The Christian aspect is interesting, especially since we seem to have entered an era of false prophets and one or two would-be anti-Christs. Joseph Campbell saw most religions as mythologies in which the rules needed to maintain a social equilibrium were embedded. As obvious internal contradictions in the mythology begin to emerge, people tend to drift away. The danger is that the social glue that was embedded in the mythology is weakened as faith in the mythology diminishes. The result is an increase in social chaos. The reaction against the loss of traditional order then emerges as Christian nationalism, which often runs counter to the basic teachings of Jesus, whose main message seemed to be that we should treat each other with basic decency.
I think it’s so true about feeling like writing is some sort of cool club with lots of secrets outsiders don’t know. Which is really intimidating for someone who has no formal training and is writing as an obedience to the Holy Spirit. Love that you are here “to nourish your love for the craft of writing.” I will be following along !
Morgan, yes my heart is to equal the playing field. In my day job, I deal mostly w/ writers who have large-ish platforms and already have an agent, so my passion is helping up and coming writers get there :)
Hi Will, I’m all in on your stack! I found you a few weeks ago; quickly added you to my SS lineup, but I hadn’t really dove in until now. I think I can benefit from what you and others here have to offer. I’m 2+ years into writing my first book, a Holy Spirit-driven non-fiction work that I believe to be a BEAUTIFUL way to further glorify our Lord, but I’m at the pre-publishing stage where I need HELP.
Question: What do you think of self-publishing as an option? I just happened upon this resource today while browsing another author’s work: https://www.writersrepublic.com/
«writing as an obedience to the Holy Spirit» that’s the goal - or it should be, the aim of giving glory to the Lord through our writing for He is the one who gave us the talent to do so in order to bless others and driven them to Him.
Nice meeting you! I’m curious about platform expectations for Christian traditional publishing — I’ve heard that it’s actually more stringent / requires a larger platform for Christian nonfiction vs. secular nonfiction. I’m curious on your take and what is considered the minimum and average for platform. I decided to self publish and found that I am growing my platform as I promote my book, which has been interesting. Chicken and egg!
Mackenzie, I can't speak too much for the nonfiction space outside the Christian genre, however, for the most part I think it's an equal playing field re: platform. The game has changed and writers who garner a following on their own have a better chance at landing a book deal.
Hey Mackenzie! So fun to see you here! Will was a guest on Writing Off Social and we asked him this very thing. He had such great insights on platform. He was on EP34, EP35, and EP52 if you want to check them out.
Happy to meet you Will! I look forward to learning more with you, and I love that you want to share your knowledge of the craft with others, that is generous of you! May God's rich blessings be with you and your family!
Looking forward to following along, and grateful for your wisdom and willingness to teach on these topics that don't seem "figure-out-able" without some kind of guidance. Wonderful to hear more about you and your work!
Thank you Will. This will help us take the mystery out of things and hopefully get more of us steered in the direction of publishing houses. On the by, what are your thoughts on self-publishing and then signing a contract?
Great post. And love the honesty about just doing it messy. I have a lot of scripture as well as reference to the supernatural in my memoir. Grief is a sneaky thief much like the Enemy and I will not take any of it out if I should ever garner the attention of an agent. Good to know - great to have a representative of Christ in the publishing world. Thanks for setting us up for success.
First of all, welcome to the community! My name is Mary Lynn, and I am the founder of a program called the Leadership Literary Lab. I am also a Christian, and believe we are teaching similar concepts, so I'm wondering if you'd like to discuss this. You can reach me here or via my website with the aforesaid name. I write a newsletter for my fiction on Substack, and will soon be adding my newsletter for the Lab called Instant Authority. Cross-posting or guest posting might be something to think about too. Thanks and God bless.
Nice to “remeet” you, Will! And great to know more about you, and the adventure you’re here to embark on. Looking forward to learning more about your perspective and your gems of non-fiction wisdom 💎✨
The Christian aspect is interesting, especially since we seem to have entered an era of false prophets and one or two would-be anti-Christs. Joseph Campbell saw most religions as mythologies in which the rules needed to maintain a social equilibrium were embedded. As obvious internal contradictions in the mythology begin to emerge, people tend to drift away. The danger is that the social glue that was embedded in the mythology is weakened as faith in the mythology diminishes. The result is an increase in social chaos. The reaction against the loss of traditional order then emerges as Christian nationalism, which often runs counter to the basic teachings of Jesus, whose main message seemed to be that we should treat each other with basic decency.
William glad you're here. Thanks for sharing.
I think it’s so true about feeling like writing is some sort of cool club with lots of secrets outsiders don’t know. Which is really intimidating for someone who has no formal training and is writing as an obedience to the Holy Spirit. Love that you are here “to nourish your love for the craft of writing.” I will be following along !
