CHRISTIAN FICTION

DEFINITION:  Christian fiction has at its core biblically-based attitudes, values and actions. It is sometimes called inspirational fiction or gentle reads, but these terms can be misleading.  Christian fiction is characterized by explicit or implicit Christianity and little or no sex, violence or profanity. Often written in a series to show the growth of faith over time, these books pose religious questions and answers, show conflict over faith and morality, often emphasize a conversion or crisis of faith and exemplify Christian faith in real life.

Classic Authors: C. S. Lewis is the literary, philosophical grandfather of modern Christian fiction. Lew Wallace and Lloyd C. Douglas wrote popular historical novels with Biblical themes and Grace Livingston Hill wrote light, Christian romances. Catherine Marshall is known for her romantic historical Christy. Janette Oke wrote romances that show old-fashioned, pioneering values.

CHARACTERISTICS:  Christian fiction has little or no sex, violence or profanity.  These books always show Christian values and although there may be a conflict, or a crisis of faith, good and evil (black and white) is very clearly drawn.  The pace may be slower with the emphasis on the characters.

APPEAL: Many of the authors currently write series with a stand alone here and there.  Series by favorite authors are a huge attraction.  Also, readers know they can rely on these authors to be consistent in their subject matter.   

READERS: Most often, the readers are women of an evangelical faith.  Also, you will have requests by young adult girls and their mothers looking for transitional reads in the romance and historical genres.  As Christian fiction expands its subgenres, it draws young adults and adults who want biblical themes in their science fiction and fantasy.  In the past, the readers were generally older women but this has changed over time due to perhaps television programs (7^th Heaven, Little House, etc.) and better marketing by publishers.

SUBGENRES:  Most of the subgenres are what you would find elsewhere:  apocalyptic, contemporary, historical, romance, western, science fiction, fantasy, and suspense, and additionally, biblical themes.

TOP AUTHORS: Dee Henderson, Ted Dekker, Karen Kingsbury, Francine Rivers, Robin Jones Gunn

TRENDS: Series are more popular than stand alones.   Janette Oke’s books are popular again due to the recent release of movies based on her books.  Many authors are addressing contemporary, often difficult, issues (e.g., divorce, alcoholism, abuse, etc.).

REFERENCE BOOKS:  “Christian Fiction: a guide to the genre,” by John Mort, Libraries Unlimited, 2002

PUBLISHERS: Barbour Publishing, Bethany House, Thomas Nelson, Tyndale, FaithWords (formerly WarnerFaith), WaterBrook Press ( div. of Random House), Harvest House Publishers, Multnomah Publishers (div. of Random House),  and Steeple Hill (div. of Harlequin)

AWARDS:  Christian Book Awards (formerly the Gold Medallion Awards) from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association; Christy Award; Best Inspirational Romance from the Romance Writers Association 

Prepared by Beth Rupert 
November 2007 (revised)