Any fans of the Christian fiction spiritual warfare genre?

[Wilson L. Deaton]

Do you like Christian fiction? Specifically, the spiritual warfare genre?

Did you like books like Frank Peretti's, This Present Darkness?

If so, read on....

I am strongly considering making a novel I have written available for reading on-line. As an experiment, I've created a site format and uploaded the first few chapters. I would be interested in your feedback.

Specifically:

1. What do you think of the idea of reading a novel on-line?
2. What do you think of the site format I have chosen?
3. After reading the first two chapters, would you be interested in reading the rest?

The novel is at: www.kenoshafamilychurch.org/midst.htm

Thanks,
Wilson

[Cindi Hammons]

Wilson,

1. I really don't like the idea of reading a novel on a computer. I like to hold the book in my hand. However, there are benefits. One could bring up the novel wherever they have internet access and not have to haul around the book. On the other hand, one can't read unless they have internet access.

2. The site format you chose was great...intuitive...easy to follow.

3. Yes, I'd like to read further. However, I would really rather have a signed copy of the novel resting in my hand while curled up on the couch instead of sitting at the desk in an office chair.

What I've read so far is very interesting and well written. Have you had anyone proof the text for you? Keep up the good work and post following chapters for us! :)

[BobHunt]

Wilson, go to ChristianWritersGuild.com and you can send it in to have them do a critique. I have taken a 2 year course from them and they are excellent. Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye are running it now. You also might want to get a book called "Christian Writers Market Guide" by Sally E. Stuart, because in there is a whole list of publishers and magazines that accept articles after you send them a query letter.

[Gina Stevenson]

Definitely will take time to read it, Wilson, after my current editing job is done (400+ pages, this book is!). Took just a peek now, and 'know what the first chapter reminded me of, with all those figurines? "Glass Menagerie." Actually, weren't there some of them in "Our Town," too? ;)

Now, I'm sure it's not anything like that, but it reminded me ... peeked at Chapter 2, also; methinks it'll be one interesting book, from what I've peeked at so far.

LATER ... OK, now that I've read it, I see it's really different than I at first suspected from just the first paragraph. Checked first paragraph of first chapter, before the above note; then checked first paragraph of second chapter ... from that, I just figured (not yet knowing these were embodied demons) someone -- the gal in the first chapter's hubby? -- had finally decided he'd start eating the "important meal of the day," not that he'd not been human enough before to do so! HA! That's what one gets from reading only a few words before guessing. AFTER reading those two chapters ... looking forward to the rest of it, Wilson. It did catch my interest, though I've not even picked up one of the Peretti books before. Hmmmmmmm ........

[Jon Twitchell]

You might also want to make it available through something like lulu.com. That way, those who preferred a paper copy could order one.

[Wilson L. Deaton]

.... You also might want to get a book called "Christian Writers Market Guide" by Sally E. Stuart, because in there is a whole list of publishers and magazines that accept articles after you send them a query letter.

Bob,

I have used Stuart's guide (and others) over the years.

I had some good success with non-fiction articles. I published about a dozen articles before turning my attention away from articles to write this novel.

Sally Stuart recommends, and many Christian book publishers require, the use of a service called, "Writer's Edge," rather than direct queries. They serve as a "filter" and send info on to the publishers if they deem the material worthy. I used that service and passed their "cut" but it didn't pan out to any solicitations. I also went the query route with some of the publishers (nearly 20 of them) that would take them. I received some very polite rejections! It happens that this is a hard genre to break in to and I'm not, afterall, Frank Peretti or C.S. Lewis.

I finally, decided, I would rather someone read it on-line for free, than to die with it unread on my hard-drive. Afterall, I chose this genre because I thought it was ministry (as opposed to secular fiction). It would, of course, be nice if some satisified readers were to decide to send a donation...

Wilson

[David Cash]

Wilson,

I'll try to get a look at it tomorrow. In general, it isn't my genre, but hey, that doesn't make it undeserving.

I used to do a little freelancing and also made a serious though unsuccessful effort at becoming a published novelist when I was still in my twenties.

I think the internet idea is great. I've got a whole string of my own writings on my website. They suffer from not having a professional editor between me and the reader, but at the same time, it is an affordable and legitimate method of self-publishing. It also allows us to write for the small audiences that might be interested in certain niches that aren't going to sell many books. Another factor, too, is that it allows those of us without famous names and long accademic credentials a voice that we might not get if we had to stay in the competitive paper-publishing market. I think the possibilities with multimedia etc. are terrific and wish I had more time and money to pursue some of them.

