A note about my faith

Everything I write is based on the fact that I am a believer and Jesus is the center of my life. I’m assuming that this is true for you also. Many things change for us, as authors and publishers, because of these truths. Many of the techniques I read about book marketing involve sin: lying, false witness, and all the rest. My underlying operating principle for writing and publishing comes from the scripture below.

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. [II Corinthians 4:1–2 RSV]

I read a book a while back which suggested that I set up six separate Amazon accounts so I could write my own reviews, which are needed to increase sales for my books. That’s lying, at best (disgraceful and underhanded are words which also come to mind). I can’t do that or any of the myriad pieces of worldly advice you will hear as you look for methods and venues to share your book with your audience.

I will continue to trust God to provide those things necessary like reviews, likes, readers, and so on. We are different and live in a Kingdom with a King of power.

I am a bible teacher and teaching pastor as well as a professional graphic designer, typographer, and art director with 40 years experience. Now that I have my own company I am no longer forbidden to mention the blessings of working under the anointing of the Lord. I was forced to live under that constriction for several decades. The Lord blessed my efforts. But it is a real joy to be able to share how to work in the Kingdom.

Do you have a call?

If you aspire to be a Christian author working for the Kingdom, the first thing you must settle is your vision and the call of the Lord. If you’re not called to this with a vision for your mission—please do something else.

Ask Him. He’ll make your path clear—if you seek Him for guidance. I realize that we all walk by faith and not by sight. However, if you are writing to get rich, famous, or any other worldly lust, repent now.

You cannot do this without His love, guidance, and anointing. Let me rephrase that. You certainly can do it—many do—but the results will not be good, either for you or for your readers. The Lord will not be pleased. So start your efforts with prayer and keep them bathed in prayer throughout your career as a writer.

We are teachers

Authors are teachers; and we are judged more strictly than normal. The Lord told us this specifically through James.

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness. [James 3:1 RSV]

This is a serious thing we are doing. We are attempting to use our God-given writing ability to affect change in our readers. Even if you are writing sheer escapist stories, you are responsible to make sure that you are telling the truth in love as you know it.

Let them escape to a place of healing, regeneration, and spiritual growth.

• Inspire them.
• Comfort them.

This is an excerpt [Chapter 32] from my newest book, Writing In InDesign CC, which will be released to beta readers as soon as Adobe releases the next update to CC.

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