Making money is NOT an evil thing. Unless you’re a Christian writer, agent, or 
publisher. Then, suddenly, the tables turn and you’re supposed to do it simply for “the love of the game.”
I’ve never quite understood that.
I spoke at a church this Sunday. Two services. My topic was “Loving God With Your Mind.” As the day approached, I debated whether I should use that event as an opportunity to set up a book table and sell my first novel. One part of me — the rational, business, professional part of me — saw it as a no-brainer. It didn’t matter how awkward it appeared, or if I even sold any books. The point was to start acting like a real writer and get my face out there.
Well, the other part of me — the artsy, idealistic, Bohemian part — argued against setting up a table. You’re NOT in this for the money, I told myself. After all, this was a church. And you know what Jesus did to the moneychangers in the temple. Besides, if I really felt called to write I should be writing for the love of it, not constantly looking for promo-ops.
The money-changer in me won out.
I’ve heard this charge leveled more than once: The Christian book and music industry is “all about money. ” Exhibit A: The Left Behind series. Did the publishers of The Left Behind series intentionally stretch the series out (to 12 books!) simply to capitalize on the series’ success, as some have suggested? If so, was that blatantly un-christian or a smart business practice?
I’m not sure the answer is as clear-cut as we’d like it to be.
Whenever this issue of Christian publishing and the role of the Christian artist comes up, the subject of “profit-making” is not far behind. Have the “moneychangers” really stepped in? Is the bottom-line for Christian publishing really “all about marketing and money”? Is the real reason so many authors are left high and dry simply because of greedy publishers who are looking for the most marketable product, er, person?
When I signed a two-book contract with Charisma House, my agent negotiated with the publisher for the best possible deal. Was this wrong? Should I have simply accepted what the publisher offered? On top of this, my agent wants a cut. In fact, I hired her with the agreement that she could have a cut! So who’s the “money-grubber” in this scenario? The publisher, who thinks (hopes?) my books can sell? Me, for negotiating the best possible deal? Or my agent, for requiring a percentage of my profit?
Or maybe the “Christian” thing to do is to do it all for free.
Jesus told the parable of the talents (Matt. 25: 14-30) about using our resources wisely, which in that case meant multiplication. Applying this to us writers, simply: God wants you to multiply your writing talent. Build upon it. Grow it. Leverage it. But for what purpose? Fame? Nah. Fortune? Okay, forget fortune. For a few bucks? Why not? Christ rebuked the unfaithful steward for not making a return on his talent.
Question: Are you getting a “return” on your writing talent?
Of course that return need not be strictly monetary. Perhaps you’re inspiring others, growing personally, etc. That’s terrific. But does it need to stop there? Making money, as a writer or publisher, seems intrinsic to being a good steward. Sure, we can become greedy and materialistic. Yes, publishers can abandon Christian principles to the Almighty Dollar. Nevertheless, growing your writing talent means cashing in on it, literally and figuratively.
This is not evil. This is biblical.
The truth is, the average writer makes very little, if any, money off her craft. That’s just the way it is. The business is competitive. But this is not justification for resorting to some “moral high ground.” Like you’re the principled writer who didn’t sell-out for fame and fortune.
Well, excuse me.
It makes me wonder if the writers who talk most about writing “for the love of writing,” not for money, subconsciously believe they never will make money. On the surface they appear principled, but in reality their self-righteousness allows them to curse us sellouts while doing little to really multiply their talent.
Might as well write your novel and bury it.
So go ahead, call me a shill, a sellout. Either way, I AM writing for love.. and money.
This is a tricky subject–one I’ve wondered about for a long time. Principled writers will create works that reflect their values–and we all know the market needs more of that. But I think they have to be careful about saying that their book will get readers nearer to God, for just $14.99. My opinion (and I know I’m opening myself up for criticism here) is, get out in the marketplace and sell, sell, sell. Just don’t do it on the temple steps.
Did you make any sales?
At the church? None. I think they were allergic to fiction. On the positive side, the services went great!
