By Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

Publishing is a tough business. There are thousands of writers vying for hundreds of spots for publication. Thank goodness, within the Christian market, there is a level of kindness that supersedes the general market. Here, folks are willing to help you succeed. 

But what happens when writers light the match that burns the hands of those willing to help? 

Within the industry, most agents and publishers work enough with one another that they share information – good and bad information. As a writer, you hold the ability to make industry professionals want to work with you or make them walk away.

Let’s begin by addressing the elephant in the room. Imperfection. I have yet to meet a perfect publisher, agent, or editor. The last time I looked, these folks all are human. Those humans have good and bad days. Rough spots and super-duper spots, but none are perfect. This is where grace comes into play. Remember the example of Christ and His grace. Imperfection is simply part of being human. Showing grace is what makes you a step above the regular Joe. Show grace. Be Christ-like. It’s what makes you unique and special and it’s what makes your Father in heaven, smile.

As you enter into this conference season, let me share a couple of incidents to help you understand. The first one is my personal experience. I learned years ago, that kindness opens doors when nothing else will. My agent recently sold a manuscript for me and outside of being thrilled about a contract, it was the words of the acquisitions editor that meant more to me than even the contract. “She is a willing heart to work with others. Our editors loved working with her.” I tell you that, not to blow my own horn, but to say that kindness goes a long way. Even if I don’t necessarily agree with an editorial change, by asserting kindness in asking for explanation and help, no one was offended. We worked together to make necessary changes in the manuscript that made it an amazing work. As a managing editor, there are authors I would continue to work with over and over because they have a willing heart and a teachable spirit. They exude kindness and willingness to work together. This means so much.

On the other side of the coin, some authors make life a nightmare. They have no respect for their editors or publishers in that they are demanding, insulting, and overbearing. I’ve had editors quit mid-stream of a project because the author was miserable to work with. AND, I’ve had the publisher be so frustrated with an author’s demanding attitude that he withdrew the contract and returned the manuscript and files to the author stating he would not publish the book. One particular author blew up my phone while I was teaching at a conference, insisting on a jpg of the book cover. I told her multiple times, I was at a conference, I could send it when I got home, but her emails continued throughout the conference. I turned my phone off because she became such a nuisance. When I returned home, my editor sent me a two-page letter from this author about how embarrassed she was to have us publish her book. Her final stab – that any other publisher would be blessed to have her work but she chose us as her traditional publisher. She proceeded to tell a 20+ year seasoned editor that she knew nothing about publishing and she should be fired. Did this author burn bridges? You bet. Will we ever publish another book from her. Absolutely not.

We live in a world of entitlement. There is no learning anymore. It seems the novice knows it all and if they are critiqued or corrected, they grow angry and insulted. 

My momma will be 95 this year and she still tells me, “Your kindness will change the world. Be kind, even when others are not. Be forgiving, even when others refuse to accept. Kindness is never the wrong choice.”

Mom is a wise old bird and I found over the years that her advice is golden. Don’t burn bridges. Work to be the best you can be and understand, imperfection is part of the human experience. Even if your work is not up to publication level at this time, your gentleness and willingness to have a teachable spirit will make industry professionals want to see you succeed. It will drive them to help you attain the goals you desire.

Being a godly example not only grows you as an individual but surrounds you with respect. Every writer wants to become published and whether they achieve that goal through the traditional market or via self-publishing, the path they lay for others to see carries weight. Will you be an author who is easy to work with or will you burn bridges and slowly end the career you desire to have? 

My prayer is to see you excel not only in your writing career but in your Christian walk. Be kind. Be generous. Learn from those who have blazed the trail ahead of you. Be patient. Your day will come with determination and persistence. Don’t burn your publishing bridges but build them on a strong foundation. It will be a decision that serves you well through the years.

Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conferenceteacher. She is the cofounder of ChristianDevotions.us and the executive editor of ChristianDevotions.us and InspireaFire.com. Cindy is the managing editor forStraight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, both imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She is an award-winning and best-selling author and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com. @cindydevoted