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Commentary Too

 

Yesterday Brenda Anderson left this comment:

 

It's the belief that CBA fiction is subpar that led me to begin writing reviews a few years back. I volunteered in our church library at that time and found that the majority of our church members avoided the library–particularly fiction–because they believed everything was sweet & fluffy. As someone who reads a ton, and I try to read from all genres, I can honestly say that CBA fiction comprises far more than simple & sweet. So, I started writing book reviews (or recommendations, to be more accurate) for our church newsletter, reviews of quality CBA fiction–reviews of books that were different from the simple & sweet stereotype.

 

Nicole, you mentioned Steven James, Lisa Samson, Chris Fabry. All excellent, excellent writers, comparable to anyone. How about Athol Dickson? Dale Cramer, Tosca Lee, Charles Martin … I could name many more. Here in Minnesota, Julie Klassen has gone up against general market writers in book award competitions and has won.

 

Maybe once upon a time it was true that Christian fiction was subpar. I honestly don't believe that's the case any more, and I'm a very picky reader. Sure, I have to wade through many books to find one that's great, but that's true in the general market too. To me, the big question is, how do we overcome the stereotype?

 

The subpar label is often attached to Christian fiction by readers who first and foremost have probably read less than 20 novels in the overall genre. These readers sometimes lean toward philosophical and/or literary offerings in the general market and consider themselves open-minded. Please note I’ve used the telling words of “probably” and “sometimes”. If I’d read a smattering of novels in the general market in one or two genres, I would be honest enough to admit I’m no judge of the overall market. Most of my reading outside Christian fiction came a long time ago and included the likes of Dostoevsky, Hemingway, Salinger, D. H. Lawrence, Ken Kesey, Kafka, Daphne duMaurier, Ayn Rand, and so on to name a few. In recent times my general market fare consists primarily of Vince Flynn, and I’ve read one Tom Clancy, one Brian Haig, and I’ve got a Tess Gerritsen waiting in the wings. My Christian fiction numbers exceed 300 novels and counting.

 

If you’ll glance above at the authors named by Brenda Anderson and me, you’ve got distinct styles and voices and other than Steven James’ thrillers, several of those authors lean toward the literary, certainly in quality of writing and unusual plotting.

 

As I told Brenda in my reply to her comment, I have no idea how to get readers to move beyond stereotyping Christian fiction as subpar or to be fair in their assessments based on comparative value. It’s probably true that a large percentage of published novels are very average in either markets as both Brendas and I suggested, but no one thinks a thing about it when discussing the value of general market fare because of the authors who’ve managed to merit huge success with highly acclaimed quality writing.

 

So. Could it be or is it in fact the possibility of including the gospel or suggesting the lifestyle of Christianity in some of Christian fiction that is done so inorganically or so clumsily or so “religiously” as to cause the negative reactions from some readers? Is it the “Christian factor” which grates on the mentalities of certain readers?

 

Or is it the commonality of language usage, clichéd plots, and perceived happy endings that stir up negative commentary? Because certainly all of these factors are present in much of the general market fare as well.

 

Or is it the perceived general lack of gritty, gut-level circumstances that is evident in some of the lighter-weight stories in Christian fiction but certainly not evident and very much exposed in the offerings of the above authors, that sends some readers into criticism of the genre?

 

Brenda A. is correct in stating it takes a lot of reading to discover true gems in either market, but that’s what makes those novels special.

 

It makes one wonder about the expectations of certain readers when they pick up a novel from either market. Is there a different standard used to evaluate the stories?

 

 

Father, here we are again. One of the most precious things to me in light of my redemption is that you’re no respecter of persons. Thank you so much for that. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.   

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9 responses to “Commentary Too”

  1. Brenda Jackson Avatar
    Brenda Jackson

    We’ve discussed this before, but this is a marketing problem, in part. By its very nature, the marketing of books is focused on the sameness of those books.
    One need look no further than historicals. Over the last few days, we’ve been talking about the idea that, to be fair, we need to compare apples to apples to determine a book’s quality, and I believe that is intrinsically true.
    However, I will never GET to that reading stage because if I go into Berean or Barnes and Noble and peruse the shelves of historicals there, you know what I’m going to find? Girlie cover after girlie cover. No sell.
    While it’s true this is absolutely zero indicator of the quality of the fiction within it’s pages, I the customer have already been communicated a message: “Our historical fiction is all the same.”
    That may not be fair of me to interpret it that way, but that’s the message my mind sends me.
    Also, while it is indeed true that you need to read several books in the genre to get a comparison, that doesn’t take into account the various quirks of a reader. Loyalty, for example.
    I mentioned having read Threat Warning by John Gilstrap–a general market author. I chose to read his book, not because it was random, but because of my loyalty to The Kill Zone authors–given an opportunity to buy a book, I will buy one of theirs first before risking my $$$ on anybody else.
    Which brings up the cost factor–publishers do not help by vastly over-pricing their e-books. For example, I looked up e-books by Liparulo, James, and Bertrand for e-books published 2010 or later. All were in the $9-10 range.
    I paid under $5 for Threat Warning. Though I should note, the overpriced e-book thing is prevalent across markets–Flynn e-books were also in the $10 range.
    Examining my own thought patterns about CBA vs. general market fic in general, if I could craft a slogan for CBA I would say: “CBA: Where readers go for girlie fiction.” And this gets to the heart of what we’re talking about. General market fiction may be every bit as girlie, but in CBA, this idea is firmly entrenched in my mind and it will take a back-hoe to dig it out, whether it’s a fair assessment or not. People can get mad, call me closed minded or tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about, but my experiences thus far with the CBA market have led me to form that impression.
    For me as a consumer, the only way to change my mind is for me to be sold on advertising that distinguishes what is unique about the fiction offerings, not the same. Otherwise, when the time comes to search for fiction, I’m going to go with the ones to whom I am loyal, and forget the rest. Because I want to know that the hard-fought $$$ I spend are going out for good reason.

