Comments on: Talking Marketing With Jeff Gerke http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/ America's Mad Professor of Fiction Writing Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:44:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Daan Van der Merwe http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3241 Daan Van der Merwe Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:33:26 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3241 Rachel, Thank you very much. Rachel, Thank you very much.

]]> By: Mary Hawkins http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3249 Mary Hawkins Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:37:41 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3249 This is very timely for me as I've been looking at manuscripts by an unpublished relative of mine who has manuscripts using time travel and another with futuristic, end times. The time travel returns to the days of the crucifixion - not a manuscript I've read yet but if anything like his other unpublished ones I've read will be fascinating. He is a great story-teller but still learning some writing techniques. And yes, he does have your 101 Fiction course, Randy! Many thanks Randy and Jeff. Looking forward very much to your next blog Mary This is very timely for me as I’ve been looking at manuscripts by an unpublished relative of mine who has manuscripts using time travel and another with futuristic, end times. The time travel returns to the days of the crucifixion - not a manuscript I’ve read yet but if anything like his other unpublished ones I’ve read will be fascinating. He is a great story-teller but still learning some writing techniques. And yes, he does have your 101 Fiction course, Randy!

Many thanks Randy and Jeff. Looking forward very much to your next blog
Mary

]]> By: Carrie Neuman http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3251 Carrie Neuman Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:28:57 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3251 I loved the Runelords series by David Farland because it was fantasy with my kind of morality. I thought that was the only way you could do Christian spec-fic - slip it in quietly and don't call it Christian. I'm definitely interested in hearing more about how niche publishing works. Great topic, Randy! I loved the Runelords series by David Farland because it was fantasy with my kind of morality. I thought that was the only way you could do Christian spec-fic - slip it in quietly and don’t call it Christian.

I’m definitely interested in hearing more about how niche publishing works. Great topic, Randy!

]]> By: Mary E. DeMuth http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3252 Mary E. DeMuth Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:23:15 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3252 Hi Jeff! One: But what if I have a book where potpourri and cute little stories about knitting shapshifts into seven headed potpourri monsters who eat folks who knit? Two: There's a typo that made me laugh...Christian speculalative (Note the "LaLa" in the middle. Hi Jeff!

One: But what if I have a book where potpourri and cute little stories about knitting shapshifts into seven headed potpourri monsters who eat folks who knit?

Two: There’s a typo that made me laugh…Christian speculalative (Note the “LaLa” in the middle.

]]> By: Lynn http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3254 Lynn Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:42:35 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3254 I'm very interested in hearing Jeff's marketing plan. I've been watching the development of his publishing company from the sidelines - a silent cheerleader you might say. I’m very interested in hearing Jeff’s marketing plan. I’ve been watching the development of his publishing company from the sidelines - a silent cheerleader you might say.

]]> By: Steve Lewis http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3255 Steve Lewis Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:34:13 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3255 I have one question. Jeff said that fantasy was the single most popular genre in secular fiction. Every other source I've ever read has always put romance as the first, mystery/thrillers second (usually just lumped together), etc. I've always heard that Fantasy and SF make up about 6-7% of the market with Fantasy outselling SF about 6 to 1, and that's even after LOTR and the Star Wars prequels. Not trying to be contrary just wondering because this is different from what I've heard. I have one question. Jeff said that fantasy was the single most popular genre in secular fiction. Every other source I’ve ever read has always put romance as the first, mystery/thrillers second (usually just lumped together), etc.

I’ve always heard that Fantasy and SF make up about 6-7% of the market with Fantasy outselling SF about 6 to 1, and that’s even after LOTR and the Star Wars prequels. Not trying to be contrary just wondering because this is different from what I’ve heard.

]]> By: Robert Treskillard http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3256 Robert Treskillard Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:48:00 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3256 I've also been keeping my eyes on Marcher Lord Press and your efforts, Jeff. When I am finished writing and editing my Christian fantasy novel (hopefully sometime in 2008) I will be considering your press. I'm rooting for you! Question: It would appear to me that Realms (by Strang) *is* trying to publish books similar to what you are trying to do. Is the difference for Marcher Lord Press that you will be able to publish books they would not consider because your economic models are different? Or is there also a difference of opinion regarding content? Great topic, Randy. Your Mad Scientist hat is showing! I’ve also been keeping my eyes on Marcher Lord Press and your efforts, Jeff. When I am finished writing and editing my Christian fantasy novel (hopefully sometime in 2008) I will be considering your press. I’m rooting for you!

