Do This and Forget the Risks of Amazon
Many Christian writers attempt to get their books published by a traditional publisher. Authors gain credibility from traditional publishers, and if their book gains traction in the marketplace, they often receive advance and ongoing royalty payments.
Yet breaking into the traditional publishing world is not easy. Often, you need to hire an agent to get attention from the publisher. The agent will get 15–20 percent of the income of that book for life. Also, getting published by one of the big names in publishing (even in Christian publishing) takes about eighteen months from acceptance to seeing your book on shelves.
This is why many Christian writers turn to self or indie publishing. There is risk, but no wait. They may make no money or thousands of dollars. It is a highly speculative venture.
The WordsRated website (2023) states, “The average self-published book sells 250 copies. The average self-published author makes $1,000 per year from their books. 33% of self-published authors make less than $500 per year. 90% of self-published books sell less than 100 copies.”
There should be a better way for Christian writers to have a better payday. There is!
Write Books On Contract
Years ago, I was on the editorial staff of a national Christian magazine. I was in the right place at the right time to accept ghostwriting jobs from national Christian leaders. I used their collected resources, interviewed them, interviewed others in their circle of associates, and created a book with their desired ministry focus.
I was popular as a go-to writer because I was willing to sign a nondisclosure agreement, and they got full credit without reference to me as their amanuensis. I was as happy as I could be. I didn’t need credit. Their money paid my bills and bought bicycles, and later cars, for my kids.
I still do a few ghostwriting jobs. I write a 156-page book for about $10,000-$12,000 on contract plus direct expenses, if any. In the old days, travel and research expenses were a big deal. Today, I interviewed clients and people they selected through Zoom, so I seldom left my desk. Recently, I interviewed someone in Ukraine for a client book I’m writing.
Even research has become more accessible. I write books and articles for a general audience, but most of what I do is Christian work. When I got my theology degree at Princeton, I spent hours in the third subfloor of Firestone Library at the University or in a cubbyhole at Speer (now Wright) Library at the Seminary. Today, alumni are allowed access to millions of theological books and journals online in the Princeton libraries and through their extensive research partners.
Does it sound like I’m gloating a bit? Forgive me. I have traveled to 31 countries chasing stories, and researching and writing from my desk is better. God is good.
Does my method of writing on contract appeal to you? Let me explain how you can easily do it in your community or region.
How You Can Become a Contract Writer
Yes, you can ghostwrite books for individuals if you wish. But there is another way to write Christian books under contract: get your name on the cover as the author, and build your writing reputation.
Do it by writing the history of local churches.
Church leaders will pay you to write the history of their church when you make them aware of the benefits. What are those benefits?
- A book draws church members together in a common historical bond. Many will see for the first time they are part of a long, purposeful ministry that has touched untold lives. As Psalm 78:4 says, “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.” Your church history is a part of these glorious deeds.
- A book raises community awareness. Yes, there should be some fanfare in the media when the book is released, but copies should be in local libraries for continuing reference. In addition, if you do it right, the cost of each book can be so low that your church can afford to gift it to visitors.
- The book will likely pay for itself. Each family in a church will want to buy at least one copy, so the larger the congregation, the better. The retail price of this kind of book is commonly $20-$25. Yet, even if sales income does not equal cost, you’ll likely discover that an individual, a business owner, or a group (like the Seniors) may underwrite the cost as a donation to the church.
It is never your job to finance or sell copies of the book. You are paid by contract, not by the hour, on speculation, or by commission.
Your writing has the power to preserve the identity and legacy of your church for generations to come. These histories become a tangible link between the past, present, and future, reinforcing the faith journey of your community.
Local Church Histories Are Exciting Books to Write
You may think that writing a local church history is boring. It’s not! A church history is about far more than recording when the new sanctuary was built or Sunday School growth statistics. You will write about some of the most interesting people you can imagine.
That is the key to writing a successful local church history. It is about people and what they did to honor the Lord as they worked together in the community.
Writing local church histories is more than documenting facts; it’s about connecting with a congregation on a personal level. Forge meaningful relationships as you gather church members’ stories, memories, and experiences.
Explore the rich history of any local church, and you’ll find stories of faith, perseverance, and transformation that have often remained buried.
In the world of Christian writing, there’s a treasure trove of untold stories waiting to be discovered within local churches. Dive deep into your church’s history, interview long-time members, and explore dusty archives. These hidden gems can become the foundation of compelling church histories that resonate with your congregation and community.
The Writing Process
You want to approach churches with a proposal. Explain what you want to do and how you intend to do it.
Ideally, you want to be able to hand the pastor or other church leaders copies of your other books to prove your credibility.
You want to give serious thought to your fee. My state’s new minimum wage for fast food workers is $20 per hour. Your services are far more valuable than that. You need to decide your rate. You also need to survey the situation and determine your expected completion time. Twelve weeks is enough for most writers to research and write the book if they do it 30–40 hours per week, as they should. This can and should be a business for serious writers, not a hobby.
You want to work on contract, not by the hour, but these two factors would put your fee in the $7500 range as a minimum.
It is customary to get half the fee to start, one-quarter upon submission of your manuscript for approval, and the final payment upon publication.
Once you write a local church history, other churches in your region will likely contact you to write one for them. It could become a full-time writing ministry for you.
Several years ago, I wrote a book on the process, and it has continued to sell copies every month since then. This book, Capturing Faith: How to Research & Write a Local Church History, offers a step-by-step process, including resources like dealing with committees and conducting interviews.
Take Bold Action Today
Are you ready to embark on a meaningful journey of writing, community building, and income generation as a Christian writer?
Start by reaching out to your local church, uncovering its hidden stories, and sharing the rich history that has shaped your community. Together, let’s preserve the legacy of faith and transform your passion for writing into a source of income and inspiration for others.
Sources cited:
Unless otherwise noted, Bible quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV).
Book sales statistics.
