"We're seeing more books that confront contemporary issues, where Christian faith is tested by the challenges of the real world. The conflict between good and evil isn't new, but writers are handling it in a new way." ~David Troutman
"Christian fiction is growing up. Its stepping out of the Christian ghetto of biblical fiction and romances, and becoming more sophisticated. We're seeing more realism and themes that involve Christians dealing with actual current problems." ~ Jan Dennis
Didacticism isn't preventing these literary novels from effectiveness; craft is the sticking point, and the publishers serving the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) desperately need capable and experienced fiction editors to bring this genre to m maturity." ~ Susan Wise Bauer
"You can present truth through fiction. People love a good story, and if they can come away from it with a stronger sense of spirituality, the writer has done a good job." ~ Teresa Gayle
"We're trying to create products that are good and artistic, but there's another thing going on that the secular writer doesn't have to deal with--the proclamation of the gospel." ~ Ken Petersen
"...Very few religious novels from Christian publishers achieve the kind of originality, artistry and stylishness that permit them to overcome a probably de riguer didacticism." ~ Michael Dirda
"The simplest story can bring you a new awareness that can
eventually be the key to turning your life and heart around. I
encourage you to pick up one of these fiction titles. It may change
your life!" ~ Sandy Muller
"Once the exclusive domain of headstrong prairie maidens and rogue
gunslingers turned righteous hunks, inspirational romance has spun off
a few sub genres that are catapulting up the bestseller lists and
leaving their formulaic angst behind." ~ Angie Kiesling
"We all tend to cater to the most conservative element of the market
because they're the ones we'll hear from." ~ Kevin Bowen
The new African-American Christian fiction "is reaching black people
who go to church, but may not have put biblical principles in their
lives. CBA readers are already devoted; they are in church, they are
tithing. This new breed of Christian fiction is for the person who
loves to read, who wants a good story and enjoys reading about how the
faith of the characters helps them solve their problems." ~Dudley Delffs
Overbooked (Book Links) has an excellent set of links for Inspirational Fiction. Note their Inspirational Fiction Hot list. A good place to begin.
Christian Booksellers Association has good bestseller information available.
Faithful Reader
contains news, reviews, and some author interviews relevant for
Christian fiction.
The Fiction_L List of Lists includes book lists for Christian fiction, Christian fiction especially for teens, Oke, Wick and Snelling Readalikes. The Christian Fiction List: Fiction for the Faithful is found here.
Christian Fiction: A Guide to the Genre by John Mort, who is the Booklist reviewer for this genre, is likely to be the standard work.
Developing Christian Fiction Collections for Children & Adults is now the standard work for this genre.
Contemporary Christian Authors: Lives and Works by Janice Delong and Rachel Schwedt cover about 70 Christian fiction authors from a variety of sub genres.
What Inspirational Literature Do I Read Next by Pamela Willwerth includes a substantial section (about 1/3 of the volume) on fiction. Bibliographic entries include similar books.
Now and then, Booklist reviews Christian fiction and lists
some
series updates.
Depending on one's definition of religion, religious stories have
been with us since the beginning of time. Pilgrim's Progress in 1678 is a
recent example of enormously popular Christian fiction. Grace
Livingston Hill published her first light love novel in 1887. The
Christian Booksellers Association was not established until 1950. The
Gold Medallion Awards, Evangelical Christian Publisher's Association,
began in 1978. In 1985, the Romance Writers of American awarded the
first RITA for inspirational Fiction. In 1997, Harlequin established
its first Christian fiction imprint with Steeple Hill.
Christian fiction celebrates God's presence in our life. It can be
narrow and didactic or broad and literal. Character's relationship to
God is the primary focus. Another definition is that these stories are
about "the journey of the soul." Readers seek "wholesome, yet
compelling" reading. There is considerable interest in characters "who
are like the reader" in some important way.
Although the label "Christian fiction" is used here to reflect the
fact
that God plays a significant role in the plot and the outcome.
Christian novels focus on ordinary people who are challenged to live
their lives in accordance with Christian principles.
Inspirational fiction is
similar, but would include characters and themes that reflect other
religious faiths. This broader view of the genre is increasingly
important in communities where there is a notable diversity of faiths.
Inspirational fiction recently popular will include those of the
Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim faiths.
A view book stores use visionary
fiction and Borders even uses metaphysical
fiction. Neither of these labels are likely to be helpful for
the average book buyer or reader. Clearly, the scope and attributes of
these works can confuse.
Since the view of
Christianity seen in Christian fiction is often from a fundamentalist
position, some readers will avoid works that
they
might otherwise enjoy [without the label].
Since Christian Fiction does not contain "bad language,", strong
violence, addictions, or
explicit sexual activity, it can be a genre of gentle reads. The
values
expressed, putting God first or loving one's neighbor or remaining
chaste
before marriage, are comfortable ones for many readers, even those who
are not especially religious.
While "gentle reads" should probably be a separate category, its
characteristics apply to some Christian Fiction, especially earlier
ones;
With the possible exception of horror, any genre or sub genre might
be part
of Christian or inspirational fiction if the appropriate values, world
view,
and outcomes appear.
