Column by Colleen Coble

Bestselling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 5 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

I’ve been asked a few times for the secret to a long career as a novelist. The question always shocks me because it feels like I’ve just gotten a good start, but my first book was bought in 1997. That’s like twenty-seven years—over a quarter of a century! I can’t be that old. I’ve written 85 novels and novellas and have over 5 million books in print. Those stats are meaningless when you love what you’re blessed to do for a living. I don’t ever plan to retire—not when I have so many ideas left to write! I’ve been with my beloved team at HarperCollins for twenty-three years now and hope to have many more years with them.

I gave the questions some thought, and I can point to a few key things that helped along the way. Remember, this is my journey and your mileage may vary.

1. Assemble a trusted team.

I found my critique partner early on, and twenty-five years later, Denise Hunter and I are still reading every word that exits on the other’s laptop. That core expanded to include others as a support group—friends I could help even as they helped me. I’m a big fan of reaching down to lift those who come behind us as well as continuing to learn from the writers who are willing to share their wisdom. Denise always knows what’s missing before I do and helps me brainstorm how to fix a story before it ever gets to my editors. I often host brainstorming retreats and sessions to talk about group marketing ideas. Everything is more fun if you do it together!

2. Be grateful.

Being part of a team is very important to me. My family at HarperCollins Christian Publishing always has my back, and I’m thankful for every single one of them. So many work behind the scenes to launch a new book into the world, and they often get little thanks in return. Thank the person who sells your book into Doubleday or some other special place. Send your core team members some small birthday and Christmas gifts. Email them occasionally and let them know you see them and appreciate their efforts. Get to know them as people and pray for them. I like to visit my publishing house once a year to thank everyone with treats and a hug. I come away energized and excited to tackle the next project together.

3. Embrace the editorial process.

I learn something new with every book. That’s one of the wonderful things about being a writer—you never arrive. It’s a growing process. Editors have an innate gift to be able to see the story so much more clearly than the author can—good ones are born not taught. I literally stalk my inbox when my substantive edits are due, and I can’t wait to read them and dive in. It’s my favorite part of the writing process. I often read my editorial letter and am astonished at how well they see things I missed. My editors and I are on the same page—we want the best possible story—so there’s no place for defensiveness.

4. Pick one social media and be consistent in connecting with readers there.

My special place is Facebook, but others like Instagram or Tiktok. I’m a word girl so thinking about pictures and video is out of my element (though I still try.) Heavily invest in the place where you feel your readers inhabit. Don’t just talk about books either—be a friend and someone they can know behind the pages. If you have a special interest outside of writing, talk about that. Mine is natural health. I love to talk about nutrition and healing. Maybe you like crafts or knitting. Or cats. Be authentic.

5. Publishing is a small world. Don’t burn any bridges.

The person you blow up at in one publishing house might be your editor at the next one. It’s easy to let our egos take over our common sense and it’s never worth it. Also circle back to #2 and be grateful. Even if you feel overlooked, look for ways to build up your team because they need that. A grateful heart fosters good relationships.

6. I quickly learned to write for my readers not myself.

I examine reviews and emails as well as comments on social media and try to deliver what my readers want from me. My team helped me figure out my brand. We took a white board and wrote down the things readers said over and over about my novels. When I start a new story, I try to deliver what they expect. Would I like to write a fantasy? Sure! But I’d disappoint my readers, and I hope never to do that. I have a core of five things readers love about my work, and if I want to veer a bit to feed my creativity, I take a tiny step in another direction by changing one of those five things. Not all writers want to be constricted by having a brand, but I’ve always considered it part of loving my readers. When you love someone, you want to please them, not yourself.

7. Try new things to stay fresh but stay in your core brand.

Wait a minute, am I contradicting what I said in #6? Nope. I recently did a thing that was one step away, and it ended up being a wonderful move. I’d always wanted to write a legal suspense but knew I didn’t have the knowledge to do it well. I asked my attorney friend, Rick Acker, if he’d consider co-writing and he said yes! And it’s been a very fun adventure, and we’re keeping my core brand firmly in mind while we explore new directions. Before you ever consider something like this though, make sure you know your styles mesh and neither of you have an ego. Rick and I both want the best story, and we don’t care who came up with what idea or who wrote which scene.

If you’re getting the impression I believe success is all about relationships and hard work, you’re right. Be a team player and reach out to include and build up others. Doesn’t real success in any endeavor involve those things?

Ambush by Colleen Coble

Paradise Alden returns to her hometown after fifteen years, seeking refuge and healing at a wildlife sanctuary while piecing together the truth about her parents’ murder. But her fresh start is shattered when a series of deadly incidents—including arson and sabotage—plague the sanctuary, and suspicion falls on Blake Lawson, the man who once broke her heart. Determined to uncover the real culprit, Paradise must confront her past and a lurking danger before it claims more lives.

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