The Fantasy Challenge
Our 2007 Fantasy Challenge is over. Our winners were Tim Hicks, Sally Apokedak, and Valerie Comer. Congratulations to each of them.
I’m leaving the page with its comments up for a while because there are some great stories, well worth reading. Thanks again to everyone who participated.
Updated Version (changes noted in bold type). It’s on! I’m talking, of course, about The Fantasy Challenge, with changes made to accomodate new information, including additional prizes. Here it is, for those of you who would like to accept your mission (understand, this post will not self-destruct 
) Go to your local bookstore—Christian or secular—and ask if they have … name a Christian fantasy title. (If you need help knowing what titles to ask about, check the New Releases section of Latest In Spec). Report back here at A Christian Worldview of Fiction, telling us what book you inquired about and what the store clerk had to say. You can leave your comment with any post on the blog. The deemed winners (3) of The Challenge will be the persons whose names I draw and those persons will receive either an autographed copy of Wayne Thomas Batson’s The Door Within, Lost Chapters Edition (Thomas Nelson), Bryan Davis‘ Dragons in Our Midst series (AMG/Living Ink), or Sharon Hinck’s The Restorer (NavPress). You have until July 1, though the drawing for The Door Within, Lost Chapters Edition will be held after June 1, as promised. Multiple entries into The Challenge are accepted and in fact encouraged. Happy inquiring! 
Hello,
I stopped in Barnes and Noble and Borders this week looking for “Light of Eidon” from Karen Hancock. Both stores had the book and the series (”Shadow Within”, “Shadow over Kiriath”, and “Return of the Guardian-King”) in their computers and could order it, but had NONE of them on the shelf. I mentioned that the first three books have won Christy Awards, and they asked me, remember these are professional booksellers, “What is a Christy award?” And to add to that, I live in the Bible Belt. I had to order them online myself to get the books to give as a gift.
Love in Christ,
Pat
Comment by Patrick Aquilone — April 26, 2007 @ 4:04 pm
I went with my mom to our Christian bookstore recently and we asked about Karen Hancock’s Return of the Guardian-King. They didn’t have it, but they could order it for us. The clerk asked if we wanted to order it, and we did (of course). So we ordered it and it showed up several days later.
Becca Johnson
P.S. I figured I should put my comment here since you created a page for it now. (I previously made a related comment on a different post).
Comment by Becca Johnson — April 26, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
Becky,
If you decide to extend this and do another challenge in June, I will give autographed copies of all four of the Dragons in our Midst series to your winner for that month.
Comment by Bryan Davis — April 27, 2007 @ 6:58 am
Becca and Pat, I have you both on the list of participants. Thanks for jumping right in.
Bryan, your offer is SO generous. Thank you! I’ve updated The Challenge accordingly.
This is going to be fun and I’m so happy it is coming right before the Fantasy Four tour.
Becky
Comment by Rebecca LuElla Miller — April 27, 2007 @ 10:59 am
So we leave our results here?
I called my local Christian Bookstore to ask about the Dragons in our Midst Series, and they didn’t have any on-shelf, but there were already some on-order.
Apparently they’d sold out and were/are waiting for the next round.
Comment by Amy Jane — May 1, 2007 @ 2:01 pm
I don’t suppose this counts since I did this a few months ago - I had to special order Karen Hancock’s third (in the GK series) from Kregel Books (Christian bookstore). They were like, “Wow, what IS this? Fantasy? HUH?” I found all of Karen’s books on the shelf at my local Baker Bookstore (I should hope since Baker owns her publisher!!!), and I found Light of E. on the shelf at my local B&N, but it was tucked away in the inspirational section which itself is tucked away in the religion, philosophy, gay and lesbian, movies, photography, and other unclassified topics area of the bookstore. I did rearrange the shelves so her books faced out. Naughty me.
I regularly see Donita’s Dragonkeeper books and the Dragons in our Midst series on the shelves at Baker.
Comment by Rebecca G. — May 2, 2007 @ 11:20 am
Well, I’m afraid you’re right, Rebecca. To be eligible, you’ll need to talk to a clerk about a book (preferably one they don’t have that you’re suggesting they include on their shelves) within the timeframe of the challenge. But I suppose suggesting they display them more prominently also counts. I did that with Dragons in Our Midst. Complained at a local CBA store that the books were buried in a place that no one would look. The manager gave me all the rational as to why it was the way it was (actually the whole YA section was/is nearly out of sight). Next time I was in the story, some of the stock was now also displayed in the more prominent children’s section. And the books did VERY well.
