Labor Day
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Sep 2, 2019
There’s no doubt, the development of labor unions and their consolidation at the end of the 19th century, changed the face of America.
Tranquility: Tainting Creation in Fantasy Fiction
Christa Conklin, Aug 30, 2019
Tranquility is the first fantasy novel to include a mythical creature based on the common loon.
Christian Products Expo 2019 Lessons
Travis Perry, Aug 29, 2019
I visited the 2019 Christian Products Expo. Here’s what I learned about Christian bookstores, the Christian book market, and more.
Four Classes
Shannon McDermott, Aug 28, 2019
This collection of fairy tales is admirably broad-minded in its inspiration, drawing from Scripture and history and legend.
So Do We All Just Hate ‘Star Wars’ Now? Is That How It Is?
E. Stephen Burnett, Aug 27, 2019
If the new “Star Wars” movies really do subvert fantasy hero-worship, doesn’t this also mock our good desires for heroes?
Christian Speculative Fiction: Complaining Or Buying
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Aug 26, 2019
Spec Faith was founded, lo these 15 or so years ago, as a response to editors and agents saying over and over that there was no market for Christian speculative fiction.
Fiction Friday: Stormrise by Jillian Boehme
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Aug 23, 2019
About Stormrise: “Captivating world-building and fantastical creatures . . . This lush, epic fantasy filled with magic and dragons will circulate well among fans of Tamora Pierce and J.R.R. Tolkien.” ―School Library Journal
Shields, Starship Combat, and Outer Space Fortresses
Travis Perry, Aug 22, 2019
A realistic look at shields and defenses for starships and space stations can help you make interesting and plausible stories about outer space combat.
You Must Not Steal E-Books
E. Stephen Burnett, Aug 20, 2019
I keep seeing all these excuses from e-book thieves eager to justify their violation of God’s law.
2019 Summer Writing Challenge Winner
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Aug 19, 2019
The 2019 summer challenge inspired me. I’m considering a twist to the challenge: instead of one sentence every entrant must use, I’m considering two sentences from which each must choose one.
The Price and Power of Individual Choices
Esther Wallace, Aug 16, 2019
Some readers have asked me why The Savage War doesn’t have much to do with magic. My first serious answer is that High Fantasy was not the story I was given to write. My second is that it is very […]
Non-Lethal Speculative Fiction Weapons
Travis Perry, Aug 15, 2019
On Star Trek, setting a weapon to “stun” is easy. In reality, it’s easier to use energy to kill or maim than to immobilize. But science fiction and fantasy stories alike can benefit from thinking about what non-lethal weapons can do.
A Few Highlights
Shannon McDermott, Aug 14, 2019
I’ve been reflecting on the books I have had the opportunity to read and the privilege to review. I am going to highlight just a few.
Realm Makers 2019: One Hundred Graces, part 3
E. Stephen Burnett, Aug 13, 2019
E. Stephen Burnett reviews graces 51 through 75, which he found at last month’s Realm Makers conference.
2019 Spec Faith Summer Writing Challenge Finalists
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Aug 12, 2019
Be sure to share this post and the 2019 poll on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or wherever you hang out on social media.
‘I Do Not Read Fluff!’
K. Berklund-Pagé, Aug 9, 2019
If she’d said, “I’m not a fiction person,†or “I’m not into fantasy,†I would have understood.
The Serious Business of Science Fiction and Fantasy
Travis Perry, Aug 8, 2019
I have friends who don’t quite understand why I think science fiction and fantasy are important. I explain why in this post.
Are We Part of the Problem?
Mark Carver, Aug 7, 2019
What is our responsibility as authors? Do we share any of the blame if our words put ideas into people’s heads or ignite the brittle underbrush that already exists in depraved minds and is just waiting for the spark?
For ‘PG-13-Rated’ Content in Stories, How Far is Too Far?
Marian A. Jacobs, Aug 6, 2019
God’s word gives us the tools to address the errors of both legalism and leniency.
Spec Faith 2019 Summer Writing Challenge – Evaluation Phase
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Aug 5, 2019
We want all of our 2019 entries, even those that came in towards the latter part of the week, to have a fair shot at the finals.
Grace Through ‘The Story Peddler’ Helped Me Find Healing from Trauma
Lindsay A. Franklin, Aug 2, 2019
Lindsay A. Franklin: While creating The Story Peddler and its sequels, I found a safe place to pour out the emotional turmoil of my own story.
That Time a Serial Killer Confessed to Me
Travis Perry, Aug 1, 2019
Once upon a time, an ordinary conversation slipped into a killer admitting horrific crimes. I’m sharing this story to talk about the nature of evil and also because…
Two Streams of Thought
Shannon McDermott, Jul 31, 2019
I am in favor of fandoms. But sometimes I wonder: How much do any of them matter?
Realm Makers 2019: One Hundred Graces, part 2
E. Stephen Burnett, Jul 30, 2019
E. Stephen Burnett steps back to those days of yester-week and recalls twenty-five more graces God gave through Realm Makers 2019.
2019 Spec Faith Summer Writing Challenge
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jul 29, 2019
As has been the case for the last several years, Spec Faith’s 2019 summer writing challenge comes with rewards. First, there’s feedback.
The Power of Apologetics Fiction
Keith A. Robinson, Jul 26, 2019
Novelist Keith A. Robinson: The practice of apologetics defends Christianity, while apologetics fiction explores this in exciting novels.
A Post-Realm Makers Report
Travis Perry, Jul 25, 2019
For me Realm Makers was more about creating and launching new projects and small groups and individual one-on-one meetings than anything else. I’m grateful for the opportunities the conference provided!
From the Archives: How Dark is Too Dark?
Mark Carver, Jul 24, 2019
How dark is too dark? Is it permissible to include horrific and explicit elements in a story intended for the Christian market?
Realm Makers 2019: One Hundred Graces, part 1
E. Stephen Burnett, Jul 23, 2019
E. Stephen Burnett shares one hundred graces, gifts of God, that he enjoys through the Realm Makers Christian fantasy writers conference.
