A Special Invitation to Teachers to Learn How to Write and Publish Christian Nonfiction

This is a personal message for teachers, especially those at Christian colleges and universities.  Like me, you get paid to learn, not just to teach.  We learn in order to teach.

So why not teach more people by writing a book based on your knowledge, wisdom, and skill?

Probably because you aren’t sure how to write an entire book.  You might even fear that you aren’t capable of writing one.  Perhaps the project seems too intimidating.  Or maybe you worry that you couldn’t get it published even if you wrote it—so why do the work?   If you feel this way, you’re not alone.  Many Christian educators have tried and failed to write a book.

I’ve been there.   But over a dozen books later, I’ve learned that I can write a book successfully for publication if I write it from the beginning with publication in mind.  The key is writing for readers, not for ourselves.  The “secret” is learning how to love our readers as our neighbors.

Habits of the High-Tech Heart: Living Virtuously in the Information Age

You won’t get wealthy serving readers.  The money-making authors are religious celebrities with broadcast programs and megachurches.  They have the “platforms” to sell a lot of books (even if they don’t write their own books).

Also, you might have to take a few lumps from a self-righteous critics or reviewers.  You won’t be loved by every reader.  You’ll need a thick skin and a sense of humor—especially not taking yourself too seriously.

Moreover, if your goal is to save the world by writing books, you ought to give up that ghost right now.  We can’t save ourselves, let alone the rest of the world.  Lower aspirations are a blessing.  Besides, does God really need one more writer bent on redeeming the world?

If you’re still reading, you’ve probably got a servant’s heart for faithful writing.  I’m grateful.  Please continue…..

Seeing your book get published will be very rewarding.  You’ll realize that in spite of the meager royalties and the occasional criticisms, your efforts are serving people you’ve never even met.  You’ll receive encouraging notes  from  readers.  It’s a miracle to use a book to serve people living in other times and places.  These non-material rewards are great.

Most books are “trade” books can also serve as supplemental textbooks.  These trade books are the softcover books that probably fill your own library and line your office shelves.  They are not the pricey textbooks or the cheap little mass market paperbacks.   Of course, bookstores also sell hardcovers, mass market paperbacks, coffee table books, reference books, and some textbooks.  But trade books, priced between about $15 and $25, are the lifeblood of the publishing industry.  Publishers are always looking for solid trade books.  They’re especially interested in publishing a fresh approach to a timeless or very timely topic.

Christian publishers like to publish books that will be carried in mainstream bookstores.  You don’t have to write a book just for the so-called “religious” market.  Many religious bookstores have closed in recent years because they serve only that limited constituency.  Today, even most Christians don’t shop in Christian bookstores. Like other book buyers, they purchase online and at large bookstore chains.  Somewhere between 35 and 55 percent of  “Christian” books are sold through mainstream outlets, especially Amazon.

Thanks for reading!

There’s much more to learn if you’d like to write Christian nonfiction books and get them published.  My workshops lead faithful writers through the process, step by step, from idea to bookstore.  If you’re still interested, you might want to read some testimonials from previous workshop attendees as well as some of my personal thoughts about writing books faithfully.

I wish you well as you consider teaching beyond the classroom.

Sincerely,

Quentin Schultze, Ph.D.

Contact Me

Quentin Schultze in the video control room at Calvin College

Faith + Experience + Skill = Book

That might seem like a strange equation, but writing is always an act of faith. Faith nurtures our desire to serve readers. Faith directs our writing. Faith convinces us that we can write an entire, publishable book. Faith gives us perspective, sound ideas, concrete illustrations, and a passion to love readers. Faith even equips us to discern the call to serve readers vs. the desire to serve our egos.

But faithful writing also demands skill. Skill, in turn, requires experience and practice. Practice alone is not enough. You can practice writing all day long for weeks and fail to make progress if you lack basic skills such as expressing and organizing your ideas, crafting introductions and conclusions, choosing the right words and phrases, and employing the best examples and illustrations. These skills can be learned from those of us who have already discovered them—especially those of us who are called to teach as well as write.

The book I am holding in the photo, High-Tech Worship? Using Presentational Technologies Wisely, was a delight to write partly because I felt called to address the topic of using technologies like PowerPoint in worship and partly because I already had learned how to write nonfiction books from beginning to end.

Still, the call to write the book came in spite of my disinterest in the topic. Knowing that I teach about technology and communication, a friend encouraged me to write such a book because he was concerned about the overuse of projectors and screens in worship. I didn’t think PowerPoint and the like were much of a problem so I declined to pursue the idea. My own church was using technology very moderately and, I believed, wisely.

Then my wife and I spent a sabbatical in Florida. While there, we attended many churches. We enjoyed learning about different worship styles (the good, the bad, and the “cheesy”). Along the way, we discovered that projection technologies and software were not always used appropriately; they were becoming distractions from worship. I wondered what, if anything, I should do about the situation. What should I say? With whom should I share my concerns and positive suggestions?

High-Tech Worship?

