How Christian Authors Can Expand Their Reach: 5 Opportunities to Market Your Book and Build Your Platform

From Edie: Susan U. Neal helps writers discover five opportunities for Christian authors to market their books, build their platforms, expand their reach, and connect with more readers.

How Christian Authors Can Expand Their Reach: 5 Opportunities to Market Your Book and Build Your Platform

by Susan U. Neal @SusanNealYoga

Someone needs the encouragement, instruction, or biblical truth God gave you to share. When you intentionally market your book, you help that message travel beyond your immediate circle and into the lives of people you may never meet. So ask God to direct your steps, choose the opportunities below that fit your calling, and then move forward in faith.

The benefits of author associations include access to opportunities that can increase your visibility, build your platform, and expand the reach of your book. Look at some of the excellent opportunities below as you prayerfully consider where God may be leading you next.

Use Discounts, Guides, Courses, and Certifications

Once you join an association you can take advantage of the valuable resources included in the membership. Many offer discounts on services authors typically use. For example, Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA) and Christian Authors Network (CAN) provide discounts on ISBNs, book blogging tours, cover design and formatting, BookFunnel, Booksweeps, ProWritingAid, and more. Christian Book Academy (CBA), CIPA, and CAN memberships include loads of courses and guides to help members write, publish, and market. 

If you want to expand into speaking or coaching, AWSA (https://awsacourse.com/certified-coach-page) and Christian Speakers Bootcamp (https://robyndykstra.com/inspirational-speaker-training/) have certification programs for you to become a certified speaker or coach. You can also join Christian Women Speakers and list your signature talks so event coordinators can find you and book you. Before purchasing an author service, course, or certification, check the benefits of your current membership, as you may already have access to valuable resources or discounts.

Reach Christian Media at the 2027 NRB Convention

Do you want to be interviewed on Christian radio, podcasts, or television? The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Convention is the world's largest gathering of Christian communicators and provides an extraordinary opportunity to connect with media and ministry professionals. The 2027 convention will be held in Washington, D.C. at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on February 24–26, 2027.

By attending NRB with CAN/CIPA or AWSA, you might secure months—even a year's worth—of media interviews. One year, I received five television interviews from contacts she made at an NRB Convention. Learn more at https://christianpublishers.net/trade-shows/ and https://awsacourse.com/deposit-page. Media interviews don't simply promote a book; they allow you to share the message God placed on your heart with audiences you might never reach on your own.

Build Relationships at Writer Conferences

Marketing is about more than promotion—it is also about relationships. I’ve met so many wonderful friends at conferences who cheer me on in this tough career. These supporters are the ones who comment on my social media posts and understand this special calling. 

An upcoming virtual conference includes: 

• The Kingdom Writers Conference: Write with God Edition on October 28, 2026. 

The following is a great selection of upcoming in-person writer conferences:

• The Florida Christian Writers Conference, October 21–25, 2026, is a medium to large conference with around 400 attendees held at Lake Yale Conference Center near Leesburg, Florida. This was the first conference I attended, and it jumpstarted my career. 

• The Ashville Christian Writers Conference, February 19–21, 2027, is an intimate conference held at The Cove in Ashville, North Carolina. 

• The Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference, April 7–10, 2027, near Destin, Florida, is an intimate conference limited to 150 attendees, creating an environment where meaningful relationships develop.

• The Well Conference, April 29–May 1, 2027 is also a small conference held near Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is for creatives—authors, illustrators, actors, artists, musicians, etc. 

• The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference (BRMCWC), May 24–28, 2027, near Ashville, North Carolina, is one of the largest Christian writers conferences with around 500 attendees and loads of faculty. 

You may meet another author, editor, publisher, or industry professional whom God uses to open unexpected doors.

Finish Your Book

Do you need help to finish writing your book? I did, that’s why I joined the Christian Book Academy. There is an incredible selection of courses to help you writing. I took each one which taught me how to finish my book, one step at a time. This academy was foundational in providing me with the knowledge I needed to write effectively and self-publish professionally. 

Earn Recognition Through Awards

An award can add credibility to your book and provide another reason to promote it to readers, media, and email subscribers. If you attend any of the conferences listed above, be sure to enter the contest that corresponds with the conference. My book, 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates, won first place in the BRMCWC Selah Awards. The next month it started selling 200–400 books per month for the next eight months. 

Here is a list of reputable contests: 

• The Christian Indie Awards closes October 1, 2026 
• The Golden Scrolls and Christian Market Book Awards
• American Christian Fiction Writers has three contests
• The CAN Excellence in Marketing Awards recognize the promotional skills of Christian authors; contest is open through December 1, 2026
• The Dragonfly Book Awards
• The Illumination Awards
• The Readers’ Favorite Awards
• The Selah Awards 

There is nothing like the thrill of hearing your name called to accept an award. Award winners also receive valuable publicity to help extend the reach of their books and ministries. For example, sixteen months after my book, How to Sell 1,000 Books a Month was published it won the Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal. This win gave me the opportunity to promote my book all over again. 

Don't Just Publish—Promote with Purpose

Author association memberships provide opportunities to connect with media, attend conferences, earn awards, promote new releases, and expand into television. You don't need to pursue every opportunity. Prayerfully consider which ones align with your book, your audience, and the direction God is leading your ministry.God gave you a message to share through your book. But writing and publishing the book is only part of the journey. Marketing helps place that message into the hands of the people who need to receive it.

TWEETABLE

How Christian Authors Can Expand Their Reach: 5 Opportunities to Market Your Book and Build Your Platform from @SusanUNeal on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Susan U. Neal, RN, MBA, MHS: Susan’s mission is to improve the health of the body of Christ. She has her RN and MBA degrees, as well as a master’s in health science. She is a CERTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHwith the American Association of Christian Counselors. She published five books, the Selah award winner 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, CHRISTIAN STUDY GUIDE FOR 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, HEALTHY LIVING JOURNAL, SCRIPTURE YOGAa #1 Amazon best-selling yoga book, and YOGA FOR BEGINNERSwhich ranked #3. She published two sets of Christian Yoga Card Decks and two Christian Yoga DVDs that are available at CHRISTINAYOGA.COM. Her digital product HOW TO PREVENT, IMPROVE, AND REVERSE ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIAis a great resource. To learn more about Susan visit her website SUSANUNEAL.COM You can also connect with Susan on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.