|
Post by sdent1 on Jun 20, 2008 9:11:59 GMT -5
I joined this list as I join many. I made comments, when appropriate about the Christian publishing industry. I submitted to their challenge and made friends. Out of the blue I was attacked by a member who on-list blasted me for a post I'd made. They spun my post horribly and essentially had be unjoining as it isn't my intention to offend anyone even if it's only a perception in their mind. I was encouraged to rejoin and continue posting as usual. I read all the encouraging e-mails to Cyn. So I continued posting as usual and was then attcked off-list. My post had to do with the Christian publishing industry. The attack had to do with my explaining CBA's position. I was put on moderated status and as of yet, no post I've made in my defense as been made. John Brunson pointed out on list that he's actually said horrible things about the Christian publishing industry and was never put on moderated status. It is a very scary situation. I've since left the list. Well, I do have a book to get out after all.
|
|
|
Post by debkinnard on Jun 20, 2008 20:17:53 GMT -5
Well that stinks. Why shouldn't any writer discuss CBA's position on anything we want?
However, as you point out, you have a book to do. Sometimes these peripheral issues skarph up way too much emotional & mental energy.
|
|
|
Post by Sue Dent on Jun 21, 2008 11:22:28 GMT -5
The sad thing is, that absolutely no one can speak accurately about the Christian publishing industry. The second you do and mention general Christian market and CBA market, Catholic market--all the different markets, you get called on CBA bashing, spamming, being accused of hating CBA--you name it. No other market minds others sharing who their market is and every other market makes it clear who they serve.
Readers are confused which is what prompts the kind of attack I had. It has nothing to do with what I posted, how I posted or why I posted. Readers are confused and that's scary and frightening in my mind. CBA should rush to clear the confusion up but as of yet, all they do is confuse with affiliated publishers like Thomas Nelson saying we no longer serve the Christian market etc . . . but remaining the top CBA seller.
A change is long past due. In the meantime, God help anyone who tries to say CBA doesn't serve the general Christian market and that every other publisher isn't secular.
|
|
|
Post by Frank Creed on Jun 21, 2008 12:11:50 GMT -5
I finished a four page essay last night that explains what new writers face when signing with a non-CBA house. I wonder if folks better understood the publishing industry, the reactions we're receiving might not be better. The CBA won't help, cause they want peeps to think they're the only place for Christian books. Pray for them. If that don't work, get a tazer and Nashville white pages, and work out some frustrations. Dent that was a joke! Get out of the mini-van! Faith, f
|
|
|
Post by Sue Dent on Jun 21, 2008 12:23:04 GMT -5
Drats!!!!
|
|
|
Post by debkinnard on Jun 22, 2008 10:11:22 GMT -5
Frank, a link to the essay, please??
|
|
|
Post by M. C. Pearson on Jul 8, 2008 1:26:19 GMT -5
Hi guys! Sorry I haven't been around much. So busy with the new Wild Card stuff! Wow. Really sorry about all the junk you had to go through, Sue!
|
|
|
Post by Frank Creed on Jul 8, 2008 5:03:11 GMT -5
Deb,
It isn't "up" yet. It will likely sit in limbo for a week or so until my next newsletter comes out.
Faith, f
|
|
cyn
Full Member
Posts: 148
|
Post by cyn on Jul 16, 2008 4:40:15 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by debkinnard on Jul 16, 2008 7:53:10 GMT -5
Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by debkinnard on Jul 16, 2008 8:44:37 GMT -5
Whoa! Frank, how do you REALLY feel about this CBA/spec-fic topic? LOL
And was that me you quoted regarding a certain large Christian Fiction organization's book-of-the-year contest??
|
|
|
Post by Caprice on Jul 17, 2008 5:57:47 GMT -5
I thought it was a very thorough article, and nicely done so that even people who are not so familiar with the industry could understand it. Great job.
|
|
|
Post by debkinnard on Jul 19, 2008 12:27:28 GMT -5
In an update about the whole ACFW discussion, I'm pleased to announce I got a very nice e-mail from the leadership team.
Under discussion was the recent Book-of-the-Year results. All CBA/ECPA titles. Some authors named for more than one book in their category. I shot off a quick e-mail to the leadership, suggesting that maybe BOTY should begin a separate category for small press/non-CBA Christian fiction titles.
I got a friendly reply -- apparently my suggestion served as confirmation to an idea one of the leadership had been entertaining about broadening their definitions. Apparently the exclusivity they'd embraced had been giving the leadership team some second thoughts.
So I have hope for the future. Not that I WANT a separate, sequestered little category for "books that aren't good enough for big houses". Perish the thought. I'd rather they compete on a level playing field, since I know for a fact that many titles are good enough to give the traditionals a run for their money.
It seems to me, though, that a separate category is better than being altogether ignored.
Thoughts?
|
|
|
Post by Caprice on Jul 19, 2008 20:55:31 GMT -5
I'd rather they compete on a level playing field, since I know for a fact that many titles are good enough to give the traditionals a run for their money. This may be why they're afraid to do it. Not because they have to give us our own category so we have a "chance" (like girls had to have their own sports teams) but so that we don't start upstaging THEM. Heaven forbid that the readers might just start looking outside the CBA to buy a book or two. They could even get hooked that way! Oh my gosh, then we'd have Christians spending money at Barnes and Noble rather than their local Christian Knickknack...I mean Bookstore. Gasp! Jury's out on that one. I can see how it could be manipulated to make the small and indie presses look bad, but let's hope they wouldn't go that far. A lot depends on their true motives and I won't venture to guess what those might be. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now.
|
|
|
Post by Frank Creed on Jul 20, 2008 22:36:10 GMT -5
Yes Deb, that was your story.
I'm not sure whether it would be better to insist on competing with those playing king-of-the-hill to protect their pedestal, or take what can be gotten now and work for a level playing field.
If the CBA's approval stamp indicates such superior literature, they'd not be concerned about nobodies like us. I'm curious how a whole separate category is justified without looking prideful.
Faith, f
|
|