Okay, Here's the Deal...

[KennAllan]

Greetings, future eWriters!

As many of you know, there are exciting plans in the works for Faithwriters members concerning the publication of eBooks. Andrew (my son-in-law and tech guy) and I have been spending every moment we can developing this project. We've already purchased the domain name and secured a three-year contract to host the new bookstore. All the details have not been determined, but believe me, it IS going to happen.

However, I feel the need to address a few issues. This project will require the dedication and enthusiasm of its authors to be a web-wide success. It is not intended to be a showcase for a few, but a benefit for all. For this to happen, each writer who chooses to participate needs to make sure their writing is at its highest level. No, we're not expecting you to be another Dickens, Poe, or Bronte, but we do expect you to do your best.

Too many times I've heard a writer respond to a critique with, "Well, I don't write for to be published anyway - I write for the Lord." Really? Are you honestly saying writings intended for an audience deserve greater attention than those placed into Jesus' hands? If He has laid it upon our heart to write, the least we can do is our best.

That's why Faithwriters is an invaluable resource. This is the place to refine your writing through lessons, critique, and fellowship with other writers. The Weekly Challenge is a great place to hone your skills. Posting samples of your work for critique is also a way to knock off those rough edges BEFORE publication. These are just a couple of benefits for being a Faithwriters member.

Y'see, every eBook posted in the new shop will be a reflection of the others. Self-publication (eBooks in particular) have the reputation of being inferior. Well, it's easier to get a reputation than to lose one so we have to work extra hard to please any potential long-term customers. One book sold is good for a single author, but creating a satisfied customer is good for everyone.

So if you have a manuscript you're considering publishing into an eBook, now is the time to polish it into your best work.

If you already have an eBook in the Faithwriters bookstore, I suggest you find the original .doc manuscript and start checking it over. Certain benefits will be offered to these authors to encourage them to upgrade their books into a more marketable format.

We will not be policing your work for quality or placing it before an admissions board, but the lack of the traditional editorial gateways does not mean self-publishing your ebook should be considered a shortcut. Wonderful things have been happening in the eBook World lately: Just this month Smashwords had four eBooks listed on the NYTimes bestseller list. Another Smashwords Epic Fantasy and Science Fiction author, Joseph Lallo, made $15,600 last quarter at Barnes & Noble, followed by solid international growth at the Apple iBookstore. Yes, it is possible to experience great success by publishing your eBook, but I guarantee it won't happen without some blood, sweat, and tears on your part.

So... are you ready to publish some eBooks? What say ye?

- Kenn Allan

[Accord64]

It sounds like an interesting endeavor. I already have an eBook on the market and another one close to release. I'll be watching your progress as I'm always looking for additional outlets.

We will not be policing your work for quality or placing it before an admissions board, but the lack of the traditional editorial gateways does not mean self-publishing your ebook should be considered a shortcut.

I would suggest that you at least have some sort of filter/analyzer in place to qualify formatting and to screen for unsuitable material. Otherwise you would be at risk of selling poorly formatted eBooks and getting spammed with all sorts of erotica.

[KennAllan]

Hiya, Bruce.

It is not my intention to simply operate an eBookstore; I desire to gather a community of Christian Writers (that is, writers who happen to be Christian) to join in a singular experience. In such a community, the more experienced are willing to share their knowledge and help those who began their journey a little later. This includes offering formatting assistance to those who are stumbling so their books will have the maximum chance of success by qualifying for the Smashwords Premium Catalog.

We will be giving books a "once over" upon submission; after all, we are not interested in anything that strays beyond a PG-13 rating. We will also welcome those genres which are millstones in today's Christian publishing world: Fantasy, SciFi, and yes, even Horror. But it will be stressed that we are all accountable to each other, and as a group we are accountable to Christ.

What I won't do is tell a writer is the content of their book stinks. Hopefully through gentle yet honest critiquing we can lift these writers to a new level.

Another incentive will be our in-house book reviews. Books of notable quality will be singled out for review and one will be designated Book of the Month (or Week). These books will be displayed prominently on our front page, promoting sales.

Yes, it will be in everyone's best interest to do the best they can.

- Kenn

[Laurie]

Thanks, Kenn, for all your work on this. And, yes, everyone should polish their work and have someone else edit it or at least proofread it. We miss our own errors so easily. I know I do. But the errors of others jump right out at me. Somehow that last statement makes me sound like a bad person.

[KennAllan]

Laurie,

No, being able to see the errors in somebody else's work an not our own is perfectly normal. Y'see, we scrutinize and edit our own stuff until we nearly have it memorized. Since we KNOW what comes next, we tend to gloss over errors. However, when we read something we've never seen before, the glitches jump out and bite us.

That's why it's SO important to have somebody else read our work.

- Kenn

[Laurie]

I was kidding. I absolutely agree with what you said. We know what's supposed to come next so that's what our eyes see. And I find myself skipping over words when I've gone over my own writing over and over. I get sick of looking at it.

[seasalt44]

I agree. I really appreciate what is happening here and I do think we can fill a niche. Thanks

[KennAllan]

An additional thought...

I used to have a terrible habit of editing the life out of my work once it became too "familiar." I still have to keep reminding myself that my readers will be experiencing it for the first time. One of the secrets to writing is realizing the true "magic" contained within a particular work is created during the first draft. Don't kill it.

- Kenn

[ThreeDee]

An additional thought...

I used to have a terrible habit of editing the life out of my work once it became too "familiar." I still have to keep reminding myself that my readers will be experiencing it for the first time. One of the secrets to writing is realizing the true "magic" contained within a particular work is created during the first draft. Don't kill it.

- Kenn

This additional thought made me smile. Just sayin'