It was so invigorating to receive the comments from my last post in which I asked for input on what y’all see as the major hindrance in the church in the West.
Because of the value of this input, I am considering writing this next book transparently, the whole process beginning to end, right here on SimpleChurch Journal.
The benefit of doing it this way is:
- Your insights will continue to shape and bring depth to the book
- Accountability for me to keep writing
The Decision Not to Pursue Professional Publishing
In order to pursue this direction with you guys, I will have to settle the issue of not pursuing professional publishing. Although I have a publishing house asking about my next book (which is a far cry from having an offer) I am leaning toward publishing myself, again, for the following primary reason:
This allows me to give it away which has been a huge benefit in developing countries. Because my last book (Simple/House Church Revolution) was self-published, it was easily accessed in these poorer countries and translated into several languages without any copyright issues.
The downside? Probably less exposure to Western audiences since it will not have the marketing power of publishers.
This is definitely an experiment beginning to end. Any thoughts?
Oh, the specific topic of the next book? Okay… next post!
Comments
12 responses to “Writing My Next Book With Your Help!”
Roger, I think this is a great idea. I hope you will go ahead and do it.
On the matter of circulating self-published books, could those of us with blogs and websites, Google+ and Facebook and Twitter accounts etc ‘advertise’ them for you, provide download links and so forth? Maybe you have already asked people to do this for you and I missed it?
I’m going to check out your last book. And then I may be in touch to see if and how I can help spread the word.
Thanks for the note, Chris. I have had my book circulated fairly well by others, but always appreciate those who want to help get the word out. The link to share is this one: http://www.simplechurchrevolution.com. Thanks!
Obviously I cannot ‘advise’ anyone regarding publishing..it is entirely their decision. However, may I say that I am increasingly concerned at the marketing techniques used by believers to promote their books. Much of it is ‘this world’s thinking’. I probably will never write a book, but if I did, I would do it as you propose, or alternatively produce it very simply as a ‘dossier’ or a paper, single colour, and unbound and available either FOC or for a donation. Just my thoughts…..
Thought it a real good idea…a bit like the body coming together with various strengths to complete a thought run through your mind and written by you. That could work!
I wish the genuine church would return to the apostle’s doctrine, to prayer, to fellowship, to worship, to holiness unto the Lord. All the things that the apostles taught and the elders practised. Daily repentance before the Lord.
I love the thought of a book being a collective effort–much wisdom and personal experiences to enrich its pages. I had never thought about the self publish vs publishing house. Excellent points and I would like to encourage you to self-publish for the reasons you explained. I think that is just beautiful and so Christ-like. Blessings!
~Rebekah~
“The downside? Probably less exposure to Western audiences since it will not have the marketing power of publishers.”
I still believe that freely we have received from the Holy Spirit, freely we ought to give. Personally, I think there is no downside. There is a wide world of viral marketing out there through social networking that should far outrun professional marketing — specially if the book is free to download or reprint.
Blessings on your next collaborative book! It’s time for a wiki-type book.
Roger, it’s YOUR book, so if a publisher wants to publish and distribute it he has to play by YOUR rules. Maybe you can have as part of the contract that a certain number of books are to be given free of charge to those who need it, i.e. the simple churches in Africa that are already up and running and who could give it in turn to those who are not yet saved/unchurched. Or, you can stipulate that a certain number of books be given to churches for free distribution. Or something like that. It might be worth a try because you ahve nothing to lose. If the publisher says “no”, you can still publish it yourself.
Maybe the ones who will actually do something with the material are the ones who can least afford it, many richer western peoples buy the books look at them then do nothing, many but not all westerners are hungry for the truth but fail to walk in it…somehow they are knowledge junkies ..me included most times however i am trying to change that …bless you in your endeavours
The Holy Spirit will get it to everyone who needs it. Just think of all HE has done with Phil. 4
Roger, I genuinely do appreciate your notion of altruism. And I have been 1 recipient of your prior free books. However, I would like to encourage you to think about options that might exist with professional publishers.
It seems to me that if you self publish, the audiencd will not be as wide. Using a recognized publisher that can presumably get your book into bookstores will allow those who would not ordinarily come in contact with this kind of material to see it, and they might be simply people from the regular church pews. The rest of us may love much of what you write, but those who need it even more might only see it if it’s widely marketed.
And, of course, as someone has said, you have the complete right to do with your own material what you wish, in advance. Plus, deals may be struck that allow you to distribute some free books post-publication.
Thanks, Brian, for the note. It is good to keep options open. It’s easier to go from self-published to published so I will definitely continue to pray and keep your comments in mind. Blessings to you.