Monday, October 27, 2008

Oh the Horror!

Yes it's that time of the year! *Sue tingles with anticipation* Fall, leaves changing colors, those wonderful horror elements of writing lore-vampires, werewolves, zombies and ghouls brought to the fore front!

As one who writes in the horror genere and is a Christian, I'd just like to say thank-you. Without ever marketing or meaning to, Never Ceese garnished a wonderful following from a market whose two gatekeeper affiliations won't allow for the kind of writing I do. (in other words, their demographic is notorious for avoiding and yes looking very badly on anything horror related or with strong horror elements.

This week I had the distinct pleasure of being mentioned on a few blogs related to recommended Christian Horror books!

How cool is that?

The bloggers were mostly strong CBA and ECPA core market readers and mentioned my name and my book. Of course, I had to correct them right away to let them know I write for the broader general market (which BTW includes a huge conglomerate of readers who are Christian) and to please make sure they share that as well as I'm not here to confuse or "scare" anyone with my work. LOL

So as someone who wouldn't normally get the following I've gotten from those guys who are looking for writing quite a bit more spiritual than what I offer I have to say thank-you.

Just remember there are tons and tons of other horror writers out there who don't write for the demographic CBA and ECPA authors serve but who are Christian. And they're waiting to thrill you with a good story that won't offend.

Quite a few indeed whom you'll never see at events advertised as Christian or winning awards for Christian literature. You will see them appealing to the larger number of Christian readers though and you will love their work and they aren't any less Christian either.

Awwww, but you already knew that.

Happy Halloween!

A few Halloween reads to check out.

Light at the edge of Darkness. Published by The Writers Cafe Press

Dying to Live by Bram Stoker Award winning author Kim Paffenroth

God Bless,
Sue Dent

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Beach Read Blogs and Sue Dent

Hop like a bunny over to Beach Read Blogs where Ms. Rhonda mentions me along with a few other notable authors, albeit CBA affiliated ones but authors none the less.

Thanks you Ms. Rhonda.

You made my day!

Friday, October 24, 2008

The UNDERGROUND October '08

If anyone is interested in reading October '08's The UNDERGROUND newsletter/ ezine, I now place it directly on my website (no downloads or pdfs). You can get to it either by clicking the link above or going to FrankCreed.com and clicking on the Ezine banner.



This month:

Writing tips (using metaphors, word count, locating "geek" specialists to help research sci-fi stories, and creating book titles);

This Fall in Spec-Fic: Lost Genre Guild authors release 4 new books;

How to Get Book Reviews: Tips and submissions guidelines to the top journal reviewers plus a link to a nice list of on-line review sites (with links);

Spec-Fic Genres and Sub-genres: a pretty comprehensive list of everything spec-fic

and more . . .

Feedback is welcomed and you can post your thoughts in the October '08 UNDERGROUND board at
FrankCreed.Proboards52.com.

Faith,
f

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Christian Horror - Slow train coming!

And I'm beginning to wonder if it'll ever get her. Especially here in the US. Here's a fine example of the confusion that still plagues this market.

Just recently a list went up on that trustworthy site Amazon. *hold up. Let me pull my tongue out of my cheek* It was titled Christian Horror. The list author says: Here's a list of books most of which you won't find in your local Christian bookstore. You know, because they're horror! (okay, that's a loose interpretation but you can go read it yourself to get the exact words.)

Of the books listed only 2 (I think)were not published by a CBA or ECPA publisher. This means that most of the books would indeed be found in a Christian bookstore, at least, here in the US because the authors are affiliated. Ted Dekker, Frank Perriti, John Olsen and Eric Wilson all write for CBA affiliated publishers and they were the other authors on the list.

It seems CBA has latched onto the term Christian Horror just like they have Christian Fiction and leading everyone down the merry path of "if it's not CBA or ECPA published then it can't be written by a Christian."

Well, it can be and there are tons of Christian horror authors you won't see on list for made up for Christian Horror. Just keep that in mind while you're looking. :)

My work won't be in a Christian bookstore because my publisher is not CBA or ECPA affiliated. That demomgraphic doesn't want or read horror and so they don't readily allow it in to their stores unless one of their affiliated publishers puts it out. Rest assured, if it's published by a CBA or ECPA affiliated publisher, it won't appeal to the broader market Christian but rather a very specific niche of readers.