Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
What do teens want from Christian fiction?
I stumbled across this survey in Christian Fiction Online Magazine.
Brian Michael Zick operates as a relatively unknown illustrator, writer, and
teenager. He showcases his work on his website. Living as a homeschooler, his interests vary from computers, and reading, to skateboarding. He also expresses a strange interest in letters and fonts.
Christian Fiction And Teens
What do teens want from Christian fiction? Or perhaps the better question is: Do teens read Christian fiction?
A friend and I asked twenty-five teens at the Catalyst, a skateboard ministry and youth group at New Hope Church in Sierra Vista, to answer my second question. We also asked “Why not?” to those who answered negatively.
Survey results from New Hope church (please note that many of the teens at the skate ministry are from the neighborhood and not Christians who attend the church):
“Do you read Christian fiction?”
Yes - 5
No - 20
“Why not?”
Don't read - 7
I dunno - 6
Never been introduced - 2
Can’t read - 2
Don’t feel like it - 2
Only read Playboy- 1
That only five of those surveyed read Christian fiction is a little disconcerting. So I had my friend run another survey at Battle of the Bands (for homeschoolers), Veterans Memorial Park, Sierra Vista. With the second survey, my friend also asked for a comment from those who responded.
Survey results from Veterans Memorial Park:
“Do you read Christian fiction?”
Yes - 6
Comments:
Like it because it’s tense with a spiritual message - 2
Very encouraging - 1
Only thing to read in the house - 1
Read one book and liked it - 1
Like C.S. Lewis because it appeals to non-Christians as well as Christians, and it has a good message- 1
Christian fiction is reading material that you can actually get something out of rather than just entertainment -1
No - 8
Comments:
No comment - 2
Never got into it - 1
Too busy - 1
Don’t care for it, like classics better - 1
Don’t read as much anymore - 2
Can’t find any good books - 1
This time, six out of fourteen teens read Christian fiction—a bit more promising. It seems a higher percentage of teens in the Christian/homeschool community read Christian fiction than those we surveyed at the church.
Conclusion
Although Christian fiction offers many great books, based on my survey only 28.2 percent of teens read these books. Authors and publishers need to get the books to teens, because teens aren’t coming to the books. Hopefully one day more teens will pick these books up and read.
Though teen fiction is in the bookstore, that doesn't guarantee teens are going to read them. Whenever I go into a bookstore, most of the teens I see browsing around are in either the graphic novel department or looking at game guides. So it appears most teens aren't even hanging out in the section where they'd stumble upon Christian fiction.
A good marketing plan to get teens interested in books would be using word of mouth, or even discussing novels at youth groups, or creating a new kind of book. Like maybe Christian Manga. “Manga” is Japanese for comics, and Manga generally fills 90% of the graphic novel section. There are many kids who only read this style of writing.
I've never seen a Christian Manga graphic novel, but maybe someone has come up with an idea first. It takes a dedicated artist and talented writer to come up with something interesting, but I believe there's a need for this style of fiction.
Christian Manga: a new genre?
Stop Lurking! Every week I will draw names for a free Tricia Goyer book from those who comment on my blogs. Winner's choice! Tell your friends.
Brian Michael Zick operates as a relatively unknown illustrator, writer, and
teenager. He showcases his work on his website. Living as a homeschooler, his interests vary from computers, and reading, to skateboarding. He also expresses a strange interest in letters and fonts.Christian Fiction And Teens
What do teens want from Christian fiction? Or perhaps the better question is: Do teens read Christian fiction?
A friend and I asked twenty-five teens at the Catalyst, a skateboard ministry and youth group at New Hope Church in Sierra Vista, to answer my second question. We also asked “Why not?” to those who answered negatively.
Survey results from New Hope church (please note that many of the teens at the skate ministry are from the neighborhood and not Christians who attend the church):
“Do you read Christian fiction?”
Yes - 5
No - 20
“Why not?”
