ASHLEY HODGES BAZER
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Christian Sci-Fi...Yeah, It's a Thing

7/17/2015

6 Comments

 
I discovered a recent review for my book Asylum I had not seen before. I know authors are supposed to have a thick skin. We face rejection from agents and publishers...until the right one comes along. Then we face our critics and fans through reviews and the like.

This one stood out because it slammed the religious nature of my stories. Even though the back cover contains the genre "Religious Fiction" in the top corner.

I get it. Religion, specifically Christianity, isn't for everyone. I'm not here to judge or preach. I include it in my stories because it's who I am. I wanted to create a universe where I could explore some edgier aspects of Christianity and speculate about what might happen if those closely-held beliefs were not just challenged, but silenced.

As I think about it, I find the review funny. I had another person say the exact opposite. He is not a fan of religious fiction, but after reading Asylum, he said he liked the way I handled those aspects. He didn't feel that I "rammed it" down his throat.

So I'm going to hold onto that and let this other one roll off my back.

One thing that did strike me is how reluctant I am to put the "Religious Fiction" label on my work. I want people of all walks of life to read my books--whether Christian or not. I've tried to say, "family-friendly" and leave it at that, but honestly, there are some parts I wouldn't read to my children until they are a bit older.  Also, there is simply no market for Christian sci-fi. I've tried to fly under the radar in a futile effort to get my work out there.

But I'm done with that. I am proudly claiming the Christian nature of my books. Yes, the Crown represents the triune God of Christianity. I've modeled the deity after the One I follow. Yes, my main characters struggle with very human emotions--anger, despair, sorrow, doubt. Because as the author, I deal with those things.

I think sci-fi is the perfect genre to explore religion. I've said it before--the possibilities are limitless, just like my God! Dark evil lurks in every corner, but His light shines through. Good versus evil is in the heart of every man. It's human nature...and that translates to the vast universe we know and have yet to discover.

And even though you won't find many Christian sci-fi novels on the shelves of bookstores, there is some amazing movement going on among readers. If you're interested, check out these links as a launching point:

The SciFi Christian podcast/website
Enclave Publishing
Realm Makers conference
Speculative Faith website

Oh, and read my books. Then, go forth and write happy reviews.
6 Comments
K.J. Scrim link
7/17/2015 01:13:01 am

I am not surprised that some people are blasting their horns because there is religion in writing. God forbid that we each are individualists.

I am not a religious person, I haven't been to church since the seventh grade, and I read your books with great pleasure. It might be because I don't follow any doctrine that I actually missed the religious part of the first book. For me it was a classic "good vs evil" genre. Going into the rest of the series I'm very aware of the religious connotations and it doesn't make a difference to me. The writing is very well done and the books are an excellent read.

You are a good author and your Crown series are great books. That's all that matters for me. If something is written well the belief behind it is irrelevant as to whether I read it or not.

Keep up the faith and proudly post it on every book!

Reply
Ashley Bazer
7/17/2015 04:00:08 am

Thanks, Kathie! I am so grateful for your friendship and your support! Hugs to you, my friend!!

Reply
Damon link
7/17/2015 03:56:50 am

Hi Ashley. You're going to have to trust that this isn't about your writing, or even about specifically what you included in your writing. It's about the hate in the heart of the person who left the review. Not hate of you or your book. It's about the hate that someone else might be content because of a belief they could never find.

I'm agnostic, but sometimes I envy Christians. To have that bigger shoulder to lay it all on would be awesome, if I believed it. But that wish doesn't either make it reality for me or any less so for you. What it does is make some of those who have that wish without belief sad, and some of those lash out.

I'm not a Christian, but if I were, I think I'd have forgiveness for a person that is clearly hurting. Don't let that person be you, because hurt shouldn't grow. Hurt should be lessened with understanding.

Just my theory. As you know, I'm quite mad, really. As a hatter. :p

Reply
Ashley Bazer
7/17/2015 04:00:57 am

Damon, you are so awesome! Thanks for that gentle reminder. I'm so glad we're pals!!

Reply
rspiller link
7/17/2015 05:58:04 am

I couldn't agree more. I've never been a fan of someone silencing another no matter what side of an issue is being defended.

Reply
Ashley Bazer
7/17/2015 08:19:28 am

Thanks, Bob! :o)




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    Duchess Writer

    Award-winning sci-fi author * Christ follower, wife, and mom * broadcast content producer. And yes, I am a real duchess. http://amzn.to/2eLTlH3  

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  • Home
  • Star Sailors
    • The Commodore >
      • Characters
    • The Princess >
      • Characters
    • The Skyjacker >
      • Characters
    • The Stowaway >
      • Characters
    • The Operative >
      • Characters
  • Crown's Call
    • Heralds of the Crown >
      • Poison >
        • Characters
        • Deleted Scenes
      • Fusion >
        • Characters
        • Deleted Scene
      • Reconciled >
        • Characters
    • Rise of the Crown
    • Touch of the Crown >
      • Outlaw >
        • Characters
    • Champions of the Crown >
      • Asylum >
        • Characters
    • Fun Stuff >
      • The Timeline
      • The System
      • The Inhabitants >
        • Logia/Lumen/Ghosts
        • Strages/Crepusculum/Legacy
  • Time Spinners
    • In the Beginning >
      • Characters
  • Other Novels
    • Tinsel Pines Tales
    • Checkmate >
      • Characters
    • Once Upon a Heist >
      • Characters
      • Map of Paladia
      • Venefica's Curse
  • Bio
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Promo
  • Onstage
    • Mamma Mia
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    • Other Performances
  • Buy
  • Blog