Previous CAN President, Angie Breidenbach, awarding Susan Neal with the Excellence in Marketing Award
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About Christian Authors Network
Christian Authors Network (CAN) was created in 2004 to provide traditionally published authors with resources and tools to market their books. Learning about book marketing and the Christian publishing industry is challenging. Why do it alone when you can join this traditionally published author association to provide the support you need? The culmination of the CAN educational materials, marketing tools, and discounts makes your writing business easier and more profitable.
Christian Authors Network (CAN) is a group of traditionally published Christian authors who joined together in a supportive association to spread the news about their books. CAN operates as a cooperative, Christ-centered marketing organization to encourage and teach one another and get the word out about CAN authors’ books to readers, retailers, and librarians.
History of Christian Authors Network
Christian Authors Network (CAN) was started by a group of author friends in 2004 to cooperatively work together to promote their books. Traditional publishers do not share marketing results with their authors. Because of that hurdle, the small group of friends grew into a non-profit to provide traditionally published authors with resources and tools to market their books.
Learning about book marketing and the Christian publishing industry is challenging. CAN understood how uniquely difficult marketing books can be when an author has no way to see their book sale results in a timely manner. In 2013, the Christian Authors Network expanded through the addition of industry partnerships with retailers and librarians. Networking provided stronger representation at national events.
CAN provides members with educational materials, marketing tools, a member volunteer program, and discounts to help traditional authors overcome obstacles to ensure successful book marketing, branding, and career support.
The Christian Authors Network (CAN) dissolved as a non-profit in 2022, leaving the opportunity for members to join a new business model led by director, Susan U. Neal, rather than a volunteer board. This new organizational mode includes paid staffing, which allows authors to tend to their own writing careers with less time-intensive volunteering needed.
CAN Vision, Mission, and Values
Vision
To be the premier Christian traditional author association. To be known for its value, discounts, and training.
Mission
CAN operates as a Christ-centered organization to encourage and teach traditional authors how to market and promote their books to readers, retailers, and librarians.
Values
Serving others as if you were serving Jesus.
CAN Membership Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for membership:
- An individual must be a published author with two or more published books. One must be a Christian book published by a traditional royalty-paying publisher (with no financial input by the author), whose books are currently available in publication (in any and all formats) at the date of the membership application.
- Agree to abide by CAN’s code of conduct
Code of Conduct
Acknowledge that God has commanded us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37, 39). CAN members pledge to:
- Be honest and fair in all our business practices with whomever we conduct business
- Honor and fulfill all business commitments and agreements
- Treat others as we would have them treat us
- Conduct business in a manner that brings honor to CAN, its members, and the Christian title
Listen to Those Who Recommend
Susan Mathis
“CAN is an invaluable asset to traditionally published authors. The depth of industry affiliations, breadth of author networking opportunities, and camaraderie of like-minded professionals provide everything needed to be successful in publishing.””
Susan G Mathis, CAN Vice President
Aaron M. Zook, Jr.
“I’m hooked! I love Christian Authors Network’s (CAN) endless opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute my own experience to support other Christian authors in their outreach to readers, retailers, and librarians. Awesome!”
Aaron M. Zook, Jr.
Tina Yeager
“Christian Authors Network (CAN) provides a wealth of training and networking opportunities. The connections I established through CAN are priceless.”
Tina Yeager, LMHC
Linda Kozar
“Joining the Christian Authors Network (CAN) was the best professional decision I made as an author. With access to information, instruction, and opportunities to promote my books both in the industry and directly to readers, I consider my CAN membership to be an invaluable resource.”
Linda Kozar