes &   JennysThread.com .

Publish or Perish? Part One

By Jeanette O’Hagan

Last week after meeting a friend for coffee at a major shopping centre, I had a spare couple of minutes before picking the kids up from school so I wandered into a local bookstore, drifting inevitably to the Young Adult section.

Shining beneath the bright lights of the book store, the kaleidoscope of colourful book covers lined up in neat rows on the tall shelve dazzled and enticed me. Big names and popular titles in bundles faced forward, catching the eye. The lesser stars – with maybe one or two copies – shyly flaunted their spines on lower shelves. I pulled out titles, flipping through the pages, enjoying the satin feel of the paper, the smell of new print. I recognised familiar names and titles and discovered new ones.

And I knew that’s what I wanted. One day, perhaps, my fantasy series will be there, on the shelf, a physical presence to be picked up, flipped through, taken to the counter, bought, savoured and devoured. Not for fame and fortune, but so that my stories to be shared and treasured.

Well, maybe. I have discovered in the last few years is just how difficult it is to be published.  I’m not an expert – just one aspiring author among hundreds of thousands, or is it millions, who has learned a few things along the way but what I have learned I would like to share with you.

First, be clear about what you want and why you write.

Sometimes we write for pleasure or as a means of self-discovery. Publication is far from our thoughts. Or we may be writing for our children or for friends and family. These are all worthy reasons to write. Often, however, we do want a wider audience to read our scribblings because we believe we have something to say or something worthwhile to offer. We have a sense of calling, that this is the direction God is leading us. 

Second, be realistic without being discouraged.

Writing is not a fast track to fame and fortune. Despite the outliers like J. K. Rowling, most writers struggle to make a meagre living even when their writings are published and this is even more true for Christian writers or writers downunder. It often requires many years and at least three and maybe ten books before an author’s name becomes noticed. Nor is it easy to be published in the first place. To be a writer takes time and determination. Remember, in the end it is God who gives success.

Third, there are different ways of getting our words out there.

Publishing a book is not the only way we can share our work with others. We can blog or seek to  have short pieces (like stories, poems, articles, devotions) published in journals, magazines or anthologies or even experiment with micro-fiction and poetry on mobiles. While we may want a world stage, God blesses small things as well as the large.

Fourth, don’t cut corners.

We may be excited about finishing the first draft of our manuscript. We want to get it out there but we should also take time to hone our work. Edit and re-edit. Have critical friends and beta-readers look at our work. Take time to learn what publishers and our target audience are looking for. Keep learning and improving our writing craft.

Fifth, decide which type of publishing model suits your situation.

Not all publishers are the same. Each publishing model has pros and cons.Another thing to ask is whether we want to publish with a secular or Christian publisher or imprint.

Sixth, beware of the traps.

In the excitement of being offered a publishing opportunity – always make sure you read the small print. Understand what you are giving away in terms of rights and what the publisher is offering you in terms of services and royalties. We may just want to get our work to readers but making naive mistakes about contracts (e.g. when rights revert back to the author or which rights are given away etc) can actually prevent that from happening. Sometimes wolves can be dressed in sheepskins!

Different publishing models

Now that you have decided you want your books published, what do you do? Basically, there are three types of publishing models: Traditional publishing; copayment publishing; and indie or self-publishing. I will examine some of the pros and cons with traditional publishing in this post and tackle the other two models in the next post (to be published on Thursday 28^th August).

The Traditional Publisher

A traditional publisher makes a contract with the author for use of the rights to his or her manuscript and then, at no cost to the author, produces and markets the book, giving back to the author a percentage of the profits (royalties). They may pay money in advance which is then earned out by incoming royalties.

Traditional publishers may be big multinational companies like the big 5 . The Big Houses have multiple imprints including inspirational and/or Christian imprints in the USA.There are also medium sized publishers and small presses. In Australian and New Zealand Christian publishers are generally small niche presses(like Wombat Books/Riza Press, SplashDown Books, Acorn Press or YouthWorks).

Big Houses offer access to big bookshop chains, Big W, and international markets; smaller presses are often more involved with their authors and are more likely to be actively seeking manuscripts. Many (bigger) traditional publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts and will only accept submission through an agent or Manuscript Services. However, some of these publishers now accept email submissions at specific times (eg Allen and Unwin Friday Pitch or Pan-Macmillan Monday).

Traditional Publishers
Pros	Cons
No upfront costs & publisher takes the full financial risk of publishing your book.	They regularly receive thousands and thousands of manuscripts. It is hard for your manuscript to be noticed in the slush pile.
The publisher may give you an advance.	Royalties are generally low – 1-15% on the sale price of the book, paid twice a year. For more info.
Publisher arranges editing, cover design, typesetting, printing and distribution.	Your manuscript needs to be original, well edited and well written to be accepted, not just good but exceptional.
Publisher provides some marketing and promotion.	First time and mid-list authors will still be expected to do most of their marketing and promotion.
Publisher usually has access to distribution networks.	Often your manuscript may only be considered if you have a significant ‘platform’ especially with non-fiction (i.e. reputation and connections with significant groups of people – such as web and social media presence; contact with target groups and/or speaking circuit etc)
Publisher has experience and expertise in the industry and knowledge of the market.	While you have some degree of creative control, this is limited. Some things like pricing will be out of your control.
They may offer you a contract on a second book or series.	They may decide not to publish your books for various reasons but will still own the rights (depending on your contract).

Traditional publishing may suit you if you have an outstanding manuscript; have a sizable platform or clearly defined target market; and/or would like to benefit from an established or trusted publisher’s expertise and experience in book design, marketing and distribution.

You need to be aware that it may take a long time to be noticed (if at all). Only a small proportion of authors seeking to be published traditionally are eventually successful. If you are successful, you will still be expected to promote and market your book. Always check the proposed contract for gotchas. Don’t sign a blank cheque. 

Traditional publishing is probably not for you if your book is for a small niche market, or doesn't fit into a clear category (i.e. cross-over fiction or it bucks the trends).

Traditional publishing is not the only option. In Part Two I will examine the viability of alternatives like subsidy and self or indie publishing models.

Image ‘Hope Definition’ above courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Jeanette has practiced medicine, studied communication, history and theology and has taught theology.  She is currently caring for her  children, enjoying post-graduate studies in writing at Swinburne University and writing her Akrad fantasy fiction series.  She is actively involved in a caring Christian community. 

You can find her on her Facebook page or websites Jeanette O'Hagan Writes &   JennysThread.com .