Question: It would appear to me that Realms (by Strang) *is* trying to publish books similar to what you are trying to do. Is the difference for Marcher Lord Press that you will be able to publish books they would not consider because your economic models are different? Or is there also a difference of opinion regarding content?

Great topic, Randy. Your Mad Scientist hat is showing!

]]> By: Lynda http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3257 Lynda Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:09:29 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3257 I wonder if Jeff Gerke's efforts might encourage men to read more. While I was church librarian, I noticed men treated fiction by female authors like toxic waste. Most all the female authors dealt with romance to some degree, so I guess it is a conditioned response. So, what's a female author to do? Hide behind a penn name, write like Clancy, and sell to 20% (male) of the readers, or stuff in romance whether they want to or not and reach 80% (female) of the readers? I can't thank Randy enough for his discussion on "dewussing" the male characters. I tried various scenarios on hubby and got some real eyeopeners. Made for some interesting conversation around the dinner table too. :-) I wonder if Jeff Gerke’s efforts might encourage men to read more. While I was church librarian, I noticed men treated fiction by female authors like toxic waste. Most all the female authors dealt with romance to some degree, so I guess it is a conditioned response.

So, what’s a female author to do? Hide behind a penn name, write like Clancy, and sell to 20% (male) of the readers, or stuff in romance whether they want to or not and reach 80% (female) of the readers?

I can’t thank Randy enough for his discussion on “dewussing” the male characters. I tried various scenarios on hubby and got some real eyeopeners. Made for some interesting conversation around the dinner table too. :-)

]]> By: Lois Hudson http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3258 Lois Hudson Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:34:21 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3258 Looking forward with great interest to Jeff Gerke's revelations, grateful for his imaginative daring, and Randy's lifeline connection. What about a mildly weird, "near-future" (in the realm of "what if" possibility), medical but not space related premise? Is there room for that type in your speculation? Mary, I love your monsters! (But wouldn't they be shapeshifters instead of shapshifters? Forgive me, but I couldn't let that pass after the lala!) Looking forward with great interest to Jeff Gerke’s revelations, grateful for his imaginative daring, and
Randy’s lifeline connection.

What about a mildly weird, “near-future” (in the realm of “what if” possibility), medical but not space related premise? Is there room for that type in your speculation?

Mary, I love your monsters! (But wouldn’t they be shapeshifters instead of shapshifters? Forgive me, but I couldn’t let that pass after the lala!)

]]> By: ML Eqatin http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3259 ML Eqatin Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:47:06 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3259 I'm with Jeff. The publishing industry is like the railroads fifty years ago. They are stuck in an outdated system that seems to lose them money no matter what. Being a 'seat of the pants marketer' I have researched them and come to the same conclusion. The market is going to custom niches, because thanks to the internet, we can reach them. 2000 copies is a success for a niche. But a publishing house doesn't want a book aimed at a niche, because 2000 copies will 'lose money'. (Not because of real costs, but because of the money-wasting 'system' still in place from the offset-press, brick-and-mortar-only decades.) Since the amount paid your typical author doesn't amount to a hill of beans, why not forget the fantasies of $$$ and go straight for those 2000 readers? If you are good enough, you'll get them. Marketing straight to the market is a lot easier than marketing to the agents to market to the editors to market to the publishers to market to the bookstores, who will stuff your novel on the bottom shelf because they make their money on the 10% bestsellers and the publisher must eat the cost even if they never bother unpacking it from the box in the warehouse. Who'd invest their sweat in a system where 60-80% of the product is destroyed before the buyer has a chance to consider it? Hooray for internet marketing, print-on-demand, e-books, on-site printing machines, and everything else that reduces unnecessary waste. Power to the consumer. OK, I'm done now. I’m with Jeff. The publishing industry is like the railroads fifty years ago. They are stuck in an outdated system that seems to lose them money no matter what. Being a ’seat of the pants marketer’ I have researched them and come to the same conclusion. The market is going to custom niches, because thanks to the internet, we can reach them. 2000 copies is a success for a niche. But a publishing house doesn’t want a book aimed at a niche, because 2000 copies will ‘lose money’. (Not because of real costs, but because of the money-wasting ’system’ still in place from the offset-press, brick-and-mortar-only decades.)