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  2. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    First off, let me say this about the e-books. Most of those authors you named have had specials run on their e-books or occasionally free downloads for particular books. I’m not sure when a person would know that other than being friends with them on Facebook or visiting their websites. And as for me I rarely visit an author’s website. Perhaps they’re also advertised on Amazon – I don’t know.
    Secondly, I do believe marketing plays a huge roll in selling novels, but I don’t know if any of it – again except for friends on FB – is effective in alerting readers and selling readers on particular novels except for those who follow their favorites or check individual publishing sites/author blogs and websites.
    Thirdly, since it is widely accepted that women are the target audience of Christian fiction, the covers of novels often feature perceived women-friendly covers.
    And your tastes, Brenda J., at least as far as historicals go, have not honestly been addressed in Christian fiction. Thriller-wise, I think they have been, but as you noted cost-effective purchases are a consideration. For some time I’ve thought CF has been overpriced in many cases, particularly in Christian bookstores which is precisely a reason for their closings.
    Other than the outright offerings of historicals which are overrun with romance, you spoke specifically of the writing in your comments on Monday. Do you have anything else to add to my closing questions about that factor?

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  3. Brenda Anderson Avatar
    Brenda Anderson

    I do think it’s part perception and part–as Brenda J put it–being an overabundance of “girlie-fiction” on the shelves. When you go to your local Lifeway, what do you see? Or when you open up your Christianbook.com catalog, what stories are prevalent?
    If a reader doesn’t care for Amish or historical or romance, they may not look further. It’s too much work to find the gems that are out there. So my goal is to help point out the novels that are different, the ones that raise the bar.
    If you look at Charles Martin’s transition from CBA to general market, you’ll see quality “Christian fiction” will reach all readers, not just Christians.

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  4. Brenda Jackson Avatar
    Brenda Jackson

    No, I don’t visit individual author sites either. My sources come from word of mouth on the handful of blogs I visit, or checking the Amazon top 100 list.
    The Amazon top 100 is turning out to be a filter for me for books–I’m just not yet sure what impact it will have. If there are authors whom I recognize as CBA writers who are offering free downloads, I will try them out. As yet, I have not adopted any as new favorites yet, but then it takes quite a while for me to get through my digital stack of books. But I do check the Amazon 100 list a couple times a week.

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  5. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Maybe more discussion tomorrow . . . We’ll see.

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  6. Jessica Thomas Avatar
    Jessica Thomas

    It’s good to see some positive thoughts on CBA fiction. Maybe it’s just my current mood, but there seems to be a prevailing sense of negativity floating over the whole thing. I was once excited to write within CBA, but that excitement is waning. Perhaps I should just keep my head down and ignore the talk.

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  7. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    “Perhaps I should just keep my head down and ignore the talk.”
    I think this is the best advice for everyone, Jess.
    I also think it’s wise to consider both the positives and negatives before making adamant conclusions. After all, the CBA as it stands serves many. And I will still maintain that, proportionately, the CBA has as many excellent writers as the ABA.
    I’m waiting for that entrepreneurial spirit who will address that unidentified and mostly dissatisfied market with a few imprints for niche Christian fiction.

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  8. Brenda Jackson Avatar
    Brenda Jackson

    Jess, if I came across negatively, I’m sorry. It is not my intent to cast any negative thoughts onto CBA fiction. And I’m sorry if its construed that way. Quite obviously, it serves the masses very well.
    When I join in on these discussions, it’s not about running down, being negative, or anything else. But I AM trying to puzzle out why it’s so hard for me to find fiction that I, personally, like, and why so much seems the same (my opinion only).
    But in truth, those who make up the minority are of course going to sound like a negative voice, because those people are desperately seeking something that’s not yet represented. For example, if I was a person who adored romance and wanted to read nothing but and I expressed the opinion that there should be more romance fiction, that wouldn’t be seen as negative at all. You’d hearing the masses jumping up and shouting agreement.
    That’s why these discussions are vital. We need to hear all voices (and be fair and civil doing it).

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  9. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Brenda J., I’m not answering for Jess here, but I doubt you offended her in any way. She likes sci-fi for one thing and has written some. You know how well sci-fi flies in CBA, about as well as historicals w/o romance.
    I’m wondering, too, if those of us who would like to see CBA stretched a bit are actually in the minority. If we are, I bet it’s by a smaller margin than is perceived.
    And much of it is the same, probably not unlike general market fare in similar genres.

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