A Rich Web
Shannon McDermott, Apr 1, 2015
The web of rich and potent customs surrounding Easter is a testament to how profoundly religion molds culture. And it makes me wonder again why religion is so neglected in speculative fiction as an element of world-building.
Hitting The Mark: The God-Story Of Crosshair Press
A.C. Williams, Mar 27, 2015
Maybe we were crazy, but I don’t believe insanity played any role in our decision to start Crosshair Press.
Great Secondary Characters
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Mar 23, 2015
Great secondary characters are larger than life. The story is not about them really, but they add so much, they make the story so much richer, that they become as memorable as the protagonist.
Melding Music and Magic
Gillian Bronte Adams, Mar 20, 2015
Have you read a novel where music and magic became one? Why is music often portrayed as powerful?
Why Materialist Magicians and Sour Stepmothers Are Cruel To ‘Cinderella’
E. Stephen Burnett, Mar 19, 2015
Some “child experts” and critics refuse to believe fairy tales can sing, and insist they fit into a narrow-waisted agenda.
An Airing
Shannon McDermott, Mar 18, 2015
I thought that, this Wednesday, we could all have fun talking about the things that bother us.
What’s In A Book Cover
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Mar 16, 2015
Clearly some readers are making reading decisions based on covers.
SpecFaith Library: Q and A
E. Stephen Burnett, Mar 12, 2015
The SpecFaith Library is a comprehensive guide to every published Christian fantastical novel. Here’s how it works.
Violence In Speculative Literature
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Mar 9, 2015
Speculative fiction is built upon a violent struggle. The goal is never to learn to co-exist with evil or to just learn to get along or to agree to disagree. Instead, two opposing forces, two incompatible worldviews square off.
Can You Review My Novel?
E. Stephen Burnett, Mar 6, 2015
SpecFaith’s volunteers can’t always promise to review fantastical stories. But here’s what we can do.
Do Bookshelves Matter?
E. Stephen Burnett, Mar 5, 2015
Will any ebook “revolution” remove our desire for physical books and displays? Not in the slightest.
A Little Imagination
Shannon McDermott, Mar 4, 2015
Jonah was wrong. But he was eminently understandable. It just takes a little imagination.
So Many Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Mar 2, 2015
I’m more convinced than ever that we here at Spec Faith need your eyes and ears. What books do you know about that have recently become available?
SpecFaith 2015 Is Coming
E. Stephen Burnett, Feb 26, 2015
Starting March 1, SpecFaith will receive an upgrade and may become more powerful than you can imagine.
Weekday Fiction Fix – Curse Bearer By Rebecca P. Minor
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Feb 25, 2015
An epic tale of curses and miracles, where headstrong ignorance creates bondage, and the desire to serve offers freedom.
Finding Good Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Feb 23, 2015
Should we be content to let traditional publishers narrow their offerings while we scramble on our own to find the books we like—books we hope are out there but can’t know for sure if we’ll find?
Fiction Friday – I Am Ocilla By Diane M. Graham
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Feb 20, 2015
I am Ocilla. This is my story.
Jesus’s Stories Are Not Just Allegories
E. Stephen Burnett, Feb 19, 2015
Let’s not assume “allegory” is the most spiritual kind of story, starting with Jesus’s own parables.
The Image Of Man
Shannon McDermott, Feb 18, 2015
We are not, in any deep sense, “represented” in our stories by specific types of people, but simply by people.
Is Prayer In Fiction Fictional?
R. L. Copple, Feb 17, 2015
What constitutes an unrealistic view of prayer in fiction?
People Groups
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Feb 16, 2015
The creation of people groups seems to be a common speculative trope, sometimes for allegorical purposes and sometimes for the sheer beauty and ingenuity of creation.
Fantasy Friday – Storm Siren By Mary Weber
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Feb 13, 2015
In a world at war, a slave girl’s lethal curse could become one kingdom’s weapon of salvation. If the curse – and the girl – can be controlled.
How To Train Your Church Story Group
E. Stephen Burnett, Feb 12, 2015
Would fantastical-story groups work in your local church? Here’s how they worked at mine.
Allegory and The Gospel
R. L. Copple, Feb 10, 2015
Can allegory effectively communicate the Gospel message?
The Power Of “Type”
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Feb 9, 2015
Not every non-Christian is ready to receive the message of humankind’s fall, lost state, need of salvation, and rescue by a loving God through the blood of His precious Son. Something intervening takes place to bring a lost soul to the place where he is willing to listen to the salvation message.
Exploring The Themes and Threads Of ‘Agent Carter’
Lacy Rhiannon, Feb 6, 2015
From ForGloryandBeauty.org: The story themes and fashion threads of Marvel’s “Agent Carter” both inspire intentional beauty.
Possibly Crucial Reading: ‘The Things Of Earth’
E. Stephen Burnett, Feb 5, 2015
Joe Rigney’s new book had me at “the things of earth grow strangely bright.”
Aliens, Elves, Angels
Shannon McDermott, Feb 4, 2015
“Does Jesus save aliens?” is not as earth-shattering a question as some people seem to think. But maybe it’s a more complex one.
Horror – One Size Fits All
R. L. Copple, Feb 3, 2015
Is horror literature inherently anti-Christian?
