Welcome to the CFAT Christian Fiction Advisory Test

Which author is #1 on the Evangelical Christian Publishing Association (ECPA) fiction bestseller list this month? 1. Ted Dekker 2. William C Young 3. Melody Carlson 4. Randy Alcorn

Which fiction book won the Contemporary- series Christy Award in 2007? 1.Sisterchicks in Gondolas by Robin Jones Gunn 2.Summer by Karen Kinsgbury 3.Brethren by Beverly Lewis 4.Kingdom Come by Tim LaHaye

Which of these publishers does not publish Inspirational Fiction? 1.WaterBrook 2.Baker Books 3.Harlequin 4. Dorchester

What was the first inspirational fiction book to hit the US bestseller lists in the last 20 yrs? 1.This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti 2.At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon 3.Left Behind by Tim LaHaye 4.Red Tent by Anita Diamant

Which of these authors does not write Inspirational Fiction? 1.Neta Jackson 2.Sherillyn Kenyon 3.Orson Scott Card 4.Lori Wick

No Librarian Left Behind: Readers’ Advisory and the Inspirational Fiction Patron (And now for the main part of our program …)

A Definition

Inspirational fiction or Christian fiction? Inspirational fiction books help readers with life's problems or to help readers strengthen their faith. They usually illustrate the role of faith in daily life. While many of these novels have an overtly Christian message, others are merely well-told stories that lack profanity and references to sex and violence. To avoid confusion between the words "Inspirational" and "Christian," consider Inspirational Fiction the broader term within which Christian Fiction fits.

Christian fiction is a subset of inspirational fiction and is usually being published by evangelical Protestant Christian publishers.

How is it different from mainstream fiction? 1.Little or no sex, violence or profanity 2.Implicit or explicit Christianity 3.Certain subjects may be taboo, and, if addressed, are shown as examples of sinful behavior.

A Historical Perspective

Timeline s“Gentle Reads” from Grace Livingston Hill, Taylor Caldwell, Agnes Turnbull, Catherine Marshall 1960sVietnam War era 1979Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly 1980sRise of the Evangelical Christian Publisher’s Association (ECPA) and the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) 1986Frank Peretti: This Present Darkness Brock and Bodie Thoene (pronounced Tay-nee) historicals

Timeline Jan Karon: Mitford series (first CF novel to hit bestseller lists) 1995 Tim LaHaye: Left Behind series (sales of over 60 million by 2004) Since 1990, five-fold increase in # of titles in print

Westminster Public Library catalog: May 2005May 2008 Christian fiction Fantasy fiction Science fiction Mystery fiction

A Bit of Trivia Tyndale House did not allow authors to use the word "bed" in a novel that contained a husband and wife as characters.

Publishers and Publishing

Well-known Evangelical Christian Publishing Houses Zondervan Waterbrook Multnomah (Random House) Baker Books: Bethany House Harvest House Thomas Nelson Tyndale House

Other Publishers of Christian Fiction Broadman and Holman Barbour Warner Books (Faith Words) Harlequin (Steeple Hill) Oasis Audio

Getting published

Submission Guidelines Barbour Books: Although the main characters should be or become Christians, they need not be saints. Through characters’ problems, a message of the power of redemption should be apparent. The resolution of problems should be consistent with standard Christian teaching. Both historical and contemporary settings will be considered, but the years between 1950 and present day are not of current interest. At least one biblical/ spiritual growth message should be threaded throughout. This message can be presented from many different characters, through symbols, and so on.

Successful Bethany House fiction will generally include the following characteristics: 1.An intriguing, well-written story with well-developed characters, a compelling plot and colorful description. 2.A coherent, identifiable theme and/or particular characters who reflect biblical values or teachings. 3.Historical/geographical/social accuracy. 4.Relationships that portray the true meaning of love- commitment and responsibility rather than only emotional and physical attraction. Submission Guidelines

Multnomah We are looking for well-crafted fiction that uses the power of story to change lives. Your novel should offer a fresh, emotionally authentic story that stirs the imagination. Faith and godly relationships should be woven into the fabric of the tale. Submission Guidelines

"It's taken a long time for even the Christian booksellers to accept that fiction is valid." "Even the notion of reading for pleasure is a new idea. That's an iffy concept" among some in the Christian community.” Another bit of Trivia

Can you judge a book by its cover?

There was certainly a time when you could… Conestoga wagons Bonnets Young fresh-faced adults Really bad artwork Cheesy colors Trade paperback format Covers that peeled after 10 circs

ThenNow

The car accident that killed Abby Patterson's husband and daughter has left her with a limp and chronic pain. Still, Abby strikes out, determined to build a new life for herself away from her overbearing parents. Her perfect cottage home on the beach has one tiny irritant: Marsh Winslow, her landlord. But when Abby witnesses a hit-and-run accident and events make it clear that Abby is now a target, she and Marsh join forces to uncover a dangerous secret. Together they discover that God is in the business of putting broken lives back together so that they are more beautiful than ever.

