Author Interview: 10 Questions with David Bergsland

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Editor’s Note: The interview was conducted a year ago and has been edited to include new information.

Our interview today is with David Bergsland. Thanks David for being here today and for doing this interview.

Question: Tell us a little about your “real” (Non-writing) life — family, job, church life. Does it give you inspiration for your writing? Does it get in the way of your writing, or are there times when you get help, from people or circumstances?

Answer: My real life is a writer and book designer. I also cook, design landscapes (but don’t like gardening), decorate and remodel the house, read a lot, be with my wife a lot. At present, physical problems keep us out of church or any social life. But I spent 20 years as an art director in a printing company, 20 years as a college level teacher of digital publishing, 40 years in January of teaching scripture. I’ve been an associate pastor, liturgist, and husband of a senior pastor for 38 years.

Question: Tell us about things you enjoy — what you do for fun or personal satisfaction?

Answer: See above

Question: Tell us about working with any people who help you create your books — Do you use Beta readers? Hire an editor or proofreader? How do you get your covers?

Answer: I do it all myself and always have.

Question: Since you have several books out, tell us what you think works for promotion. What are your thoughts on ebooks versus print books and different ways to let people know about you and your books?

Answer: Because I do not trusty my flesh, I pray and let the Lord handle all of that. At this point, my book design, font design, and typography sell better in print. But even they are 50% or better ebooks. I publish everywhere I can to get the widest distribution I can with a budget of zero.

Question: Tell us about your newest book. Make us want to read it.

Answer: The major book coming out next (probably) is “Writing In InDesign CC” The Creative Cloud version has really ramped up its abilities to export ePUBs directly. They are good enough so that Kindle will simply upload and convert them. My concern is that most new authors really have no idea how bad they handicap their books by putting them out with Word. Christian Indie Authors already have a cloud hanging over us. The quality problems caused by the inadequacies of a word processor further exacerbate that problem.

Writing in InDesign

Secondly, I am really concerned deeply about helping Christians express themselves freely and powerfully when responding to the leading of the Lord to write a book. I suspect my books would sell better if I didn’t spend so much effort on good character, honesty, and integrity as I describe the process of book design.

Question: What is the “message” of your writing? (For example, is your purpose to encourage old-fashioned values, encourage romance, or do you have different purposes in different books?)

Answer: My message is that Jesus is the only reason for existence. Everything else is a waste of time. My fictional characters are all strong believers in real life situations that tend to be a bit unusual—Christian Black Ops, for example.

Question: Tell us one place you visited or person you met, that made a big impression on you, and why.

Answer: The Grand Canyon. God’s presence was so strong and the fact that it happened fast was so obvious that my life was changed. I knew how gullys and canyons eroded. They happened quickly. It took a huge amount of water to wash out a canyon so wide. Later I discovered that the Flood easily accounted for all of this.

Question: Tell us one place you want to visit, or person you want to meet, and why.

Answer: Jerusalem, after Jesus sits down as King.

Question: What’s your next project? Tell us so we can’t wait for it to come out!

Answer: I never really know, but I’m working on a fantasy on another world where the government is controlled by spiritual forces of evil until the church [who is possibly more evil] kills the King. My story is about a youing artist who God calls to become the leader toward freedom and truth. He is known, one of the hated ones who actually believe that God is real and talks with them. He is filled with the Holy Spirit and anointed to lead [though he is certain he is not able]. He falls in love with a new believer—a beautiful, strong young woman. But he has no idea who she really is.

Question: What is your current WIP?

Answer: Writing In InDesign CC, and Ferellon: Finding the Light, and The Strait Way about Matthew 7, and whatever the Lord leads in between.

Question: How many books do you have out?

Answer: 48, I think. I’ve lost track.

Question: What are your future projects?

Answer: I’m still undecided about fiction. I’ll be doing more bible studies, more creationist books, more font design books, and books on typography.

Question: What is your favorite book/character?

Answer: Paul in Acts and the Epistles

Question: What is your writing style?

Answer: I haven’t a clue. I write like I teach, basically. Regular language of the people, though the Lord is gradually cleaning up my language.

About the Author:

David Bergsland

I was born outside of Buffalo New York, graduated high school in 1961 in Stillwater, Minnesota, and was graduated with a BFA in Printmaking from the University of Minnesota in 1971. I worked as a lyricist and drummer from 1967, an illustrator from 1971, a graphic designer from 1979, an art director from 1983, a digital printing instructor from 1991, a font designer from 1994, an author from 1995, and a self-publisher since 1997. My writing career began with several traditionally published textbooks on digital publishing, graphic design, and typography from 1995-2004 focusing on FreeHand, Photoshop, and InDesign. My current best sellers in digital publishing are “Practical Font Design, Third Edition”, closely followed by “Writing In InDesign Expanded Edition 2.5”, and “InDesign Ebook Conversions”.

However, my Christian writings have become more popular. My current best seller there is “How to Teach the Bible”. I’ve been a Christian and scripture teacher since 1974, a teaching pastor in a small Foursquare then non-denomination church in Albuquerque throughout the 90s ’til 2005. I’ve written several verse by verse Bible studies, topical studies, and a couple Christian political thrillers.

I also consult with and design books for other Christian authors. This has become a real focus of my ministry. It’s been a real joy to be working on my own. I can finally express my convictions, responsible only to you, my readers, and my God.

Editor’s Note: David’s new release is Writing in Holiness.

Writing in Holiness

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