A "western" Christian novel

[Rozaroad]

Being brand new to all of this, I might have a lot of questions about how to proceed.

For example, I have a contemporary "western" novel written from what I'd call a subtlly Christian point of view. Since I live in a distinctly non-urban environment, I've noticed that a lot of what small town people, at least in my part of the country, believe and value, and therefore take for granted, might be called "unchurched" Christianity. The farther people live from town, the more this attitude seems to hold.

I've come across a lot of people who are certainly believers without being part of the larger (formal?) church community.

My quesation is: where do I look to find an agent and/or a publisher interested in a short novel told from this perpective? My book is about 50,000words and I'm in the last stages of editing.

Any suggestions?

[Tamera]

Hi, Rozaroad.
Is your western a tradeback or a historical? The reason I ask is because if it's a historical it should be between 80,000 and 100,000 words and marketed as a historical western.

If it's a tradeback, it's just the right number of words, 50,000 - 60,000 and should be list as western genre.

If it's a trade novel, you can try to get it published as a Christian Western, but it would be difficult unless it's also a romance. If this is the case, since it's not overtly Christian, I would try for the general market.

The following website might help with novels that are strictly tradeback westerns. http://www.westernwriters.org/

If you'd like to market it as a Christian Western, I recommend you contact Terry Burns, Hartline Literary Agency.
http://www.hartlineliterary.com/index.php
http://www.terryburns.net/

He's a Christian writer and agent who specializes in westerns.

Also we'd love to have you join the Western social group under your user CP

[Gravity]

Yep, Terry's great. You'll find a kindred spirit in him! (Plus I hear he's been getting some nice deals for his clients).

[jacks girl]

Glad to see another person that loves to write about the wild west.

[Gina123]

Tamera, would you please explain the difference in Tradeback vs historical (other than the word length). thanks!

[Tamera]

The way I understand it is a tradeback is a typical western genre novel. Think Louie LaMoore.sp? It usually always has cowboys or outlaws and is standard fare for westerns. It's the type of book you would get if you belonged to a paperback western book club.

A historical western is a historical novel, usually in hardcover, that happens to take place in the old west. It can have cowboys or outlaws, or not, in it, but the story goes more in depth than the typical western characters.

[Rozaroad]

Tamara,

Thanks for the clarification.

But where wold you place a book with "western" themes set in the contemporrary west or in the recent past, books like Comes a Horseman or The Last Picture Show. Is there a separate Genre or catagory that those books would fit into.

Thanks again.

[Tamera]

I would call it a Contemparary Western.

[Tarin]

TThink Louie LaMoore.sp?

Louis L'Amour. He was born LaMoore, but I guess he must have thought this spelling was more writerly or something. ;)

[Gravity]

Which proves ya don't have to have a manly name to write manly books! :D

[Rozaroad]

Which brings me to another question: To what extent does a book or story have to be overtly Christian in order to be considered "Christian fiction". My point of view is from an orthodox Christian perspective (that is an orthodox view of who Christ is and what he did), but I find my characters are often on the fringe of the faith.

The central character in the story I'm working on is unquestionably masculine in the old west sense -- he's a bull rider (kind of a cliche, I know). But the moral voice of the book is a much older woman who is just as unquestionably a believer, but determinedly unchurched.

I've taught writing and litertature, so I'm familar with genre and style, but I'm uncomfortable working on a project from the standpoint of trying to match my story to a specific genre format. Is it necerssary to do so in order to get an agent or a publisher?

Thanks in advance.