Hope for Faith-filled Fiction's 2015 Forecast

At the end of each year, Library Journal publishes a Christian fiction preview for the upcoming months. Writing this update is something I enjoy as I get to hear from a variety of editors, publicists, agents, and other industry professionals and hear about upcoming releases. I love seeing the covers, too, so it is a labor of love! Here's a preview for next year.

Though I haven't written fiction for the last year or so, I love being immersed in books and it is exciting to see all the directions Christian fiction is going even at a time that many find discouraging. It is true that the number of acquisitions is getting smaller, houses are closing down, all things that can be depressing. But there's a lot to be hopeful for in the direction of Christian fiction.

1) Blurring of the mainstream/Christian lines can bring new opportunities for acquisition and marketing.

No secret that the Big Six becoming the Big Five and several Christian houses either closing or losing their fiction lines have made publishing news in the past few years. The good side of this is...new opportunities with mainstream houses.

This year I was thrilled to receive lists (albeit smaller ones) from publishers in the ABA world. For instance, Susan Meissner, winner of multiple awards in the CBA realm is publishing Secrets of a Charmed World with Penguin. Ted Dekker's books have long flitted between both markets showing suspense fans will clamor for a book with supernatural elements. 

Stacie Henrie is a newer author whose World War I novels Hope Rising and Hope Remembered release from Grand Central's Forever imprint. Henrie's novels are marketed to romance readers who read on both sides of the house with their inspirational messages and clean content.

Takeaway: Interest in hope-filled stories continues to be strong even at mainstream houses.

2) Small may be the new "big" when it comes to publishing.

Secant and Rosebud are two smaller publishers that I contacted. Rosebud was developed by several traditionally published authors with Lacy Williams as the managing editor. They use a print-on-demand model. Secant is an indie publisher based in the Southeast. Smaller size doesn't always mean limited options. Little houses might be willing to go places the larger houses won't and could provide a middle ground between self-publishing and the Big Five.

Takeaway: Don't overlook the idea of starting out small.

3) Christian media is improving and may provide new opportunities.

Christian movies were once thought of as a bit of a joke, but with newer movies like The Vow and Nicholas Cage's version of Left Behind the image is beginning to change. (I know Christian movies still have a long way to go, but at least this genre is growing). 

Chris Fabry's The Song and Rene Gutteridge's Old Fashioned are both examples of book/movie combinations that will be released this winter. Even media versions that don't fully follow the biblical texts, think Noah and Exodus are bringing new popularity to Christian-themed fiction. For instance, The Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus by Cliff Graham is poised to meet the interests of the audience of the upcoming film.

Takeaway: Consider how Christian media can provide a possible audience for your novel as you market to possible publishers.

4) Christian fiction is getting less and less shy about tackling the tough subjects.

Christian fiction has long left the realm of mere bonnet fiction, but is becoming more and more bold with the years. News events, whether abuse in the clergy, domestic violence or suicide are being tackled in Christian fiction. Mercy's Rain by Cindy Sproles tackles misconduct in the clergy and in the wake of Robin William's shocking death The Boy Who Loved Rain releases this upcoming winter.

It is encouraging to see Christians become more engaging in the culture with a realization that our children will learn about these topics either from us or from the world. Rather than a complete sheltering, Christian fiction is often providing a faith-filled context from which to view the world.

Takeaway: The very issue God is speaking to your heart just may be the story you need to write.

5) Its all still about a love of story.

In spite of the challenges of marketing and social media, its still all about story.  Bottom line a good story with a uniqueness to it and intense plot twists can overcome challenges in this brave new world of publishing. 

Takeaway: Tell YOUR story.

Comments: I'd be curious to hear what books you are excited about that will be releasing in 2015 and why.

Keeping Your Integrity in the Crazy World of Publication

When you close your eyes you see that perfect cover model, flaxen tresses, wearing an accurate and beautiful dress from your favorite era. Your fingers run over the puffed letters with the perfect title (of course the publishers loved the one you chose and thought it would market the book well). Beneath that in even larger letters (OK, its a dream, right?) your name.

I'm not sure what else that dream might entail for you. Perhaps a fat advance check (a reality check would bring quick doubt to this notion). Maybe you dream of your first book signing (as an introvert, I don't relate to this one, I would probably stand in the corner hyperventilating...that is if anyone beside my mother actually showed).

But have you thought about the possible pitfalls of publication? It doesn't hurt to prepare yourself for temptations before they occur. In the case of your writing journey, these are thoughts to consider all along the way. Because temptations occur all along the way.

So let's be real, is there any kind of freedom you can't handle on your writing journey? Whether regards to power, compromising your beliefs, or staying quiet about them Satan WANTS you to lose your integrity along the way. Because guess what? Then your witness is ineffective.

There will be temptations along the way in your writing journey. Temptations to write the easy story, keeping your raw real life far away from the page. Temptations to take an opportunity that offers more money for your family just when its needed, but may involve watering down the faith aspect of your story. Temptation may be different for every one of you. My writing temptation isn't yours, but if God has called you to write, you can be certain that Satan will try to keep you ineffective in this area.

I was steered toward writing a post on integrity after reading two items of publishing news this week. Two nonfiction books have rocketed to a prominent place on the New York Times bestseller list. It is unusual for a CBA book to find its way onto the list that is viewed by many in the industry as the penultimate accomplishment. However, the reason these books have made it to "THE LIST" points a giant question mark at the authors and the churches involved.

I won't comment any more on this situation. These pastors aren't the point; you and I are. What do I mean? What will we do to maintain our own integrity in a challenging industry? Do you want anything in your writing life that will point a question mark at your own integrity and might even stain the rest of the body?

The unbelieving world is watching us in our writing life. Let's show them how a Christian writer differs from a worldly writer!

You are faced with decisions every day in your writing life.

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

The largest temptation I have faced in my writing life thusfar has come from reviewing. Upon becoming a reviewer for Library Journal I was approached within days from an old friend who begged me to get her book into the hands of an editor at this publication. This was a new game and I wasn't prepared for it. A year and a half later I receive weekly review requests, but once I had my plan in place and know what my boundaries are I can make these decisions.

I needed to create my own rule book, with prayer and the Word as my guide.

For starters, I started as a Christian book reviewer but moved into fiction with religious themes. This is my way of escape.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Since I know so many authors either through the web or conferences I did not want to be reviewing those books for publication.

Instead, I want to be able to spread the word about authors I truly love on my own. This is my favorite part of reviewing, so I wanted to make sure I could continue on with it but still maintain my integrity as a reviewer. I want people to trust my name as a reviewer.

I ask what is my motive?

Why do I want to make whatever move I'm considering? Am I sure its God speaking to me or am I following the temptation to please mankind?

Am I being true to myself and the role God has given me as a writer? Or will I let the market drive me?

There are certain genres I know I am not called to write for personal reasons. There may be certain topics you should not write about , certain theological issues you shouldn't touch. Or maybe you are called to go there even though it is challenging? Are you willing to forsake readership numbers to write your story?

When we see stories about lack of integrity in publishing or other media instead of judging, let's apply to our own lives. Where do I need to build a wall to keep my integrity in place as a writer? Decide ahead of time what you will and won't do now and keep asking yourself as new situations occur.

God, what is it you want from me in this specific situation? How can I best serve you? Which crossroads do I take?


What can you do now to grow your integrity as a writer and to protect yourself from temptation both now and later on?

 Julia writes contemporary fiction to mirror truth. A former assistant librarian, she now channels her card cataloguing skills into homeschooling her elementary aged littles and writing for Library Journal. She has reviewed for a variety of websites for several years.