Industry Awards

Christy Awards

2007 Christy Winners  Contemporary – Stand-Alone: Winter Birds by Jamie Langston Turner (Bethany House Publishers)  Contemporary - Series: The Brethren by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House Publishers)  Lits: Sisterchicks in Gondolas by Robin Jones Gunn (Multnomah)  Historical: Madman by Tracy Groot (Moody Press)  Romance: The Measure of a Lady by Deeanne Gist (Bethany House Publishers)  Suspense: Plague Maker by Tim Downs (Thomas Nelson)  First Novel: Where Mercy Flows by Karen Harter (Center Street)

ECPA Christian Book Awards

2008 ECPA Fiction Finalists Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin Deception by Randy Alcorn Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson Summer of Light by W. Dale Cramer

In Your Library

Labeling: do you or don’t you? We do- but we made our own … Inspirational covers multiple faiths and politically correct conscience. Besides, it’s only a FINDING AID. Inspirational

Genre Display: Do you or don’t you? Why? Easier and “safer” to recommend Patrons seeking this material are happy Patrons who don’t want this material are happy Display is easy to fill Why not? Is IF really a genre? Is the display prejudicial vs. viewpoint neutral Is the display condoning or supporting one faith above others?

Recommending: Do you or don’t you? How can you if you haven’t read it? Simple, just say: Other people who read this liked … One of my patrons raved about this one …. This got a good review … This is very popular with our inspirational fiction patrons … Why is this any different than a mystery reader recommending some fantasy or science fiction? To me, it’s easier to recommend Inspirational Fiction than General Fiction, because of the sub-genres, series and strong author recognition.

All Christian fiction is not alike! (duh) Biblical Historical Mysteries and Thrillers Romance & Romantic Suspense Science Fiction & Fantasy Christian Life

Biblical Fiction Austin, Lynn Brouwer, Sigmund Card, Orson Scott Etzioni-Halevy, Eva Halter, Marek Hunt, Angela Elwell Lahaye, Tim & Jerry Jenkins Lemmons, Thom Lliteras, D. S Lund, Gerald Morris, Gilbert Myers, Bill Rivers, Francine Thoene, Brock and Bodie Wangerin, Walter

Historical Bly, Stephen Bunn, T. Davis Cavanaugh, Jack Hoff, B. J Hunt, Angela Lacy, Al Miller, Calvin Morris, Gilbert Musser, Elizabeth Phillips, Michael Thoene, Bodie and Brock

Historical Romance Austin, Lynn Blackwell, Lawana Chaikin, Linda Oke, Janette Peart, Jane Pella, Judith Peterson, Traci Rizzo, Kay Snelling. Laurine Wick, Lori (some) Windsor, Linda

Mysteries and Thrillers Alcorn, Randy Arvin, Reed (legal) Benrey, Ron and Janet Blackstock, Terri Collins, Brandilyn Dekker, Ted Gansky, Alton (medical) Gutteridge, Rene Hall, Linda Henderson, Dee Kraus, Harry Lee (medical) McCourtney, Lorena Parker, Gary Roper, Gayle Rushford, Patricia

Contemporary Romance Baer, Judy Bergren, Lisa Tawn Blackston, Ray Carlson, Melody Copeland, Lori Elmer, Robert Gunn, Robin Jones Hatcher, Robin Lee Higgs, Liz Curtis Jackson, Neta John, Sally Jones, Annie Kingsbury, Karen Mitchell, Sara Noble, Diane Nordberg, Bette Palmer, Catherine Pattillo, Beth Raney, Deborah Roper, Gayle Samson, Lisa Smith, Debra White Tatlock, Ann Warren, Susan May

Christian Life Karon, JanSchaap, James C Turner, Jamie LangstonWright, Vinita Hampton Kingsbury, KarenRivers, Francine Stokes, Penelope Wubbels, Lance Alexander, HannahLaHaye, Beverly Kinkade, ThomasGulley, Philip Jones, AnnieMacDonald, Shari Pizzuti, SuzyGirzone, Joseph Baumbich, Charlene

Science Fiction and Fantasy Apocalyptic Beauseigneur, James Bunn, T Davis Burkett, Larry LaHaye, Tim Meier, Paul Myers, Bill Fantasy Faller, F W Hancock, Karen, Lawhead, Stephen Moser, Nancy Science Fiction Tyers, Kathy Dekker, Ted Spiritual warfare Gansky, Alton Peretti, Frank Whitlow, Robert Rapture (Christian eschatology) -- Fiction.

Online Resources

Christian Booksellers Association

The End Congratulations. Your library has received a rating of “PROFICIENT” on the CFAT and will not be turned into a gaming/internet cafe! Jean Ward Westminster Public Library