Since the amount paid your typical author doesn’t amount to a hill of beans, why not forget the fantasies of $$$ and go straight for those 2000 readers? If you are good enough, you’ll get them. Marketing straight to the market is a lot easier than marketing to the agents to market to the editors to market to the publishers to market to the bookstores, who will stuff your novel on the bottom shelf because they make their money on the 10% bestsellers and the publisher must eat the cost even if they never bother unpacking it from the box in the warehouse.

Who’d invest their sweat in a system where 60-80% of the product is destroyed before the buyer has a chance to consider it? Hooray for internet marketing, print-on-demand, e-books, on-site printing machines, and everything else that reduces unnecessary waste. Power to the consumer. OK, I’m done now.

]]> By: Jeff Gerke http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3260 Jeff Gerke Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:50:02 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3260 Thanks for the comments, folks. Mary D., you got me! Guess I was in lala land... Steve, I probably should have said that fantasy is the hottest or fastest growing genre in secular fiction. You're probably right that romance remains #1 overall. And perhaps that "hottest" tag is no longer appropriate, either, as the craze may be dying down a bit. But my point is that fantasy remains a very strong genre in secular publishing but Christian publishers can't seem to make a go of it. I, too, have heard that fantasy outsells SF by a ton. Robert, Realms was my first attempt to really make Christian speculative fiction fly. We had a great launch with four books: a fantasy, a SF, a time travel, and a heavenly thriller (don't know how else to categorize "The Fall of Lucifer"). I left Realms shortly after that and the imprint foundered for 18 months as they tried to determine where they wanted to take it. They've finally decided to concentrate on spiritual warfare pretty much primarily. That's one of the differences between Realms and Marcher Lord Press, which might include spiritual warfare novels but won't focus on them exclusively. Lynda, some female authors do hide their gender behind pen names or initials. I've seen this mainly with women whose fiction would appeal to men as well as women. It's a good strategy. However, there just aren't that many men left reading CBA fiction in the first place, so such semantics may not have as big an impact as they might've. But for an online readership, where there are many more men than in Christian bookstores, it may be the perfect answer. (I've also seen at least one male novelist use a female pen name to try to gain the primarily female readership in CBA.) Lois, near-future stories might qualify as speculative. It depends on the subject matter. I wrote a near-future (or rather an indeterminately modern-future hybrid) series that would not qualify as speculative (my Operation: Firebrand novels, see www.JeffersonScott.com) and another near-future series of technothrillers that definitely would be counted as speculative (my Ethan Hamilton trilogy). Power to the shapeshifters. Jeff Gerke Publisher, Marcher Lord Press a.k.a. Jefferson Scott Thanks for the comments, folks.

Mary D., you got me! Guess I was in lala land…

Steve, I probably should have said that fantasy is the hottest or fastest growing genre in secular fiction. You’re probably right that romance remains #1 overall. And perhaps that “hottest” tag is no longer appropriate, either, as the craze may be dying down a bit. But my point is that fantasy remains a very strong genre in secular publishing but Christian publishers can’t seem to make a go of it. I, too, have heard that fantasy outsells SF by a ton.

Robert, Realms was my first attempt to really make Christian speculative fiction fly. We had a great launch with four books: a fantasy, a SF, a time travel, and a heavenly thriller (don’t know how else to categorize “The Fall of Lucifer”). I left Realms shortly after that and the imprint foundered for 18 months as they tried to determine where they wanted to take it. They’ve finally decided to concentrate on spiritual warfare pretty much primarily. That’s one of the differences between Realms and Marcher Lord Press, which might include spiritual warfare novels but won’t focus on them exclusively.

Lynda, some female authors do hide their gender behind pen names or initials. I’ve seen this mainly with women whose fiction would appeal to men as well as women. It’s a good strategy. However, there just aren’t that many men left reading CBA fiction in the first place, so such semantics may not have as big an impact as they might’ve. But for an online readership, where there are many more men than in Christian bookstores, it may be the perfect answer. (I’ve also seen at least one male novelist use a female pen name to try to gain the primarily female readership in CBA.)

