Could we enter a new “golden age” for fantastical Christian fiction?
This question has featured in several Lorehaven podcast episodes over this past year, most notably episode 110, in which E. Stephen Burnett and Zackary Russell devoted to this question. While I’m hesitant to use the phrase “golden age” just yet, I favor the idea that we could at least be entering a “silver age.”
If you look at the fantastical Christian novels published over the past several years, you will see many admirable works, from Nadine Brandes’s Fawkes to Catherine Jones Payne’s Breakwater to Harper’s Silence the Siren to Kerry Nietz’s Amish Vampires in Space. To riff off Realm Makers’ old slogan, this isn’t your grandmother’s “corny Christian fiction.” Today’s Christian fantastical fiction often faithfully grapples with robust themes in entertaining ways.
Several key players have been making moves to grow this genre. Earlier this year, Oasis Family Media acquired Enclave Publishing, and now plans to release even more books and audiobooks. Realm Makers Bookstore has attended many homeschool conventions to bring these books to thousands of interested families.
This genre is growing—and this ought to generate excitement for more growth. Even enough to bring a potential “silver age” for fantastical Christian fiction.
But exciting developments can bring also old dangers.
