By Eddie Jones, @EddieJonesTweet

Jesus told us to go into the world and preach the gospel, but as Christian writers published predominantly by Christian publishers, too often we only write in an echo chamber to readers who already know and have accepted the Good News. What can we do to “teach them to observe all that” Jesus commanded us to teach? How can we spread God’s message, morals, ideals, and our stories into the general market? What tools do we need and what boundaries must we not cross?

Deborah Bryan of the Kansas Library Association writes, “Christian Fiction is a genre of books that typically promotes values, teaches a lesson, always has a happy ending (good prevails over evil), and adheres to a decency code (certain boundaries such as sexuality, strong language, and topics of such cannot be crossed). Bryan also notes that a Christian Fiction author must comply with certain restraints such as:

• Accept the truthful authority of the Bible
• Address dilemmas through faith in Jesus
• Believe that Jesus died and rose for the sins of all people
• Avoid writing about certain ‘taboo’ topics

In a post-modern culture where the divide between what Christians will accept and read and what the general market wants, novelists who consider themselves Christians risk the wrath of the Christian readers if we craft stories that include: drinking, drugs, sex, smoking, dancing, touching, kissing, heavy petting. As Ron Benrey notes in his book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Christian Fiction, “Readers of Christian fiction in America are Caucasian women, of childbearing through “empty nester” age, who identify themselves as evangelical Christians.”

As you might imagine this is a loyal but limited market. How limited?

The average monthly sales potential for the top 100 Kindle ebooks in the Religious Women’s Fiction category is around $112,673. The average monthly sales potential for the top 100 Kindle ebooks in the general market Women’s Fiction category is $6 million!

The average monthly sales potential for the top 100 Kindle ebooks in the Religious Romance category is around $293,380. The average monthly sales potential for the top 100 Kindle ebooks in the general market Romance category is $4.8 million!

The average monthly sales potential for the top 100 Kindle ebooks in the Religious Suspense category is around $189,034. The average monthly sales potential for the top 100 Kindle ebooks in the general market Suspense category is $10.3 million!

There will always be a place for Christian Fiction. This is ministry-writing, a building up of the Body. But as Christians, we’re also called to mission work. General market writing is mission-writing.

To reach readers in “Samaria”, Christian authors need to spend more time at the well in the heat of the day and less time judging those outside the temple walls. Stories that emphasize a conversion experience may come across as manipulative and “preachy.” Amazon reviews confirm that many general market readers are turned off by such words as, “prayer, pray, Jesus, Christ, conversion, salvation,” and “sin.” On the other hand, many of those same readers express similar discomfort with stories that overtly include and promote violence, promiscuity, and profanity. Regardless of the message and author’s agenda, it seems most readers want a story – not a sermon.

As Christian authors we already have plenty of examples of solid stories based on God’s moral truths that move readers to action and challenge them to change.

• The Prodigal Son – a story of a parent’s unconditional, long-suffering love. Themes: trust, hope, and the importance of home and family.
• The Good Samaritan – a story of inclusiveness. Themes: tolerance, institutional pride, religious hypocrisy, service to others, generous giving.
• The Hidden Treasure – a story of one individual’s journey to find his purpose. Themes: Passion, perseverance, risk and commitment to a noble cause.

I’m sure you can think of other ways to spin Jesus’ parables. The point is, a great writer can shape the story to move the reader without relying on “Christian” words. Aside from sheer obedience¾Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.¾there is a practical benefit: we must live in the culture we create.

How can we get our words, our ideas, our stories into the general market? Amazon opened the door. Like it or not, Amazon leveled the playing field. That’s an opportunity. What tools do we need in order to compete with general market fiction? Great craft and that can only come with instruction, practice, patience, great editors, patience, developing your voice, patience, reading great writing books, patience, attending writers conferences, patience and finally prayer, humility, and … patience.

What boundaries must we not cross? Let the Holy Spirit be your guide. If you would blush reading a passage of your novel to Jesus, His Spirit has already convicted you. There is one body, but many parts. An author who writes suspense or military action has a different calling than someone who writes sweet romance. Do not judge. Allow the Holy Spirit an opportunity to inspire each Christian author.

Preach always – use words when necessary.

Reveal your character through the way you respond to reader reviews, to social media posts, to agents, editors, and bookstore owners. Reach out to readers through your bio. Offer to pray for readers who contact you. Build a ministry around your writing. Give back, give often, and expect nothing from your efforts but the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Do that and you can change the world one word at a time.

Eddie is an award-winning author of middle-grade fiction with Harper Collins. He is also Senior Acquisitions Editor and CEO of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas (lpcbooks.com) and co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries (christiandevotions.us). Eddie teaches writing workshops and Amazon marketing at novel retreats, writing conferences, and to small groups. If you would like to book Eddie for your group contact him at eddie@eddiejones.org.