by Crystal Bowman
During a recent interview for a YouTube channel, the host surprised me with a question I was not expecting, but I was happy to answer. He said, “I have noticed something about Christian authors that I don’t see in other professions. It seems that you try to help each other succeed. Why is that?”
Why Authors Help Authors
The path to publishing is varied and uncertain.
Unlike most professions, there are many different paths to publishing. For most careers, there are courses to take, degrees to earn, internships to complete, and training that equips and qualifies someone for a certain career. For writers, there are courses you can take, books you can read, and conferences to attend, but there is no predetermined path to help you become an author. Taylor University is one of the few colleges to offer a professional writing degree, but most authors need to figure things out on their own—which is why we help each other. If you were to ask 50 authors how they got published, you would get 50 different answers.
It's difficult and discouraging to get a book published.
Publishing a book is not for the faint of heart. Many writers face countless rejections and closed doors. Encouragement from other authors who share their experience is very helpful to those who are trying to reach their goal of being published. Authors understand how hard it is to get published which is why they celebrate with other authors when they have a new release.
It’s an unstable career financially.
Most published authors cannot rely on contracts or book sales for a steady income. Many books are written by lawyers, pastors, professors, and doctors—who have jobs that provide regular income. Most authors do not make a living at writing books. That’s another reason why authors are willing to promote each other’s books with book launches and social media posts.
Mentors and mentees.
No matter where you are on your writing journey, there is someone you can learn from and someone you can teach. I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for authors who mentored me and helped me get started. That’s what I love helping other writers by sharing my experiences with them.
It’s a world that is misunderstood.
Many people outside of the publishing industry think that being an author means fame and fortune, and that is not the case for most authors. Authors understand the reality of the publishing world which creates a bond that others can’t relate to. Authors have to work very hard to get published and then market their books in hopes of making some sales.
Emotional ups and downs.
If the author community had a motto, I think it would be Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Writers pour out their hearts and souls onto pages for the world to see. It can be exciting, scary, rewarding, and painful all at the same time.
Authors are like flowers.
I once saw a meme with a picture of some beautiful flowers in a garden. The caption said, “Flowers don’t compete—they just bloom.” Authors are like that! Someone once asked me why I help my competition. I answered, “Writers are not my competition, they are my brothers and sisters in Christ.”
I am humbled and honored to be part of this wild and wonderful community of people we call authors who help each other succeed!
TWEETABLE
Very well stated Ms. Crystal. As I've tried to do for most of my life, you get what you give. Thank you and your TWC colleagues for investing in us.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, J.D. Giving and receiving is a biblical principle that never fails.
DeleteThank you for sharing—you practice what you preach!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. Thank you for your kind comment.
DeleteThat's why I started the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference and why I believe most Christian writers conferences were started.
ReplyDeleteSo true! Just think how many lives you have shaped and writers you have helped! Bless you!
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