The Pastor's Wife Wears Biker Boots

I really am a Pastor's Wife who wears biker boots.

I get asked a lot if my new book is about me. It's not. But I drew on a lot of my experiences as a pastor's wife and "biker chick" when I wrote it.

Today I got my book trailer from the Editor-in-Chief at Pelican Book Group. This is one of the FUN things about being a writer. All that hard work capsulized in a video! And it makes it look so movie-like, doesn't it?

Do you like book trailers? Do they make a difference for you when deciding to read a book? I know they do influence me.

I'd love your feedback on my trailer, so please leave a comment below.

(I don't yet know my release date but I'll keep you posted.)

And don't forget to hang on.

It's gonna be a wild ride!

 Karla Akins is author of the best-selling Jacques Cartier (that went #1 on Amazon in its category), O Canada! Her Story and  Sacagawea. Her debut novel The Pastor's Wife Wears Biker Boots  is due out in 2013. When she's not writing she dreams of riding her motorcycle through the Smoky Mountains.

Will My Christian Bookstore Always Be There?

If you look up “Christian bookstore” in the dictionary, you might find “endangered establishment” as one of the resulting definitions. As a Christian consumer, when was the last time you visited a Christian bookstore? Do you even know if you have a local Christian bookstore? Have you made a purchase there recently? Do you take it as a given that your Christian store “will always be there?” These are all thoughts that might go through a Christian consumer’s minds whenever “Store Closing” is posted on the door of their local Christian bookstore.

Having managed a Christian bookstore that became a casualty of the sluggish economy, I can tell you that my patrons were pondering those questions and were shocked when my Christian bookstore had to close its doors. Given our current economic state, it has become more difficult for the smaller stores to compete with the larger chain stores. With the success (and large numbers) of big box retailers, either actual bookstores or “one-stop-shop” formats, it has become an increasingly uphill battle for Christian bookstores to thrive and remain in business. That said, are you aware of the services and benefits that a “Christian” bookstore provides? Based upon my experience working in Christian retail, I will examine exactly what a Christian bookstore does for the Christian consumer compared to other types of stores.

The Carpenter’s Son Christian Bookstore has been closed for over a year now. It wasn’t until after the store closed that I really began seeing the impact of its closing when there was a void in its place. Regardless of the type of store I was managing, being in the position of “store manager” always kept me in a role of meeting, greeting, and making connections with customers (both new and “established”). Working in both secular and Christian retail, I have established a unique perspective into both, how they differ, and how they compete against each other. From that viewpoint, I have generated several reasons why Christians need Christian bookstores to remain open for business and stay afloat in this economy.

Christian bookstores provide a safe environment for you and your family to shop in. Let’s face it, going through the checkout line at a grocery store or big box retail store is not as safe for your eyes as it once was. Your kids will not be asking embarrassing questions and pointing to questionable material on the cover of a tabloid magazine. Likewise, men and women will not risk letting those inappropriate images fall into their field of vision and have to set their “modesty filter” to maximum. Christian bookstores are not places where one tends to hear or see inappropriate language, behaviors, or activities.

Most Christian bookstores will have a larger selection of Christian themed books than your average big box retailer or chain store. For example, let’s say you need office supplies and want a good selection to choose from. Which one will have a broader selection: a big box retail store that has lots of items but little variety, or a “specialty” store that that specializes in office supplies. The same analogy can be said of Christian bookstores: you will generally find more of a variety and selection of Christian themed products in a store that specializes in items of a Christian nature.

For those of you who enjoy reading groups, book signings, and networking with other Christians, Christian bookstores can be a hub of such activity. If you are lucky, your local store might even be a place where Christian writers get together to meet. I know the two Christian bookstores that I have managed had all three of these in place. Christian bookstores are just great places to make these types of connections, meet authors, and network with other like-minded individuals. So if you’re an author reading this, connect up with your local store to sign books, network with your fans, and maybe even start a writers group.

Saving the best for last, I want to come to the most important benefit of shopping at a Christian retail bookstore: The STAFF! Think about it, the staff of a Christian bookstore is immersed in the product every day, they are continually getting feedback from customers, and they know what people are buying and can communicate that information to you! Depending on the organization that your Christian bookstore belongs to, many organizations provide the staff with detailed, well-organized, and in-depth product training. Some stores even get visits from sales rep’s that keep the staff informed about sales trends, new products, and industry information (and sometimes free samples). It’s well worth your time to get to know these staff members.

In conclusion, the services provided by Christian bookstores and the shopping environments they generate, cannot be substituted or duplicated by the growing number of secular stores already replacing them. Keeping Christian bookstores in business is a compelling reason for Christian consumers to invest their time, energy, and financial support into their local store. From my own experience, I was always delighted when a customer stopped in to ask, “What fiction books are you recommending today?” I encourage you to reach out and form a connection with your local store. Think of it this way: supporting your Christian bookstore is a future investment into the books you haven’t read yet, and the authors who will write them.

