OB: How did the process of writing the book unfold? Did you use peer review, or did you work with an editor during the writing process?

Heather: It all started about seven years before the book was officially released. At that point I still thought of myself first and foremost as a journalist and nonfiction writer. When I got the idea for Basil’s Search for Miracles, it took years (in short bursts) to research and scribble out notes, refine ideas, draw up outlines, timelines. About four years after the initial ideas were conceived, I submitted the manuscript to a colleague at my publisher and it was politely rejected. So I sat down and forced myself to write a little bit everyday for a couple months, to get focused with the story.

I think beginning writers have this tendency to want to stick every cool idea they have in their first book, even if all those cool ideas don’t really fit. Maybe we’re thinking, “If I only publish one book in my life, it’s gotta be the book to end all books.” My original story went all over the place. It was too big. I was trying to create an epic masterpiece on my first try. To correct this, I simplified the story and worked hard to give it focus.

After it was accepted by my publisher the second time around, I still ended up doing several revisions, of course. I worked closely with my editor at Conciliar as well as the copyeditor during the lengthy revision process.

I look back on the experience and cringe. It was tedious, at times painful, and definitely humbling. But it was an excellent learning experience. And I’m still learning, and have much to learn. I learned just in the last two months or so with my follow-up novel the importance of having a critique group. Even though I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators over a year ago, I only recently got involved with a local critique group. That has been tremendously helpful in giving me concrete ideas to really improve my writing.

OB: How did you balance your desire to help spread the Orthodox faith with your commitment to telling a good story? Do you think that a subtle approach to introducing the faith can be effective?

Heather: I am of the school of thought that a “subtle approach” is far superior to a direct one when it comes to creative writing. Fiction writing is an art that requires subtlety to be effective. In much nonfiction – especially popular nonfiction -- a writer’s presence is often required in the book. His or her ideas and teachings are central to the work. Conversely, in fiction the author must be invisible. Her presence – including her opinions – need to be way, way in the background. The focus in fiction is on the story and on the believability of the characters. Characters that are contrived, stories that are stilted, that are designed to convey pedantic messages, are not believable.

When novels are good, when they’re believable, when they convey timeless truths with subtlety, they can be life-changing. Think of how many people’s lives continue to be touched by the work of Aesop, Shakespeare, Dickens, even Hemingway. The stories in our lives – from childhood fables to classic adult literature – impact us in ways that even the best theological tomes just can’t.

Jesus knew the power of story – his many-layered parables got people thinking and moved them to action. His stories and his Story changed the world.

OB: How did you go about getting the book published? Was it hard to get Orthodox fiction into print?

Heather: It’s very hard to get Orthodox fiction in print – very, very hard. When I was looking for a publisher among the Orthodox presses in America, I figured I had a remote chance with about three of them. The first two rejected the novel – they thought it was a worthy project but that they simply didn’t have the budget for it. Conciliar was my only hope, and thankfully, they accepted.

The problem is mostly a marketing issue. Tweens aren’t known to be big readers, and in general “religious fiction” is a niche a lot of publishers won’t touch. Combine two difficult markets and you have my odd, complicated little category. That said, I do feel strongly that what I’m doing needs to be done, and that more people should be doing it. The problem is finding support from readers – from parents and from the kids themselves. It is the economic vote of readers that will keep these kinds of books alive. If people aren’t buying the books, the publishers won’t print them. It’s that simple.

OB: Why did Conciliar take on this project? Do you think this is the start of trend, a commitment on their part, or is everyone still testing the waters?

Heather: I hope it’s the start of a trend, although I do think Conciliar Press is testing the waters. Conciliar agreed to publish Basil’s Search for Miracles because they believe in offering a wide selection of spiritually illuminating reading materials that communicate “historic Orthodox Christianity to today’s world.” Because Conciliar isn’t limited to publishing only academic texts, because their focus isn’t solely on theologically rigorous nonfiction, and because they target everyday folks with much of their literature, I think that has given them the flexibility as a publisher to tread into new territory. I don’t know what the future holds, but I hope they will continue to be willing to try new ideas out on Orthodox readers in America. If the readers are receptive, as they seem to be, my hope is that Conciliar will be open to publishing more fiction in the future, not just for kids but for adults as well.

My other hope is that new publishers will publish fiction, poetry and other more creative forms of writing. I see this happening already – just recently a fledgling Orthodox poetry and fiction publisher launched online. They’re called Anaphora Press – check them out at www.anaphorapress.com.

OB: What about cross-over appeal? Are you being carried by Christian bookstores, or any of the chain stores? How have you been marketing the book - online, offline, appearances?

Heather: I am big on “crossing over.” As stated above, I don’t like the idea of us Orthodox writers hanging out in a safe Orthodox ghetto. However, sometimes being received by non-Orthodox readers can be a bit of a challenge. Crossover writers like Frederica, Kyriacos Markides and Terry Mattingly have gained popularity over the years because they continue to do great work and reach out to as wide an audience as they can, writing for non-Orthodox publications as well as Orthodox ones. Sometimes I think crossing over is simply a matter of branching out, of getting involved both inside and outside of Orthodox circles. This takes time and effort, and of course prayer.

As for marketing my book, I do what I can from my home, but I am rather limited because I work two part-time jobs, raise three small children and (attempt to) run a household. It’s hard for me to get away and make appearances. I try to put myself out there by writing for publications from time to time (I have an article in a recent issue of the Orthodox Observer, for example), by having a strong internet presence through my website, blogs, etc., and by networking in whatever ways I can.

Thanks to Conciliar Press’s growing distribution, my book is carried almost everywhere online (from Amazon.com to BAM to Barnes and Noble and a number of smaller stores) but my bricks and mortar distribution is more limited. Hopefully that will change in the future – I’m working on it.

OB: What lesson would you like to share with other aspiring Orthodox authors?

If I have learned anything over the years about writing, it’s the importance of three things:

1. Reading: it’s the best way to absorb the many different ways to use the language, to get ideas, and to find out what works and what doesn’t in literature.
2. Writing: at least 15 minutes a day, even if you’re not feeling inspired. Writing is an exercise. It takes commitment and practice.
3. Revision: Writing requires a great deal of editing, proofreading, rearranging and re-working before it’s anywhere near perfect. I teach a basic composition course and I always tell my students that refining writing is like sanding down rough wood – it takes time and persistence before that wood is smooth, flawless.

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for serious Orthodox writers to refine their craft. We can only be taken seriously as individuals and as a group if we put forth quality literature, not only for the sake of our readers and for ourselves, but for the glory of God.

Learn more about Heather Zydek and her writing at www.heatherzydek.com

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