Travel the Fictional Globe

When you read, do you like to travel to another time and place? I do. In fact, it’s one of my favorite things. I’ve traveled all over the globe to almost every time in history, and whether I’ve met with an African slave, a Roman noblewoman, or an Arabian sheik, it’s always an enlightening adventure. Most of what I know about history, I’ve learned from fiction books.

So I was surprised to discover that at least in Christian publishing, historical books set in America are far more in demand than those set in other countries. The most popular are the so called “bonnet books.” No offense to those American books, I’ve read and enjoyed many of them, but I’m ready to branch out and broaden my horizons!

It’s not so much that Christian publishers don’t want to support books set in other countries, it’s just that at the end of the day they are businesses, and businesses produce what sells. Evidently, in the Christian market readers are looking more for comfort and familiarity than exotic adventures. Why do you think that is? I know plenty of adventurous Christians. Are they adventurous enough that they’re reading secular books and not looking for Christian messages, or have they simply looked elsewhere because Christian publishers weren’t meeting their needs? I can’t help but think they would enjoy reading Christian novels if the types that interested them were available. Sounds like it may be a bit of a vicious cycle.

When I sat down and pondered the setting for my debut novel, the first thought that crossed my mind was, I want a time before the Reformation, a time when everyone was Christian, yet Christianity was set in an entirely different context. I decided on England, because it was the country in Europe I’d spent the most time visiting and because I have family roots there. Once the plot came to me, I realized I needed a time when feudalism still lingered, but cities and the middle class were emerging. Finally, I needed to open in the year of a famine. I landed on Southern England 1315.

So years later, I have a great book and discover that there’s not such a great market for it. But, I’m pleased to announce that I just got the list of ACFW Book of the Year Finalists. I noticed that several of the finalists are set in Europe. Could the tide be turning? Or is it just that European historical fiction writers have to work twice as hard to get their books published and therefore turn out exceptional products?

I am actually acquainted with several of the authors through the “Hiswriters” historical email loop. Hiswriters is a group of authors who write inspirational European historical fiction. Recently, a number of the Hiswriters have banned together and formed HEWN, Historical European Writers Network. We have committed to getting out the word about European historical novels. The market does seem to be opening to books set in the 1500’s-1800’s. The medieval period is still hard to sell, but perhaps people are slowly working their way out of their comfort zones to times and places farther and farther from their own. Could medieval be the next big wave?

I’m hopeful that my book will find a market. I think the tide is turning. What do you think about European historicals? Do you prefer books set in America, or do you like to travel to new places? What about the medieval period? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Why Inspirationals?

Okay, I'll admit it. Long ago, I signed off from inspirational novels. Why? I often found them trite, preachy, goody goody, and lacking in artistic excellence. Maybe I was a little hard on them, but at some point I kind of felt like: you read one, you read them all. Francine Rivers was the exception in my mind, and she alone gave me some hope.

Well, that certainly isn't true any longer. Three years ago I started writing my own first novel. I assumed I would have to pursue a secular publisher because no Christian publisher would print something as honest, real, and edgy as what I wanted to write. Fortunately, a fellow author assured me that Christian publishing had changed drastically in the last few years, and that I should give it another chance.

He was so right. Since that time, I've read some amazing books. I discovered Christian fantasy, science fiction, and chic lit. I found amazing new historical authors. I had the pleasure of enjoying a romance about a professional Christian ballerina. I even read my first Christian thriller this summer. All I'm waiting for now is a Christian vampire novel :) Think I'm kidding? Watch someone figure out how to do it.

I've read books that have broken nearly every supposed Christian publishing taboo, books with flawed characters, real life drama, and deep spiritual themes. My conclusion is that our incredibly creative God is giving Christian authors all sorts of creative ways to share their faith that no one would have dreamed of twenty years ago. Christian authors are no longer second-rate, they are becoming some of the finest at their craft.

The beauty of the inspirational novel is that while it entertains, takes you to a different time and place, allows you to enjoy the romance, the suspense, the drama, it also uplifts you spiritually. Recently my Bible study group was discussing the importance of filling your mind with the right sorts of influences. I recommended a goal of trying to have at least half of messages we receive come from the right sort of spiritual sources. Novels are perhaps the best way to accomplish that goal.

I hope to expose my readers to new genres and authors and novels within the inspirational category. Many of them will be "awesome," but all of them will have some sort of merit. I will focus on the positive aspects of each book and what sort of reader will appreciate them. Enjoy!