Don't read - 7
I dunno - 6
Never been introduced - 2
Can’t read - 2
Don’t feel like it - 2
Only read Playboy- 1
That only five of those surveyed read Christian fiction is a little disconcerting. So I had my friend run another survey at Battle of the Bands (for homeschoolers), Veterans Memorial Park, Sierra Vista. With the second survey, my friend also asked for a comment from those who responded.
Survey results from Veterans Memorial Park:
“Do you read Christian fiction?”
Yes - 6
Comments:
Like it because it’s tense with a spiritual message - 2
Very encouraging - 1
Only thing to read in the house - 1
Read one book and liked it - 1
Like C.S. Lewis because it appeals to non-Christians as well as Christians, and it has a good message- 1
Christian fiction is reading material that you can actually get something out of rather than just entertainment -1
No - 8
Comments:
No comment - 2
Never got into it - 1
Too busy - 1
Don’t care for it, like classics better - 1
Don’t read as much anymore - 2
Can’t find any good books - 1
This time, six out of fourteen teens read Christian fiction—a bit more promising. It seems a higher percentage of teens in the Christian/homeschool community read Christian fiction than those we surveyed at the church.
Conclusion
Although Christian fiction offers many great books, based on my survey only 28.2 percent of teens read these books. Authors and publishers need to get the books to teens, because teens aren’t coming to the books. Hopefully one day more teens will pick these books up and read.
Though teen fiction is in the bookstore, that doesn't guarantee teens are going to read them. Whenever I go into a bookstore, most of the teens I see browsing around are in either the graphic novel department or looking at game guides. So it appears most teens aren't even hanging out in the section where they'd stumble upon Christian fiction.
A good marketing plan to get teens interested in books would be using word of mouth, or even discussing novels at youth groups, or creating a new kind of book. Like maybe Christian Manga. “Manga” is Japanese for comics, and Manga generally fills 90% of the graphic novel section. There are many kids who only read this style of writing.
I've never seen a Christian Manga graphic novel, but maybe someone has come up with an idea first. It takes a dedicated artist and talented writer to come up with something interesting, but I believe there's a need for this style of fiction.
Christian Manga: a new genre?
Stop Lurking! Every week I will draw names for a free Tricia Goyer book from those who comment on my blogs. Winner's choice! Tell your friends.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
A new adventure begins...
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Chuck Black first wrote Kingdom’s Edge to inspire his children to read the Bible with renewed zeal. This captivating expanded parable led him to write the Old Testament allegories, Kingdom’s Dawn and Kingdom’s Hope. Chuck added three more titles to the series, Kingdom’s Call, Kingdom’s Quest, and Kingdom’s Reign which were released in May of 2007.Chuck is a former F-16 fighter pilot and currently works as an engineer for a firm designing plastic consumer products. He has a degree in electrical and electronic engineering and served eight years in the United States Air Force. Chuck and his wife Andrea have six children and live in North Dakota.
It is Chuck’s desire to serve the Lord through his work and to inspire people of all ages to study the scriptures in order to discover the hope and love of a truly majestic King and His Son.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A dangerous new order threatens the mission of the Knights of Arrethtrae. Only loyalty to the King can bring victory!As the Knights of the Prince await His triumphant return, they are steadfast in their mission to take His story into the kingdom and recruit as many as are willing. But when a new and dangerous threat is revealed, their mission is jeopardized.
Sir Kendrick and his young charge, the impetuous Sir Duncan, are sent on a mission to discover the identity and origin of a secretive new order known as the Vincero Knights. They travel to the city of Bel Lione where Lord Ra has been enticing young people in the kingdom to join his festivals, after which many choose not to return home. Their families keep quiet for fear of repercussion.
When Sir Duncan disappears while trying to discover the truth of Lord Ra’s castle, Sir Kendrick attempts to find and enlist the help of a mysterious warrior. Time is short for he must save Duncan and call upon the knights of Chessington to join in the battle against the evil Lord Ra.
