Christian Fiction for Young Adults

1. Noemi Flores and Rayetta Rice Christian Fiction for Young Adults

2. For now, the new style definition of Christian Fiction seems to be a "genre of literature focusing on the redemptive work of Christ; that which inspires good feelings, hopeful thoughts(e.g. Amish Fiction) without the gratuitous sex or foul language Erica J. Smith is a writer for The Norfolk Christian Fiction Examiner . Define Young Adult

3. Morality as described in the Bible • How to accept and offer forgiveness, which is crucial for maturing Young Adults • Family values, particularly with a religious slant • The importance of friendship, cooperation, and loyalty • The merits of acceptance, kindness, and charity • The importance of having faith and a spiritual life • Hope, which is a necessary virtue in a world filled with seemingly overwhelming obstacles. Through Christian Novels Ya can Learn

4. Who is the Audience /response

5. A-born again genre YA Christian Fiction

13. Strict Not so strict Publishing Criteria

16. Public money should not be used to purchase Christian fiction Irreligious people should not have this religion forced upon them. Concerns/objections

17. The library has a duty to provide a variety of genres. The ALA’s censorship policy: “Libraries shall provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.” The library does not endorse any religion, even the religion of secularism. Have a policy to which you can refer. Answer

18. Know your patronage. How much do they or do they not want Christian fiction? This must be balanced with concerns of funds, space, availability of materials elsewhere Be aware of the application of the ALA’s censorship policy to your collection and the answer to the Establishment Clause infringement concerns. Don’t let fear of litigation prevent you from building your collection. Books should be authentic, not preachy Developing a YA christian fiction collection

19. Characters must be believable Books carry themes and plots through to a clear resolution Well constructed plot with a climactic point. Good pacing No stereotypes Have a moral without being preachy Selection criteria

20. New York Times bestseller list ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Bestsellers List Award Lists Christian Library Journal Where to find good titles

21. Christy Award Christian Book Award Clive Staples Book Award Christian Small Publisher Book Award Christian Fiction awards

22. Labeling. Should it be called Christian fiction? Inspirational? Shelving. Should they be grouped together or shelved with general fiction? Should they be labeled with stickers? Are we alienating any population when we do this? Things to consider

24. Reference Books

25. Benrey, Ronald. The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Writing Christian Fiction. New York: Alpha, 2007 Christianbook.com.http://www.christianbook.com. Downers Grove Library. http://downersgrovelibrary.org Duncan, Melanie C “Christain Fiction: A Born-Again Genre”. http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2012/collection-devlopment/genrespotlightchristian-fiction-a-born-genre/#_. Family Fiction.http://www.familyfiction.com/. Goodreads.http://www.goodreads.com. Marketing Christian Books. http://marketingchristianbooks.wordpress.com/. Mort,John.Christian Fiction: A Guide to the Genre.Greenwoodvillage,Colo . :Libraries Unlimited,2002 Stokes, Penelope J. The Complete Guide to Writing & Selling the Christian Novel Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest Books, 1998. Walker, Barbara J. The Librarians’ Christian Guide To Devloping Christians Fiction Collections For Young Adults. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishing, 2005 References