WCCW December News: Publishing Options?

3 Types of Publishing, WCCW Award Winners, and MORE!

Dec 18, 2025

West Coast Christian Writers (WCCW) is a 501c3 nonprofit; we are writers helping writers.

Which Type of Publishing is Right For Me?

The 3 Types and What to Consider

Is self-publishing right for you? There are many paths to publication. Let’s look at three of them: traditional (aka royalty) publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid.

Traditional (aka Royalty) Publishing

Briefly, traditional publishing companies:

· Pay the author
· Pay for production of the book, which includes editing, design and printing
· Sell the book to retailers with the help of a sales team
· Market the book with the help of a marketing and public relations team
· Handle distribution - getting the book into the hands of readers

In contrast, self-published authors take on all of the above responsibilities themselves. The author writes the book, then invests in the design and editing. They are their own sales team. They do all their own marketing. They find a way to distribute their book—whether through direct sales (say, at speaking events) or online.

The author handles all the aspects that a publishing company would because the author is in fact the publisher.

While authors can “DIY” many aspects of self-publishing, I recommend at minimum hiring an editor and a cover designer. Ideally, an author would hire experts to assist with all aspects of the self-publishing process including hiring a content and copy editor, cover designer and interior page layout designer, as outlined in my article “How to Self Publish a Christian Book.” An author may also choose to hire an assisted self-publishing company, like my company A Powerful Story, to guide them through the entire process.

Self Publishing

Self-publishing puts the author in the driver’s seat to control:

· The book’s content
· The cover and interior design
· Which distribution channels to use
· How the book will be marketed

Self-publishing can be faster than traditional publishing, which typically takes between 12-18 months from completed manuscript to release. By contrast, in self-publishing, the book can be released as soon as the final edits and cover are completed—sometimes as quickly as a couple of months.

How will you get your book into your readers’ hands? One simple way is to self-publish through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP.com)

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP.com) is popular with self-published authors because it allows them to sell on the world’s largest book retail site (Amazon.com) with no upfront fees. Authors can set up a free account in KDP for print on demand publishing to Amazon and its affiliates around the world (where one book is printed at the time it’s ordered). Amazon pays the author a royalty of 60% of the cover price, minus printing costs, on each book. Authors can also publish an ebook version on KDP, which gives the author a 70% royalty on ebooks sold on Amazon. (Note that this publishing platform means your book will not be sold on other retail sites like BooksAMillion.com or ChristianBook.com)

Please note that KDP will offer a “free” International Standard Book Number (ISBN). I do not recommend taking this freebie, but instead purchasing an ISBN’s on www.myidentifiers.com which enables the author to retain publishing control of the book. Additional information on the importance of owning an ISBN can be found in my article “Self-Publishing Essentials: Do I Need an ISBN?”

Hybrid Publishing

The term “Hybrid” covers a variety of publishing models. Some companies are helpful and some can only be described as predatory. Typically, the author shares in the cost of editing, design and formatting. In return, authors are often promised better royalties than they might receive from a traditional publisher. (But less than they would get from self-publishing.)

Authors should be cautious. Hybrid publishers make the bulk of their profits by providing publishing services to authors. This lowers their incentive to help you sell your book, because they’ve already made their profit. In contrast, traditional publishers are highly motivated to help authors sell books because they have already made a substantial investment in your book. For more on this, please read “Considering a Hybrid Publisher? Read This First!”

Selecting the right publishing path requires thorough research. Authors should carefully weigh this important decision.

2026 WCCW Conference - Save the Date!

The 2026 Conference, which will be held in Roseville (a suburb of Sacramento in Northern California) November 4-6. Don’t forget to mark your calendars! Full conference details will post to the website in late spring, and registration will launch with a flash sale in the early summer.

The 2025 Goldie Award Winners

West Coast Christian Writers recognizes outstanding contributions to Christian writing and publishing each year in several categories. Congratulations to our 2025 winners listed below:

➤ AUTHOR OF THE YEAR - Chris Morris

Chris is an outstanding author in the WCCW community, distinguished by excellence and innovation. He has published a number of books in the last few years. “I spend my time writing about how to balance faith and mental illness. I have both mental illnesses and chronic illnesses, but I’m learning to thrive anyway.” Find out more about Chris here.

➤ MENTOR OF THE YEAR - Jan Kern

Jan’s career demonstrates the WCCW value for mentorship by supporting and encouraging other writers. Jan is a spiritual director, life coach, and mentor to writers. “My vision springs from a deep conviction, that in this hurried world, we would slow to be with one another as women in gracious spaces, hearing, honoring, and celebrating the unique voices and stories God longs to stir and unfold.” Find out more about Jan here.

➤ - New for 2025! THE ENCOURAGER AWARD - Joy Michelle Austin

Joy is a WCCW conference attendee who continues to demonstrate exceptional warmth and encouragement for other writers! She writes writes heartfelt contemporary fiction and cozy mysteries filled with love, resilience, and hope. Find out more about Joy Michelle here.

➤ UNSUNG HERO - Derrell Thomas

Derrell Thomas is a writer who demonstrates selfless service to the Christian writing community through his work with WCCW members. Find out more about Derrell here.

