• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer

Stephen M. Miller

Award-Winning, Bestselling Christian Author

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Blog Features
  • Bible
  • Contact
Painting/photo of Jerusalem Temple-Casual English Bible

My most persistent battle as a Christian writer

Stephen M. Miller
atheist badge
MY TARGET AUDIENCE. I don’t write for Christians. I write for the soul who wears this badge. I don’t have a problem with Christians reading my books about the Bible and Christianity. I welcome it. But I write for a tougher crowd – tougher to get them anywhere near a Bible. One tip: Don’t preach. Photo by Danny Birchall / flickr.

THERE’S ONE BATTLE I often have to fight when I send a book off to a publisher.

It’s not usually a pitched battle – though on one occasion I withdrew my manuscript from a publisher because of it.

The trouble starts with my mission:

I write books about the Bible and Christianity for non-Christians and nominal Christians. Bible newbies.

Those are the people I target because those are the people Jesus told his disciples to target when he gave them the Great Commission:

“Go and make disciples of all the nations….Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.”
—Jesus, Matthew 28:19-20, NLT

Jesus didn’t say, “Go hang out in the church, sing to the choir, and chitchat about your kids in small groups.”

Here’s my dilemma.

Nearly everyone I work with, including agents, publicists, editors, and publishers ask me to please write for conservative Christians.

That’s where they say the market is.

That’s who they say buy my books.

And that’s the profile of the “Gatekeepers.”

Those are the bookseller folks who decide whether or not my books will go on the shelf in their Christian bookstores.

They also decide if my books will go on the racks in high-traffic areas such as airport gift shops, discount stores, and supermarkets. I love my books on racks out where non-Christians go. It’s hard for me to imagine a non-Christian going into a Christian bookstore. Wouldn’t that be a bit like seeing a Klingon at a pajama party?

If all of what those book publishing advisors say is true, then conservative Christianity is not only where my market is – it’s where my money is.

But it’s not where my people are.

My people don’t know much about Jesus or the Bible. When it comes to religion, they’re not conservative because they don’t have anything to conserve.

I walk a tightrope, trying to write books that will interest non-Christians who are curious about the Bible and the Christian faith – yet doing it in a way that won’t choke a “Gatekeeper.”

It’s a tricky business.

One criticism I get from some straight-laced Christians is that my tone or my choice of words is disrespectful to God or to the Bible.

I understand how people could see that, if they presume I’m writing to die-hard believers.

But I write to nonbelievers, so I try to open up a topic by approaching it the way they do. I start where they are, and then try to nudge them to think about what the Bible and what top Bible experts have to say about the matter. No preaching. Zilch. Other writers do that, plenty.

I ask hard questions, in their tone of voice – and sometimes with their choice of words, which might sound irreverent to the longtime saint.

  • Why is the Old Testament God such a jerk?
  • Why on earth should I embrace a God who tells Joshua and the Jews to kill everything in Canaan – men, women, children, and even the baby goats?
  • Speaking of Joshua, do you really expect me to believe that he stopped the sun and moon in the sky? For heaven sake, I had physics in high school.

Then there are the controversial issues:

  • Abortion
  • Homosexuality
  • Evolution

There are Christians on both sides of those issues.

Yes there are.

I report that in my books, and I try to present the most compelling rationale behind their arguments.

What happens, though, is that some Christians see me reporting something they don’t agree with, and they tag me as a liberal heretic for merely reporting it.

Some liberals, by the way, see me reporting the conservative side of the debate, and they tag me as a heartless conservative – or an idiot.

Anyone in need of proof could go to some of the websites that sell my books. Read the reviews. Most are flattering, thankfully. But some are flaming, predicting that one day I’ll be flaming, too.

That would leave a mark.

This is not an easy ministry. I swim upstream in Christian publishing.

That’s where my people are.

Or as one of my publicists put it – cynically I suspect – my “imagined readers.”

So here’s a prayer request: From time to time, ask the Good Lord to point me in the right direction. Wherever that is, that’s where I’d like very much to go.

Share this:

  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...
View All Posts - Ordered by Most Recent First
« Previous
Next »

About Stephen M. Miller

STEPHEN M. MILLER is an award winning bestselling Christian author of easy-reading books about the Bible and Christianity and author of the Casual English Bible® paraphrase. His books have sold over two million copies and include The Complete Guide to the Bible and Who’s and Where’s Where in the Bible.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wayne Sacchi

    June 26, 2013 at 6:06 am

    And you got me too…with a nice Christian cattle prod LOL…can’t wait for that “Question and Answer” book you promised you were writing…I enjoy your books my friend!

    Reply
    • Stephen M. Miller

      June 26, 2013 at 8:25 am

      Hey, thanks Wayne.

      Reply
  2. Elaine

    June 26, 2013 at 6:20 am

    Steve: I just wanted to say DO NOT STOP writing the way you write. I love the way you express yourself in your books. You know that my husband ( Derrick) & I both read your books but have to have our own. We have been on this walk a while but understanding the walk and the Bible is the key. You ask questions & talk about things “Christians” are afraid to either ask about or talk about. Keep writing, do not change.

    Reply
    • Stephen M. Miller

      June 26, 2013 at 8:23 am

      Thanks for the encouragement, Elaine. Say hey to Derrick for me. I’m praying for both of you.

