Christian Authors, Shout Your Books From the Rooftops!

 Christian authors can be quiet about their books. Afterall, they don't want to appear boastful.

 I say, "Phooey!"

Secular books scream their slime while Christian authors whisper the Good News afraid they might appear arrogant or offend someone.

Remember God's Word to us in Romans 1:16,  "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."

My books contain the gospel. I am not ashamed. In fact, I feel disobedient if I don't shout about them.

 Donald Miller agrees with me in his blog, "Why I Self-Promote." You can read it here: http://storylineblog.com/2012/03/29/why-i-self-promote/

Boiling down his blog to one sentence:

 I self promote because my books help people.

Kudos to you, Donald Miller!!! I agree.

The differences between those who self-promote and those who don't seems to lie in who wrote your book. So, who did write your book? I didn't write mine. Only God could have written my three books. I don't have that ability.

Knowing that God wrote a book that will help people, how can I keep quiet? I will shout it from the rooftops.

I am not ashamed. I am commanded.

God gave me a mission and a passion and a platform.

 

None of this was my idea!

I encourage you to work wholeheartedly to promote the books God planned for you to write for His Kingdom.

Please Christian authors, shout your books from the rooftops!

Our books are splashes of serenity to a world that is drained,

Expect God to Show Up at Your Book Signing!

 

Marketing, marketing, marketing! Professionals say publishing a book is 10 percent writing and 90 percent marketing. While drowning in the marketing pool, let's not forget our marketing and our writing should be 100 percent ministering to readers.

 

 

That's why I love book signings and speaking. I meet  people who live on the earth and not on a page. Humans with  flesh and feelings and pain more intense than the best author can write in a book.

 

 

This sign greeted me as I entered my Barnes and Noble book signing last Saturday. For a second I thought the signing was all about Elaine. Pinching myself back to reality, I prayed God would bring people to my table who need Jesus. He did. 

 

 

 

Happy couple walked in arm-in-arm in love. On a course set by the Savior, they strolled straight to my book table. Oh my, they could hardly keep their hands off each other. The scene was cute and fun and Norman Rockwell worthy. "We're getting married!" she announced! Picking up We All Married Idiots, she smiled and said, "We won't need this. You see, we've both been married before."

I couldn't help my response. The words flew from my mouth, "Then I think you need this book even more!" (I didn't tell her that second marriages have a higher divorce rate than first marriages.) "Are you going for pre-marital counselling?"

"Oh no. We've already been married. We don't need counselling."

"Well, then I think you need my book. Some Pastors are using We All Married Idiots for pre-marital counselling."

More somber, she looked into my eyes and said, "I think you're right." Her future hubby seemed a bit stunned as she grabbed We All Married Idiots and headed for the check out.

I've added this couple to my prayer list.

Another sweet one came to my table hesitant to buy my book. She said, "I'm divorced and I have no plans to marry again, so why would I need to read this?"

I told her the book is helpful for singles in dealing with all their relationships.

She looked at the long check out line and sighed, "There's such a long line and I'm anxious to leave. I really don't want this book." Silence. "Oh, all right. Will you sign it for me?"

Five minutes later she returned jubilant! "I started reading while in line to buy your book and I couldn't believe it. I read one page and what you said touched my heart and helped me with a situation right where I am right now. I want another book to send to my son and his wife. They are going through some difficulties. This will really help them."

Thanks, God, for giving me words to write and books to market. Thank You for giving me opportunities to minister to people.  Most of all, thank You God for showing up at my book signings!

What a Splash of Serenity!

A Day in the Life of a Book Signing

Book signings are my favorites, because I love meeting readers face to face. Plus spending the day in a bookstore makes me giddy.

Here are a few shots and thoughts from my booksigning Saturday at the Arrowhead Christian Bookstore in Binghamton, NY.

Dress and act professionally. Remember, you represent the store and the publisher and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Having a friend around to help promote is a plus. Thanks to Bonnie Calhoun, author of Cooking the Books, (See her book at http://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Books-Sloane-Templeton-Mystery/dp/1426733887/ ) , who sat and drew customers in for three hours. What a treat. Thanks, Bonnie.

Meet the employees and have a good time. Afterall, these are the people who sell your books. This sweet lady told me her daughter said, "I didn't marry an idiot." After reading the back cover, the daughter then said, "Oh yes I did!" Mom was buying her We All Married Idiots  for Christmas.

What a sweet couple. She was hesitating. Her husband assured her, "Buy the book. We should read this." I have no concerns about this marriage. You could see their love for each other. Plus they plan to read We All Married Idiots together.

Stand up and talk and listen to people's thoughts. This dear man shares my concern for marriages today. He thanked me for writing Three Things You'll Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten Things You Can.

For some reason men are my best customers. In marketing, don't exclude any audience. Singles are reading We All Married Idiots too as they think about marriage in their future.

Be enthusiastic and pass out postcards or book marks as you walk around the store.

 

So many loved my book and laughed out loud at the title. Others shared their marriage stories and the pain. May We All Married Idiots be used of God to heal.

Blessed to say SOLD OUT! and thankful I remembered to put a case of Idiots in my trunk so I could sell some more. Thank you, Arrowhead Bookstore! You and all those readers were a splash of serenity to me yesterday.

Don't forget to put We All Married Idiots in your Christmas stocking. You can order autographed copies on this website or on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/We-All-Married-Idiots-Marriage/dp/0984765522/

Merry Christmas!!!

The Funny Things (and God-Appointments)That Happen at a Writer's Conference

God brings friends together in hilarious ways.

"You, with the beautiful hair, do you know the answer?"

Surely, she doesn't mean me. Attending the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer's Conference, I had slipped into Patricia Durgin's marketing class a little late.

"You, you, the one with the beautiful hair, do you know the answer?" she pointed right at me.

"You mean me?"

"Yes, you. You, with the beautiful hair."

Blushing and feeling quite lovely, I answered her question.

Later, I saw Patricia Durgin in the hallway. Fluffing my beautiful hair, I went straight to her to thank her for her compliment. Before opening my mouth, my eyes spotted the badge proclaiming loudly from her jacket, "VISUALLY IMPAIRED."

Laughter arose from my gut and within minutes the lady with the beautiful hair and the seeing-impaired teacher bonded.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to Patricia Durgin, my friend with the beautiful eyes. She is beginning a new season of coaching women to discover what God created you to be and do. Titled "His Purple Thread--Detecting God's Pattern in Your Life," Patricia's ministry coaches each of us to discover the purple thread God weaves through our individual lives so we can know and fulfill God's plan.

This afternoon, 12/8/2011, at 1:00 won't you join us in a teleconference call and discover if His Purple Thread is just what you've been seeking as you desire to know what God created you to do and how to do it with excellence.

For more information:

Patricia Durgin's website is http://tiptracy.com/

An overview of His Purple Thread can be seen at http://tiptracy.com/hispurplethread/

Connect to the teleconference at http://tiptracy.com/liveteleconferenceinstgructions/

I'll be on the call and hope to talk to you!

His Purple Thread may be just what you need to bring splashes of serenity to your life!

Blessings,

Elaine