Writers attempting to break into Christian Publishing may find themselves at odds with the market if they write "graphic truth." On the other hand, if they mention their faith, they may be ostracized from secular publishing. So what does a writer do? Learn from the experience of one author and speaker, who not only found an avenue to publication, but garnished kudos from both the secular and Christian worlds.

1. WALKING THE (CHRISTIAN) LINE
Presented by:
GINGER MARCINKOWSKI,
AUTHOR & SPEAKER

2. Introduction
How the book came about
Memoir
Fiction
Nonfiction
Where to Pitch?
Secular market
Christian market

3. First Pitches
• The New York Pitch Conference-secular market
• American Christian Fiction Writers-Christian
• Queries, queries, queries

4. WHAT THEY SAID
SECULAR MARKET
Too “Christian”
Well-written
Take out “God”
references
Be more graphic
Try again
No looking for “that”
kind of story
Make it fiction
CHRISTIAN MARKET
o Too graphic
o Well-written
o “Christian” wouldn’t
do that/say that
o Sell as “faction”
o Try again
o Too dark
o No references to
alcohol and lighten up
on abuse

5. What
Happened?
• Recognition from both
sides
• ACFW would not allow it to go farther
than semi-finalist as my publisher was
not an “approved” publisher at the
time
• Kindle Book Awards was unsure what
category to place it in
• Rose to #1 in Amazon downloads
• Sales are still increasing
ACFW Semi-Finalist for 2012
GENESIS AWARD
2013

6. So Now What?

7. DO’S FOR THE
CHRISTIAN MARKET
Know Your Market
Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) has
rules
o Read the genre
o Interact with Christian Bloggers
o Make characters react to “worldy” situations
using a Christian Overview
o Romance must be the clean, “wait until we are
married,” barely a kiss, kind of romance

8. ….More Do’s
Other characters & even the main character may
be revengeful and angry in beginning. They
need not be “born-again,” but they must have an
epiphany that leads to change.
Inspire, teach and entertain the reader
Understand that the Christian main character
always react to adversity in a loving, forgiving
way, and never try to exact revenge, even though
inside they may be battling with it. They may
show anger, but will always give in to the will of
God.

9. DON’T’S
Use foul language
Take the Lord’s name in vain…ever
Speak of sex, alcohol, smoking or anything “bad”
in a graphic way. You can allude to it.
Allow main characters to act in a way contrary to
what other Christians find unacceptable, even
though the character can be flawed. A reader will
not empathize with those who profess their faith
and fail to live it out. They can be tempted, but
should always choose to go the right way despite
the odds of failure.

10. …More Don’ts
Preach at your audience. A writer’s faith shows
through in the actions of their characters
Fear that your subject will be rejected. Most subjects
are welcome in the Christian market, but it is how the
writer handles the subject that counts. Most editors &
agents in this genre follow a “pattern” that speaks to
their readers. The readers of Christian works want to
be able to identify with the way a characters lives.
They want to see hope and a way out of a situation
they are relating to. The reader will most likely be
able to empathize with a character’s weakness, but
they also will want to see that their weaknesses can
be overcome with their hope in Christ.

11. WHAT CHRISTIAN
PUBLISHERS WANT
Good writing
Fast pacing
No gratuitous language, adult situations or
viloence
Main character must always learn something
Writers that keep the reader in mind

12. BEST BREAK-IN AREAS
Romance-
Amish with a twist
Historical Fiction
Contemporary that portrays purity & chastity in a
believable way
Suspense, Mysteries & Thrillers
YA

13. YOUR BEST
RESOURCES
www.acfw.com American Christian Fiction Writers
Association
ACFW Conferences
Local ACFW Chapter
CBA Book fair
Guideposts- http://www.guideposts.org/tell-us-your-story?
nocache=1
Writer’s Weekly-http://
writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/006353_1
0272010.html

14. WALKING THE (CHRISTIAN) LINE
Presented by:
GINGER MARCINKOWSKI,
AUTHOR & SPEAKER