Will spec-fic ever become popular with the CBA?

[cyn]

An excerpt from the interview with Jeff Gerke.

"I personally don't believe Christian speculative fiction of any kind will ever-as a genre-gain traction in mainstream CBA publishing. People say, "Well, all we need is one big hit to break out and then people will be clamoring for more like it." Um . . . not so much. No one could say that the Left Behind novels were not breakout hits-but is the audience clamoring for more end times fiction? No. Peretti's books were breakout hits, but have they created a thriving market of spiritual warfare novels within the CBA? No. Same with Dekker's books.

I'm hugely grateful to God and to these authors for the pioneering work they've done and for the success they've had, but I'm saddened to see that their triumphs have not resulted in a broader acceptance of speculative fiction among the core CBA fiction demographic. I've come to realize, though, that this isn't to be wondered at."

[debkinnard]

I think spec-fic CAN become popular with Christian readers. That isn't to say it WILL.

A case in point is historical romance. For years, we've been told there are no appropriate historical eras for romance stories except post-Reformation, preferably post-1800. Now all of a sudden people are actually willing to talk (albeit tentatively) about medieval eras as fertile ground for storytelling.

PTL and hallelujah! A lot of readers beside myself were getting heartily sick of bonnet books.

It doesn't take writers writing it, though, to break through the glass wall. It takes publishers willing to take a chance. Even having an untapped market won't cut it. This and all similar breakthroughs are in the hands of the pubs.

Now quick, someone refute this. I'll feel better.

[Frank Creed]

You're right Deb, romance settings are getting more creative. M. L. Tyndall's pirate-adventure-romance stories are a great example. Cross-genre romace- ____ <--fill-in-the-blank may move in a CBA store. Other than that Jeff's right. There's been about one spec-fic breakout per decade.
The Web, niche indie presses, and a new generation of Christians may change that. I'm not holding my breath. The trick for Christian publishers is successfully marketing spec-fic.

8(

Faith,
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[cyn]

The trick for Christian publishers is successfully marketing spec-fic.

And, therein lies the rub.

Perhaps I am greedy but I am not looking to increase my market for spec-fic one or two readers at a time. I want to learn how to reach them in hundreds or thousands at a time.

At present, it seems that most of my market is other writers. While that is nice, it feels like a never-ending circle in which the same money is circulated: novelists supporting other novelists.

Even blog tours seem to be afflicted with this--check the roster of any tour and you will find . . . writers, sometimes published other times those looking for a break (or paying their dues in order to have their own books toured in the future).

Marketing to the masses costs big bucks and indie presses, for the most part can't afford it. The big guys can but seem reluctant to take the risk unless for a big name.

What a dilemma.

[M. C. Pearson]

Hi guys...just wanted to let you know that in my Teen FIRST and Wild Card alliances, I have so many requests for Spec Fic books. A lot of these bloggers are not writers, but teens and parents of teens looking for an engaging fantasy/horror/sci-fi book. It is really cool to see this new leap in membership being regular readers. Yes, FIRST has a lot of writers and hopefull writers...but it is changing with the new teen members coming online and telling their friends about it.

If only the publishers could see the desire from the bloggers! I really think Spec Fic is about to push through with an exploding force.

[Caprice]

I don't have any answers to the dilemma, but I do think we need to stop thinking inside that CBA box. Rather than finding Christian readers and prodding them to read spec-fic, hoping to expand their interest with another breakout, I personally think the answer is to go to general spec-fic readers and get THEM interested in stories which happen to be Christian. We may have to approach the market in small steps, starting with the type of literature featured in RGR (good sci-fi with a moral compass, but non-threatening). I think a lot of Christian readers are already in this market because that is where the quality has always been found. Many non-Christians don't care if your characters happen to have faith or morals, as long as the story doesn't exist solely as a vehicle for preaching.

[M. C. Pearson]

I totally agree Caprice. *whispering...I just sent my novel into DAW* Isn't that our goal as Christians anyway? To reach out to unbelievers? CBA seems to write about Christians to Christians. Although, I just finished Robert Liporulo's House of Dark Shadows, and I am very excited to see a bit of edgy spec fic in the CBA YA section. :-)

[cyn]

Hi guys...just wanted to let you know that in my Teen FIRST and Wild Card alliances, I have so many requests for Spec Fic books. A lot of these bloggers are not writers, but teens and parents of teens looking for an engaging fantasy/horror/sci-fi book. It is really cool to see this new leap in membership being regular readers.

Wow! this is great news for authors. I am very excited to hear it and it gives me a whole new hope for blog tours.

The most recent tour I was involved with counts wonderful people among its membership -- but all (I believe) are authors. While it is great to see authors promoting authors, publishers need to reach beyond this fine group.

Thank you Mimi for sharing this information