      Reply
  3. Brenda Nixon

    June 26, 2013 at 6:27 am

    Always good thoughts, good wordsmith skills.

    Reply
    • Stephen M. Miller

      June 26, 2013 at 8:21 am

      Thanks, Brenda. I’m hoping this blog post doesn’t get me in trouble.

      Reply
  4. Sherry

    June 26, 2013 at 6:42 am

    You continue to “preach” it, My Friend, and I’ll turn the pages! I love seeing your books in our local grocery story!

    Reply
    • Stephen M. Miller

      June 26, 2013 at 8:20 am

      Thanks Sherry. I love seeing the books in the grocery stores, too. So much so that when I met one of the “rackers,” who handles sales for those racks that you see in secular places, I hugged him. This was at the book convention this week. The dude was a Mennonite, so it shocked him a tad. But I love those rackers. They take my books to where my people are. The gent saw me later at the convention, and he smiled and said “Hello, Stephen.” So I guess he got over the hug.

      Reply
  5. Robin

    June 26, 2013 at 6:53 am

    Steve, as far as I can see, don’t change a thing.

    God has given you a gift. I believe you are being used as His vessel and that, my Christian Brother, is what we are here for, not to please people, but to glorify God.

    I believe God wants us to ask Him questions, come to Him and hear what He has to say. He wants us to have child like faith. And “newbies” may not understand the history of the bible books or the people/culture etc. Your books clarify that in simple terms so when we pick up HIS word we can have light and clarification. And the pictures! How super is that to have a visual with the verbage?!? Pretty super.

    I pray God will guide you, but I sense after reading your work, how you got here and the support of your spouse, your right where He wants you.

    Reply
    • Stephen M. Miller

      June 26, 2013 at 8:16 am

      Very kind, Robin. Thank you.

      Reply
  6. Erin

    June 26, 2013 at 7:11 am

    Keep up the good work ad fight the good fight! There many of us Christians out there that LOVE your style of writing because it’s not preaching to us. Even us long time Christians cannot grow in our faith if we don’t question it at times and study it for ourselves. If we all we do is listen to someone’s opinion on the matter (weather it’s an amazing preacher liberal or conservative) we just become brainwashed with others ideas and opinions, not a stronger Christian who knows their faith.

    On another note, I have a bible study group at my work that I lead and sometimes we have issues because of this. We all come from different faith backgrounds and are different points in our faith. So we really need a good study guide that is nothing but facts (like your books). So if you haven’t already, I think a small group bible study guide text would be a great idea! (we’re currently using the Serendipity Bible)

    Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Stephen M. Miller

      June 26, 2013 at 8:15 am

      Thanks Erin. I’m working on a book that deals with tough questions about our faith. I hope to create a leader’s guide for a free download.

      Reply
  7. Debbie

    June 26, 2013 at 8:35 am

    I also would be interested in having a small group bible study guide for my group. I remember the first time I seen one of your books was at a airport coming home from a vacation. I wanted the book but money was tight so I didnt buy it. I regretted not buying it and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I Forgot to write down the name or author of the book, so it bothered me even more. One day at my Christian book store I thought I’m going to look for that book. I remembered what the cover looked like. So I started looking up this isle and down another.. I was about to give up. I had already looked in this area twice. I looked away then looked back and there it was right in front of me..lol..I have been a fan of your books ever since. I have learned so much from your writings that I feel it has made me a stronger christian and I thank you for it.

    Reply
    • Stephen M. Miller

      June 26, 2013 at 8:45 am

      Thank you, Debbie. I’m glad you’re a persistent shopper. So is my wife; she gets stuff even when I ask her not to. We were in another country recently and she wanted to get a Starbucks gift certificate to use back home. She liked the idea of the foreign city name on the card. I told her I wasn’t sure she’d be able to use it back in the States. So she went in and bought three. One for her. One for our daughter. And one for our daughter-in-law. I hope they work, that’s all I can say.

      Reply
  8. fernando

    June 26, 2013 at 8:59 am

    Man, I really like your books and the words you chose. In the bible there are though questions and hard stuff to believe of course. –Opening the sea, a piece of wood turned into a serpent, animals speaking human language, the sun stopped, a floating hand writing in a wall, fire not consuming the wood and many weird stuff I have never seen in the real world—. But the approach to the bible and the style you write in your books, is kind. Good for starters and if other people don’t like.. well, they can buy other books right? Good Luck

    Reply
    • Stephen M. Miller

      June 26, 2013 at 9:02 am

      God bless Fernando. May he spend many years on this planet.

      Reply
  9. Mark

    June 28, 2013 at 5:05 pm

    I’m curious to read one of your books now

    Reply
    • Stephen M. Miller

      July 1, 2013 at 4:30 pm

      Mark, you can take a peek into my books by going to the Books section of my website and opening up the flip books. They’ll give you a sample of what I do.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sidebar

Casual English Bible Website

Featured Book

Complete Guide to the Bible

Complete Guide to the Bible
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Books-A-Million
Buy from Christian Book Distributor
Buy from Google Play

Latest Posts

  • I do one thing better than God May 27, 2025
  • When our faith glitches May 5, 2025
  • Job is the right book for me now April 16, 2025

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog Features
  • Books
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Copyright © 2025 · Stephen M. Miller · All Rights Reserved

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
Reject AllAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
%d