Why So Many Preorders?

I would prefer to not have more than two preorders available at any one time on Amazon. I've always been afraid if I offered my readers too many at once, they might be overwhelmed. But recently, I've had to offer more for different reasons, and it doesn't look as if this is going to change. In fact, the number is apt to increase. 

The narrators who produce my Audible books like to have the Audible version available at the same time the Kindle and print versions of a book are published. I understand and can even agree. To do this, I need to list the preorder at least two months before the release date. ACX has recently approved the Audible version of A Few Bumps in the Road which means it went live. The other formats will release on June 3. Douglas Birk and Jennifer Groberg are working on the Audible for Got Your Goat. The Kindle and print versions of it will publish on July 14.  I had planned to wait to post the last book in this series, Taking Stock, for preorder until after A Few Bumps in the Road publishes. However, I got word this week that two of my books in a MAP (multiple-author project) must be listed for preorder on June 1. Since I wanted all five books in my Idioms & Cliches series to be offered in order, I decided to go ahead and post Taking Stock.

MAPS are another reason I find myself posting several preorders at one time. The project administrator tells the authors when to put their books up for preorders. After publishing my five books in the Idioms & Cliches series, I'll be releasing five more books in different MAP series this year. Then I'll be publishing four standalones and eight to ten MAPS next year. Since 2023 is going to have such a full schedule, I can foresee having even more preorders listed at the same time. I'm hoping readers and fans will appreciate the opportunity. I think they will because they're always asking when my next book will be out and saying they're ready for it.

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Coming to the Father

After this manner therefore pray ye (Matthew 6:9a).

Much of the Bible is rich in meaning and can be studied on many different levels. It stays as relevant for the mature Christian as it is for the new one. Take, for instance, the Lord's Model Prayer. We could study it over time and continue to discover deep truths in it.

Our Father which art in Heaven; Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done... (Matthew 6:9b - 10a).

We must come to God with humility and an attitude of honor, praise, and worship so that His name is indeed hallowed or treated as holy. We must seek His will and His kingdom above our own. Our primary goal in life should be to glorify Him.

And forgive us (Matthew 6:12a).

To do this, we must first seek forgiveness, repent, ask Christ into our lives, and surrender to Him. The Lord then forgives us, delivers us, and leads us. That enables us to call Him Father and to enter into His holy presence. What a privilege it is to set aside a special time to study His Word and enter into His presence in prayer. What a treasure it is to have a close, personal relationship with Him!

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 Miscategorized   

Have you noticed that some authors are putting their books under the wrong categories on Amazon? I recently saw a Christian novel set in the Old West that was under the categories of "Christian Church" and "Bible History." It didn't even come close to being either of these. I see this as being dishonest since they are basically lying about the category. This isn't a good practice for anyone, much less, a Christian.

What they're doing is trying to list it in a little-used category, so their Amazon ratings will go higher, and the book will get more exposure. However, I think this is counterproductive. Readers who want to read a book from one of the listed categories will be disappointed when they see it's not what they expected, and those who happen to buy, not noticing the misnomer, will be upset. Or some, like me, notice but would never buy the book now, even though they like novels set in the Old West. This practice just is not good P. R. 

I can see doing something like putting a novella under "Short Stories" since that's only a small stretch. However, I don't think anyone should list a book in a category that is in no way related to what the book is about. Dishonesty never helps in the long run. As Edwin Sandys said in the early 1600s, "Honesty is the best policy."

Edwin Sandys

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 What Is Your Nineveh?

What is your Nineveh, the place where God is calling you, but you don't want to go? For Jonah that place was Nineveh. Barbaric, cruel heathens lived in the huge Assyrian city, and Jonah didn't think they deserved another chance. He didn't want to see them repent and change because he wanted God's wrath to fall upon them, so he ran from God. 

God calls all of us in some way, often to both big and small tasks throughout our Christian lives. Do we listen and obey the way we should, or do we ignore those things we don't want to do or rationalize them away? Examine your life. Do you feel led to witness to someone at work, to help a neighbor, to fulfill a need at church, or to become a Christian leader of some kind?

Don't be afraid to say yes. Where God calls, He equips. He doesn't require capable or talented people. He just requires our willingness, and He will furnish the rest. We'll never experience true joy until we are in the will of God, so why do we sometimes struggle with what He wants of us? As others have, say, "Yes, God. Send me." Don't let anything become your Nineveh.

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Which Format Is Best?

