The writing life of prophetic people IS DIFFERENT from the lifestyle of mainstream writers. Does this mean we should have less success or give up on marketing? No! Still believe for success. But depending on the call and process, you may need to redefine what "success is" in your life. And as it relates to marketing, still put in the effort if you believe this is what you are supposed to do. This article, however, is for a different level of discussion.
It is focused on the nature of the "prophetic" in our calling, and how our specific calling might come with some different expectations that others might not fully understand.
Remember, the very nature of being being prophetic is to be vessels that release the heart, mind and will of God at whatever level we are called and into varying situations. This includes recognizing that many of God's people are called to much smaller audiences than they are often willing to admit or accept. Smaller doesn't mean less! It just means different (Exodus 18:25). This might also indicate that people place personal or worldly (world-bound) expectations on divine projects…. that might not apply.
Listen, this is a difficult conversation to have, yet we must have it.
Below are five areas of wisdom to consider when you're concerned that your book is not selling even though you've employed multiple strategies. Also note that the intent of this article is not to release any kind of discouragement but to cause us to consider the "prophetic call" of a writer from a different perspective.
- BE REALISTIC ABOUT THE AUDIENCE OF YOUR BOOK.
Some prophetic people who write books are doing so for those they influence directly – whether it is a personal testimony, information on finance, prayers of encouragement, etc.
While counseling a discouraged author some years ago about a particular testimony project, the Lord said this: "Your book is for your family, your children and your children's children. This is your audience. Give the book to them." In this case, the book was a family gift… a legacy… not a project to be sold at all. We live in a COMMERCIALIZED WORLD that often pushes the expectations of MANY upon the few. As prophetic people, however, we need guidance that only Holy Spirit can release for certain projects. THIS IS NOT LIMITING GOD — but working inside our divine limits and boundaries like the ocean, the sands… the sun and the sea.
Many people do not want to face this kind of truth about their projects because they see it as LESS THAN, when it is just as important. I've met pastors who have books that are literally for their congregation (and congregational reach) and that should be used to equip the people there and within the authority of other ministers they will plant out and impact. There are prophetic people who see and hear for particular networks, groups of people, etc. and they are to gather the volumes for that population. The problem with this, however, is that it is human nature to long for greater visibility, reach and influence. Yet, what if that is not the intent for that project? Will it be despised as a result?
The truth is: Prophetic books walk the same path as prophecy. They could target a handful of people in a particular season, impact a people in a specific network or corporate environment or reach the whole world. It's funny we understand this in the organizational marketplace, but struggle with it profoundly among prophetic groups. In the world system, the academic and trade industry have this aspect of publishing locked down. They get it! (Check out my article, "The Timing & Seasons of Books (2009).
- PROPHETIC BOOKS CAN OFTEN HAVE EXTREME LIMITED REACH.
Some of us must accept our calling and its realm of influence. This isn't unusual. Even prophets had certain groups they ONLY prophesied to. Every prophetic message in the Bible had a targeted group of people. Habakkuk's written vision, for example, was directly for the people of Judah at a critical time in their history. For example, most Christian administrators, instructors and creative scribes are not interested in "The Scribal Anointing" and never will be. My books are specifically written for those who embrace the "apostolic-prophetic" realm – although I am writing some academic texts that outline my "findings" from a theological perspective. For me this means one thing: My book sales are limited to this population of people… and can EXPAND within that realm. I had to BUILD AN AUDIENCE for my messages… from scratch, without any precedent. Some of you may have to build an audience for your messages as well.
- PROPHETIC BOOKS ARE ALWAYS THE PRODUCT OF THE VESSEL.
Many prophetic writers are in the process of "becoming the book" that they write or have written. By this, I am simply referencing the fact that we can demonstrate the truth of the message released in our lives. Ezekiel was tasked with EATING THE SCROLL, not just writing the message and moving on. The MESSAGE is who He would grow to become, to represent… and to live out in the earth for those assigned to Him to recognize and understand. This message, however, was about God's heart/desire for His people. (This needs to be said because I’ve met people who believe their suffering is the testimony of Christ, when only their OVERCOMING is the testimony. We must never glorify suffering or consider it as pre-requisite for God’s favor and calling.) In my own life, for example, I had to become "The Scribal Anointing®" — not just talk about it. I had to live in such a way that it could been seen, made known. I had to become "the prophetic word" spoken… the "living word" of the epistle that was written about me within the measure given. YOU also have a measure.
I had to walk it out consistently, demonstrate it, find people to pour it into, produce from it… build a city around it (meaning create a repository).. and not stop! I had to write about it, speak about it… creating my own platform over years by Holy Spirit's leading. That isn't easy. I had to choose ONE BOOK out of the many books in me… that I would stand behind. Often, it is that ONE BOOK – that when it becomes successful — propels or draws interest in the others. The point is this: Prophetic projects require prophetic acts of faith from the vessel. Yes, people have found success by paying big money to succeed… but for some of us there is a process that refines THE VESSEL for the appointed time. Do not be in a hurry. Many cities are built on sinking sand… don't allow yours to become one of them.
- PROPHETIC BOOKS ARE ALWAYS ASSIGNED TO AN APPOINTED TIME – IN THE WRITERS LIFE, IN THE EARTH AND IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Like prophetic words, SOME prophetic books are tied to divine seasons and timing. What you have written today may not enter its season of fulfillment until years later or even after a person has transitioned from the earth realm into the eternal Kingdom. As prophetic people, we must make peace with the destiny of our assignments – whatever they may be.
Father is in control as we walk continuously and consistently in obedience… doing all that we know to do in love and faithfulness. Somehow, we must become CONTENT in our efforts… always pushing toward that obedience. When I released the prophecy about "The Scribal Anointing" in 2005, crickets could be heard… in my environment. No one cared. When I wrote the book a year later… same thing, but certain people began to be stirred by the message. Then… the water broke IN GOD'S TIMING SIX YEARS AGO…. as heaven broke the scribal seal. If I HAD STOPPED because I felt alone and shelved the book, it would have been like the virgins who had no oil.
- THE PROPHETIC IS HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON MOMENTUM.
Momentum, as I see it, is the line-upon-line obedience that gathers speed and force over-time that aligns you with divine moments or destiny. In other words, what you do RIGHT NOW…. TODAY indisputably affects your position a decade from now. We must see ourselves as PROPHETIC BUILDERS whose ministries rely on consistency in our obedience and assignment. Every act is a new step added… that will lead us into PERFECT ALIGNMENT at the appointed time. So, you may need to teach your book! You may need to host Bible studies, start a book reading group, create an event or workshop, etc. around what God has given you. Some books are COMPLETELY ABOUT THE MESSAGE unfolding in you…. and the book becomes an extension of that. But with NO MOMENTUM… there may not be an audience or the development of the book.
Many prophetic people lose momentum and lose alignment due to frustration AND COVETING. Be patient. Keep moving. Keep the oil in your lamp so you are ready. Pray to be content if you need to. Fight that old-man or woman called the flesh… and do not let frustration devour you. (This is a huge testing… of Sonship). I’ve wanted to quit so many times I cannot list them all. Then, someone like you, sends me a Facebook message or buys a course and I come to my senses! Let’s be real here. But without MOMENTUM… we are not positioned to succeed, much less sell books.
PROPHETIC PROJECTS REQUIRE PROPHETIC SOLUTIONS FOR THE MASSES AND FOR THE SMALL GROUP! As such, we cannot confuse one person’s outward success with our path of success. But we can find the success in each of our projects that the Lord wants and desires. We cannot always see the VISIBLE SUCCESS OF OTHERS AS KINGDOM SUCCESS FOR US.
