November 16, 2012

Because half of my 42 published books have been in the Christian market, I get a good number of questions about writing for this specialized group.

 

In addition to a few excellent books (Christian Writers’ Market Guide  and Sowing Seeds: Writing for the Christian Children’s Market), a variety of websites and blogs offer you information on the writing craft, markets, conferences, finding a critique group, and more.

 

If you want to write for the Christian market, take a moment now and bookmark each of these websites.

Check These Out

American Christian Fiction Writers is the monthly group I attend. They have conferences, critique groups, a Facebook page, and many ways to stay in touch.

 

The Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild will help you grow as a writer. They offer online courses for adults, children, and teens. They have a blog, conferences, articles, and do critiques.

 

Christian Writers is an online group offering discussion forums, critique groups, articles, contests and blogs.

 

You can find some great articles at Christian Writers Downunder (Australia).

 

Write His Answer offers conferences, editing, many resources, and a great Bible study by the same name.

 

American Christian Writers has a fairly plain website, but don’t let it fool you. There is a wealth of information (plus conferences, an excellent bookstore, magazines, critiques, seminar CDs, etc.) for the aspiring Christian writer.

 

Godly Writers: the Beginning Guide for Christian Writers is loaded with articles, information, and encouragement.

 

If sharing your Christian faith in your writing is important to you, you’ll find it helpful to connect with other writers doing the same thing. I hope these websites help you!

 

March 18, 2011

Because of my Boarding School Mysteries and my set of girls’ devotional books, I’m often asked if there are specific books for those who want to write for the Christian market.

Yes–definitely!

I’ll give you my favorite resources below. They include books about the writing life and market guides. I hope you find them helpful!

Help is Here

A practical book on getting your foot in the door of a Christian publisher is The Little Handbook to Perfecting the Art of Christian Writing by Leonard G. Goss & Don M. Aycock.

Sowing Seeds: Writing for the Christian Children’s Market by Kathleen Muldoon is about writing and marketing both short material and books for children.

The best market guide for adult and children’s work is Sally Stuart’s 2011 Christian Writers’ Market Guide.

Books that are inspirational to Christian writers include these (which I own):

Behind the Stories: Christian Novelists Reveal the Heart in the Art of Their Writing by Diane Eble

Write His Answer: A Bible Study for Christian Writers by Marlene Bagnull

For the Write Reason: Experiences with Christian Publishing plus a Bible study for writers by Marybeth Whalen

Writers in the Spirit by Carol J. Rottman, Ph.D.

One I’ve ordered but haven’t read that has great reviews is The Soul Tells a Story: Engaging Creativity with Spirituality in the Writing Life by Vanita Hampton Wright

Study and Learn

If you’re interested in writing for the Christian markets, I’d encourage you to read and study specifically in this area. It has special requirements–and specific challenges to overcome. But it’s also extremely rewarding writing.

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