So … next time you’re out and about in a bookstore, come back and report your conversation with a clerk or manager (even better). Then I’ll be happy to add you to the list.
Speaking of which, Amy Jane, I’ve added you to the list.
Becky
Comment by Rebecca LuElla Miller — May 2, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Okay - so I did it. I went to my local Christian book store, Branches.
I asked the first lady who came up to me if they had a Christian Fantasy/Sci-Fi section or if it was just under the heading of Fiction. She said that it was all under Fiction and asked if I was looking for anything in particular and I mentioned The Door Within Trilogy. At this, she beamed and started raving about how great the series was and how she had bought the second two because her nephew had finished the first in two days. I agreed that they are amazing as the clerk led me to the YA section.
Here’s the cool part: At the end of the aisle there was a big display with all three books in it. It was in the main thoroughfare through the store and there they were in all their glory.
I was impressed.
Next, the clerk asked if there was anyone else I was looking for and I said Christopher Hopper. She went up to the computer and said they were expecting to get the new one in stock in June. But they also had one title available to order. I thanked her and continued to peruse.
In a cool twist, I found the hardcover of The Hobbit there. I also found an amazing devotional journal for my daughter called “God and Me” for 10 -12 yr olds. She’s only 9 but whatever.
As we were checking out with a different clerk I said, “Can I make a suggestion?” Then went on to suggest a section for spec. fic. and she said, “Well - we have a few,” Here, I said “yeah - and that’s great, but there’s a need for a wide variety of Christian Fantasy and Sci-Fi. I told her that there was actually a demand for it and she thanked me and said “well it’s great to know, because unless our readers tell us, we have no idea.”
YAY!
Comment by Amy Browning — May 10, 2007 @ 4:26 pm
I don’t mean to seem random, Becky. Wayne reminded me of the contest because I’d posted the previous comment on his blog earlier. So, I just cheated and did the whole copy and paste thing. Hee hee…
Comment by Amy Browning — May 10, 2007 @ 4:37 pm
I stopped by our Family Christian store and spoke with a new clerk. She wasn’t aware of many of the fantasy or science-fiction titles, but mentioned that they had all of the Dragons in our Midst books in stock. These were in the Teen Interest section, and after asking, I located the multiple copies of the first Door Within book in the young readers section. They didn’t have the later books, or the new extended version of book one in stock. I looked on the adult fiction shelves, but saw few fantasy or s/f titles. I asked about a couple of titles, and the clerk checked their inventory, but did not have them in stock. She offered to order the titles, but admitted that it might take a few days.
Tim
Comment by Timothy Hicks — May 14, 2007 @ 8:31 pm
Great, Tim. So glad you’re playing. I love the fact that you asked for more than one book/series. Next time I run a contest like this, I’ll have to add bonus points for multiple inquiries.
I’ve added your name for the drawings.
Just a reminder, should you, or any of the others who have already entered, go to another store and make inquiry, you can leave another comment and I’ll enter your name again, doubling your opportunities to win.
Becky
Comment by Rebecca LuElla Miller — May 15, 2007 @ 4:21 pm
Well, I went on a long and arduous journey to find “The Restorer” by Sharon Hinck. I first called my local Christian bookstores, one of which told me it wasn’t in print yet, and the other said, “Can you spell ‘Hinck’ for me?”
Then I ventured out of town to two mega-chain bookstores…both told me they had never heard of the book…to which I replied, “You know, the author of Becky Miller!” to which they replied, “Oh, she writes Fantasy??”
So I succombed to temptation, and ordered my copy from Amazon.com–upon which I received it in TWO days…and did the happy dance all around my kitchen…upon which my two teenaged children snidly commented, “Mom’s gone book crazy again!”
Thank you and good night (I think that should count for SOMETHING, don’t you??!!)
Deena Peterson,
Sharon’s #1 fan…and don’t tell me otherwise, ’cause it will just make me sad
A Peek At My Bookshelf
Comment by Deena from The Bookshelf — May 17, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
I found The Restorer by Sharon Hinck on the shelves of Northwestern Bookstore in Burnsville, MN.
Comment by Chawna Schroeder — May 18, 2007 @ 11:22 am
I went to Barnes and Noble. I asked on clerk where the Christian fiction was. She was quite bored.
