When you meet with an editor at a conference, such as the CLASS Christian Writers Conference, you will probably have only 15 minutes to sell him/her on your idea. You want to leave something in his hands so he will remember you after the conference is over. He will have talked to many, many people, and you will want to stand out. You can accomplish this with a “One Sheet.” Also, there may be some editors you cannot get an appointment with. You can find a moment when they are free and hand them your “One Sheet.”

More self-published books are being printed each year. I know when I work with people through my Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service and they are considering self-publishing, the first question I ask them is: Is this book going to sell well in Christian stores, or are you going to be your own best market? If a person has a wonderful speaking platform and is writing their own personal experience story, they will probably sell a lot of books at their speaking engagements.

When I was teaching a class on interviewing, I came up with 10 general questions to ask. I'll list them below, but keep in mind you would never ask all these questions during an interview. You would just pick and choose a couple to add to the list you have already compiled after studying the person you are interviewing. Also keep in mind that some of these may be threatening, so make sure the person will be willing to answer them.

1. Do you have any special words you live by?
2. Was there a time in your life when you felt closest to God?

A query letter is very important, particularly if the editor does not know you. If the letter doesn't grab the editor, he won't read on or ask for more.

When I teach a basic article writing class, this is what I say the query letter should include:

1. Why are you qualified to write this article?
2. What is it about (told in one paragraph)?
3. Who is your audience and why will they be interested?
4. Why will this book be appropriate for this particular publication?

What is the difference between a compilation and an anthology?

I think of an anthology as a collection of literary works such as poems, essays, songs, etc.

At a recent conference, I was told that E-books and POD still only control about 5% of the market. I think they will increase in time, but not quickly. Focus on the Family is offering one of my books as a POD. However those ordering it don't realize that Focus has run out of books. When they order a book, Focus will just print it.

I do agree that in many areas Christian book's lag behind secular books, but I'd like to say a word in defense of the Christian market. I've been in this business for 30 years, and the Christian books today far surpass those of 20 years ago, especially in the area of fiction. Personally I write in the area of nonfiction, and I have been thrilled the publishers finally realize that Christians have the same problems that the secular world has. Plus, they are willing to publish books on these subjects.

Various publishing houses approach the editorial function differently. Yet, the main job of all editors is to find good manuscripts, develop them, and then sell these manuscripts to the in-house departments. With the help of Len Goss, I revised my $5 packet on How to Submit a Book Proposal. In the packet, Len suggested four basic steps that he uses in reaching the publishing decision. He has given me permission to share these here with you.

One of the main questions I am often asked is: Exactly what is an editor looking for? Following are five things editors have told me that they look for in articles and stories.

1. Sharp Focus. An article should stay on target. In a previous column we talked about developing a good focus sentence. Make sure that your theme is developed throughout the piece and that you don't stray from your focus. If your article rambles or deviates on a tangent, it will be rejected.