I recalled my friend’s urging to write a book on the topic. I wondered if his encouragement and my Florida experiences were evidence of a calling. Ouch! I had plenty of other ideas for books. Yet before I knew it, this subject rose to the top of my mental list. Soon, while contemplating the topic, I discovered my thesis: the problem is not technology or worship, not even technology and worship. All worship is technological; worshipers employ voices, ears, printed materials, etc. The problem is that worship planners and leaders wrongly try to fit worship to technology, rather than fit technology to worship. They begin with the goal of using a particular technology rather than with the desire to plan fitting worship. Worship must come first; the purpose of worship should dictate how we use technologies, not the other way around. I actually had something to say. Now I really had to write the book.

Fortunately, I had taken notes while visiting Florida churches. I had good and poor examples of worship technology. With the help of some friends who gave me invaluable feedback on three manuscript drafts, I was able to write the book  in about three months. If I hadn’t known how to write a book, I would still be rattling my keyboard, laboring in fits and starts if not circles. From the time I discovered the idea for the book until it was available in bookstores, I applied the basic skills that make writing fun, interesting, and successful. And I did it as faithfully as I could, attentive to the One who calls, grants the necessary wisdom and skill, and provides essential life and literary experience.

We all need faith, experience, and skill to write books that serve readers. Faith + Experience + Skill = Book. If you have the necessary faith and life experience, you still need the literary skill. I conduct nonfiction book-writing workshops to teach others these skills so that they, too, might serve readers. Maybe you and some friends or colleagues feel such a calling. If so, you can find out more about my workshops and then contact me about leading a workshop at your organization (e.g., a school, church, or writer’s group). If you teach, I’ll work with your academic administrator to see if we might offer the workshop on behalf of all of your interested colleagues.

Best wishes as you ponder what it means to write books faithfully.  It’s both an exciting calling and a unique responsibility.

Quentin Schultze

Quentin Schultze at the start of another great writing workshop

My workshop will help you write a nonfiction trade book for publication. The nonfiction religious trade book business is changing quickly because of the growth of new distribution and retail outlets (from traditional Christian bookstores to Amazon, Target, and large bookstore chains like Barnes & Noble), the rise of general-market publishing giants with religious divisions, the emergence of increasingly influential literary agents in Christian publishing, and the growth of self-publishing. Moreover, most major Christian publishers no longer accept unsolicited manuscripts while many agents will represent only published authors. New nonfiction writers need to know how to navigate the publishing waters in order to be successfully published.

Workshop costs include special handouts. Read typical testimonials from previous attendees. Generally an organization (e.g., a college, church, or writer’s group) sponsors the workshop and pays me to offer it. Then the organization can decide how many to invite to the workshop and whether or not to charge a registration fee.

So why attend my workshop? You will:

• Receive practical advice for developing a nonfiction book concept that will serve readers.
• Gain the research skills and knowledge necessary for determining the likely markets for your book.
• Learn how to write a query letter and book proposal that will gain the attention and generate the interest of agents and publishers.
  

  Quentin Schultze at the end of a writing workshop

• Discover effective ways of organizing your thoughts, notes, and files for productive writing, revision, and editing.
• Know how to establish an engaging writing style fitting for your manuscript and readers.
• Find out how to solicit solid feedback on your manuscript, improve your manuscript while writing it, and boost its marketability.
• Increase your confidence in getting published by learning how the nonfiction Christian book publishing business really works.
• Learn how to work effectively with a co-author or collaborator if you do not have the time or desire to complete your book on your own.

Contact me if you’d like to discuss the possibility of having me offer a workshop in your area—or if you’d like to attend one here in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Thanks for stopping by.

Quentin Schultze

Testimonials from Book-Writing Workshops Led by Quentin Schultze

“If you are serious about publishing a trade book, then this workshop gives you clear and understandable tools to make it happen.” Quin’s support and sage advice will build your confidence and encourage your efforts. He is passionate about serving your writing passions!” (Robert H. Woods, Jr., The Message in the Music, Spring Arbor University)

“Although I have written successful books with major publishers, I have benefited enormously from my consultations with Quentin Schultze at one of his workshops. He is a gifted presenter full of wisdom and practical advice, a patient and careful listener, and an encouraging yet candid coach. In my dealings with him, he has gone beyond honesty and trustworthiness; he is one of the most generous and caring persons I have had the good fortune to know. (Richard C. Wallace, Professor and Senior Research Fellow, Spring Arbor University)

“This was a superior workshop in every way — very helpful to consider Quin’s books, their positioning & process. The spiritual foundations for the whole process very substantive & thought-provoking.” (Elizabeth McLaughlin, Bethel University—IN)

“Quin is so open with his years of experience. A wonderful conference leader.” (Phyllis Alsdurf, Bethel University—MN)

“This workshop not only addressed any and every question I might have about writing and publishing, it helped me develop my ideas a great deal. I’m leaving the workshop with a timetable and plan of attack in mind and not just the romantic notion of ‘being published’: that I’ve had for a long time.” (Art Bamford)

“I’ve been having trouble thinking of anything I least appreciate from this workshop. This has been an exceptionally well-run, valuable workshop!” (Terri Cornwell)

Information about Quentin Schultze’s book-writing workshops.