Journey to Arrethtrae, where these knights of noble heart live and die in loyal service to the King and the Prince. These knights are mighty, for they serve a mighty King. They are...the Knights of Arrethtrae!
If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE
Stop Lurking! Every week I will draw names for a free Tricia Goyer book from those who comment on my blogs. Winner's choice! Tell your friends.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Robin Jones Gunn answers back...
Last week, Courtney asked this question on the post "You Asked...about Robin Jones Gunn":
Dear Robin Jones Gunn,I love the book I promise. But my friends and I are wondering if Todd and Christy ever have kids.
Here's what Robin had to say...
Hi Courtney,
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed “I Promise”! I started writing another series about all these characters called “The Katie Weldon Series”. The first book in that series is “Peculiar Treasures” and the second book, “On A Whim” will be available fall of 2008.
Please come by my website: http://www.robingunn.com/. You can sign up to receive my email newsletter. I often offer drawings for free books to readers in the newsletters so watch for those drawings!
May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you close to His heart, Courtney. You are one of His Peculiar Treasures.
Stop Lurking! Every week I will draw names for a free Tricia Goyer book from those who comment on my blogs. Winner's choice! Tell your friends.
Dear Robin Jones Gunn,I love the book I promise. But my friends and I are wondering if Todd and Christy ever have kids.
Here's what Robin had to say...
Hi Courtney,
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed “I Promise”! I started writing another series about all these characters called “The Katie Weldon Series”. The first book in that series is “Peculiar Treasures” and the second book, “On A Whim” will be available fall of 2008.
Please come by my website: http://www.robingunn.com/. You can sign up to receive my email newsletter. I often offer drawings for free books to readers in the newsletters so watch for those drawings!
May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you close to His heart, Courtney. You are one of His Peculiar Treasures.
Stop Lurking! Every week I will draw names for a free Tricia Goyer book from those who comment on my blogs. Winner's choice! Tell your friends.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Interview
Hi there!
I just wanted to remind you that I'll be on Moody's Mid-Day Connection Today!
If you don't get it on your local radio station tune in here:
http://www.moodyradio.org/middayconnection.aspx
You can listen LIVE at 12:00 p.m. CST. (Or 11:00 a.m. Montana!!)
Stop Lurking! Every week I will draw names for a free Tricia Goyer book from those who comment on my blogs. Winner's choice! Tell your friends.
I just wanted to remind you that I'll be on Moody's Mid-Day Connection Today!
If you don't get it on your local radio station tune in here:
http://www.moodyradio.org/middayconnection.aspx
You can listen LIVE at 12:00 p.m. CST. (Or 11:00 a.m. Montana!!)
Stop Lurking! Every week I will draw names for a free Tricia Goyer book from those who comment on my blogs. Winner's choice! Tell your friends.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Sometimes we forget...
My kids are VERY creative. Being homeschooled, they usually had 2-3 hours of school work and the rest of the time they goofed off ... or entertained themselves. Creativity is the result. They write songs, write stories, read, and do video productions ... just for fun.
Also, they've recently "taken over" their youth group's drama department. This week Cory, Leslie, and Nathan are doing a skit on the theme "I am Bold." Nathan (14) has amnesia and he is very timid. The other two tell me that he's actually an accomplished and well-known person, and they enourage him to Be Bold.
The point of the message, of course, is to remind us who we are in Christ. Sometimes we forget.
Okay, most of the time we forget.
Anyway, here are a few of the illustrations the kids came up to to prove Nathan's success. I thought they were great!
Also, they've recently "taken over" their youth group's drama department. This week Cory, Leslie, and Nathan are doing a skit on the theme "I am Bold." Nathan (14) has amnesia and he is very timid. The other two tell me that he's actually an accomplished and well-known person, and they enourage him to Be Bold.
The point of the message, of course, is to remind us who we are in Christ. Sometimes we forget.
Okay, most of the time we forget.
Anyway, here are a few of the illustrations the kids came up to to prove Nathan's success. I thought they were great!
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