A Review: Christian Writers’ Market Guide 2009

The Christian Writers’ Market Guide 2009 by Sally Stuart is a powerful resource for all authors interested in the Christian market. It contains a burgeoning amount of information identifying literary outlets for Christian writers. It is a reference work, not a “how to” book. It can help the writer to identify which books or periodicals might be the best outlets for its works.

After an initial chapter explaining how the book is best used, chapter 2 covers Book publishers. This chapter divides into three parts. Part one is a topical list of book publishers (e.g. Bereavement, homiletics, Marriage, Women’s books, etc). Thus the prospective published writer can use the list to guide her or him to the publisher most likely interested in that particular topic. The second list is a simple alphabetical listing of all Christian publishers. The third list is a list of “subsidy publishers.” A subsidy is when the publisher requires you to pay all or part of the costs associated with publishing a book. (The term I am more familiar with is “subvention”). The fourth section is a list of book distributors (e.g. Campus Crusade, Christian Book Distributors). The final section is what Stuart calls a “marketing analysis” where she lists publishers by the numbers of books published, most popular book topics, etc.

Section (chapter?) Three covers much of the same ground, except with periodicals. The first section is a topical listing of Christian magazines. It includes topics like book reviews, African-American Markets, Grandparenting, Poetry, etc. A second (sub)section then lists the Christian periodicals alphabetically. This is followed by a final “market analysis” of periodicals. The fourth section of this tome explores the world of Christian greeting cards, gifts, and specialty markets. It also includes Christian software, DVDs and music CDs.

The fifth section is entitled “Helps for Writers” and focuses upon subjects like writer’s conferences, editorial services, literary agents, and writing contests. The sixth (and final) section of the book includes an index and glossary as well as a break down of publishers by both corporate ownership and denominational affiliation. Included with the book is a CD which contains an additional three sections covering additional resources for writers, additional writing and marketing resources, and a final section of a glossary of terms.

This lengthy work (547 pages + a CD) provides a blizzering array of information categorized in a very logical way about all elements of the Christian writing market. In its collection of data, it is more of a resource4 than a how-to of getting into the Christian writing market. The Christian Writers’ Market Guide is an invaluable resource for any writer who is interested in writing their way into this market.

It’s also sad and depressing.


My mind reels at the micro-niches found throughout the Christian subculture. Do we need two magazines separated only by punctuation? Good News or Good News! (As opposed to the regional website Good News of South Florida or the Good News Connection). Maybe they’ll even come up with a Good News, etc. (Oh…. they did). How would the motorcycling needs of a Christian motorcyclist differ from a pagan motorcyclist. Plus, doesn’t another religion already have the motorcycling market down?

I understand the need for marketing analyses and micro-niches. I think that there is an important role for Christian publishing houses with their attendant books and magazines. I simply think that we get into trouble when we speak only to ourselves. What we need (as others have said) is fewer good “Christian writers” and more good writers who happen to be Christians.

But that is more a critique of the culture that provides the need for this book rather than a critique of this books itself. Which is exceptionally good and thorough.