About Spirit Light

Mission Statement

Spirit Light Books exists to give an alternative way for authors who don't write formula to be able to publish their works without having to fit in some externally created box. To allow the words God gives authors a way to get out in the way it's given them. To glorify God by letting His words, His way shine through.

We seek to give God's children a safe place to write the words He's placed upon their hearts, and to use our knowledge and resources (leaning heavily on the Holy Spirit) to help those authors find readers who are looking for authentic, integrity-filled books. To give a God-filled place for authors to come and learn and grow in their own relationship with God and through that to have the courage and the latitude to put that relationship on paper for others to read. Always having a Christian worldview, of course.

Spirit Light Books seeks to address and give authors an alternative to the "mill" "marketable" mentality. Too often authors are forced to squeeze into boxes in order to even have a chance of having a book published. Few are willing to help authors who believe in their work even if it doesn't fit into a box. It's like, "If you fit in my box, I'll help. If you don't, you're on your own until you decide mine is the only way you'll ever get published."

We recognize that there are many awesome authors are out there, who feel forced to change their work to fit what is deemed "marketable." For awhile, that was "Scripturing-up" manuscripts. If the characters didn't go to church on a regular basis, belong to youth group, have the minister over for lunch, or spout Scriptures 24/7, then it wasn't Christian enough. Now the pendulum has swung the other way-no Scriptures, the message should be "subtle"-whatever that is.

The thing is, this goes back to putting God's messages into a "marketable box." There is no leeway for what He puts on individuals' hearts to write-even the same individual. Because of the intense marketing mentality, authors are encouraged to "brand" themselves and write only what and how they were writing the moment they got published. If a message comes in that's not what they did before, they have to jump through hoops to establish legitimacy in that area, or write a cookie-cutter book just like the others they've done.

Too many authors are brainwashed to believe that editors are not to be bothered, not even to be questioned. At Spirit Light Books we want authors to be able to ask questions they feel the need to and to learn for themselves rather than be chained to an editor for fear they might do something wrong.

We seek to encourage authors to write what God gives them. If you are an Isaiah, or Ezekiel or Jeremiah or Paul or Peter, we want to hear God's heart from your perspective. Each is encouraged to bring their unique messages to the world. We do not force the Pauls to be Peters and the Isaiahs to be Jeremiahs to even have a shot at getting someone to read their stories.

Spirit Light Books focuses on stories-especially quality love stories that may be outside the box of what would be considered "formula," stories with a clear message. We publish stories with emotion-sweet or edgy; conflict laden or ones where the conflict is subtle or simply the internal conflict of having to grow up or grow through. Make us feel. Make us think. But most of all, show us how to love God, myself, and my fellow neighbor more! Make us better for having read your book. Write it in such a way that the story becomes part of the fabric of my life… not just so you can say you are published.

We seek honest stories-filled with real characters that aren't contrived to "not offend someone." Honest characters. If this type of character would drink, let them. If this type of character would sleep around, let them… so long as these types of scenes are not gratuitous or put in just because the author feels they have to for this type of book, and also show the ultimate folly of these decisions. Spirit Light authors are encouraged to bring forth characters who are who they are and who have to learn what they have to learn.

At Spirit Light, we do not throw out or change any book because of some pre-ordained rules other than-no gratuitous violence, nothing close to soft porn, and if characters go outside the lines, there needs to be some understanding by the end that that behavior is not the best way to handle the situation. Some say these characters need consequences, and that's true, but the consequences can be a simple conscious understanding and decision that doing that was stupid and is not how the character wants to live anymore.

Certain "off limits" situations such as - scenes in bedrooms, characters in pajamas or taking showers, sexual innuendo and references must be germane to the story, not overly suggestive or gratuitous, or added for shock value. But if the situation grows naturally out of who the character is and is presented in a way that neither titillates nor is patently offensive, we will seriously consider it.

We seek to give an author the option to grow into telling the best story they can without unreasonable external rules. Leave the boxes for the movers. If you have a story in you, we will help you make it the best it can be and then help you publish it and find readers.

Spirit Light does not contract an author until they are happy and we are happy with the book that's coming into being. Right now, the traditional publishers make you change the book before and after they accept it for contract. This is not the way Spirit Light does it. A potential book should be worked on between the author and editor before the contract is signed. This is a major risk on our part because what happens if we work with an author, and they take our time and effort somewhere else and get it published there. However, with the Holy Spirit in control, we seek to make this business author-oriented rather than me-publisher oriented. We want to do what is best for the author, and let God take care of the company.

Keeping God at the Center (Staci's Thoughts)

One thing I thought about today is publishing our "numbers" under a heading in the newsletter like, "Look What God Has Done"-praising Him for each and every sale made, each and every signing that's booked, etc. It's not about not giving the authors credit but about acknowledging the One Who is truly in charge. That's one thing I do not like about the traditional houses, they keep everything hidden-sales numbers, advances, etc. I want the light to shine in this area so authors know what they are getting when they get in. The promise will be in the real numbers not in some phantom promise that we cook up for marketing purposes.

I think we must also encourage each other to keep reading and listening and growing and learning and getting closer to God. As we do this for each other, we also encourage our authors not just to get closer to God themselves but to encourage each of them to encourage each other on that account too.

We make it plain that this is about creation not competition across the board. We encourage our authors to focus on creation rather than on competition, focused on God, what He is doing, what He has done, and giving Him the praise for everything. Recognizing that any power we have is given by Him and any praise we receive is really His. Decreasing us so He can increase in our lives. As we do this, it will naturally spill over into the writing, which will naturally spill over into the lives of our readers-and they will know it because they will be able to feel it.

This is honestly the aspect I am most excited about in that I have seen what a major difference He makes in lives. I have seen how people have gone from competitive and fearful to courageous and walking on water they never could've guessed or believed before. I believe the more our authors learn to do that with us, the more they will do it in their own worlds. It is creating a Holy Spirit downline-of family, friends, readers-that will create a legacy not just now but for all eternity.

I don't want to just publish books to make money. I want to publish books to grow souls-authors' souls and readers' souls. I want books with messages that will stretch through a reader's life and ring in eternity-not empty, consumable books that never really fill you up with His love.

Basically, I want Spirit Light to show what it is to live in the Spirit and the Light. I want to teach people to live for the light and to encourage them to do so. If we do that with God and through God, I know without a doubt that everything else will take care of itself.