An Interview with Dianne Burnett
CSL: Hi Dianne. Tell me a little about yourself--your interest in books, how you got your job, and just what is your job, anyway, at christianbook.com?
DB: I'm passionate about Christian fiction, otherwise known as books without explicit content. I'm also passionate about promoting new authors, upcoming authors, etc. because the world needs quality fiction with a sense of hope, no matter what the genre.
In order to work anywhere else at Christianbook.com /CBD, we all start in Customer Service, no matter what experience we have. Our customers are very important to us and in order to do any other job in our compay, well, we must first get to know our customers.
My background for working as the fiction editor is varied. I've worked in marketing; as a buyer for both retail and technical companies; corporate sales; and then took time off to tend to my children's speical needs. I'm probably one of the few people that have no desire to write a book. My greatest strength is networking; to be a conduit between the authors and the customers.
CSL: How long have you been working in the publishing world and at your job?
DB: I've worked as a fiction editor for 5 years and in CBD customer service for two years beyond that. My first day at CBD was 9/10/01. When the planes hit into the twin towers and the pentagon on 9/11, our then CEO called us all down into the cafeteria, and then got on his knees, suit and all, and prayed for all involved in 9/11. I've never been so moved. Steve also allowed anyone who needed to go home to do so, but refused to close the company because he felt it would feed into the fear that the terrorists wanted to instill. I knew I was working for the right company and knew I would always do my best for such a good company. In the meanwhile, the comany was sold three years ago to Steve's brother, Ray, so we're still in good hands.
CSL: Since I am involved with a group of writers trying to publish speculative fiction (fantasy, sci-fi, futuristic, anything outside the box), my main interest is in those genres. What have you seen, in the time you have been in the business, has been the response and interest for them?
DB: It's funny that you should ask such a question. I just read a fantasy book by George Polivka Bryan called,"The Legend of the Firefish," published by Harvest House.
It was the first time in recent history that I've been able to give my daughter (aged 19) a book I know she'll like because she enjoys fantasy. It's wonderfully written, in a similar vein as C. S. Lewis,and will definitely capture the imagination of teens and adults.
Although, we haven't seen much in the fantasy genre, there's so much room for growth, particularly in the CBA market. We have an audience of teens, young adults, and adults that have nothing in the fantasy genre to read except what is published in the ABA market. I don't know about others, and I only speak for myself, but don't we want to reach these impressionable young people?
CSL: Do you see any trends that fantasy in the Christian market is growing, or that there is a clear demand from the readers? What is your observation on that?
DB: I don't think we currently have a broad enough range of choice in the CBA Fantasy genre to intrigue readers into the CBA fantasy on a wide spread level. I think of it much like all the baby boomers are getting older so we need more large print fiction. The same is true for teens needing fantasy alternatives. The market is there, it just needs to be addressed.
CSL: Do publishers who release fantasy books (CBA) do much marketing for them? We all know the main market for CBA books is the white, American housewife with small children. Do you feel certain segments of the Christian readership. such as teens and young adults, are being considered and provided for by the publishers?
DB: Since Animae(sp?) hit the YA market in a big way, the CBA market is trying to play catch up in the YA market and the kids are devouring it; never mind the fact that it gives parents more options to give their older children. The only area that hasn't been picked up by the publishers is the fantasy genre.
In years past, there were very few choices in the CBA market and frankly, the writing wasn't up to par with the ABA market, in general. Now, there's a plethora of new writers that are taking the CBA market by storm. One of the reasons is that publishers have broadened their horizons, and customers have shown they want to read more realistic books that deal with real issues. The publishers are customer -driven, and, as more and more fantasy books are accepted by the our audience, the more we'll see a wealth of excellent fantasy writers. It's like the leak in the dike. Once the dam is broken, there are many outstanding writers in the fantasy genre that will have their day.
CSL: You seem to really love fantasy. Do you have any favorite books in that genre, and do you feel there is a need for more and, if so, of what type?
DB: I love all genres of fiction and can honestly say there isn't one genre that I like over the other, which is quite helpful for the job I do. I care mainly for the quality of the writing.
CSL: Are there any ways you'd like to see the Christian book market change or grow?
DB: Obviously, the fiction market needs to continue to grow on the path that we have in the last few years; getting better and better. More, specifically, I'd like to see more quality multi-cultural fiction and more fantasy/sci-fi for a largely untapped fiction market.
CSL: For writers like myself, do you have any recommendations on the best ways to get noticed and picked up by CBA publishers?
DB: Be persistent and attend writers' conferences.
---My heartfelt thanks to Dianne for sharing her insights!