-Darren Kehrer

An Interview With Bookstore Owner Kira Brant

I thought it would be fun to hear from a Christian bookstore owner so I asked Kira Brant of Kira's Cottage in Franklin, Indiana to give us a peak into her world. Thanks, Kira!

How did you get started in this business? Have you always wanted to own a bookstore?

I actually got started right out of college. I had no plans originally of opening a store, but I was already designing my own line of Christian greeting cards and stationery . I was trying to market my products and I drove by a little shop in Greenwood, Indiana that was open. I thought to myself that it would be a great way for people to see my artwork. So, at first, I only sold my own products and artwork. I was there for a year, then I moved to a larger location and slowly started selling other items. We were at that location for 2 years, then I decided to move the store closer to home in Franklin, Indiana. It was then that the store really started to grow. I had a plan in place for what I wanted. I felt led to start selling more books and more Christian based items. We started adding bibles and curriculum. We are now a full service Christian book store. The funny thing is that I don’t have much time any more to design any of my greeting cards or stationery anymore, but I feel that the Lord has led me to what He wants me to do. I love it!

What is your favorite part of being a Christian bookstore owner? Least favorite?

My favorite part is meeting all of the wonderful people. I love talking to everyone and I have made so many friends. I have learned so much from people just walking in off the street. When I sit here and think of all the wonderful people I have met, I am so blessed. I also love the opportunity to get to work closely with my family on making decisions for products, displays, and things like that. Not sure what I would do without my family!
My least favorite part is the money part of it. I don’t like the stress of paying bills!

In what ways do you feel your store is serving the community? Any stories you would like to share?

I am praying that our store is a refuge that people feel like they can go and feel safe and at peace. Some people come in here upset or worried because of something going on in their lives. We might now always have the perfect thing to say, but we always have hugs to give out and ears to listen. My family and I work hard for the store, but don’t be mistaken, the Lord has done all of the hardest work. We want to continue to follow HIS plan for Kira’s Cottage.
I will be honest, our store has had up’s and down’s like all stores. There have been moments where I thought we should quit. There was one time where I was so down I was sitting on our couch in the middle of the store crying and praying. “Lord, show me what you want me to do. If you want me to close, I will do it. I need to know.” At this time we were struggling financially. About 15 minutes later and group of guys came in here and started to tell me that they knew how bad the economy was, but our store was a light in our community and no matter we needed to stay open. There were many other things said by these wonderful gentlemen and then they prayed with me. It was such a wonderful moment and I knew that the Lord had sent them to me. The Lord is amazing and I know if He wants us to be here, we will…

What kind of books do you personally enjoy? What types of books sell best in your experience?

I honestly love sappy romantic fiction! The kind of romance that happens in fairytales! You know, where the story has a happy ending, all of the problems that happened during the book get solved, and they all live happily ever after! Some friends in my book club call that fluff, but I love it!!!
Right now in our store all genre’s of books seem to be selling well. Non fiction and fiction are both popular. Our customers are looking for good writing, period. If it is a non fiction book, they want to learn from it. If it is fiction they want to be entertained and feel drawn into the story.

Is there anything you wish the publishing houses did better/differently?

I wish that publishing companies would do more for the little independents. I feel like there is so much focus on the chain stores that they sometimes forget that the independents are just as important.

What about authors? Is there anything authors can do to better help you in your business?

I love meeting authors. I am an artist, but I never could write! I think it is wonderful that authors can weave together stories that will last forever! The authors I have met have been wonderful here in our community. We have had book signings and discussions and they are always so much fun. I think that when an author shows enthusiasm about his/her book and wants to reach out and discuss it, it makes me more interested in the book.
I think I will go back to question #5 and say the same thing. I think it is important to remember that even though it is awesome to get your book into Barnes and Noble, sometimes the smaller independent store may get better response for your book. I think independents are more willing to take a risk on local authors and more willing to have them for book signings…

Thanks so much for answering my questions, Kira! And a big congratulations on the opening of your new store. Any closing thoughts?

Thanks so much Jamie! I think it is important to remember to do what you love and be open to new things. When I opened the store, I had no idea that I would be where I am today. I learn something new everyday about this business.
I am so thankful to be able to sell books to our community and I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to meet authors that I wouldn’t have met if not for the store. I want to thank the authors out there who bring us the wonderful stories and teach us so many new things and ways to learn. If it wasn’t for the authors, us book store owners wouldn’t be here at all!


The Christian bookstore owner is an important part in the process of getting great books that glorify God out to the world and we sure do appreciate hard working people like Kira! Any thoughts about bookstore owners?