Lois, near-future stories might qualify as speculative. It depends on the subject matter. I wrote a near-future (or rather an indeterminately modern-future hybrid) series that would not qualify as speculative (my Operation: Firebrand novels, see www.JeffersonScott.com) and another near-future series of technothrillers that definitely would be counted as speculative (my Ethan Hamilton trilogy).

Power to the shapeshifters.

Jeff Gerke
Publisher, Marcher Lord Press
a.k.a. Jefferson Scott

]]> By: Camille http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3261 Camille Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:18:13 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3261 Jeepers, ML. Do you mean to blow up the blessed system I've just learned to accept? Forget the agonizing process of selling a novel to a major publisher and all the blood, sweat and blogging to market it, all the platforming, and all the schmoozing in the commercial publishing world for roughly $1 per copy? So maybe my 22 year old knows something I don't, after all. Since he and I are dueling novelists, I share with him what I'm learning about the publishing world, like all normal moms do, and he just pounds away at his laptop on his Specu-lala-tive Fic novel, shaking his head and giving me his typical polite nod and faint smile. Jeepers, ML. Do you mean to blow up the blessed system I’ve just learned to accept? Forget the agonizing process of selling a novel to a major publisher and all the blood, sweat and blogging to market it, all the platforming, and all the schmoozing in the commercial publishing world for roughly $1 per copy?

So maybe my 22 year old knows something I don’t, after all. Since he and I are dueling novelists, I share with him what I’m learning about the publishing world, like all normal moms do, and he just pounds away at his laptop on his Specu-lala-tive Fic novel, shaking his head and giving me his typical polite nod and faint smile.

]]> By: Don http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3262 Don Thu, 29 Nov 2007 17:21:51 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3262 I confess: I'm a CWWH. I confess: I’m a CWWH.

]]> By: Heather Goodman http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3263 Heather Goodman Thu, 29 Nov 2007 17:53:01 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3263 I don't understand how 80% sell less than 100 books--do these authors not have family and friends? I don’t understand how 80% sell less than 100 books–do these authors not have family and friends?

]]> By: D.E. Hale http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3264 D.E. Hale Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:06:55 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3264 Randy, that's terrible leaving us hanging like that. HA! Well, this is very exciting to me! This is exactly where my novels would fit, when they're all edited and polished. (Of course, that could take another two years...lol). Randy, that’s terrible leaving us hanging like that. HA!

Well, this is very exciting to me! This is exactly where my novels would fit, when they’re all edited and polished. (Of course, that could take another two years…lol).

]]> By: Pam Halter http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3265 Pam Halter Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:24:55 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3265 I get Jeff's newsletter and am very excited about Marcher Lord Press! I'm also a Christian who watches Heroes, is a trekkie, and reads Terry Brooks and Mercedes Lackey, etc. Give me elves, druids and dragons any time! Some sci-fi has grabbed me, like Randy's Oxygen and Tess Gerritsen's Gravity. James Byron Huggins wrote a wonderful novel called Leviathian, where scientists recreate the leviathian of the Bible, keep it drugged and in an underground cave in Greenland and it, of course, gets out, bent of destroying the world. A 7 foot tall viking named,(what else?) Thor. Thor is a Christian. He also goes hand to hand combat with the dragon. It's one of the best thrillers I've read and would make a great movie! I'm writing fantasy, but mine is for upper middle grade kids, so I don't have the word count needed to pitch it to Marcher Lord ... unless I add about 15,000 words. ;) If things go well, will you consider publishing fantasy/sci-fi for kids, Jeff? I get Jeff’s newsletter and am very excited about Marcher Lord Press! I’m also a Christian who watches Heroes, is a trekkie, and reads Terry Brooks and Mercedes Lackey, etc. Give me elves, druids and dragons any time! Some sci-fi has grabbed me, like Randy’s Oxygen and Tess Gerritsen’s Gravity.

James Byron Huggins wrote a wonderful novel called Leviathian, where scientists recreate the leviathian of the Bible, keep it drugged and in an underground cave in Greenland and it, of course, gets out, bent of destroying the world. A 7 foot tall viking named,(what else?) Thor. Thor is a Christian. He also goes hand to hand combat with the dragon. It’s one of the best thrillers I’ve read and would make a great movie!

