Jerry Jenkins does not claim to employ any special writing technique or purpose with the serialized style of his “Left Behind” series.
“It’s a shameless marketing technique,” Jenkins confessed. “Actually, we’ve found that most readers love this.”
Fans of the “Left Behind” series will get a chance to learn more about the author and his work when he speaks at The Club in Birmingham May 9. The noon luncheon will benefit the Baptist Health Foundation and is sponsored by the Second 50, a volunteer, nonsectarian body dedicated to helping preserve the quality of patient health care at Baptist Health System (BHS).
Dana Todsen, president of the Baptist Health Foundation, said proceeds will benefit BHS’s Center for Pastoral Ministries.
Jenkins is co-author of the “Left Behind” series with Tim LaHaye. The writing duo left fans hanging yet again in the sixth installment, with the assassination of the Antichrist in “Assassins.”
He promises “the identity(ies) of the perpetrator(s) will be revealed when the seventh book in the series is released May 23. Jenkins said, “The Indwelling/ The Beast Takes Possession” has a first printing of 2 million copies.
Followers of the “Left Behind” series will have to wait only a few months after that for the next chapter, when “Mark/ The Beast Rules” is released in November. Jenkins said 12 titles are planned in the series.
The Colorado resident has written more than 100 books. In addition to his fiction work, he has also written marriage and family titles, fiction for children and biographies.
But it was his love of fiction that led to his involvement in what has become the fastest selling fiction series — Christian or secular — in history.
“The idea was Tim LaHaye’s, but he is not a fiction writer,” Jenkins said. “Our agent introduced us, and we hit it off. Dr. LaHaye provides me with a biblical chronology of events and is, of course, my theological resource.
“Adult fiction is my favorite genre,” he added. “The idea sounded great, and I enjoy the challenge of writing them.”
The books are written by Christians for a Christian publisher, but are being marketed to both a Christian and secular audience. The impact the “Left Behind” series has had on the latter group cannot be dismissed.
“It’s great to hear that believers are inspired and encouraged, but better to hear from more than 2,000 readers that they have become believers,” he said.
Jenkins also hopes the series will prompt Christians to be more conscientious.
“Live in the light of the imminent return, as the Bible says, and it will make you more aggressive and bold in sharing your faith,” he said. “Remember, it could be today!”
His success would seem to boost his assertion there is a need for more Christian fiction in novels, movies and television. “Christians need to be competing in this arena,” he said.
Jenkins recently assisted evangelist Billy Graham with his memoirs, “Just as I am.” He has also worked on biographies with Hank Aaron, Bill Gaither and Walter Peyton. Like his biography with Graham, Jenkins’ efforts with Oral Hershiser and Ryan Nolan have been New York Times bestsellers.
The former editor of Moody Magazine, Jenkins had written for Reader’s Digest, Parade, in-flight magazines published by American and United Airlines and numerous Christian periodicals.
Jenkins is also the author of nationally syndicated sports story comic strip, “Gil Thorp.” Distributed by Tribune Media Services, the strip runs in 70 newspapers nationwide.
Life is not all work for Jenkins. Married for 29 years, he is the proud father of three sons. The author also likes to boast that he is a Scrabble™ buff, having won championships in four states.
General admission tickets for Jenkins’ appearance are $50 each and $1000 for a patron’s table with reserved seating. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-877-474-4243.
Share with others: