Edgy Christian fiction -- objective or subjective?

[Connie Chastain]

Is classifying a work as edgy Christian fiction somewhat subjective? Are objective guidelines starting to develop for evaluating a work? Is is determined mostly by the author of the work? The publisher? Readers?

Judging by my subjective understanding of the concept, I would consider my novel, Southern Man, to be edgy Christian fiction. But I have no idea whether others would think so.

[Michelle Sutton]

I've had people tell me for years that my stuff was edgy, so I figured they knew what they were talking about. :) I have adopted that description ever since.

[Kris Rhen]

At face value, edgy Christian fiction touches on the taboo subject matter I think - you know 'em. Anyone want to enumerate?

I was told my first draft was too "un-sanitized" for the general Christian market. Among the themes that concerned me, one in particular was called out: A primary character was molested as a child. It is critical to her growth and the plot as a whole, and I never go into detail about her past - more suggestions and shadows. But, maybe it still goes too far.

Another character is a gang leader from the Netas gang in NYC - but he can't curse like we would expect. There's lots of "he cursed" where flowery Puerto Rican would have been much stronger I feel.

[Michelle Sutton]

Isn't that something? I have a book where the main character was molested as a child (same thing) and still haven't been able to sell it. Sheesh.

[Kris Rhen]

So what is your feel for the changing winds of Christian fiction publishing? Do you feel that some day your work may be accepted? How do pubs like Sheaf look at such a story? Do you intend to try and meet some 'half way'? Do publishers ever take on a story with strong merit, but that they know will need work in meeting them half way?

[Michelle Sutton]

I rarely change anything. They either like it or they don't. I did have a part cut in my last book but it had more to do with the word count needing to be trimmed down than anything else. Christian fiction is changing and in fact, Sheaf is probably buying the book I referred to. They just need to send me the contract, but they've expressed an interest in it for sure. Most pubs are more cautious. But I do think things are changing. If you read my books you'd see what I got away with. I think you'd be impressed. :P

[Jack Stinson]

Connie -- I think it's purely subjective. To me, 'edgy' means that it makes a lot of readers feel uncomfortable. That's OK with me -- Jesus made a lot of people uncomfortable. And some of the best sermons I've ever heard made me feel uncomfortable at some point -- and I'm better for it!

[Mark Young]

Great question. This question is one of the reasons I joined this group—to better understand what this term means from a Christian perspective as a believer and writer.

My first novel dealt with street and prison gang violence. One major Christian publisher at a Mt. Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference took a look at my sample chapters and then went into a talk about how he/she abhorred violence in fiction. I thought profanity would be the issue. I’d struggle to keep every profane word that came to mind out of the novel (I worked gang investigation for years, and know how gang member talk—their language is indelibly imprinted on my mind). The violence issue took me by surprise, because the power behind gangs is their use of violence for control and influence. There was no way to minimize this in the novel.

My point: you never know what might crop up as “gritty.” I try to write what seems true and real without crossing the line. I’m still searching for that point.

[Michelle Sutton]

It is a fine line indeed. And there are many violent books in the CBA so you should be able to find a publisher for that type of story. Try reading Original Sin by Brandt Dodson. It's gritty and a bit violent. There are many others, too.

[Mark Young]

Thanks, Michelle. I'll check this out.