Hello From Atlanta!

[Mr. Otis]

My wife and I arrived in Atlanta yesterday after a two-day drive from St. Louis. We're here for the CBA International convention to promote my wife's new novel and the series we're working on. Her novel is just being released (the books will be drop-shipped to our hotel from the printer in time for her signings, God willing).

We walked around the World Congress Center next to the Georgia Dome this morning, spoke with our distributor, and checked out the other publishers and distributors setting up their booths. It appears that all of the majors are here, a lot of smaller publishers, and independents, too.

While I'm here, is there anything I can research for anyone? Something you want to know about a particular company? Trends in the fiction or non-fiction markets? Number of books with "purpose driven" in the title?

I'll be glad to do some checking around. We've got three full days to walk the convention floor. Sharon has two signings, one Monday and one Tuesday, and since my novel won't be out until fall, I should have some time to do some investigating. Let me know!

[Gumpngreen]

Publishers and literary agencies that are interested in Christian SciFi and Fantasy.

Thank You

[ChristChild]

I know Xulon press should have a booth. You could see if they have my new Christian Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel there. It just was released this month. It is titled When Worlds Rage. It is book two of my series. Since it is a series, they may have some of book one, Black Storm Rising, as well. I'm not sure if the book came out in time for them to promote it at the convention or not.

Thanks,
Shane

[Merry]

Make that one more wanting to know about the sci-fi fantasy market, what's the trend like? Lot of demand forseen? Thanks Mr. Otis!

Merry

[Mr. Otis]

Hi, all,

I'll definitely be looking at the SF/Fantasy market. The novels my wife and I are writing are most easily described as "Christian X-Files", so we're very interested to see which way the wind is blowing.

Shane, Xulon does indeed have a booth, although the books weren't set out when we walked past earlier. I'll make a note in my PDA and take a look. In fact, I can take a picture or two. From what I saw, the Xulon booth should be pretty impressive--very professional.

[wgjones3]

Do any of the publishers have anything like a listing of job openings? When I finally get my bachelor's next year, I'd like to at least think about breaking into the biz.

While you're out there, any small royalty houses looking for non-romance novel manuscripts? Or are there any small Christian publishing houses left?

[Mr. Otis]

William,

I'll check on the smaller publishers and see what I can find. Our publisher arrived this afternoon--a small publisher, by the way--and said there is a group of indies trying to break in, but the CBA is apparently set up to make that difficult. Not surprising, I guess; Tyndale, Zondervan, Baker House, etc., probably don't want too much competition.

I'll also keep an eye out for job listings. There may be something like that in the official CBA paper.

[Merry]

And while you're there, Mr. Otis, even if it hasn't been mentioned here, if something catches your attention, please, full report!

What can I say? Wish I was there.

Merry

[wgjones3]

What can I say? Wish I was there.

Me too. :D

Thanks for checking Mr. Otis.

[Mr. Otis]

Happy to help. God has blessed us; it's the least I can do.