Edgy Fiction

[JO-ANNE VANDERMEULEN]

Wow, I have found my niche!
I have sent my manuscript to agents in both the secular and christian. Secular feel my plot is too "religious" or "spiritual". The christian agencies feel my plot is too explicit. I have taken my manuscript and have began revising my plot. First, trying to exclude the christian aspect and to hit the secular. Then, I will try to tone-down my plot and hit the christian agencies. I did not feel great about this. I wanted my manuscript to be accepted the way it was...edgy fiction.

[Michelle Sutton]

Then you'd like my publisher because I am the same way. Tooo Christian for the secular market and too edgy for the Christian market. There is this awesome new publisher (my book is coming out in Sept 2008) called Sheaf House and they are not making me change who I am at all. In fact, I got permission to spice it up even more. So look for my book and when you read it and see what I mean you'll be wanting to sell to them, too. Since they are new they aren't taking any more authors for 2008 (they have a lineup of five books already) but maybe they will for 2009. I'm hoping to do so well in sales that their business will explode and more authors like you and I can sell to both ABA and CBA without changing who we are as authors. :)

[Dennis Bates]

I can't believe how many people like us there are out there, and I use us because I am the same way.. That's one of the reasons publishers like Sheaf House should have a ready made market. I have tried several of my ms's out on church members and not one has said my stories were too explicit, yet they don't fit the guidelines as I understand them. I say write what you are given and don't take the spritual out, or the edge either. Sooner or later, the markets will realize there isn't just one "right" way to do things.

Dennis

[Michelle Sutton]

So true! I think Joan struck gold with this publishing house. We're gonna make her swim in sales!

[Kimberlee Mendoza]

I think the CBA is behind times. We live in an edgy world. If we're ever going to reach the lost, we got to step out of our "box."

[JO-ANNE VANDERMEULEN]

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[Kimberlee Mendoza]

I would have to agree, I have had some of the same issues. My first book was a psychological thriller...I ended up paying a POD publisher to publish it. It get amazing reviews...but couldn't get a traditional publisher to pick it up. But Ted Dekker is proof that there is hope for all of us edgy writers!

[JO-ANNE VANDERMEULEN]

I checked out Ted Dekker's website and it was very interesting. I would like to know if he has an agent and who is his publisher. Any idea?

[Kimberlee Mendoza]

Thomas-Nelson. They've even made a movie out of one of his books, "Three." He's my favorite author. I've read almost all of his books and he always pushes the envelope.

[JO-ANNE VANDERMEULEN]

Thanks for the information.
I enjoyed reading your website. The interview was very interesting.
By the looks of how much we have in common, I'm sure our paths will cross.

[Michelle Sutton]

I'm reading Kimberlee's book right now called "Love thy Sister, Guard thy Man" and I like it. :)

[Kimberlee Mendoza]

Thanks, Michelle :)

[Margo Carmichael]

Reminds me of another old song that ends, "Lord, help the mister who comes between me and my sister, and Lord help the sister who comes between me and my man!"

http://www.rosemaryclooney.com/LyricPages/Sisters.html