CHRISTIAN FICTION FOR YOUNG ADULTSNoemi Flores and Rayetta Rice

DEFINE YOUNG ADULT

For now, the new style definition of Christian Fiction seems to be a "genre of literature focusing on the redemptive work of Christ; that which inspires good feelings, hopeful thoughts(e.g. Amish Fiction) without the gratuitous sex or foul language

Erica J. Smith is a writer for The Norfolk Christian Fiction Examiner .

THROUGH CHRISTIAN NOVELS YA CAN LEARN

Morality as described in the Bible How to accept and offer forgiveness, which is crucial for maturing

Young Adults Family values, particularly with a religious slant The importance of friendship, cooperation, and loyalty The merits of acceptance, kindness, and charity The importance of having faith and a spiritual life Hope, which is a necessary virtue in a world filled with seemingly

overwhelming obstacles.

WHO IS THE AUDIENCE /RESPONSE

Struggles end as soon as they become Christian and Married

Protagonist is Weak

Generations of women in the same family

Boring

Preachy

Too Girly www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM5Zi-qGMtc

A-BORN AGAIN GENRE YA CHRISTIAN FICTIONApocalyptic

Biblical

Contemporary/

UrbanFantasyGraphic

Novel

Historical Mystery

Romance

Science

Fiction

Western

PUBLISHING CRITERIA Strict Not so strict

CONCERNS/OBJECTIONS

Public money should not be used to purchase Christian fiction

Irreligious people should not have this religion forced upon them.

ANSWER The library has a duty to provide a variety

of genres. The ALA’s censorship policy: “Libraries

shall provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.”

The library does not endorse any religion, even the religion of secularism.

Have a policy to which you can refer.

DEVELOPING A YA CHRISTIAN FICTION COLLECTION

Know your patronage. How much do they or do they not want Christian fiction? This must be balanced with concerns of funds, space, availability of materials elsewhere

Be aware of the application of the ALA’s censorship policy to your collection and the answer to the Establishment Clause infringement concerns. Don’t let fear of litigation prevent you from building your collection.

Books should be authentic, not preachy

SELECTION CRITERIA Characters must be believable Books carry themes and plots through

to a clear resolution Well constructed plot with a climactic

point. Good pacing No stereotypes Have a moral without being preachy

WHERE TO FIND GOOD TITLES New York Times bestseller list ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers

Association) Bestsellers List Award Lists Christian Library Journal

CHRISTIAN FICTION AWARDS Christy Award Christian Book Award Clive Staples Book Award Christian Small Publisher Book Award

THINGS TO CONSIDER Labeling. Should it be called Christian

fiction? Inspirational? Shelving. Should they be grouped

together or shelved with general fiction? Should they be labeled with stickers?

Are we alienating any population when we do this?

Bookmakers

Book Discussions

BookSignings

Book talks

BulletinBoards

REFERENCE BOOKS

REFERENCESBenrey, Ronald. The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Writing Christian Fiction. New York: Alpha, 2007Christianbook.com.http://www.christianbook.com.Downers Grove Library. http://downersgrovelibrary.orgDuncan, Melanie C “Christain Fiction: A Born-Again Genre”.

http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2012/collection-devlopment/genrespotlightchristian-fiction-a-born-genre/#_.

Family Fiction.http://www.familyfiction.com/.Goodreads.http://www.goodreads.com.Marketing Christian Books. http://marketingchristianbooks.wordpress.com/.Mort,John.Christian Fiction: A Guide to the Genre.Greenwoodvillage,Colo . :Libraries Unlimited,2002Stokes, Penelope J. The Complete Guide to Writing & Selling the Christian Novel Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest

Books, 1998.Walker, Barbara J. The Librarians’ Christian Guide To Devloping Christians Fiction Collections For Young Adults.

New York: Neal-Schuman Publishing, 2005