The Firefish book by Polivka was in stock so I bought it, and I ordered The Restorer.
Didn’t have a long conversation with the lady who ordered the book.
Does that count?
Comment by sally apokedak — May 30, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
Absolutely that counts, Sally. I’ve added your name to the list.
Becky
Comment by Rebecca LuElla Miller — May 31, 2007 @ 10:39 am
Becky,
I checked back at the same bookstore, and talked to the assistant manager this time. She hadn’t really heard about the Wayne Thomas Batson series, and couldn’t find any info about the the new expanded versions. I purchased the one copy of Sharon Hinck’s Restorer, and found Katheryn Mackel’s Trackers book in the sale section. There were no copies of the second book, and it would take 5-7 days to order a copy.
On the bright side, they had all of Bryan Davis’s books, and most of Donita K. Paul’s books.
Tim
Comment by Timothy Hicks — May 31, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
Thanks, Timothy. I love the fact that you asked about so many titles. It’s important to let your local store know that someone who shops with them is looking for these books.
I’ve added your name to the prize-eligible list.
Becky
Comment by Rebecca LuElla Miller — June 1, 2007 @ 11:23 am
I have to say I started out entering this contest to see if I could win myself some books. I haven’t read Bryan’s books, and I’d be happy to have a copy of The Restorer to give away. We live in a rural area and I don’t get to the nearest town with a Christian bookstore that often. Today I went.
The fiction section is small. Dekker, Rivers, Kingsbury, Lewis…and the Left Behinds just about cover it. The lady asked if she could help me. I told her I was looking for Relentless by Robin Parrish or the first two Mars Hill novels by Austin Boyd. She hadn’t heard about them and wondered what they were about so I began explaining the concept of Christian science fiction and fantasy to her. Told her about the blog tour (and gave her a Restorer bookmark!). She was horrified that publishers would GIVE books to random people to read and said that was really hard for small businesses like hers to compete with.
I told her I could see her point, but on the other hand, these particular books have sequels coming out that I’ll be getting through the tour but that I hadn’t read the earlier ones. I told her if she’d had them, I’d have bought them from her but that without the tour I wouldn’t have even known what to ask for. She decided that was a good point. And I mentioned that people talk about books they’ve read and liked, give them as gifts, etc, so I believed it was more likely to benefit the local stores than hinder them. By then she was nodding.
I purchased devotionals by John and Staci Eldredge to give my kids; at this stage we were chatting by the counter. She pulled out her ordering brochures. I saw several covers I recognized and she starting marking them with checkmarks as I told her about them. All together she must have marked ten different books, most sff.
When I left, she told me that I’d made her day because she’d been praying about what to order for fiction. She’d felt frustrated by not knowing because she has to place an order on Tuesday. She says there is a lot of call for fiction over the summer months and because she doesn’t read fiction herself (!) she didn’t know what to buy. She felt God sent me to her. Wow.
I went in for brownie points and came out ministered to. I’m so glad I went in, and I’ll check back in a couple weeks to see if I can pick up any of the titles I recommended to her. I think she’ll sign up for Latest in Spec as well; I left her the link.
Then I signed up a buddy of mine for the CSFF blog tour. It was a full afternoon!
Comment by valerie — June 2, 2007 @ 9:43 am
Valerie! You wee answer to prayer, you.
I think that’s a great outcome…and a cool story.
Mir
Comment by mirtika — June 4, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
Yesterday my daughters and I visited the small Christian bookstore where we live (northern Indiana) for two reasons: 1) to find an appropriate Bible for daughter #1 to take to church camp; and 2) to see/ask what Christian Fantasy they had on their shelves. This bookstore is where I discovered Bryan Davis’s books which led me to Wayne Thomas Batson. This particular bookstore did have several of Mr. Davis’s books, but zero of Mr. Batson’s or any other authors who write in the same genre. I asked the very unfriendly manager (I’ve been in there several times over the past few months, and she has yet to speak to me first). I asked if she had heard of Wayne Thomas Batson, Christopher Hopper, or Donita K. Paul. She replied that she was not familiar with them, and that she wouldn’t be able to order any of their titles because they were going out of business in the near future. It’s unfortunate that this little bookstore is closing, they always had such a nice selection of nonfiction books, cards, and Bibles.
Today I’m heading to a larger Christian bookstore…
Have a great day!