➤ PROMISING NEW WRITER - Tessa Burns

This “wild card” award for standout writing is selected based on faculty recommendations drawn from the coaching & critique appointments during the conference. Tessa’s goals include “loving God, loving people, having eyes that find beauty in everything, creating whatever is given to me to create, and giving it away as best as I can.” Find out more about Tessa here.

WRITING CONTEST CATEGORIES

GOLDEN GOLDIE AWARD - BEST IN CONFERENCE

Deanna Nese - “I Stopped”

MEMOIR

First Place: Donna Buys - “Trusting God Against All Odds.” Second Place: Susan Wilson - “Losing Tim.” Third Place: Codie Winslow - “Greater Work of Grace”

FICTION WRITING CONTEST

First Place: Laurie Zmrzel -“The Amish Witness.” Second Place: Rebecca Harrel - “Why Cena Hates Her Job.” Third Place: Janene Zirges - “Love Your Enemies”

NON-FICTION WRITING CONTEST

First Place: Deanna Nese - “I Stopped.” Second Place: Tabitha McDuffee - “Stubborn Burdens.” Third Place: Kimberly Lavoie - “Ordinary Miracles”

POETRY

First Place: Joy Michelle Austin - “The Cost of Sensibility.” Second Place: Stephanie Yttrup - Let Justice Live On.” Third Place: Al Anderson - “The Lost Ideals”

CHILDRENS/YOUNG ADULT

First Place: Teresa Joyelle Krager - “Subs Happen Sometimes.” Second Place: Maria Valdez Perez - “Who’s My Shepherd.” Third Place: Chris Whitlock - “Hannah’s Good Night”

BAD WRITING - The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Writing Contest (for fun!)

First Place: Sherry Chidwick - “Rocket Surgery.” Second Place: Laura Birnie - “The Dragon.” Third Place: Douglas Stang - “Pressure Pointe”

BEST FIRST LINE - The “Call Me Ishmael” Award

Erica Briggs, for “In a mad world, if you don’t go crazy, you’re already lost.”

Check out past winners and find additional information about the Goldie Awards and our Writing Contest on our website.

2025 Membership Community Highlights

Connection, Friendship & Professional Development is Just the Beginning

What a year! Our membership community grew and connected through our professional development workshops like Writer Connex meetings, Latte & Lit book discussions with authors and an Agent Pitch Slam! Mini Masterclasses on the topics of: How a Book Becomes a Movie, Substack, Online Marketing 101, Writing Villains, and Planning Your 2026 Writing Year were enjoyed by many. More than the wisdom we’ve gained, we’ve grown together as writers and as a community. We’ve experienced the full range of writers’ emotions: the thrill of a perfect sentence, the despair of writers block, and that inexplicable joy when someone finally understands what you were trying to say! We’ve celebrated book launches, encouraged each other through rejection letters, and reminded one another that even the best writers started with terrible first drafts.

No matter the genre, we are all part of a family that believes words have the power to inspire, transform, and heal. Join our community today to broaden your writing network. It makes all the difference!

For just $70 a year, your membership unlocks critique groups, masterclasses, and book discussions along with much more (easily accessible through Zoom)!

Don’t forget to join our WCCW Facebook Membership Community and stay in the loop between events.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at our next gathering in 2026 — online or in person. Become a Member Today!

WCCW Author New Releases

AUTHOR BIO: Sharon Norris Elliott is an award-winning author, popular speaker, astute Bible teacher, and founder/CEO of Life That Matters Ministries and AuthorizeMe®. She has published 15 books and encourages everyone who will listen to live a life that matters! Sharon is amazed at how God’s goodness has brought her from being “Straight Outta Compton” to standing before great people and audiences. Dedicated to teaching and learning, she is a cum laude college graduate (Biola University), holder of an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree, and member of several prestigious organizations (ACE, AWSA). Sharon is also a religious broadcaster hosting her own show, Life That Matters with Sharon Norris Elliott, and a women’s roundtable show, A View from the Upper Room, on The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network (HSBN.tv), and the Christian Women’s Word Network (CWWN.tv). Both shows are also available on Facebook Live and Spotify.

ILLUSTRATOR BIO: Darrin Drda is a writer, artist, and musician who has written a variety of books for both children and adults, with themes ranging from ecological sustainability to social justice to grounded spirituality. Darrin holds a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. Connect with Darrin online at www.darrindrda.net.

Purchase Amazing Math today!

AUTHOR BIO: Sidney Niemeyer served in various leadership roles in his career at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, most notably as Nuclear Chemistry Division Leader during the tumultuous transition to a post-Cold-War world. In this role and later as a detailee to the newly formed Department of Homeland Security, he articulated the need for a global nuclear forensics capability and spearheaded its development at the national and international level. After he retired from his second career as a pastor, he drew upon his lifelong love of science and mystery stories to write his science thrillers. These thrillers are written for the general market but embody a Christian worldview. Connect with Sidney on his website sidneyniemeyer.com.

Purchase On the Brink today!

WE ARE WRITERS SUPPORTING WRITERS

WCCW is more than just a conference; we’re also a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports writers in many different ways, including offering a hand-up to further the ministry of writers. Applications reopen in 2026.

Want to find out more about joining our Community of Champions, a group of committed donors? Click here to make a difference in the life of a Christian writer (and it’s tax deductible!)

APPLY FOR AN E-BLAST

Do you have special promotional news to share? Consider applying for a WCCW e-blast to share your message, service, or product with our audience. Apply here.

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