~Elizabeth Mueller
Upon reading Lisa Turner's post on the 9th of October, I was brought back to the time when I decided to take my writing a step further: publication.
This was my thought:
Knowing the Lord has bestowed the gift of writing upon me, I'd want to share my light unto the world. I love missionary work and have the great desire to reach out to more than those in my ward, neighborhood and other networks.
I know that staying within the LDS market, I can keep my books clean and it is acceptable. But can I spread myself out and still remain clean?
I was confused for a long time.
Then at an LDStorymakers Writer's Conference in 2009, I met a published author whose books are marketed for LDS audiences only. I still wasn't sure which market to hit and if the LDS was for me.
I had asked her her thoughts on being in this market. She shared with me that it's been pleasant, but she wished she had started out in the National Market so that she could reach larger audiences.
My thoughts started churning.
My books are still clean and LDS-worthy, but I'm planning to publish them National. Because of their 'clean level', my target audience acceptable to them is Young Adult. I know that adults find my novels just as intriguing as the youth, seeing that my alpha readers (friends who read the novel before it is published) are both teens and adults.
I've written 8 books and am working on Rock star. It is geared for youth, but has a powerful message for adults as well.
If you're still not sure who your audience should be, pray to the Lord and ask Him for guidance, inspiration and patience. Still keep Him in mind as you compose your stories.
As of now, who is your target audience?
photo found here
I'm working on a Non-fiction LDS book, so right now my target audience is all the women and young women of the church. It really does help to be able to envision my audience and know that I want to reach out and help every single one of them!
ReplyDeleteUntil I found these blogs I hadn't even realized there was an LDS market. (yes I am thick skulled at times :P) I have several novels in various forms of completion which were written for the adult Fantasy reader.
ReplyDeleteI am also trying to put together an LDS Homeschooling mother's manual for teaching scriptures. THAT has me a wee bit... oh I dunno scared, daunted? The audience for that would be other LDS mothers who homeschool.
Interesting. I just recently found a site called squeakycleanreads.com that caters pretty well to the LDS market in terms of finding nice clean books to read. some are by LDS authors and some are not.
ReplyDelete