This is a great response (and, to be honest, one I was hoping for). I’m adding several of these titles to my list of books to read in the next few months.

A couple of points to clarify, however. First, I never said all Christian books, I said a vast majority. I would point to the authors you mention and then compare the numbers of titles released by such writers versus the mountain of books released with a more rose-colored tint. This is less true in secular houses (although, I guess the numerical case could be made that counting the two best selling genres – romance and Nicholas Sparks novels – the case could be made for there being a slight tilt in that direction).

But, in terms of the Christian maket in particular, the imbalance is drastic. For every one of the authors you mentioned, there are several who follow a much safer model. And that is because it is what the CBA privileges.

I read the Christian Retailing piece, and I have to contrast it with the panel I sat in a little over a year ago where four of five editors (three of which were from the largest Christian houses) said they won’t take books that don’t display “marked Christian characteristics.” Examples of those characteristics included, with emphasis, conversion and a model of evangelical repentence. The fifth editor said his company was looking not for works of Christian literature, but for works of literature written by Christians.

Do I think literature of faith should have Christian characteristics? Of course. But when the definition of those characteristics is as narrow as I have found, the majority of texts will remain in a much less challenging mode. I guess I just want more wide-spread bravery on the part of publishers.

A sampling of CF incorporating “reality” into the stories:
Watching the Tree Limbs (Mary DeMuth): child molestation
Walking on Broken Glass (Christa Allen): alcoholism
Missing Max (Karen Young): child kidnapping

There are other Christian authors whose books aren’t as easily confined to a simple topic heading, but whose writings will never be accused of painting a reality lacking inclusion of day-to-day struggles borne by those of faith:
Charles Martin
Jeanette Windle
Davis Bunn
Harry Kraus

And, for gritty thriller/horror stories, try Robert Liparulo or Ted Dekker. Want some forensic fiction? Tim Downs. Murder/suspense? Brandilynn Collins. Political thriller? Joel Rosenberg or Sigmund Brouwer. There’s even vampire fiction from CBA houses now – though I can’t speak to its quality yet b/c I haven’t had the chance to read it. John Olson’s Shade was published with B&H (the publishing division of Lifeway) and Tracey Bateman did Thirsty (Waterbrook). Want a fabulous story about a demon that had the media drawing favorable comparisons to The Screwtape Letters? Read Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee.

Reality is that Christian fiction changed by leaps and bounds in the past decade. The market responded, which is why we’ve seen an explosion of the genre in the past five years and NY houses snapping up CBA houses (e.g. Howard Books bought by Simon & Schuster in 2006).

It’s an incredible time to be a part of Christian fiction. We’re able to incorporate real issues, let our characters have authentic struggles and, in doing so, put Truth into the marketplace – not with a conversion scene or a sermon, but with a life lived out in story. We let the worldview speak for itself and craft stories that stand on their own as excellent stories.

Yes, there’s a market for stories that see reality through rose-colored glasses. That’s true regardless of faith (cozy mystery, anyone? chick-lit?) But the past ten years have brought dynamic change to Christian fiction. I encourage anyone to explore all the genre offers today!