For Young and New Writers: Working With an Epublisher Can Be Profitable

Being a young or new author can be quite disheartening. You are trying to find your writing style/voice all the while looking for an agent to take you under their wing and on top of all that, getting a publisher to take a chance on you and publish your book.

And it's hard isn't it? Finding that agent and big or even small brick-n-mortar publishing company who will give you a chance?

Flat out rejection hurts, and repeated rejections can cause a young or new writer to doubt themselves so deeply, they won't believe they have it in them to put fingers to keyboard anymore. Also, rejection does no good when it is generic feedback and offers no clue as to improving your writing. And as we all well know, you can't please everybody.

Well new and young authors, have you ever considered epublishing as a way to get your books out there? I know, I know, there are some that will tell you that epublishing is not truly being published. I'm here to tell you that not only is it truly being published but it is the future and even some brick-n-mortar publishing companies are starting to lean toward it.

Epublishing is a way to go when you want to see your work for sell fast as well as professionally and has other benefits like:

Ebooks come in an array of genres and subgenres so you can find a niche, explore it, expand it, or change it on a whim.

You can sell internationally faster than if your book is somewhere sitting on a shelf in a building.

Also, since ebooks are downloaded instantly, if a reader liked what they read and wanted more titles from you, they can find you through a supplied link (included in your ebook) and download more of your work immediately. Instant sells can up your fanbase quickly.

It is cheaper to go with an epublisher than to go with a traditional publisher, or even self publish. None I have ever corresponded with charge a fee, they help with advertising and marketing, provide ecovers, allow you to retain more of your rights - for instance, an epublisher may only ask for the electronic rights for your book (includes: ebook, audiobooks, digital, cd's, etc.) but you keep the print rights - allowing you to have your hardcover and/or paperback book on the shelves at the same time your ebook is selling on the internet. Very profitable indeed.

So you see, epublishing, though still fairly new, is nothing to shake a stick at. It can be where you fit in. It can be what gets your name out there and known. Who knows, maybe it can help put you on the path of the New York Times Bestseller List.

Now take heart you young and new writers, you can be published, you may just have to rethink your view on what and how being published means to you.

Nina Hobson is the owner of Hellicious Horrors? Epublishing.

The epublishing company devoted solely to horror ebooks starring straight, bi, gay, lesbian and transgender preteens - young adults. Hellicious Horrors? Epublishing specializes in new and aspiring writers.

She is also a supporting member of the Horror Writer's Association and a member of IBPA.

Hellicious Horrors? Epublishing:
http://www.hellicioushorrors.com/

Contact email:
nhobson@hellicioushorrors.com

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Why Did Jesus Ask The Rich Young Ruler to Sell All That He Had?

A simple question from the rich young ruler about eternal life gave Jesus Christ an opportunity to teach what it really means to be a Christian.

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all record the famous conversation between Jesus of Nazareth and the rich young ruler in Judeo-Palestine. The significance of this encounter has been written about, debated and preached on for centuries. Was Jesus teaching salvation by works? Is poverty necessary for eternal life? Was Jesus placing too high a standard or burden on the shoulders of a man who seemed genuine and sincere? What can this conversation teach us about the true nature of salvation and following Christ?

The Gospels of Matthew and Mark record that this man who came to Jesus was young and possessed great wealth. The Gospel of Luke adds that he was a "ruler," which most likely places him within the Herodian dynasty. Accordingly, this rich young ruler was probably a Hellenized Jew with great political clout, significant wealth, social esteem and a promising future. Yet this young man, for all his earthly prominence, wanted more. He wanted to live forever.

Impressed by what he had seen and heard of the itinerant Jewish miracle worker and teacher named Jesus of Nazareth, this young man decided to get the answers he sought. When the opportunity presented itself, he very respectfully presented himself to Jesus and asked the question that was at the forefront of his mind.

The nineteenth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew records the encounter as follows:

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’

19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?"

21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

When the rich young ruler came to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life, he was hoping for a different answer than the one he received. When Jesus told him that he’d have to sell all he had to give it to the poor, the young man went away sad. That Jesus called on the man to give up his wealth has been used by some to prove that salvation and eternal life are achieved by good works in this life. Others have argued that poverty is necessary for true salvation. Neither conclusion supported by the text.

Jesus introduces his teaching by first questioning the man's choice of greeting. He asks why the young man calls him "good," and points out that "no one is good," except for God. To prove this, Jesus turns the man's attention to the commandments. The young man seems unable to grasp the entirety of the Mosaic Code and basically asks Jesus which ones are most important. Jesus provides a partial list, bolstering the man's confidence. He almost gleefully announces that he's faithfully kept the ones Jesus mentions. Then, Jesus cuts to the heart. He challenges the young man to give up his wealth and follow him. At this, the young man chooses his wealth over Jesus and goes away sad.

True salvation requires complete repentance and a full confession of Christ. When that takes place, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the heart (Romans 5:5) and begins a work of regeneration (II Corinthians 5:17) and sanctification (I Corinthians 1:2; I Thessalonians 5:23). This doesn’t mean that Christians are perfect or that they won’t go through periods of rebellion, doubts, or problems. Sanctification doesn’t mean perfection. It means that God is working on us to move us toward perfection, toward holiness.

Yet a follower of Christ must be willing to commit themselves to this journey at the very outset. When Jesus called his disciples, he challenged them to forsake what they had and follow him. It was the same call he gave to the rich young ruler. In the case of the disciples, most of them walked away from very little, at least in terms of worldly possessions. But the rich young ruler had much to walk away from, which is why Jesus says later in Matthew 19 that it's easier for a rich man to pass through the "eye of a needle" than to enter the kingdom of heaven.

The Bible does not record whether the rich young ruler ever changed his mind or regretted his decision. One can be assured, however, that this man couldn't take his wealth, influence, or prestige into the next life. Upon his death, he entered eternity, and the only thing that matters at that stage is one's relationship with God.

Copyright Brian Tubbs. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.

Brian Tubbs - Brian Tubbs is a minister, writer, and former educator living in Northern Virginia. He writes on personal development, faith, and ...

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