Into the Fire

Regardless of your personal definition for Christian Fiction, it is what it is. And running side by side with those definitions are the preferences and expectations for that fiction.

Back in May of this year, I attended the Northwest Christian Writers Renewal. A good conference, it’s local, and it’s inexpensive for me since it’s close. When I attend, I make a point of speaking with as many hopeful writers as possible. My first question to them after initial greetings is, “What do you write?” The huge majority answered, “Fantasy.” Christians attending a writers’ conference answered “Fantasy”. Yet we’ve been told that CBA readers don’t read fantasy/sci-fi/speculative fiction. We know it’s not a true statement.

Jeff Gerke explained that the Christian publishing industry is doing just fine catering to its target audience of middle-aged to older females who enjoy bonnet books and prairie/historical romances. Being convinced of the lurking audience of all ages and gender for speculative fiction, he created Marcher Lord Press to accommodate those readers. He’s giving himself five years to be profitable, and so far he’s doing alright.

Anyway, here’s my question to you—should you decide to answer:

What do you think “Christian Fiction” should mean? Let’s not go to the place where there should be no such thing because there is. So, ideally, what should that mean?

Lord, I’m privileged to write fiction that talks about you. I want you to be prominent in my stories. Help me to do it well. To be real. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.