Five Secrets for Turning Your Message into a Book
by Mica Olinghouse
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Some of the most frequently asked questions I hear in my line of work come from ministers and local pastors who want to take a message they’ve preached in their church and turn it into a book. Often daunted by the task, many preachers seem a little perplexed by the complexities of the publishing world. They often wonder what the publishing process entails, how to procure designers, and how much time and money to invest into the project. Since I’ve been through the process a dozen times and have answered this question on multiple occasions, I’d like to share with you a few secrets I’ve learned over the years as a freelance editor. So if you’re a minister who wants to publish a recent message, listen up–this article is for you!
1. DETERMINE IF YOU’RE A GIFTED SPEAKER OR GIFTED WRITER
One of the first things I encourage my clients to do is examine their own particular area of comfort and expertise in the oral and written mediums. If clients feel they are able to communicate their hearts more effectively while on a platform speaking in a public forum, then I suggest the transcript-to-manuscript process. On the other hand, if clients are naturally gifted writers, then they may want to consider writing their message themselves and then submitting it to an editor for revision. Whatever the case may be, it’s important for the client to discover his personal rhythm and start his book from there.
2. DETERMINE IF YOU WANT TO SELF-PUBLISH OR TRADITIONAL PUBLISH
Many of you may not realize just how much the publishing world has changed over the past few years. With the establishment of digital publishing, the rise of the ebook, and the decline of traditional publishing houses, the publishing world has experienced a complete overhaul in the last decade. This book production revolution has made it easy for first-time writers with small platforms to be published on their own merit. Adversely, it has also alienated many first-time writers from larger exposure through traditional publishing.
Unless you’re a big name preacher with an established history of published works and an extensive platform of connections, it’s best to self-publish your first few books. As you grow your audience and build your platform, you’ll gain the traction needed to seek the attention of a traditional publisher.
3. DO YOUR HOMEWORK
As much as we professionals would like to help you along the Yellow Brick Road towards the Emerald City of Publishing, we don’t have time to walk you through every little detail of the self-publishing process. We will gladly offer our consultation services for a fee, but you are ultimately responsible for acquiring the knowledge to self-publish your book. After all, this route is called self-publishing for a reason. So do your homework, research online, check out books, and ask experts around you. Unless you are willing to compensate for consultation, don’t continue asking professionals to give you advice for free. Eventually, you will lose their trust and commitment if you take advantage of their time and expertise.
4. BE PREPARED FOR AN INVESTMENT
Self-publishing is a huge investment of time, energy, and resources. Before you decide to publish your book, be ready to commit for the long-haul. If you’re unsure or unwilling to spend the necessary time and resources needed to complete your book, it’s best to wait until you are fully ready for the project. Nothing is worth doing half-heartedly. If your book idea is a God-idea, then it deserves to be carried out with excellence every step of the way.
5. EVALUATE YOUR MOTIVES
Seeing your own book sitting on the bookshelf is an attractive thought, is it not? If you’re like most people, the idea of having your name in print is an exciting and adventurous notion. Before you get too carried away with dreams of being the next #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller list, you need to take a step back and evaluate your motives for publishing your book. If the desire to publish is driven by a self-seeking, self-promoting motive, then it would be wise for you to put the dream back on the shelf for a time. Give it to God, pray about it, and ask Him to direct your path. As you consecrate your books and messages to Him, He will open up the right doors for you to publish what’s in your heart.
Are you ready to turn your message into a book?
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