I've noticed that more and more authors are only publishing ebooks. For whatever reason, they've decided to forgo releasing print or audible versions. I can understand why because I, too, sell many more Kindle books than any other kind. However, I have a rather large fan base that still reads only print books, and I don't want to neglect them.

 I think the fact that the author makes more money on each print sale compensates for the fewer number sold. And having print books also allows me to sell them at book signings and presentations. Some readers appreciate having copies signed by the author too.

Audible book sales are getting better all the time. When ebooks first came out, they weren't as popular either. It took some time for the market to grow. I can see this happening with audible. I enjoy all three versions. I prefer print books when I do research or it's a signed copy from a favorite author. I like ebooks when I read for entertainment because I love how I can adjust options, such as the font size, to fit my needs. They are also easy to store. I have around 7,000 books in my Kindle library. And I enjoy audibles when I drive alone, exercise, or do menial household chores. Because of all this, I plan to keep publishing in all three formats.

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Having the Power of God

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father (John 14:12).

Christians have God's awesome power available to them just as the disciples did after Pentecost. However, most of us never use more than a small portion of it. According to R. A. Torrey, there are three easy steps to doing this. First, we must get to know God on a personal level, and we do this by studying His Word. He reveals Himself to us in the Bible, and our faith and trust will also grow in the process. This lays the foundation we need for living a power-filled life. Study it diligently daily or more.

We must also pray and pray and pray. Prayer is the conduit for power. Certainly, set aside a special time for prayer once a day or more, but don't end there. Pray all through the day as situations arise and blessings come. Make a habit of thanking God for the good things that come your way, as well as praying for others and making your requests. Prayer should establish an unshakable intimacy that nothing else fulfills and satisfies.

And we must surrender to the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. He delivers God's power to us. As humans, this can be a struggle because we often want our own way, although we know God's way is going to be best. We may even want to tell God what to do instead of submitting to His will. However, a surrendered life is essential to living a full life in Christ. And what an impact such a life can have on this world! What a joyous way to live!

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Reflections on Audible Books

Yesterday, a narrator finished my newest Audible book, and we submitted it to ACX for their approval and publication. They have now worked out some of their time-lag difficulties, and it should be available in one to two weeks. Brad Leaf actually finished A Few Bumps in the Road ahead of schedule, and the audible version may publish a little ahead of the print and ebook which will release on June 3rd.

I started putting my books on Audible after I discovered how much I enjoyed listening to a good book while driving alone, exercising, or doing menial household tasks. I start looking for the best narrator for each particular book as soon as I make it available for preorder. I love the process of finding the best match, but I don't like having to tell some who submit samples no.

As I suspected they would be, audiobooks are a growing market. I now have sold Audible books well into the four-digit numbers, and I continue to sell more each year. Sales still aren't as good as ebooks, but I'm always excited to produce an Audible book and hear how the narrator brings the story to life.

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Weeds

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hearth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful (Matthew 13:22).

Too many Christians are letting the weeds and thorns take over their lives. They pay more attention to worldly pursuits than they do to spiritual ones. Weeds have a tendency to propagate. What begins as a few that might not do much harm will quickly escalate into many that choke out the good plants and take over.

Watching one R-rated movie might not adversely affect someone, but after a few, cursing and nudity begin to be more acceptable, even commonplace. Skipping church one Sunday for a recreational activity might not be a big deal, but it becomes easier and easier to do, and soon, the person rarely goes to church if at all. There are many other examples, but you get the picture.

How many spend as much time reading their Bibles and praying as they do entertaining themselves with media? Do they give as much in tithes and offerings as they spend for non-essential items for their own pleasure? Where does the loyalty of most people who claim to be Christian really lie? Are we bearing fruit or letting the weeds grow out of control in our lives?

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 Contentious Characters

After a recent novel I read, I realized how tired I've become of the main characters never getting along, being so contentious, and causing problems for themselves. I don't mind some of this in a novel, but when the whole plot is based on misunderstandings and hostility, it becomes too much.

I read to be entertained, and I don't find harsh disagreements, arguments, and conflicts between the main characters enjoyable. Instead, it's frustrating and disappointing. I had enough of this behavior early in my adult life, and I don't want to relive it. I read to escape such things.

I don't mind if it has some of these elements in the beginning, or even scattered in the book, but I don't want it to be the bulk of the story. After some of the books I've read lately, I'd like to read a novel where the plot is based on circumstantial problems and not those the main characters create for themselves. Authors should endeavor to create enthralling novels without turning readers off. You want your readers to keep turning those pages but not be annoyed for most of the book.

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