Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

I'm looking for some reviewers for my new novel. If you're interested, let me know and I'll send you a free ebook.

WARNING: This is not typical "Christian fiction." The language is salty, and some of the scenes are for mature audiences. (I mean, we're not talking porn here, but I wouldn't want to give it to my 12 year old nephew.) Summary of the book below:

Ever wonder what would happen if Frank Capra had directed Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? Find out in Splitting Adam!

After a soul-crushing thirtieth birthday party, Pastor Adam Tyler, the hopelessly single son of a single mom, is given a chance to see what the world would be like without him. But surprisingly, rather than just an Adam-less world, he finds instead that he has been replaced by two others, each man his ″half-self.″ One, the child of his mother, is a wealthy and successful businessman. The other, the child of the father Adam has never known, is a movie-quoting, streetwise con man. It seems the only things these two have in common are Adam’s DNA, and that both are on a collision course for Deep Trouble. With a hand from his crusty guardian angel, it’s up to Adam to rescue them. But is he up to the task? And can he find his way home again?

This hilarious journey of half-self-discovery is the lovechild of Kurt Vonnegut and Anne Lamott, and is sure to delight all who enjoy a trip into the magical land of "what if?"

Sounds like a fun book. PM me what you're looking for in terms of reviewing. I'd love to check it out.

John -- I would love to review your book. I, myself, am also looking for a reviewer for my Christian contemporary fantasy Ethereal Influence: The Birth

Lana wrote: "John -- I would love to review your book. I, myself, am also looking for a reviewer for my Christian contemporary fantasy Ethereal Influence: The Birth"

I'd be up for a swap. PM me your email address if you're interested.

Jaq wrote: "I would actually like to get a Christian's perspective on my book in a review, because religion is treated a bit differently in this one. It's post-apocalyptic Fantasy, with goblins in a tribal soc..."

It might take a week or so to get to it, but I'd love a swap. Message me your email address and what format works for you.

I'm always looking for a good Christian fic to review. Feel free to PM me, too.

Yeah John's book rocks. But honestly I would not limit it as Christian fiction. Its very universal in its themes.

Masha wrote: "Yeah John's book rocks. But honestly I would not limit it as Christian fiction. Its very universal in its themes."

Thanks, Masha. I was actually hesitant to put that label on it, but I wasn't sure what genre best described.

Maybe urban fantasy? I'm not big on nitpicking genres.

Is "It's a Wonderful Life" a Christian movie? Or is it a story of universal appeal? Would an atheist not appreciate the ideas in it?

I didn't find people going to church to be an "assumption." Adam is a pastor who doesn't get out much, so the people in his circle are his parishioners. It's not said that the whole town goes to this church. In fact, it seems the younger crowd is elsewhere, either at a different churches or not going at all. As for others, Victor goes to church only reluctantly because of his wife (not uncommon); Chase doesn't go; the other character I will not name "found religion" so of course he goes. Seems pretty even handed to me.

Andrew Klavan, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers, has recently decided to make all his heroes practicing Christians, but what he produces is not called "Christian fiction." I'm just saying, it's not necessary to limit yourself, esp. if you're just starting out as an author.

Evidently I'm going to have to add Andrew Klavan to my reading list, b/c this is more in line with what I'm trying to do. The problem with much of the literary & musical world is that if the Christian faith is central to your characters, mainstream publishers generally avoid it. So you try Christian publishing houses. But if your characters *happen to be* people of faith but the focus of the work isn't strictly evangelical (or, God forbid, the story and characters don't reflect Orthodox Christianity...meaning the characters have flaws, curse, have sex when they oughtn't, etc.) then Christian publishers won't touch it. It's kind of a perverse verion of the old Hays Code in the movie industry, and it's very frustrating.

/end rant

To be honest, when I read your caveats about Splitting Adam, Andrew Klavan immediately popped into my head. Granted, he's an established writer and can get away with more, but he's writing noir and you're not.