Quality (and Clean) Fiction at Enclave and Noblebright

We have had functioning air conditioning for a week straight now, and this makes me so happy. It reminds me a bit of when we moved back from Rwanda and I enjoyed the little things in life like squishing carpet between my toes, having a dishwasher, and not worrying about shower water getting in my mouth.

Plus, I can think so much clearer when it’s not 85 degrees in the house.

Last week I posted this image on Instagram, and I keep stopping to reread the quote:

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It hits on so many things that are important to me: the value of fantasy and stories, acknowledging that there are hard things in life, the need to equip yourself (and your kids) for those hard things, and the hope that they can be overcome.

I should probably get it framed. 

Lately I’ve been thinking about my reading and writing and how it relates to my faith. I’m a Christian, but I don’t read or write Christian fiction. I think a lot of stories (not all) centering around hope and redemption have to start in dark places. I find the stories that resonate the most with me are ones that show the tough sides of life and then end with that spark of hope instead of a full blown happily ever after.

Still, I prefer clean fiction, which means there have been several times I’ve started a book and not finished it – not because the writing was bad, but because I had to skim so many scenes that I lost the point of the story.

If any of you are in that same boat, I want to send you to two fantastic resources.

First, is Enclave Publishing. Their mission is to publish “out-of-this-world stories that are informed by a coherent theology,” which basically means they publish science fiction and fantasy stories with biblical themes like hope and redemption.

I’ve read several of their books lately, and they do not disappoint! Start with Oathbound by Victoria McCombs if you don’t believe me.

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Second, is Noblebright Fantasy. Yes, this is a term made up by an author, but CJ Brightley is striving to combat the depressing tone of grimdark fantasy by spreading the word about fantasy (and some sci-fi) stories filled with hope. She even has a book box subscription called Phoenix Crate that delivers noblebright fantasy straight to your door!

[image error] Photo by @cjbrightley and subscription through @phoenixcrate.

If you find either of those resources helpful, please let me know! Or if you know of any other resources for clean fiction, I’m all ears!

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