Is there room for anything else in Christian fiction?

It seems that when I browse through the Christian fiction section, the vast majority of what I see are either Christian romance or End-Times fiction. I'm not usually that interested in romance novels, I did find a Christian series in that genre which I did enjoy. I'm even less fond of End-Times fiction.

Honestly, the kind of novels I would like to read in Christian Fiction don't seem to exist. I would like to read novels about family or about a person's journey through life, in a contemporary setting. Most Christian romance novels seem to take place in the past, End Times obviously take place in the future.

Are there other genres within Christian fiction out there? Is there room for them?

My top favorite genre is fantasy adventure. My second is family drama.

Has Christian fiction just not been around long?

I like to think that I write Christian Murder Mysteries...

You might look for Terri Blackstock, or Alton Gansky, if you want to read some very good mystery type Christian material.

my thoughts in the swamp - dub

Christian fictin is not new, just not as developed as secular fiction. Most Christian publishing houses aren't big enough to take many risks so they stay with the stuff they think will sell. Hence, not a wide variety. But I think that is changing. I know there are a couple of publishing houses who are starting to take some risks on sci-fi/fantasy. We just need to write what we'd like to read and then find a publishing house willing to take a chance.:nerd

A Christian sci-fi fantasy - now there's an interesting idea. It's possible to say Lord of the Rings would fall somewhat into that category, but it's not blatantly Christian. Perhaps The Chronicles of Narnia would fall into that category?

I'm going gray trying to find an agent that will represent me to Christian publishers. Okay, the kids are partly responsible for the gray, too. :grin

Avoiding the scam artists is such fun, too. :grr

Lily (who has written what's basically a Christian Horror Searching-for-faith novel. Oy.)

Do you have a copy of Sally Stuart's Christian Writer's al market Guide? Her website is: www.stuartmarket.com She has a whole section on Christian agents. I hope I'm not giving you info you have already. It's tough finding an agent. :head

No, there isn't room, because all of the major Christian publishing houses stick with dumbed-down stuff for the masses. I guess that's what sells, so why wouldn't they? If you write anything literary, or that is nuanced (rather than offering simplistic didacticism), the Christian houses aren't likely to publish you. Yet, if you write anything that is Christian, the secular houses aren't likely to publish you. So there is a real need for a market for literary, contemporary, Christian fiction. It just doesn't exist. However, this kind of fiction does sometimes break through and get published by the secular market. I would say that even some of Stephen King's later works have a Christian ring to them.

C.S. Lewis also has a science-fiction trilogy--but today, you don't have a serious Christian writer like C.S. Lewis. You have simplistic end-times fiction. Is it not being written or not being published? If you find quality Christian sci-fi, it probably won't be published by a Christian publishing house, but by a mainstream publisher. The same is true of contemporary Christian literature.

Dr Rita:

No, I absolutely hadn't heard of this book! Thank you! :hail

Now it's simply a matter of when I fork over the $28 -- now or in Jan. when the new edition comes out.

Lily

my stuff found a home...finally

I started writing a series for Christian men revolving around a newly-born-again private investigator. It was a tough sell. My agent worked like a Trojan, but most of the Christian houses said my work was far too gritty and/or edgy. Finally RiverOak, the fiction imprint from Cook, took a chance on Until the Last Dog Dies. It came out this past June and surprise, is doing well. Well enough that they bought the sequel, When Skylarks Fall, and it'll be out next year. Plus I just got contracted for two more. So yes, it can happen. I'm proof.

John

Re: my stuff found a home...finally

Congratulations!!!

<span style="font-size:x-small;">Now what kind of bribe can I offer you and your agent to take a look at my book?</span>

Re: my stuff found a home...finally

wow, congrats

dub

Re: my stuff found a home...finally

John, that's great! Congratulations!

Re: my stuff found a home...finally

Hi Gang, Hi Betty,
It's been a while since i was here. I'm glad to see this Christian forum. And Congrats John!! it gives me hope that my novel will one day make it. it's also a bit "Gritty." i agree it's hard for christian writers to find agents. i've gone through 23 agents and 3 publishers so far. but of course my novel was poorly written so i think it's more of my lack of writing tech then a poor market. I'm fixing the tech area. But the way i see it, if the Lord wants it published, then He'll get it published.
kim

Hi

Gravity, you say your book was 'edgy' , in what way? Was there swearing in it? or graphic violence? I'm working on a novel & have so far been avoiding swearing, however, there are many characters that just aren't 'in character' when they say 'darn' or express anger. I'm not really sure what the guidelines are for christian writing. I'm not exactly writing for hte christian market- but might concider it but would need to know what they concider 'gritty' or offensive.

Re: Christian sci-fi fantasy

I've written in this field and have talked with key editors at Zondervan about it. Classic Christian sci-fi, such as Chronicles of Narnia and Madeline L'Engle's stuff holds well, but the big problem seems to be sales. The editors at Zondervan really liked my writing, but said, "We've tried in the past, but the books didn't sell. We're trying ONE (emphasis mine) sci-fi author right now. If this guy can break down some doors, we may be open to more in the future."

There are smaller publishers who have published Christian fantasy/sci-fi, and some of the big ones have one or two authors in that genre on their list. But if it doesn't sell...well...they ARE publishers.

I can speculate that sci-fi/fantasy is a predominately male-interest market and Christian fiction is, like, 99.85% female buyers, thus explaining the numbers. I might speculate that sci-fi/fantasy is a more significantly youth/teen market and Christian parents are too wary of the entire genre to purchase fantasy books. I can speculate all day long, but until someone can break down some doors and open new markets, the big Christian fiction markets belong to female-targeted books with high relationship/romance elements.

Christian Family Drama

Eowyn,
If you like family drama, you may want to try Karen Kingsbury's Redemtion Series. Excellent books! All about a large christian family in Indiana (I think Indiana) and all the typical, and not so typical problems that families face. Infideltiy, sudden death of loved ones, assorted tragedies, cancer...you get the idea. Check them out!

Steve


Never engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent

Betty W01 said:

Are you familiar with Kathy Tyer's Firebird series? Christian worldview sci fi and very well-done.

Click to expand...

I'll be totally honest about it--I've never read it. But this past week, I remembered your post when I came across a copy of Firebird in a used bookstore. I picked it up with every intention of reading it, but eventually put it back on the shelf. The back cover and promotional quotes, etc. came across as so heavy-handed Christianese that I feared I would be disappointed by yet another Christian novel laced with sappy, unrealistic sentimentality and "the world is so rosy now that I'm a Christian" conversion moments. Is that a fair criticism? NO! I've never read the book. But as long as Christian publishers market their sci-fi fantasy the way Firebird was marketed, I don't think many sci-fi fantasy enthusiasts are going to pick up their titles.