Kel
Comment by Kel — June 7, 2007 @ 5:47 am
Kel, thanks for this comment. I’ve entered your name in the Phase Two Fantasy Challenge, so you’ll be eligible for either The Restorer or Dragons in Our Midst.
And don’t forget, when you talk to someone over at that larger store, be sure to stop by and tell us about that encounter, too. I’ll enter your name a second time.
As it turned out, Timothy, our winner of Phase One, was a repeat commenter.
Becky
Comment by Rebecca LuElla Miller — June 7, 2007 @ 10:33 am
Found the Restorer, Batson’s books, the Dragons in our Midst Series, a couple books by T.A. Kelly and Randy Alcorn’s sci-fi books all at the Borders in John’s Creek GA.
I do most of my book buying online so of course I found all sorts of Christian Speculative fiction titles at the B&N site.
Also found Steve Lawhead’s books at Humpus Bumpus books in Cumming, GA which is a used and new bookstore. A Couple of the titles were new rather than used, meaning they felt they should stock some at this tiny little store.
Comment by John — June 9, 2007 @ 11:31 am
I found The Restorer at Life Way Christian Book Store at the Mall of GA store (2) copies of the book were on the shelf.
Please enter me to win a free book.
Thank you so much
Comment by Nora St.Laurent — June 13, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
John and Nora, I’ve added you both to the growing list! Don’t forget, more than one entry allowed and encouraged!
Becky
Comment by Rebecca LuElla Miller — June 14, 2007 @ 10:51 am
Becky,
Its wheat harvest time in Kansas so I went book harvesting.
“Man & woman shall not live on general fiction alone, but by ever storied realm that proceeds from the Author & Finisher’s scribes.”
The crop at local bookstores is looking well … Family Christian, Perfect Peace, & Borders … Barnes & Noble is on the other side of the city - hope to visit there within next week or so.
Picking up the last copy of “The Restorer” today - it even has a goobered up cover from shelf sparring but that is okay as long as they reorder.
I discovered Eric Wilson by browsing … the store had one copy each of “Dark to Mortal Eyes” & “Expiration Date” so I scooped them up … again to trigger a reorder.
I also took one of the remaining hard copies of Stephen Lawhead’s “Hood” … which was promptly replaced with the newly released softcover edition. Same with Robert Liparulo’s “Comes A Horseman” - the softcover is now in play.
I’ve noticed that Border’s has added another vertical shelf for the Christion Fiction section so that is a welcome breath of fresh air.
I am collecting pocket change now to get the “Firefish” book soon. I try to support the local Perfect Peace Christian bookstore as much as possible but I make it a habit to also shop at Border’s to send the message through the big chains that there exists a market for Christian Fiction.
My next goal is Bryan Davis’ “Dragon in our Midst” series … I am really looking forward to that. I just have to convince the very localized ‘mrs. ways and means committee’ that this is valid research for my ongoing WIP … (okay, so my WIP is not about dragons but rather a very messed up female techno-stalktress … maybe this is why I get labeled as an abstract random by my family)
Anwyay, the quality of Fantasy is most certainly picking up momentum and has even enticed me to begin toying with a spec idea myself.
I am enjoying your blog Becky!
May our stories give HIM glory & “Increase our Faith”
Blessings In Christ,
-david fry
Comment by david fry — June 15, 2007 @ 8:14 am
Wonderful comments, David (from an Abstract Sequential
) Who knows, your comment might make you the winner of Bryan Davis’s Dragon in Our Midst and your Mrs. Ways-and-Means will be most satisfied with your book harvesting.
Don’t forget to leave another comment after the next store visit. The more entries, the better.
Becky
Comment by Rebecca LuElla Miller — June 15, 2007 @ 9:35 am
Becky,
Here is my second swath at a spec/fantasy book harvest. I am so excited about the conveyance of truth via story that I just cannot help myeslr.
The local ‘Perfect Peace’ bookstore has (1) copy of Kathryn Mackel’s “Outriders” and (3) copies of the second book in the Birthright Series called “Trackers”.
Family Christian bookstore has (6) copies of book 1, “Outriders”.
It just so happens by the way that I see myself as more of an Abstract Sequential but there are members of my family that tell me I am all over the place … as random as raindrops on a rooftop.
So anyway, did I mention I love the mountains?
