A New Book, a New Company, and a Satisfied Couple

            Every school day, Biblical Studies Professor Michael Cosby is satisfied to realize that his latest book, Interpreting Biblical Literature: an Introduction to Biblical Studies is taking students at Messiah College and elsewhere on a "tour guide" through Biblical history. The book was designed to be used in introductory Bible courses across the country and was specifically geared towards students rather than professors. Michael also hopes that the book gives students a fresh perspective and "takes them on a journey to the ancient world of the Bible."

Unlike his previous books, Interpreting Biblical Literature was published by a company that he and his wife, Lynne Cosby, created.

Originally, Michael had planned for the book to be published by a well-known publishing company, but difficulties emerged when the editor overseeing Michael's book was reassigned to another division. Michael said the editor's, "replacement came in with a different agenda."

Multiple times, the company suggested that Michael write the textbook for professors and Michael's desire to print the book in full color made it an expensive investment. Dissatisfied with the new restrictions that the publication house was suggesting for his book, but still determined to print the book, Michael decided to form Stony Run Publishing.

According to Michael, the majority of his time was spent writing, and it was Lynne that "took the lead in figuring out the business end of things."

Not only did Lynne learn how to start a business, she also edited the book, worked with layout and design artists, and negotiated with printers. She currently serves as treasurer and markets the book now that it is published.

"The book was not my original ideas, but my fingerprints are all over everything" says Lynne.

Michael and Lynne were unsure of where to begin since both of them are writers, not business people. Lynne asked various people and read many books for advice on how to start a publishing company. "My father said: if you can read, you can do anything," says Lynne.

Lacking a steady adviser, Lynne quickly registered a business online, but in order for the company to survive, Lynne had to work all spring to get the company moving. Legal details for the website, permission to print photos, and sales tax matters were all small but crucial steps in the creation process. Lynne said, "The venture has been much more expensive, not only financially, but mentally and physically taxing as well."

Michael emphasized that creating your own publishing company is very expensive, but he believes that they will "recoup that money over time."

Although the textbook is already being used at Xavier University, Messiah College, and University of Toronto, Lynne will attend a Society for Biblical Literature conference in New Orleans in hopes to market the book and sell more copies.

Neither Michael nor Lynne would suggest that writers create their own publication companies in order to get their books published. Instead, Lynne suggests that a writer seek ways to self-publish. She said, "Print-on-demand is a whole different animal than it used to be."

Lynne herself is a facilitator for the West Shore Christian Writer's Fellowship, a writer's group designed to critique individual's writing, but also to be a gateway to publishing smaller pieces of writing.

Although Michael is satisfied that the book is finally published, the process was intense. "We sometimes wondered during the past year if we should have undertaken such a big project," he says.

Michael's latest book is not being published by his company, Apostle on the Edge: An Inductive Guide to Paul is being released this fall by Hendrickson Publishers.