Why Hospitality Toward Our Readers Should be Our First Priority Over Selling Books
A few years ago, while listening to a webinar hosted by Thomas Umstattd, Jr., he said something that impressed me and motivated me to write two questions on a Post-It note that still hangs on my computer monitor today. How do you throw a banquet for your readers? How do you serve them if you don’t know who they are?
Sadly, I was too distracted by my personal publishing goals to fully pursue the answers to the questions. But a study of David Gibson’s book, The Lord of Psalm 23, led me to consider King David’s profound relationship with the Lord. It also forced me to take a second look at Thomas’s questions and dig deep to discover how I view my relationship with my readers as an author of my Gilded Age historical romance, A Song of Deliverance.
In Psalm 23, David’s words inspire a truth transcending time and place. He said,
“You prepare a table before me
In the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows.”
–Psalm 23:5
Gibson points out the three verbs in the text that show God’s active care and benevolence toward us as we receive all His good gifts that He’s prepared for us. It’s a picture of a host who desires to serve, and it reminds us of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet at the Passover feast before His crucifixion. Gibson says, “It’s in God’s nature to serve us as much as it is to save us.”
According to commentator George Lamsa, “In the East, a man’s fame is spread by means of his table and lavish hospitality rather than his possessions.” That notion contradicts the concept of American consumerism, which boasts about the things we’ve accumulated rather than generously serving others. Instead, God prepares an extravagant feast for all who will sit at His table to enjoy His abundant blessings.
But while it’s God’s good pleasure to provide a bounteous table, His greater desire is for us to know Him intimately, personally. In John 10, we read, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15, ESV). If we want to emulate Jesus in our lives, we must get to know our audience and understand their greatest needs.
A fundamental principle seems clear. Just like the man whose reputation for lavish hospitality brings honor to his name, authors can develop an abiding relationship with their readers by showing care and concern for them. But how do we provide a banquet for our readers? How do we serve them? It may look a little different for every author, but there are several general ways to serve our readers.
First and foremost, we must be authentic in our desire to serve. Readers will catch on and move on if we operate out of self-centered motives. We can respect our readers by offering consistent excellence in our work. That means doing the necessary groundwork in whatever genre we write if we want our readers’ trust. As Christian authors, we also need to maintain a standard of godly moral values that befit our calling in our projects as well as our personal lives.
It’s also essential to communicate with our readers at least once a month and conduct periodic surveys to understand what moves them or compels them to read our books and newsletters. We honor them when we listen to their feedback. I usually try to survey my newsletter readers at least once a year to get their input. In addition, we can offer occasional giveaways readers will enjoy from their favorite authors. This year, I worked with originator Penny Zell and a group of authors who offered up recipes from their novels to create a cookbook our readers could download for free. Most importantly, if readers respond to our newsletter, answer them immediately to keep the relationship fresh and personal.
“Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8, ESV). And serve up an abundant banquet at every opportunity, so your readers will feel appreciated and cared for at all times.
Born into the Irish system of land-holding that favors the moneyed class, Anna Sullivan has no dowry and no chance of marrying the man she loves. Poor and heartbroken, she flees Ireland to tend to Uncle Liam’s house in Colorado and take on her deceased aunt’s sewing business.
But when Anna arrives in Georgetown, she discovers a mine disaster at the Singing Silver Mine has killed her uncle. Orphaned and destitute again, she gathers her faith, courage, and ingenuity to establish a life in the community. Only one person stands in her way—the mine’s owner.
A wealthy, grief-stricken widower of European nobility, Stefan Maier threw his energies into making his mark as a silver mining baron in Colorado when his wife and child died at sea, emigrating to America. Now, everyone blames him for the mine disaster that killed nine men. But how does he convince the lovely and opinionated Irish woman of his innocence?
Will Anna’s heart soften towards Stefan? Will Stefan prove himself worthy of Anna’s affections? Each will have to risk everything to attain what they want and need most—love.
Weaving history and faith into tales of intrigue and redemption grew out of Donna’s love of travel, history, and literature as a young adult while attending the United World College of the Atlantic—an international college in Wales. She enjoys developing plots that show how God’s love abounds even in the profoundly difficult circumstances of our lives. Her stories reflect the hunger in all of us for love, belonging, and forgiveness in a world that often withholds second chances.
Donna became a communications professional before writing full-time. Her short stories and articles have appeared in inspirational publications. Her Gilded Age Historical Romance, A Song of Deliverance released in December 2024. She also has two indie-published Christian romantic suspense novels in her Waldensian Series Light Out of Darkness and Undaunted Valor. Donna and her husband of forty years participate in ministry at their local church in Colorado. They love spending time with their grandchildren and bike, kayak, and travel whenever possible.
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