Next week, thousands of homeschool families will find fantastical Christian fiction at the 2022 Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) conference.

Storytellers such as Mike Nawrocki (VeggieTales), Tim Shoemaker, and Catherine Jones Payne will help staff the Realm Makers Bookstore booth.

Lorehaven publisher E. Stephen Burnett will join them, sharing the best Christian-made fantastical novels with eager readers of all ages.

FPEA will return to the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort for this year’s three-day conference, Thursday, May 26–Saturday, May 28.

This week, FPEA organizers also announced the event will feature a keynote address from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (The governor is an avid proponent of homeschooling as well as social conservative policies. DeSantis is also a possible 2024 Republican presidential candidate.)

Realm Makers Bookstore authors include:

• Mike Nawrocki, VeggieTales co-creator and Dead Sea Squirrels series author
• Tim Shoemaker, author and novelist (Escape from the Everglades, Code of Silence series)
• James R. Hannibal, spy thriller/fantasy novelist (Wolf Soldier) and Lightraiders founder
• Rebecca P. Minor, fantasy novelist, Realm Makers Bookstore co-owner
• Catherine Jones Payne, fantasy novelist (Breakwater, Fire Dancer)
• Emily H. Jeffries, fantasy novelist (Fryrian’s Fire)
• Kristen Stieffel, fantasy novelist (Alara’s Call)
• E. Stephen Burnett, Lorehaven publisher and author (The Pop Culture Parent)

Each author will feature for an hour-long book signing at various times.¹

“I’m so looking forward to my first FPEA conference!” said Mike Nawrocki (VeggieTales, The Dead Sea Squirrels). “I’m thrilled to get a chance to talk with parents and kids about vegetables, squirrels and storytelling.”

“As a homeschool dad, I always feel like I’m among family at FPEA,” said James R. Hannibal (Wolf Soldier, the Lightraiders game system). “The fact that I get to hang out with other fantasy and sci-fi enthusiasts at the same time, thanks to Realm Makers, really makes it feel like coming home.”

Mike Nawrocki will speak on two topics:

How I Ended Up an Animated Cucumber

• Friday, May 27 at 12:30 p.m.

Mike tells the story of his unlikely journey from aspiring doctor to cucumber in the format of a classic VeggieTales episode.

A Spoon Full of Sugar: Incorporating Lesson Into Story

• Saturday, May 28 at 11:30 a.m.

There is an art to the use of theme, music and story to convey healthy values to kids. Mike Nawrocki, Co-Creator of VeggieTales and Creator of Dead Sea Squirrels, will discuss what makes a lesson go down easy.

Tim Shoemaker will speak on three topics:

The Very Best, Hands-On, Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions

• Friday, May 27 at 11:30 a.m.

Teaching our kids about God and the principles he’s given us to live by…we know we need to do this—but how do we do it in a way where kids listen—even teens? Tim will demonstrate practical, powerful object lessons in this “how-to” and “hands-on” session so that you leave equipped to do the job at home—even if you’ve tried and failed before. Simple things like a microwave, glow stick, bag of rocks, and more will be used to teach lessons kids will never forget!

Writing Powerful Fiction…Secrets to Building Strong Starts

• Friday, May 27 at 1:30 p.m.

So you want to write fiction? Great. Learn practical tips and techniques from a published author. In our world of shrinking attention spans, what do we need to do in our fiction to grab our reader—and not let him go? We’ll look at secrets to great openings—and how to create yours.

Why Dads Resist Teaching Spiritual Truth…How We Can Help

• Saturday, May 28 at 2:30 p.m.

Many wives want their husband to pick up the ball when it comes to teaching their kids about God and the principles he’s given us to live by—but some men seem to avoid it. Tim will help you understand why—and how to help your man over some of the hurdles that hold him back. Hands-on and how-to, we’ll demo an approach that works with men. (Dads)

About the Realm Makers Bookstore

Realm Makers Bookstore is a division of Realm Makers Media which serves Christian authors of fantasy and science fiction with an annual conference, membership, and an awards program to recognize the best books published by Christian authors in these powerful genres. The Realm Makers Bookstore brings the best of these books to homeschool conventions as well as industry conventions and book festivals to promote the Christian authors they serve. You will always find several authors present at their booth as well as many signed copies.

About Realm Makers

Realm Makers began in 2013, and from small origins has grown to serve hundreds of Christian fiction authors at annual conferences, whose faculties have included bestselling novelists such as Frank E. Peretti, Ted Dekker, Tosca Lee, Brent Weeks, and N. D. Wilson. Realm Makers exists to help creative Christians in their journeys, providing education in craft, connections with industry professionals, and strategies for finding readers who love these kinds of stories. Meanwhile, the Realm Makers Bookstore offers a curated collection of speculative fiction from Christian authors, traveling to sci-fi and fantasy cons as well as homeschool conventions.

About Lorehaven

Lorehaven helps Christian fans explore fantastical stories for Christ’s glory: fantasy, science fiction, and beyond. Articles, the library, reviews, podcasts, gifts, and the Lorehaven Guild community help fans discern and enjoy the best Christian-made fantastical stories, applying their meanings to the real world Jesus Christ calls us to serve. Subscribe free to get any updates you choose and to access the Lorehaven Guild.