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“Speculative”

 

Mike Dellosso is a self-described writer of Christian horror, a term rarely used by any “official” in the publishing industry. Yesterday on Mike’s blog he brought up the frustration he feels regarding the various labeling of genres.

 

Opinions vary as to the labeling of Christian fiction. Some think there are already too many, others think not enough. We all know there are some novels which absolutely defy a niche label.

 

I’m not a fan of the “Speculative” label. I think it’s a catch-all for types of fiction some publishers don’t want to admit to producing such as “Christian” Sci-fi or “Christian” Fantasy. And even in some cases “Supernatural” this, that, or the other. Supernatural attached to a label seems ridiculous to me. Where any Christian theme is involved, the supernatural exists. It doesn’t really matter what God-concept an author engages, if, in fact, God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit is involved overtly or peripherally, you’re talkin’ supernatural. Angels, demons, miracles? Supernatural. And biblical supernatural is a far cry from the speculative in sci-fi or fantasy. While either science-fiction or fantasy can employ biblical themes and methodology, isn’t it just simpler to label a book Sci-fi or Fantasy so the reader knows what to expect? And any qualifiers can be added in the back cover copy.

 

The horror label shouts at readers and reverberates “Scary!” It’s an honest label for Mike’s novels, but no one tends to associate “redemptive” with the word horror. The Christian moniker in front of it only seems to create an oxymoronic reaction so much of the horror genre is pushed into either “Suspense” or “Thriller” categories. I’d put Mike’s in the Thriller group because Suspense is usually less gory, grotesque, intense (though not always), and more subtle.

 

What do you think about the “speculative” label?

 

Lord, let us be true to what you have for us to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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14 responses to ““Speculative””

  1. Mike Dellosso Avatar
    Mike Dellosso

    Thanks for continuing this discussion, Nicole. I’d love to see Christian horror come into its own and not be lumped into the Speculative or Thriller category. But I’m realistic enough to realize that’s just not going to happen without some trust being built first. Christian horror is relatively new and there’s a lot of misinformation and misconception about it. Also much resistance. First, we need to define it a little better, then earn the audience’s trust by producing quality stories that shine the light and glorify the Lord. There’s a lot of walls that need to be broken down and some education needs to take place.
    I, for one, am willing to take on the challenge. Who’s with me?

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  2. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    The spec category is definitely confusing. I don’t read horror, or sci-fi for that matter, but for clarity, they should be classified on their own. Spec category to me is for books like Lost Mission, that don’t easily fit into one category or another.
    But then you have to take categories with a grain of salt. Some categories take on a whole different meaning in CBA then they do in the general market even–like western. If you look at how CBA defines western and what defines it in general market, you’d find quite a bit of difference.
    So I just forget labels and write my books. The publisher is going to classify it however they want, and when we as authors promote the books, we’re going to promote the individual book usually, not the label.

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  3. Dayle Avatar
    Dayle

    With all due respect to those who are trying to establish the label. I know why you’re doing it – – but it just won’t work.
    Readers simply don’t know what it is.
    In an interview, Frank Peretti was asked why he chose to write Christian spec and he replied (possible paraphrase) I didn’t. I’m not even familiar with the term.

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  4. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Mike, I think right now it’s to your (and others’) advantage not to be labeled “horror” for the obvious misunderstandings that occur with the perceived oxymoron “Christian horror”. Regardless of how accurate the category, it repels certain readers who immediately think of Stephen King or film-wise Wes Cramer. As your fans continue to review and as you (and we) continue to explain the term, the knowledge of the genre difference will grow and reach more, although probably not most, acceptance and understanding.
    Brenda, I agree the “speculative” category is ambiguous. For me, it’s useless. And I agree that publishers have their own lingo and will ultimately decide how a novel gets labeled. You pointed out well how differing those genre labels can be in CBA from ABA. I’d put most of Athol’s novels in the “literary” category which tells us nothing really except that the author pays a lot of attention to language–except for Winter Haven which was definitely suspense. I’d rid the categories of “speculative” altogether.
    Dayle, what a great answer from Peretti. Gotta love him. Can’t wait for his new one next year. He will always be on my Top Five favorite authors.
    And I think it’s very possible that readers don’t “get” a lot of the genre categories out there. They’re mostly for publishers, aren’t they?

