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Christian or Inspirational Fiction?
What’s the Difference and Where to Market it.
By Pamela S. Thibodeaux
I’ve been asked this question more than once: "Christian, Inspirational, what’s the difference?" Though many consider
it one and the same, I’ll do my best to differentiate.
Christian fiction is written for a particular audience...the CBA market/readership (Christian Booksellers Association).
Christian fiction focuses on a relationship with God and God is the center of every romantic liaison. It adheres to the
guidelines set forth by the CBA publishers and readers.
In most instances, those guidelines are very conservative. The CBA wants “chaste
relationships…the emotional side of love without the physical.” Some of the guidelines
include the heroine never appearing in her nightgown outside of the bedroom, no profanity or even 'substitute’ words such as
“shuck” “heck” and “darn.” They want little or no reference to a particular denomination, divorce is a no-no, sensuality
is very limited and “unless it’s something the characters struggle with” must be done sparsely and very tactfully.
Drinking, dancing, and other controversial subjects such as water –and Spirit- baptism,
women preachers, and so on are also frowned upon. Issues such as abuse and domestic
violence are usually only ‘hinted at’ and if delved into to any degree, must be handled with tremendous care. Even secular houses
like Warner and Harlequin who’ve capitalized on the demand for Christian fiction, adhere to CBA guidelines for their
imprints.
Inspirational fiction, is written more for those readers out there who are dissatisfied with the typical Christian fiction
as well as those turned off by the normal secular romances. It is aimed for readers that like the idea of God/Christ in
the books, but want more realistic characters, situations, etc. Though flavored with a bit more “sensuality and gritty
realism,” Inspirational fiction still adheres to biblical principles. It is a unique combination of the sensual and the
spiritual.
Almost anything goes in Inspirational fiction as long as it is done tastefully. If you’re putting sex, profanity, or
abuse in there simply for shock purposes, stick to secular fiction. Readers of Inspirational fiction want reality not
morbidity!
A quick side note: “secular” fiction is the term associated with the ‘no holds barred’
guidelines.
Now that we’ve differentiated between Christian and Inspirational fiction, let’s look at a few markets.
For Christian Fiction: Tyndale House, Barbour Publishing, Bethany House, River Oak, Steeple Hill (the Inspirational
line of Harlequin), Multnomah and Warner Faith are just a few, but there are probably hundreds more.
The best thing a writer of Christian or Inspirational fiction can invest in is Sally Stuart’s Christian Writer’s
Market Guide. Much along the same lines as the traditional Writer’s Market Guide, the CWMG focuses solely on Christian
markets, their guidelines and submission procedures.
As for Inspirational Fiction, your best bet is to pitch to publishers who are not within the realm of the
CBA. Some of these places would be new publishers or small presses such as Com Star Media, Wild Flower Press, Inc.,
and other independent publishers. Again, check both the WMG and CWMG to make sure the guidelines state they take
the ‘inspirational’ query!
Another great avenue is E-publishing. There are many E-publishers that are willing to give authors of
Inspirational Fiction a chance to start making a name for themselves. Writer’s Exchange, Echelon Press and Mountain
View Publishing are just a few. Do a web search and see who else out there might take a chance on you. Most
E-publishers also offer Print on Demand services for those authors that prefer printed copies of their books.
Beware though, it is extremely difficult to get POD books into traditional chain bookstores. However, with the dot
(.)com sites out there - Amazon, Borders, Christian Book, and so on. there’s ample opportunity to sell a few
books and generate some name recognition for yourself. And of course, there’s always Self/POD publishing through houses
like Book Surge, Publish America, Wine Press, Pleasant Word, and many more!
Marketing Christian and/or Inspirational short stories and novella’s are made possible by
publications such as A Hint of Seduction Ezine, Romancing the Christian Heart Ezine,
Melody of the Heart Ezine and Mountain View Publishing. For Sci-fi and Fantasy authors,
try Dreams & Visions Magazine.
Whether you write conservative Christian or edgier Inspirational fiction remember one thing: everything that
gives God glory deserves to be praised!
BIO
Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the co-founder of the Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana and a member of ACFW
(American Christian Fiction Writers). Multi-published in fiction and nonfiction, her writing has been tagged as
“Inspirational with an Edge!” and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without
decreasing the message.” Author's Email: pthib-7@centurytel.net
Author's Website: <http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com/>
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