Home

Explore the best Christian fantasy.

articles | news | library | reviews | podcast
Advertise Seek Review Questions?

‘One Piece’ Manga Reaches Chapter 1000: How Did This Pirate Become King?
Articles | L. Jagi Lamplighter, Jan 20, 2021

To Shape a Story is to Shape a Soul
Articles | L.G. McCary, Jan 18, 2021

Author Ted Turnau Finds The Hidden Grace of Pixar’s ‘Soul’
News | E. Stephen Burnett, Jan 15, 2021

Introducing Thriller Novelist and New Lorehaven Writer L. G. McCary
News | Lorehaven, Jan 15, 2021

Join Our Jan. 21 Livestream: How Can We ‘Terraform’ the Church to Enjoy Fantastic Fiction?
News | Lorehaven, Jan 14, 2021

How Political Punditry Has Taken Over Christian Popular Subcultures
Articles | E. Stephen Burnett, Jan 14, 2021

TheOneRing.net Reveals Synopsis for Amazon’s Middle-Earth Streaming Series
News | E. Stephen Burnett, Jan 13, 2021

One Month Left Until the Realm Makers Virtual Retreat, Feb. 11–13
News | E. Stephen Burnett, Jan 11, 2021

Thomas Kinkade Studios Now Making ‘The Mandalorian’ Products
News | E. Stephen Burnett, Jan 8, 2021

Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ Collides with Itself
Articles | Josh Hugo, Jan 8, 2021

Library

Find fantastical Christian novels

fantasy | sci-fi | supernatural and beyond
All novels Search Add a novel
Explore all: Middle-grade books | Young-adult books | Adult books
The Terran Summit, Anna Zogg
The Xerxes Factor, Anna Zogg
The Paradise Protocol, Anna Zogg
The Awakened, Richard Spillman
The Ascension, Richard Spillman
Love's Sacrifice, Kelsey Norman
Unbroken Spirit, Kelsey Norman
Seed: Judgment, Joshua David
The Rooster and the Raven King, John Paul Tucker
Brimstone 1, Jasom William Karpf
The Horse Queen, Lavay Byrd
King of Aethon, Lavay Byrd
Tales of Elhaanai, Nicole Thomas
Still Small Voice, Allen Brokken
Reviews

Find fantastical Christian reviews

All reviews Request review Share review

Flight of the Raven
“Exciting twists make Morgan L. Busse’s Flight of the Raven, book 2 of the Ravenwood Saga, a very enjoyable read.” —Lorehaven

The Eternal Struggle
“Esther Wallace’s novel The Eternal Struggle forms a dark sequel that brings hero and heroine into close fellowship with loss and brutality.” —Lorehaven

Dark is the Night
“Mirriam Neal’s vampire novel Dark is the Night keeps the punches and the fangs rolling.” —Lorehaven

Blood and Bond
“This book is brilliant and engaging, expanding on the series’ world and characters while building its own plot.” —Lorehaven

Podcast

Get the Fantastical Truth podcast

Apple | Google | All subscribe links
Archives Feedback

48. What Were the Top Seven Issues for Lorehaven Readers in 2020?
Fantastical Truth, Jan 19, 2021

47. Why Do Some People Long for Escape to a Galactic Community?
Fantastical Truth, Jan 12, 2021

46. Ten Years Later, Why Did ‘Dawn Treader’ Sink the Narnia Movies? | with Rilian of NarniaWeb
Fantastical Truth, Dec 22, 2020

45. How Can a Wingless Piskey Learn to Fly? | The Flight and Flame Trilogy, with R. J. Anderson
Fantastical Truth, Dec 15, 2020

Webzine

Browse back issues (2018–2020)

Order back issues online!
SpecFaith

The original SpecFaith: est. 2006

site archives | statement of faith
New articles Questions? Pitch to us

What Tolkien Taught About Fighting Evil
Travis Perry, Jan 21

The Messages of Black Horror Films
Parker J. Cole, Jan 20

The Worldview of Biocentrism–You Are One With The Force
Travis Perry, Jan 14

Who Can Put a Price on Daring Love, Loyalty, and Swordsmanship?
Azalea Dabill, Jan 12

Beyond

Find more from Christian creators

Order the book! E. Stephen Burnett

Get exclusive shirts and beyond
in the Lorehaven store

Explore the book The Pop Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for Christ

Does ‘Engaging Popular Culture’ Include Right-Wing Talk Radio?
E. Stephen Burnett, Oct 9

Join My Livestream This Thursday: Seven Ways to Find Truth in Fantastic Stories
E. Stephen Burnett, Oct 6

Home
Library
Reviews
Podcast
Webzine
SpecFaith
Store
Beyond Edit content
Lorehaven serves Christian fans by finding the best of Christian fantasy. Our free webzine, an online library, positive reviews, a thriving blog and community, and weekly podcast episodes help fans explore fantasy, science fiction, and other fantastical genres for the glory of Jesus Christ.
Subscribe free to Lorehaven
/ Articles

Realm Makers 2019: One Hundred Graces, part 4

Time flies, and Realm Makers 2019 is already over a month past. But its graces follow me to the present.
E. Stephen Burnett on Sep 3, 2019 | 3 comments | Series: Realm Makers 2019: One Hundred Graces

It’s been more than a month since Realm Makers 2019. In that time I, personally, have:

  • become a foster dad, and
  • structure-edited my first book—
  • both starting in the same week.

So it’s been crazy. Those plus ongoing production of Lorehaven‘s fall 2019 issue means I’ve delayed in finishing this series that focuses on one hundred graces I found at Realm Makers last July.

