Pick the next Marcher Lord Press novel!

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By now you may have heard of Marcher Lord Press. Founded by industry veteran Jeff Gerke, the press specializes in speculative fiction from a Christian perspective. So far they've published 9 novels, including their best-selling By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson.

For their Spring 2010 season of titles, they're doing something a little different. Jeff is allowing us, the readers, to choose one of the novels in the next set of books. The contest started several weeks ago as the competition was narrowed down in synopsis contests, and then first chapter contests. Now three contestants remain, and we have until New Year's Eve to vote! The winner is set to be announced at midnight.

Your vote really does matter. Some of the finalists were chosen by one or two votes.

Here are the three titles currently in the running:

This Side of Eden

Premise: What would the world be like today if no one had ever sinned? Carter Friese is about to find out.

The Sending

Premise: The Garden of Eden holds a 4,000 year old secret. One believer must risk his faith to find it.

The Last Apostle

Premise: Imagine that John, the last Apostle, never died, because nineteen centuries ago Christ sent him on a special mission.

Click here to download the full synopses and sample chapters of the finalists.

And then head here to cast your vote! You do have to become a member of the message board, but it's really quick and easy. Click on "Marcher Lord Select" and then "Phase 4 Poll for Main Contest".

I voted for "The Sending". The author, Matt Koceich, is a friend of mine. His wife, Cindi, even took all my author photos at the Writing for the Soul conference last year.

Great new resource - How to Find Your Story

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Character first novelists, this one's for you. You know who you are. You have no problem creating elaborate, interesting characters for your stories. But plot? That's another story. You always come up short in this department.

Let me point you toward a great new e-book by author, publisher and editor Jeff Gerke. It's called "How to Find Your Story". Says Jeff about the book:

This system begins with what you know--your amazing characters--and takes you step-by-step through the process of designing a dynamic plot that will keep readers up late tearing through your pages.

How To Find Your Story applies the three major components of plot and produces a storyline that portrays your characters in the perfect light, includes all the elements that make a story satisfying, and sends it all zinging forward with terrific suspense.

Right now the e-book is being offered for only $4.99, since it's still a beta product (Jeff needs some input from readers). To find out more or to purchase the book, click here.

Jeff Gerke (Advice for Novelists, Part 19)

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Here's Jeff's response to the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

If I were sitting across the table from an aspiring novelist who needed the first bit of guidance, I would tell him to learn his craft.

Some things about the path of a novelist can't be taught. Perseverance, for instance. An abundance of story and character ideas. A tale burning a hole in your heart. But the craft of fiction can be taught, and the novelist who does not commit himself to years in pursuit of its mastery might as well spend the time doing something else. Like playing video games.

I have worked with aspiring authors who have a wonderful story idea and heroic commitment to the hard work of writing a long story. They sacrifice time and energy, gladly paying the opportunity costs involved in writing a novel. And at the other end of the process they come out with a finished manuscript. But the problem is that they never learned how to do what they're attempting, and the result is a high-concept, diligently typed-up mess.

I liken it to a farmer who decides he will build a majestic Gothic cathedral. His goal is worthy and there is no questioning his heart. With endurance he labors long and alone to construct the object of his aspirations. But because he doesn't know what in the world he's doing, his cathedral ends up looking like a disaster.

Can you fault his heart or his desire? Never. But he should've read a book first. He should've gotten help. He should've learned his craft.

So it is with novelists. If you've got the story and the commitment to see the job through to the end, you've got more going for you than most people who say they're going to write a book one of these days. But it's not enough. You have to know what you're doing.

My Fiction Writing Tip of the Week column is written with the aspiring novelist in mind. If you read and heed what I say there, you will learn the essentials--show vs. tell, POV, good characters, good dialogue, etc.--and you will learn advanced techniques and everything in between. Someone who truly adheres to what I've written there will very soon find his fiction craftsmanship improving by leaps and bounds.

I would also recommend that this aspiring author get objective opinions about his fiction. Whether that's from his mom or wife, a critique group, or a book doctor (like me), if it helps him get a better grasp on how to improve as a novelist, it's a good thing.

The story ideas will still be there, and hopefully so will the determination to write it. But it won't be until these admirable qualities are combined with an elevated mastery of the craft of fiction that he will find himself publishable.

--Jeff Gerke, novelist, book doctor & publisher of Marcher Lord Press (Be sure to check out his informative website WhereTheMapEnds.)