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Complete Guide to Writing and Selling the Christian Novel
 
 
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Complete Guide to Writing and Selling the Christian Novel (Paperback)

by Penelope Stokes (Author) "Jesus," Madeleine L'Engle says in Walking on Water, "was not a theologian..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Aunt Mag, Bethany House (more...)
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

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Complete Guide to Writing and Selling the Christian Novel + The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Christian Fiction + Writing the Christian Romance
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Writing for the Christian-fiction market has its benefits. One generally doesn't need an agent to get one's manuscript considered. Though the quality of Christian fiction has improved greatly in the past decade or so, publishers are still willing to take a chance on a newcomer. And most Christian publishing houses are small, making the publishing process a warmer, more personal experience. But be forewarned. Christian, or evangelical, fiction isn't just about characters who "pray, preach and sing gospel songs," says Penelope J. Stokes. It's about "living, breathing spiritual beings who grapple with the hard questions of life and find ... hope in the reality of God's presence in the world." Stokes has edited (and written) Christian fiction for 15 years; her Complete Guide to Writing & Selling the Christian Novel is a fantastic resource for the writer of Christian fiction.

In addition to providing advice from which any fiction writer would benefit, Stokes does a fine job of defining Christian fiction. It is, she says, first and foremost fiction. It is not sermonizing. It is not about saving lost souls ("Rarely," she says, "does a religious novel find an audience among the unconverted"). It best not be full of religious jargon or Bible-quoting zealots. Still, it must have "a distinctly religious viewpoint, usually marked by the personal conversion of one or more characters." And just because, as a believer, you see your writing as a gift and a calling, don't think for a minute that your work is beyond revision. "Creation is not the end of the process," says Stokes. "It's the beginning. In the image of our Creator, we continue the work of ongoing re-creation. We revise, refine, reorganize and rewrite. And at the end of the day we, too, can rest and say, 'It is good.'" --Jane Steinberg --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
A guide to writing and selling a Christian novel which covers plot development, editing, the nature of the Christian literary market, and gives tips on submitting effective book proposals. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Writer's Digest Books (February 1, 1998)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1582972680
  • ISBN-13: 978-1582972688
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #507,545 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A "must-buy" for first-time Christian writers!, August 20, 1999
As a first-time African-American novelist, reading "The Complete Guide to Writing & Selling the Christian Novel" gave me valuable insight and many "ah-hahs" when approaching my writing. It provided me valuable information on how to approach publishers, agents (if necessary), and insight about decision-making during the writing process. Other Christian books I would recommend are: 1999 Christian Writers' Market Guide by Sally E. Stuart, Sally Stuart's Guide to Getting Published, by Sally E. Stuart & How to Write Attention-Grabbing Query & Cover Letters by John Wood,
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A LIFE CHANGER AS MUCH AS A SKILL DEVELOPER!, October 15, 1998
By A Customer
'The Complete Guide to Writing and Selling The Christian Novel' will change not only how you write, but how you live! Penelope speaks directly to the heart of the writer, emphasizing the ultimate importance of everything (including writing) he/she does flowing out from his/her intimate & integral relationship with Christ. Many books and articles I have read on writing have given much thought into plot development, but Penelope takes great pains to teach her readers how to develop living, breathing characters with dialogue that sparkles. She also gives some bare-bones advice about approaching markets, making suggestions such as using business cards and fine-quality paper for query letters, and how to put together a winning book proposal. I am only halfway through this book and already I am a better writer with a stronger sense of my calling as a 'Christian writer'. IMO, if all serious Christian writers would read and take to heart 'The Complete Guide to Writing and Selling The Christian Novel', we would see a great rise in the quality and integrity of Christian literature today. A must-have for every Christian fiction writer!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable Resource, October 5, 2000
By Robert Graves (Thompson Station, TN USA) - See all my reviews
  
This is a terrific work. Ms. Stokes is an excellent writer and lucidly instructs the Christian on several relevant aspects of the CBA market. She presents the realities of being a Christian author and what the industry is like. She talks about very important issues the writer will have to face, but gives Christ-centered wisdom to help deal with them.

Of course you'll also find practical writing dealing with the craft itself - and I might add that whether you plan to write Christian fiction or not you will benefit from her teaching on these topics.

But what I found most enlightening was her insight into the Christian market... Genre definitions, what is popular now, writing proposals, etc.

A great book for the Christian novelist!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Teaching from a Novelist and Long-time Christian Editor
It seems like almost everyone I meet is trying to write a novel these days. Maybe that's because I acquire fiction for a Christian publishing house and end up rejecting hundreds... Read more
Published on May 16, 2006 by W. Terry Whalin

3.0 out of 5 stars Weak Christian vs. Strong Christian
I am an aspiring AA Christian fiction writer. However, I believe some of the things in this book, but for the most part, many Christian fiction that contains sexual explicit... Read more
Published on January 26, 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful for Hopeful Writers of Christian Fiction
Ms. Stokes offers honest, helpful advice and instruction for aspiring writers of Christian fiction. She cites statistics and knowledge regarding the Christian fiction market that... Read more
Published on January 20, 2004 by C. Stephans

3.0 out of 5 stars Good advice, but beware
Loads of wise advice fills this book, but on page eight, I found the definition of the Christian novel I feared: "a work of fiction that derives from a conservative... Read more
Published on September 13, 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for Christian or any kind of writing!
Dr. Stokes' practical guide to writing takes you from start to finish. As a novice novel writer, this book clarified many, many practical things, and it helped me focus on... Read more
Published on August 23, 2003

2.0 out of 5 stars Misguided
The author states, regarding Christian fiction, "It is not sermonizing. It is not about saving lost souls ('Rarely,' she says, 'does a religious novel find an audience among the... Read more
Published on June 10, 2003 by Robert

5.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom
"The Complete Guide to Writing & Selling the Christian Novel" is an excellent piece of expression. Dr. Read more
Published on October 3, 2002 by S. Crudup

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book
For the beginner and the more advanced, a great resource.
Published on December 18, 2001 by L. Baldwin

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Enough Spiritual Elements
Before I even purchased this book I expected it to be mostly a book of spiritual elements pertaining to the art of writing fiction. Read more
Published on October 20, 2001 by JASON R HUGHES

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a practical, detailed, and up-to-date book.
My copy of this book is rapidly becoming dog-eared, as my favorite reference books always do. It includes information aimed specifically toward writers of Christian novels, but... Read more
Published on January 6, 1999

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