Writing and Selling a Christian Book is Not Easy

Many aspiring Christian writers don’t look before they leap. They get an idea for a book and rush into it.

This approach ignores what Jesus taught. In Luke 14:28, he said, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”

Writing a book is like building a tower, as I have often said. There is planning, foundation-laying, and building. It’s good to sit down and count the cost, and I hope to help you do that now.

Writing is a Craft

Many people think they can write a book since they can write an email.

That’s only partially true.

Writing a book is a craft that takes time to learn. Anyone can learn, but it takes practice and tenacity. In an email, you’re generally expressing an idea or two. You’ll likely express hundreds of ideas in various ways with a book. It takes time and effort to build those skills.

There are two ways to learn the craft of writing a book. One is by reading books about the writing process. I endorse that. However, the best way to learn is by writing.

Learn your craft by practicing it. Some of what you’ll write will be terrible. But we all learn through our mistakes. Proficiency comes faster when you write persistently. Don’t put yourself in the uncomfortable of publishing your work just because you can. Most first efforts should remain as a file on a computer disk or in a chest in the attic.

You may be expressing yourself as you think God intends. But many new writers get confused at this point. They don’t understand that if their books fail to sell, the author must take responsibility for that and not blame God.

Writing Takes Commitment

I’ve been mentoring writers for decades. Most think that writing is an event. They imagine they can sit down and dash off a book in just a few days or weeks.

I am an advocate of fast writing. I like to train the aspiring writers I mentor to write 1,667 words per day, a task that will take about an hour or two when they prepare correctly. At this rate, they can write a 50,000-word book in a month.

It takes commitment to do that. If you want blessing as a writer, you must first recognize that it takes determination and perseverance.

You Will Have to Overcome Self-Doubt

Some writers start writing their book enthusiastically and finish it with that emotion.

However, at some place in the middle, many writers get lost. Self-doubt creeps in. Writers begin to second-guess what they are doing.

It’s not only doubt about the viability of their writing project but also about their own ability to complete the task. They had a few good ideas to start but bogged down as they tried to develop them. They say the devil is in the details. The fact is, the blessings are also there.

When they run out of details, most authors suddenly attract that imaginary malady known as “Writer’s Block.” It infects those who have flights of fancy but don’t do enough preparation to make a detailed map of where they want to travel on their literary journey.

How can a Christian writer overcome this self-doubt? Through faith and by having a plan. Pray when doubt and confusion flood your ill-prepared writing soul. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

You Will Face Rejection

A Christian writer must have a sense of calling from God because there is rejection at every turn.

Family members might not take you seriously.
If you seek an agent or traditional publisher, you may be rebuffed.
If you self-publish, you may get negative reviews on Amazon or elsewhere.
You think your book will miraculously sell without effort, and you will be crestfallen when it doesn’t. You will then offer it for free, and your book will reside in the boneyard of dead books.

How will you handle rejection?

If you did not thoroughly plan your book, have it professionally edited, acquire a high-quality cover, and then did not promote it by all means possible, then you need to own your rejection. Many thousands of Christian writers are disappointed each year over these inadequacies. You have made rookie mistakes, and it is unlikely God will bless it with sudden and massive sales.

Even if you did all the right things, rejection may come. You want to use that rejection as a step up, not a step-down.

Don’t take rejection personally. No one is saying that you are a terrible person. Readers are saying that your writing does not meet their needs or expectations.
See a negative response as a learning experience. What seems like rejection may be an opportunity to improve your writing skills. You can rewrite and improve your work.
Remember that fear of rejection is a motivational and spiritual trap. Trust the Lord and trust your relationship with him. As Proverbs 3:26 says, “The Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.”

Selling Your Book Will Take More Time Than Writing It

Most writers think everyone will be interested in reading their book. That’s seldom true.

Worse, many Christian authors expect a miracle when it comes to sales. They don’t want to put in any effort, yet they expect results.

You must count the cost of book promotion before you start writing. Promoting your book is a never-ending process.

You have a choice. You can either spend a lot of money buying ads, something I don’t recommend, or you can invest your time to get the word out about your book.

But don’t be under the illusion that your book will sell spontaneously. It takes effort to let potential readers know it’s available.

Pursue a Writing Ministry

Have I been too harsh? I hope not. You can write a successful Christian book if God has called you to write. You can know he has called you if you have a specific plan and the commitment to write each day regardless of the obstacles you may face.

Be sure God is in your writing project. Dreaming about being an author is fun, but count the cost before you begin.