I’m writing fantasy, but mine is for upper middle grade kids, so I don’t have the word count needed to pitch it to Marcher Lord … unless I add about 15,000 words. ;)

If things go well, will you consider publishing fantasy/sci-fi for kids, Jeff?

]]> By: ML Eqatin http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3267 ML Eqatin Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:40:03 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3267 Camille, I would never suggest leaving off the blood sweat and blogging for your book. But personally, I have dropped the smoozing with publishers to free up time, money, and brainspace for more blood, sweat and creative marketing. On your own, you only have to sell ten percent as many books for the same amount of $$. The caveat is that if you don't do your homework first, you can throw a lot of $$ down the drain, which is the big warning for those who take alternate routes without developing the skill level first. I guess focusing on the old publishing system will at least save you from those. Problem is: now you already have to have marketing skills, and an internet presence, and a following, and a speaking platform, as well as being a good writer, before the publishers will take you. Well, if you already have developed all that, it isn't that expensive to get a physical book printed anymore, so who needs them? I know, bookstores. But bookstores lose money for themselves, lose money for the publishers, and are being driven out of business by Amazon et al. If you want an eye-opener on the retail side of the business, get to know the manager of your local B&N. Camille,
I would never suggest leaving off the blood sweat and blogging for your book. But personally, I have dropped the smoozing with publishers to free up time, money, and brainspace for more blood, sweat and creative marketing. On your own, you only have to sell ten percent as many books for the same amount of $$. The caveat is that if you don’t do your homework first, you can throw a lot of $$ down the drain, which is the big warning for those who take alternate routes without developing the skill level first. I guess focusing on the old publishing system will at least save you from those.
Problem is: now you already have to have marketing skills, and an internet presence, and a following, and a speaking platform, as well as being a good writer, before the publishers will take you. Well, if you already have developed all that, it isn’t that expensive to get a physical book printed anymore, so who needs them?
I know, bookstores. But bookstores lose money for themselves, lose money for the publishers, and are being driven out of business by Amazon et al. If you want an eye-opener on the retail side of the business, get to know the manager of your local B&N.

]]> By: Andie Mock http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3268 Andie Mock Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:34:41 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3268 Can't get to know the manager of local Berkeley B&N. It recently went out of business along with Cody's on Telegraph. Black Oak Books is teetering too. Sad. Can’t get to know the manager of local Berkeley B&N. It recently went out of business along with Cody’s on Telegraph. Black Oak Books is teetering too. Sad.

]]> By: Paul D http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3269 Paul D Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:05:04 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3269 WOW! This sounds awesome! I'm a Christian who loves to watch Heroes, LoTR, Star Trek, etc. and am writing what I've been calling a technothriller. I'll be watching MLP very closely!! WOW! This sounds awesome! I’m a Christian who loves to watch Heroes, LoTR, Star Trek, etc. and am writing what I’ve been calling a technothriller. I’ll be watching MLP very closely!!

]]> By: bonne friesen http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3270 bonne friesen Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:06:11 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3270 So, Jeff, how Christian does a Christian speculative fiction piece need to be? Is it enough that the author is a Christian? Tolkien and Lewis never wrote the name Jesus, but had the Christian worldview that was evidence of their faith. My WIP has a few hints and allusions to God, but nothing blatant. If it turned into a series I would explore that further, but it doesn't work for Book One. Thanks so much for participating with us here! Rock on! So, Jeff, how Christian does a Christian speculative fiction piece need to be?

Is it enough that the author is a Christian? Tolkien and Lewis never wrote the name Jesus, but had the Christian worldview that was evidence of their faith.

My WIP has a few hints and allusions to God, but nothing blatant. If it turned into a series I would explore that further, but it doesn’t work for Book One.

Thanks so much for participating with us here! Rock on!