And snow, that great auditory equalizer … as it blankets everything in muffled bliss - allowing one to hear that ONE still small voice. I love new fallen snow because it cleanses the air of noise … emancipating us ever so subtly from the tyranny of the din of ‘gadgetdom’. This spoken from a recovering geek and auditory learner. Alas, I drone.
Where was I? Oy, yeah. Harvesting books. Yikes! RaNDoM!!
I am keeping a close eye out for “Leaper: The Misadventures of a Not-Necessarily-Super Hero” by Geoffrey Wood that is supposed to release this week.
And this concludes my latest stroke of the scythe.
book-ended blessings,
david fry
Comment by david fry — June 19, 2007 @ 8:21 am
I stopped back into the store where I talked to the gal a few weeks ago, and the spec fic books still weren’t in. How long does it take, anyway? Today I specifically asked her to give me a call when she has in a copy of Robin Parrish’s book Relentless and I’ll get hubby to pick it up when he drives through (which is much MUCH oftener than I get over there). Maybe I gave her too much to think about last time?
Comment by valerie — June 22, 2007 @ 10:51 pm
I dropped by the local Family Christian bookstore on Thursday and they have the new Robin Parrish hardcover “Fearless” on the shelf - I wasn’t expecting it to show up until July 1st … kewl!
Also, Geoffrey Wood’s “Leaper” is now in Border’s - 3 copies. The two local christian bookstores do not have it in stock yet.
I am going to buy it from Border’s just to send a message that they need to keep Christian fiction on the shelves.
It has been fun participating in the fantasy challenge.
I now need to sit down and get my WIP completed so someday, Lord willing, it too will catch someone’s eye and then ultimately impact their heart as only God the holy spirit can!
Rejoice in the Lord always,
Rejoice in the wordsmithing gift God has bestowed upon all of you .. unwrap it and share it with the world.
david fry
Comment by david fry — June 24, 2007 @ 5:47 pm
I recently visited a local Borders Bookstore, and was pleasantly surprised at their selection of fiction, although the spec fiction was interspersed with all of the other categories of Christian fiction so I had to sort through to find Wayne Thomas Batson, Donita K. Paul, and Bryan Davis, among others. This particular bookstore also specializes in local author’s writing, which I find very interesting.
Kel
Comment by Kel — June 27, 2007 @ 9:34 am
Valerie, David and Kel, I’ve added your names again re. your latest posts. Way to go!! No matter who wins the prizes, we’re all winning as the word gets to bookstore managers that we care about them putting Christian fantasy on their shelves.
There are still 3 days left …
Becky
Comment by Rebecca LuElla Miller — June 28, 2007 @ 10:09 am
Hey guess what? My little itty bitty town has a brand new (and very tiny) Christian bookstore on a side street that I don’t frequent. They’d been open a few weeks when I found them. They have Robin Parrish’s Relentless, which sadly is the exact title I ordered from the other store. I’ll pop back in soon when I have more time (I was actually *at work* when I saw it so only had a few seconds to peek) and talk to the gal a bit more. Huzzah!
Comment by valerie — June 28, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
I went to our local Barnes and Noble store and searched in the Religious Fiction section for Robin Parrish’s Relentless. When I couldn’t find it, I asked the young lady at the information desk if they had it. The answer was no, but she could order it for me.
That was the sad news. Now for the happy news!
I turned from the desk and headed in the other direction toward the fantasy/science fiction section. When I got there, I discovered a table full of different fantasy and science fiction novels. Guess what I found mixed in with all the secular books! Donita K. Paul’s DragonSpell, DragonQuest, and DragonKnight. I was so excited! They had put Christian fantasy novels in with the secular ones!
Becca Johnson
Comment by Becca Johnson — June 28, 2007 @ 8:11 pm
I work in a chain bookstore. I just want to let you guys know that there are more books in the world than we can fit on our shelves, so what we sell is dictated to some degree (about 30-40%) by the national market. The remainder of what we carry is dictated by local market and what people in your area buy. (We all know profit is king.) So if you want your local bookstore to stock the things you’re looking for, convince your like-minded friends to shop there and ask for many of the same things you do. Stores pay attention to what’s selling each week/month, and if a title picks up, they will stock it. Otherwise, yes, you will have to order it. We do what we can. There are just so many books, so little shelf space.
Comment by just me — October 9, 2007 @ 9:24 pm
ps. i can’t say my name, because my bookstore would fire me for posting online.
Comment by just me — October 9, 2007 @ 9:25 pm