But anyhow, enough of my soapbox. Will try to remember and take a look tomorrow. (It's getting late even for a Friday night.)

David Cash

[David Cash]

Specifically:

1. What do you think of the idea of reading a novel on-line?
2. What do you think of the site format I have chosen?
3. After reading the first two chapters, would you be interested in reading the rest?

Question #1: It's the first time I've tried it. Can't say I like it better than reading one from a paper book in a more comfortable chair than I have behind my desktop, but it is ok for all that. Besides, the price is right!:)

Question #2: The format works well enough.

Question # 3: Well, after reading the first two chapters, I read the next three and part of chapter six. Wouldn't be surprised to find myself reading more.

David Cash

[Gina Stevenson]

Question # 3: Well, after reading the first two chapters, I read the next three and part of chapter six. Wouldn't be surprised to find myself reading more.

David Cash

Oh! Must be there were more put up since the other day when there were only two. Have to get back to it ... but I've got other work to do, too. Will save (DL), and read later, I guess. Thanks for the tip-off.

[Mark Doble]

Definitely will take time to read it, Wilson, after my current editing job is done (400+ pages, this book is!). Took just a peek now, and 'know what the first chapter reminded me of, with all those figurines? "Glass Menagerie." Actually, weren't there some of them in "Our Town," too? ;)

Now, I'm sure it's not anything like that, but it reminded me ... peeked at Chapter 2, also; methinks it'll be one interesting book, from what I've peeked at so far.

LATER ... OK, now that I've read it, I see it's really different than I at first suspected from just the first paragraph. Checked first paragraph of first chapter, before the above note; then checked first paragraph of second chapter ... from that, I just figured (not yet knowing these were embodied demons) someone -- the gal in the first chapter's hubby? -- had finally decided he'd start eating the "important meal of the day," not that he'd not been human enough before to do so! HA! That's what one gets from reading only a few words before guessing. AFTER reading those two chapters ... looking forward to the rest of it, Wilson. It did catch my interest, though I've not even picked up one of the Peretti books before. Hmmmmmmm ........

Gina, I am looking for such an online job such as editing. How did you get hooked up with what you are doing?

[Mark Doble]

Do you like Christian fiction? Specifically, the spiritual warfare genre?

Did you like books like Frank Peretti's, This Present Darkness?

If so, read on....

I am strongly considering making a novel I have written available for reading on-line. As an experiment, I've created a site format and uploaded the first few chapters. I would be interested in your feedback.

Specifically:

1. What do you think of the idea of reading a novel on-line?
2. What do you think of the site format I have chosen?
3. After reading the first two chapters, would you be interested in reading the rest?

The novel is at: www.kenoshafamilychurch.org/midst.htm

Thanks,
Wilson

Wilson,
Do you really consider the book, "This Present Darkness" a matter of fiction?
As I am living it, believe me this book is not just fiction. In my life and the lives of many I know this book's rendition rings very true... And is possibly the closest to the actual reality of life we all live in.

[Wilson L. Deaton]

Wilson,
Do you really consider the book, "This Present Darkness" a matter of fiction?
As I am living it, believe me this book is not just fiction. In my life and the lives of many I know this book's rendition rings very true... And is possibly the closest to the actual reality of life we all live in.

Mark,

I certainly believe in the reality of spiritual warfare that lies behind, This Present Darkness. If I didn't I never would have written, In Our Midst!

Wilson

[Mark Doble]

Do you like Christian fiction? Specifically, the spiritual warfare genre?

Did you like books like Frank Peretti's, This Present Darkness?

If so, read on....

I am strongly considering making a novel I have written available for reading on-line. As an experiment, I've created a site format and uploaded the first few chapters. I would be interested in your feedback.

Specifically:

1. What do you think of the idea of reading a novel on-line?
2. What do you think of the site format I have chosen?
3. After reading the first two chapters, would you be interested in reading the rest?

The novel is at: www.kenoshafamilychurch.org/midst.htm

Thanks,
Wilson

Great novel so far Wilson! I have read chapters 1 and 2.

Suggestions:
The right side of the page has the contents. The fonts are pretty small to see. Once you have read a chapter could the chapter numbers change colour to let you remember what chapters you have read?
Other than that everything looks just great.