]]> By: Mary Burch http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3271 Mary Burch Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:27:13 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3271 I'm like Pam, I am a scifi fantasy nut, and write for children and young adults. This means my story is gentler, and shorter(41,00 words). My fantasy has fairies and elves, pixies and a gabby leprechaun whose best friend is a three-headed dragon. I also drew characters and plot points from Native American legends. Currently I am working on the first book of a scifi trilogy dealing with genetic enginering on another planet, so I may have something to interest you in a few months. Mary Leona I’m like Pam, I am a scifi fantasy nut, and write for children and young adults. This means my story is gentler, and shorter(41,00 words).

My fantasy has fairies and elves, pixies and a gabby leprechaun whose best friend is a three-headed dragon. I also drew characters and plot points from Native American legends.

Currently I am working on the first book of a scifi trilogy dealing with genetic enginering on another planet, so I may have something to interest you in a few months.

Mary Leona

]]> By: Sheila Deeth http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3272 Sheila Deeth Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:17:32 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3272 Wow! Can't wait to read on... Is there a market for the Christian speculative short story (5 - 10,000 words) as well? Wow! Can’t wait to read on…
Is there a market for the Christian speculative short story (5 - 10,000 words) as well?

]]> By: Steve Lewis http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3273 Steve Lewis Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:28:58 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3273 Okay...do we have the total? Hmm...this is pretty good. So it's official? Okay Jeff for personally answering everyone's questions and being all kinds of helpful, the judges have awarded you a 9.5 on the coolness scale(that guy from Connecticut is a real stickler, sorry). As a follow up question, do you feel that some Christians might be reluctant to buy/read Christian fantasy because of preconceived notions. I know that I've heard more than one person condemn Harry Potter and also lump the idea of Christian Fantasy in the same category. Just wondering because I really have no clue. If this takes us away from the material you and Randy want to cover, feel free to disregard. Thanks, Steve Okay…do we have the total? Hmm…this is pretty good. So it’s official? Okay Jeff for personally answering everyone’s questions and being all kinds of helpful, the judges have awarded you a 9.5 on the coolness scale(that guy from Connecticut is a real stickler, sorry).

As a follow up question, do you feel that some Christians might be reluctant to buy/read Christian fantasy because of preconceived notions. I know that I’ve heard more than one person condemn Harry Potter and also lump the idea of Christian Fantasy in the same category. Just wondering because I really have no clue. If this takes us away from the material you and Randy want to cover, feel free to disregard.

Thanks,

Steve

]]> By: Pam Halter http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3279 Pam Halter Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:27:23 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3279 Wow, Mary, your fantasy sounds fun! I've written lots of things, but fantasy is my favorite. Jeff is a pioneer and I can't wait to see where God takes him . . . and us! Wow, Mary, your fantasy sounds fun! I’ve written lots of things, but fantasy is my favorite.

Jeff is a pioneer and I can’t wait to see where God takes him . . . and us!

]]> By: Pamela Cosel http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3283 Pamela Cosel Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:11:43 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3283 If I may also promote another e-book, former editor and now literary agent Terry Whalin also has an excellent book on how to write a non-fiction book proposal. He comes with many credentials (as you probably know, Randy) and years in the publishing industry, having worked for big-name Christian publishers. If I may also promote another e-book, former editor and now literary agent Terry Whalin also has an excellent book on how to write a non-fiction book proposal. He comes with many credentials (as you probably know, Randy) and years in the publishing industry, having worked for big-name Christian publishers.

]]> By: Bruce Umpstead http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3285 Bruce Umpstead Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:15:05 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-3285 Randy, I've been following your e-zine and blog for a while. Thanks for filling readers in on what Jeff Gerke is doing. A couple years back, Jeff provided helpful feedback when my first unpublished novel was still in verse (yes, verse) form. So much for the modern epic poem ... Bruce Randy,

I’ve been following your e-zine and blog for a while. Thanks for filling readers in on what Jeff Gerke is doing. A couple years back, Jeff provided helpful feedback when my first unpublished novel was still in verse (yes, verse) form.

So much for the modern epic poem …

Bruce

]]> By: Sue Dent http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-4571 Sue Dent Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:58:52 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/#comment-4571 I just wanted to say hey Jeff! *waves from dark cave where she hides most of the time with her vampire and werewolf friends* Glad you're doing what you're doing!!! I just wanted to say hey Jeff! *waves from dark cave where she hides most of the time with her vampire and werewolf friends* Glad you’re doing what you’re doing!!!

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