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  5. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    Another category that is unhelpful is general fiction. I don’t have one of his books in front of me but I think Charles Martin’s books are usually classified as “general fiction.” I grant you, I’m not sure what an alternative would be but general fiction isn’t exactly helpful. What does a person looking for fiction in the general fiction label look for, I wonder?
    Or perhaps they don’t. Maybe like me they’re just picking up a book mentioned to them by a friend that just so happens to be in that category.

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  6. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    LOL! Sorry about the wording in that last post. I can’t even claim lack of sleep as a culprit. I meant: What qualities is someone who is shopping in general fiction looking for?

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  7. Word Lily Avatar
    Word Lily

    I’m not a big fan of genre labels in general. Too often they pigeon hole books (and readers) rather than allowing for exploration.
    However, as much as I may not like genre labels, I have to admit: they’re useful. That usefulness may be limited, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. And as I find genre labels in general useful (at least to some degree), I do find some value in the Speculative umbrella. Does it lump some un-like things together (fantasy =/= sci fi, obviously)? Sure. But, does it (also) distinguish between disparate things (contemporary, realistic fiction vs. those set in an alternate reality, for example)? I say yes.

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  8. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Brenda, I agree it doesn’t get any more non-descriptive than “general fiction”. What?? I suppose looking for a novel without any obvious tell-tale assigned categories like romance or fantasy or suspense–in other words just a story about life in general–qualifies as general fiction.
    Word Lily, I agree they can be useful, but speculative doesn’t do it for me. I think it means too many things to different people. For example, with an “alternate reality” story, are we talking fantasy or supernatural? Like the TV show “Fringe”, is it sci-fi or fantasy? Definitely “speculative” by the current standards, but if you just told someone it was speculative, that would say nothing about the show. Does that make sense?

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  9. Amy @ My Friend Amy Avatar
    Amy @ My Friend Amy

    Labels are imperfect. I’m a huge fan of the term speculative, because it basically covers anything that deviates from realistic fiction. It’s easier to use than trying to use all the labels necessary. It’s definitely used outside of the Christian market as well, but the reasons you cite, “ashamed of calling it sci-fi or fantasy” seems to be the common cry of those two genres against it.
    In your Fringe example, if you told me it was speculative, than I would know for example, not to expect it to be CSI. Would I know more details? No, but I’d know that I was getting something other than a realistic crime procedural show.
    I think labels feel limiting and they ARE. But they are also at times, a little tiny bit helpful.

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  10. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Nice to have you stop by, Amy. In regard to your statement “basically covers anything that deviates from realistic fiction”, I would argue that some spiritually realistic fiction that addresses the spiritual realm, even though the author “speculates” as to how this realm operates, should not be included in the speculative genre. And, you, Amy, are exceedingly well-read and tuned in to the publishing genre labels–one reason you immediately “get” the speculative label.
    I’m not against labels. They serve a purpose for sure. I guess I think the speculative label is a front for not identifying other genuine genres which are quite well explained by their “real” names.

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  11. Barb Avatar
    Barb

    Arrgh! Labels, labels, labels… Couldn’t any novel be considered “speculative”? Aren’t all writers speculating on how we understand life? I know that’s a broad and sweeping statement, but sheesh, I get so tired of putting art, literature, and music (people too, for that matter) into a box. It’s so limiting.
    As part of my anti-label stance (ha ha), I’m not responding to my son’s school’s second request that I submit the form which asks what race and ethnicity he is. Why does that matter? Why do they need that label for his files? How will that help educate him? ((end label rant))
    The reality is, labels are a necessary evil, but I agree with what you and many others have said here today.

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  12. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Barb, I love the rebel rant. 😉
    I believe it was Mike Dellosso who made the same comment about fiction being “speculative” overall–or someone commenting on his post. And it’s true.
    I think it’s a professional need for identification and categorizing to shape the input of literature and where to focus their brands and their distributions. Some labels do their part and establish a type of literature for everyone to understand. “Speculative”? Not so much.
    Thanks for your contribution to this discussion, Barb.

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  13. Rebecca LuElla Miller Avatar
    Rebecca LuElla Miller

    I write “speculative” fiction, and I don’t like the term either. It’s such a catch all. And when you compare a science fiction with an epic fantasy or a supernatural suspense (horror), you’re really comparing apples with tangerines with figs. They just aren’t the same at all except that they are different from the rest of fiction. 😉

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  14. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Perfectly said, Becky. Exactly.

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