Is it possible for someone to copy and paste each chapter and print it for distribution else where?

The story has me coming back and captivates my full attention. I have sent the link to others to read as well. :fav18

[Wilson L. Deaton]

.... side of the page has the contents. The fonts are pretty small to see. Once you have read a chapter could the chapter numbers change colour to let you remember what chapters you have read?


Thanks for your kind words and for your format suggestions.

I increased contents font size and changed "visited links" to red.

Wilson

[Mark Doble]

Thanks for your kind words and for your format suggestions.

I increased contents font size and changed "visited links" to red.

Wilson

Wilson,
I have added the link to my battlecry.com, and Facebook.com site and sent the link to a few friends. It is great reading... :fav18

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Wilson, I'm impressed -- thanks for sharing with us. The topic isn't really my cup of tea, but I had no problem reading and enjoying the first chapter. I think your work is well done and interesting.

So far as reading from the computer, I think time is on your side. More and more people are doing that. I still greatly prefer having a book in my hand for extended reading, though.

Another minister who has some online fiction is Ken Collins. I think I have read all of his Bobo series, although it has been awhile. It took me a long time though, because I got weary of reading on screen and would give it up for awhile. Then, I would have some time and be at the computer and remember the series and go back and pick it up again for awhile.

http://www.kencollins.com/bobo-001.htm

[Judy Hamilton]

Wilson
Is there some way of preventing others from copy/paste and
in this manner taking what you have created for their own purposes??
I like the idea of reading on-line when i have the time. I am also in the same breath much like Cindi, i enjoy relaxing and curling up comfy with a good book. This is one of my very favorite ways to enjoy passing time.

So for some this internet mode will be an attraction, as a gazillion folks are almost glued to their computer screens.
This is an excellent method to reveal your talents, however if you are wanting this as a back-up retirement..as the idiom goes, best not quit your day job! As folks are less likely to send contributions

My Vietnam pilot friend who wrote a historical novel about his F-100 fighter pilot Squadron in Vietnam did an effective teaser with placing the first three chapters on the internet. To read the rest of the story, one had to purchase the book. His book sold in the thousands of copies and with interest of the pilots in this present war, it continues to sell for this particular genre of readers.

Would you consider putting this book together yourself and selling it to begin with out of your home and perhaps at local Christian book stores?? Is this suggestion off the charts for you? Or perhaps holding the book for a spell until this can become a realistic endeavor??

Judy

[David Cash]

If you wanted to market the book, off-line a cost effective option might be to put it on CD as an e-book. Then people could curl up with their lap tops. . .

David Cash

[Gina Stevenson]

Gina, I am looking for such an online job such as editing. How did you get hooked up with what you are doing?

Actually, it isn't an on-line deal, Mark. It's an old friend from Arizona who's written for years, and is finally getting serious about actually publishing, with two books in the works. ;) Sorry I couldn't be of any help to you.

PS * if you find anything, let me know, too, please. This book's nearly done; don't think this friend will crank out enough books to keep me busy, so ........ ;)

EDIT: Hey, Wilson! Judy's "teaser chapters" idea isn't a bad idea. Perhaps you could leave it all on-line, or have it in book form, or both. One could be given a choice, then, of reading on-line, or curling up under some comfy "banky" with a good book. For further on-line reading, after the "teaser" chapters are done, one has to use paypal to get some "key" to open up the rest of the chapters, perhaps? As for the "real book," that's a no-brainer ... they send for it! ;)

[Jon Twitchell]

Let me go back to my LuLu.com suggestion...

My brother has used them to publish a couple of recordings that he makes available on his website. People order directly from them, and they print it on demand and mail it out.

I've considered publishing some sermon series in that form for people in the congregation to be able to buy...just haven't gotten up the courage to give it a try.

It's really worth looking into.

[Wilson L. Deaton]

Thanks for the input.

I have now completed formatting/uploading the entire novel. I have also added the means for on-line donations (and strengthened the solicitation in the postscript).

I appreciate the suggestions with regard to lulu and/or charging for access, etc. For the immediate future I am going to leave it as is. When things slow down for me--in January--I will revisit some of these suggestions and perhaps decide otherwise. With that in mind, I've also added a statement to the Welcome page stating that I might change my mind about the donation-basis.

Thanks,
Wilson