Morgan, yes my heart is to equal the playing field. In my day job, I deal mostly w/ writers who have large-ish platforms and already have an agent, so my passion is helping up and coming writers get there :)
Hi Will, I’m all in on your stack! I found you a few weeks ago; quickly added you to my SS lineup, but I hadn’t really dove in until now. I think I can benefit from what you and others here have to offer. I’m 2+ years into writing my first book, a Holy Spirit-driven non-fiction work that I believe to be a BEAUTIFUL way to further glorify our Lord, but I’m at the pre-publishing stage where I need HELP.
Question: What do you think of self-publishing as an option? I just happened upon this resource today while browsing another author’s work: https://www.writersrepublic.com/
Thanks in advance for any guidance!
«writing as an obedience to the Holy Spirit» that’s the goal - or it should be, the aim of giving glory to the Lord through our writing for He is the one who gave us the talent to do so in order to bless others and driven them to Him.
Big agree!
I can hear your shepherd’s heart and your heart for the Shepherd in your introduction. I’m grateful to learn from you.
Janna, thank you. Means a lot.
Nice meeting you! I’m curious about platform expectations for Christian traditional publishing — I’ve heard that it’s actually more stringent / requires a larger platform for Christian nonfiction vs. secular nonfiction. I’m curious on your take and what is considered the minimum and average for platform. I decided to self publish and found that I am growing my platform as I promote my book, which has been interesting. Chicken and egg!
Mackenzie, I can't speak too much for the nonfiction space outside the Christian genre, however, for the most part I think it's an equal playing field re: platform. The game has changed and writers who garner a following on their own have a better chance at landing a book deal.
Hey Mackenzie! So fun to see you here! Will was a guest on Writing Off Social and we asked him this very thing. He had such great insights on platform. He was on EP34, EP35, and EP52 if you want to check them out.
Sandy and Mary's podcast is THE BEST. I love what they're doing through WOS.
Our guests make it great. We have a "barrel" of fun. 😂
Thank you! I have been thinking about these questions thanks to your podcast (and thanks again for having me on!) It’s always top of mind lol
Happy to meet you Will! I look forward to learning more with you, and I love that you want to share your knowledge of the craft with others, that is generous of you! May God's rich blessings be with you and your family!
Looking forward to following along, and grateful for your wisdom and willingness to teach on these topics that don't seem "figure-out-able" without some kind of guidance. Wonderful to hear more about you and your work!
Katie, thank you. Hope to provide some helpful tips.
💙
Here for it! Timely for me and glad you’re willing to show up in this way. Thank you.
Right there with ya, Liv
Thank you, Liv.
Thank you Will. This will help us take the mystery out of things and hopefully get more of us steered in the direction of publishing houses. On the by, what are your thoughts on self-publishing and then signing a contract?
Melissa, I will be posting regularly on all things publishing. Lots to say. Stay tuned :)
Very cool. I have friends who attended Biola and even Talbot. Good luck to you on your journey, and congrats on finding an audience.
Travis, thank you.
Great post. And love the honesty about just doing it messy. I have a lot of scripture as well as reference to the supernatural in my memoir. Grief is a sneaky thief much like the Enemy and I will not take any of it out if I should ever garner the attention of an agent. Good to know - great to have a representative of Christ in the publishing world. Thanks for setting us up for success.
Becca, thank you for your kind words. Glad to be here.
wow, congrats on the subscriber explosion. guess you’re meant to make an impact!
Joyce, humbled. Yes, hoping to add value as much as possible.
Hi Will,
First of all, welcome to the community! My name is Mary Lynn, and I am the founder of a program called the Leadership Literary Lab. I am also a Christian, and believe we are teaching similar concepts, so I'm wondering if you'd like to discuss this. You can reach me here or via my website with the aforesaid name. I write a newsletter for my fiction on Substack, and will soon be adding my newsletter for the Lab called Instant Authority. Cross-posting or guest posting might be something to think about too. Thanks and God bless.
Such a great reintroduction. I was once a book editor at Berkley Books, back in my twenties, so I'm very happy to have a chance to follow along here!
Patty, so cool. Always nice to meet a fellow editor ;)
Nice to “remeet” you, Will! And great to know more about you, and the adventure you’re here to embark on. Looking forward to learning more about your perspective and your gems of non-fiction wisdom 💎✨
Thanks so much. Honored you're here.
So excited to read and learn from you. Thank you for sharing and being here!
Tanya, absolutely. Hope to add value here.
Welcome to Substack!
Thanks so much!