The audience has expanded substantially in recent years as Christian
fiction has expanded well beyond the Christian book store to the chain
super stores as well as many of the discount stores. The addition of
more sub-genres such as suspense and mystery have increased audience.
Too, the quality of the story telling and writing has improved
substantially in many books. As some stories move from "aggressively
evangelical" to a "Christian world view," audience increases. A 2003
study by Barna found that half of all Americans read Christian books
and one-third buy them. Some publishers and authors are concerned about
the "Christian bubble," the notion that the Christian Bookseller
guidelines are so restrictive that the limit content that would be true
to Christian principles, but might offend Christian conservatives. For
example, is it permissible for a character to drink an alcoholic
beverage? The key question here is whether or not the story will bring
the reader closer to God.
CHRISTY AWARDS will be given to novelists and novels of exceptional quality and impact. The first awards were presented in July 2000.Bethany House, Baker Book House, Broadman & Holman, Kregel, Multnomah, Thomas Nelson, Tyndale House, Water Brook, Word, and Zondervan among others support the awards which are affiliated with the Christian Booksellers Association. Christianity Today has provided prize money.
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association presents the Gold and Platinum Awards. Fiction is one category.
Appeal elements include:
Often, the Christian story makes clear than via God's grace the most troubled souls can find redemption and reconciliation with God. This is a persuasive message, especially for those who are troubled.
At a time when so much of the popular media is explicit, perhaps
unhealthily so, readers want old-fashioned comfortable stories that do
not provoke or shock. Series and sequels are increasingly popular and
that offers the reader a comfortable read with familiar characters and
situations.
Biblical fiction provides insight and understanding into major characters. For the reader, fiction reading becomes educational and spiritual because it helps to understand the word and actions of God.
There is no question that Christian fiction is popular. The Indwelling:
The Beast Takes Possession by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, in
the
"Left Behind" series, has sold more than two million copies in the U.S.
and
is a New York Times bestseller. Much of this appeal appears to
come
from fundamentalists. Fiction is one of the fastest growing categories
in
Christian publishing.
Traditionally, Christian fiction has focused on female problems and
issues, but male issues and problems are beginning to receive more
attention. Strong male characters and novels more likely to appeal to
men should broaden the appeal of Christian fiction.
African-American Christian fiction is a small, but rapidly growing
trend. Typically, the focus is on contemporary romance, humor, and
mystery. Walk Worthy Press was the pioneer in 1997. Some of these
titles appeal to African-American readers who would not ordinarily
select Christian Fiction.
The book trade is much more interested in Christian fiction. Authors such as Frank Peretti, Janette Oke, Bodie Thoene are popular and sell well in trade book stores.
Until recently, Christian fiction was not taken seriously by many in trade publishing, reviewers, and others. It was "too preachy, too moralistic, too unrealistic or sometimes just too trite." Although the stereotypes are being reduced as Christian fiction becomes more popular and profitable, they are still there.
Most chain bookstores do note give Christian fiction adequate visibility and shelf space.
While Christian stores and bookstores provide publishers and authors with a highly responsive market, there is too little shelf space to accommodate the growing variety of publications. Publisher websites help, but the enthusiastic reader may find the local Christian book store with limited stock.
Publishers of Christian fiction are broadening their lists to include more sub genres including mystery and science fiction. Historical fiction and romances have been popular for some time. Some believe that too much of Christian fiction is historical. Some Christian fiction publishers are hopeful that their work will increasingly be found in the general fiction area (out of the ghetto).
Some Christian fiction is extremely didactic. "Liberal thought, politics and legal interpretations are inextricably tied to something degenerate, corrupting and ultimately evil." The fight between good and evil is vividly portrayed and much of contemporary civilization is associated with evil.
In much of Christian fiction, "providing moral lessons is considered as more important than creating complex, believable characters."
As religious diversity in the United States increases, it seems reasonable that there will be the equivalent of Christian fiction for other religions. This could cause problems in classification or categorization as well as public relations problems.
While the comfortable read is a notable asset, it can also be a liability. Surely, quality fiction should provoke, perhaps even testing the reader. Christian fiction should not be an escape from secular life, but rather a means to understand it and imp rove it.
How would you respond to the notion that Christian fiction belongs in the church library and not in the public library?
Christian fiction is sometimes called "inspirational" fiction. Does not all genre fiction inspire to some degree?
What do you think of when you hear or see "Christian" as an adjective as in Christian fiction?
If some users react negatively to "Christian fiction" as a label, what would you use instead? Discuss the assets and liabilities of "inspirational," "religious," and "spiritual."
What appeal elements, if any, would be found in Christian fiction and not typically in other genre fiction?
Should Christian fiction be broken out or integrated into the general fiction collection? If broken out, does that indicate favoritism or endorsement of one faith over others? Why?
How easy would it be to identify and classify books as "Christian" fiction? How would you do it?
Is Christian fiction just for Christians? Just for women? Just for older readers?
How didactic or preachy is Christian fiction? Does that decrease the quality of the story? Does not all genre fiction promote values of some kind? How didactic are the other genres?
If Christian fiction is safe, how safe are the other genres. How
would you
rank the genres from the most risky to the safest?
