How to Encourage Christians to Try Christian Fiction

On my Facebook author page I recently asked, “Why do you think only some Christian readers read Christian fiction?”

These are the top three answers I received….

1) They don’t know that such a thing as Christian fiction exists. Or their knowledge of it begins and ends with Redeeming Love, Karen Kingsbury, and Amish stories.

2) They perceive Christian fiction as low quality. Either they’ve simply landed on this misconception or they tried one Christian fiction book decades ago, didn’t like it, and reached this conclusion. Here are some of the criticisms non-readers of Christian fiction articulate…. The books are predictable, unrealistic, preachy, watered-down. The faith story line is awkwardly inserted. They’re fluffy, boring, saccharine sweet, and populated with characters so perfect that readers can’t relate to them.

3) Christian fiction isn’t easily discoverable. It might not be available at your local bookstore or library. If it is carried at a bookstore, it’s sometimes tucked away in a strange alcove, socially distanced from the rest of the fiction.

The responses to my Facebook question were fascinating. In many cases, they were also hard to hear because I love Christian fiction. I believe it has the ability to serve as a vehicle for the Holy Spirit, which means it can impact people’s lives in unique and powerful ways.

A few of the people who commented on my post asked, “What can we do about this? How can we help spread the word?” Those great questions inspired this post. Here are….

6 Ways to Encourage Christians to Try Christian Fiction

1) Tell your reading friends about your favorite books! Also consider loaning them books that match their reading tastes. If they love historical romance — hand them your favorite Christian historical romance. Do they love thrillers? We have thrillers! If you want to get fancy, you could even “check your books out” using this adorable personal library kit. There’s no substitute for good, old-fashioned word of mouth.

2) Talk about Christian fiction (and why you love it) and particular books you love (and why you love them) on your social media. It’s great to connect with other like-minded readers in, for example, a Facebook group dedicated to Christian readers. But how are the people from the other spheres of your life (work, school, volunteering, church, sports, extended family, etc) going to hear about your new favorite book unless you post about it in your feed?

3) Start a Christian fiction book club. Or seek out an existing one and personally invite several friends to join it with you. Your book club might be connected to a church, a bookstore, a library, a neighborhood, or a group of long-time girlfriends.

4) Start a library at your church. Or, if your church already has a library, find out from the librarian what you can do to support and promote the circulation of their Christian fiction.

5) Request that your local public library carry new Christian fiction releases. If your library accepts donations, donate the novels you’re finished with to them.

6) Give Christian fiction as a birthday or Christmas gift to someone you know will be blessed by it. Or gift it to strangers via your nearest little free library. Or become a book fairy!

Do you agree with the reasons why more Christians don’t read Christian fiction? Any additional suggestions on how to encourage them to try it?

Happy Friday, everyone! ~Becky