Let’s conclude with:

Realm Makers 2019: One hundred graces, 76–100

  1. All the people whom I met, whom I haven’t been able (or haven’t remembered) to include in any of these articles. You’re still an amazing grace that God has gifted me and this whole community.
  2. I could walk in after a long day of traveling and immediately connect with folks.
  3. Last year, I kept crisscrossing the hotel to reach different classroom wings. This time, I was pointed toward a ridiculously simple outdoor shortcut that reduced a two-minute journey to a five-second walk.
  4. When it was time to pack up the bookstore, so many people (even without their own books in the store) pitched in to help.
  5. All the agents and editors who know that (1) fantasy is a difficult sell from Christian publishers, (2) fantasy authors can be a little different, (3) come anyway, and listen to aspiring writers try their best, and treat them with respect and graciousness.
  6. All the organizers seem to have hit a fantastic balance of “fun” and “professionalism.” Surely this is very difficult. Here it’s a Godsend.
  7. Yes, I just love being around all these books. It doesn’t get “old,” even after following the bookstore to at least two major events.
  8. Laurel Anne Hill! This delightful steampunk author, actually sponsored the Realm Makers Bookstore this time. I heard tell that she really wants to support creative stories from other authors. Behold her sweet owl puppet.

  1. H. L. Burke, who finally said to me, “You look just like this TV doppelganger.” She showed me this GIF (of actor Michael Weatherly). And I believed.

  1. Even as the 2019 conference was winding down, next year’s event was already being planned.
  2. In this case, Realm Makers 2020 will take attenders to the Jersey shore, at a casino hotel July 16–18 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
  3. The conference’s theme will likely not be based on that old “Jersey Shore” television “reality” series. (Alas that they’ve already used the mermaid motif for the 2017 event, hosted at the admittedly name-perfect Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno, Nevada.)
  4. Plans call for attenders to actually fly into Philadelphia. Then we’ll ride by bus for about two hours to the Atlantic City resort.
  5. Thus, if you fly in by plane, you get to ride the bus with Christian fantasy writers. (Alas, I may need to drive directly to the location.)
  6. The conference will have great eateries on-site. There will be a seaside boardwalk and everything.
  7. Which means this grace will come with a risk: writing instructors may need to dismiss classes early so students can go play outside.
  8. Hotel costs should be even more affordable than before. For Christian creators wisely stewarding their resources, that’s a big plus.
  9. The keynote speaker is back from the 2016 conference: none other than Thomas Locke (aka T. Davis Bunn).
  10. Conference registration is still amazingly affordable, and the organizers plan to keep it that way.
  11. Every year the conference gets a little bigger. So does the “movement.” But it’s not so big that it’s lost any personality.
  12. If there are any closed-off “cliques,” I’m unaware of them. Or maybe I’m blind, or just (at least) a casual-member of every single one. Either way, my own experience confirms that you’ll not be finding any mean girls at Realm Makers any time soon.
  13. Even when you get home, the conference continues because you can still stay in touch with friends and fellow Christian fantasy-fans. Even as I write this, I’m messaging with a friend and fellow Realm Makers member.
  14. You can do the same, thanks to the providential gift of social media, SMS, and contact by plain phone or email.
  15. Please do the same with me, especially as things are about to get even more interesting for me in 2020, career-wise. . . .
  16. For the 2020 event, I’ll likely have more to showcase, not just on behalf of Lorehaven magazine, but with a brand-new nonfiction book. Even if you’re not a writer or a conference attender, you’ll be invited to a Saturday night showcase of books, authors, and book-signing. So, if you’re anywhere near Atlantic City on July 18, 2020, please, ignore those “New Jersey, HAW HAW”–type jokes. Come visit us at Realm Makers!

At Realm Makers 2019 last July, from left: author and Lorehaven columnist Marian Jacobs, myself, and novelist/Lorehaven book clubs chief Steve Rzasa.

E. Stephen Burnett

E. Stephen Burnett creates sci-fi and fantasy as well as nonfiction, such as The Pop Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for Christ (coauthored with Ted Turnau and Jared Moore, from New Growth Press). Stephen explores biblical truth and fantastic stories as publisher of Lorehaven.com and cohost of the Fantastical Truth podcast. He and his wife, Lacy, live in the Austin area, help with foster parenting, and serve as members of Southern Hills Baptist Church.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter |
  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Pocket
  • WhatsApp
  1. notleia says:
    September 3, 2019 at 7:42 am

    CASINO hotel???!? *faux church lady gasp*

    Reply
    • Brennan McPherson says:
      September 3, 2019 at 11:09 am

      HAH! K, I actually laughed out loud at that one.

      Reply
  2. L.A. Smith says:
    September 3, 2019 at 11:39 am

    Gosh I would sure love to go to one of these. Living in Western Canada makes it difficult…maybe 2021 in the Pacific Northwest? 😉
    And while I have my Make-A-Wish hat on, how about a special rate for Canadians who have to cope with an abysmal exchange rate? 🙏🏻

    Reply

What do you think? Cancel reply

  • Realm Makers 2019: One Hundred Graces, part 1Realm Makers 2019: One Hundred Graces, part 1
  • Realm Makers 2019: One Hundred Graces, part 2Realm Makers 2019: One Hundred Graces, part 2
  • A Post-Realm Makers ReportA Post-Realm Makers Report
  • Get a Glimpse of Lorehaven's Summer 2019 Issue, Which Arrives Next MonthGet a Glimpse of Lorehaven's Summer 2019 Issue, Which Arrives Next Month
Lorehaven magazine, winter 2020

Wear the wonder:
Get exclusive shirts and beyond

Listen to Lorehaven’s podcast

Authors: Reach new fans with Lorehaven