If you’re writing “for the love of it” and “don’t want to make money”, then you might as well write fanfiction and have a boatload of fun. You won’t make money, but you might make some friends. 🙂
Awesome response
In the business world we would shake our head in disgust if someone missed an opportunity to sell books at an event. It is time the church realized that the gift of “voluntary poverty” is not given to everyone. With this gift comes a distinct humility to accept money from others without shame. I don’t have this gift. However, in some Christian circles every Christian is expected to have it as proof they are pleasing to God. It is a gift and not a fruit.
If the world is not willing to pay for good Christian content then they deserve what they get. After all, we don’t ask others to go to work each week for no pay. Why does being a Christian author come with the expectation (from other Christians) that if we make money at our craft we have sold out?
Good point.
Jan, when I first became a Christian, free Christian concerts were the thing. One large local church used to advertise these concerts by saying, “Like eternal life, it’s free.” But you can only go so far with that philosophy. I mean, the advertisements alone cost somebody something. Not much impetus to become a Christian musician if you’re unsure you’ll ever be able to feed your kids doing it.
I just really think selling anything in the church is not a great idea. Books. CDs. Coffee. It always troubles me.
Agreed on the CD, books, etc… at church. However …. I have equal if not more problems with writers wanting everyone else’s work for free. “A man is worthy of his hire” should apply here as well.
Oh I agree. I guess you haven’t known me long enough to have seen my extended rants on people in the church expecting to “get a break” for legal advice, medical advice, graphic design work, bands to play at weddings, catering for parties…pretty much anything. There’s an insidious spirit in some who think “going to church” is “getting a living coupon book.”
My objection is to commerce within the church walls themselves. In our fellowships we’ve had sales days in gyms at local Christian schools and that sort of thing. It’s not that we think you shouldn’t make money. We just think that the place for making money is not the place where we worship God.
I’m with you all the way, Mike. It’s silly to think a Christian minister should preach for free, a counselor counsel for free, and what about the Christian CPA? Do they do your taxes for free? It’s such a bogus argument, it almost isn’t worth the breath. :o)
Related to this, there is the teeny tiny issue of how ‘church’ is funded – through our tithes and offerings as faithful members. If we don’t earn, we don’t eat (or pay our bills). If we don’t earn, we can’t donate and our pastor can’t eat (or pay his/her bills). It’s not money that is the root of all evil – it’s the love of money.
There is also the teeny tiny issue of how many of the Christian publishers are actually subsidiaries of major secular publishers. Christian books are published based on the same business model as ‘regular’ books. If they don’t make money, they won’t get published. If the publishers are earning the money, it is only right that the author gets their share.
My wife speaks to Christian women’s groups. Almost every time she speaks, the organizers ask her “Do you have anything to sell?” and are disappointed when she doesn’t. Go figure.
Mike, I think the folks that say they just write for the love of it aren’t just those who don’t think they’ll ever make any money at it – they are also those who have achieved great fame and fortune. I hope I get to be in that second group one day! 🙂
Funny thing about money is how well it pays for gas and food and stuff.
This is indirectly related to your post, but selling short fiction has become a much harder…sale. Task. Endeavor. So many less paying publications out there, because so many of them have gone under, and too many “royalty” paying anthologies that won’t sell any copies except to contributors who don’t want ebook contributor copies.
What you have left – with the exception of a few high paying venues, which are routinely clogged by bigger (and let’s be honest, better) writers vying for those spots, are places like Shroud and Lovecraftian who offer flat rate payments of about $25, $30 a story, or places like The Midnight Diner that chooses “Editor Choices” to pay.
In fact, last time I was at NECON, they had a panel entitled: “Why Write Short Stories?”, featuring industry professionals who were having a hard time find places to sell their wares….
If you’d come to speak at my church, I would have wanted the opportunity to buy your book. I don’t think it needs to be anything flashy…like, not the first thing people see when they walk through the door. But something set up off to the side, and a mention before or after the sermon (by someone else, not you) that books are available.
I guess the point is, it could easily become very tacky if not handled correctly. But a modest spread and a modest mention could go a long way.
To add to that, women buy Beth Moore bible studies for $15 dollars a pop at our church all the time. What’s the difference? I’m pretty sure Beth Moore is making money on it.