by Jason Joyner | Feb 6, 2019 | awards, Blog, fiction, speculative fiction
It’s been a whirlwind start to the new year already. I can’t believe it is February already.
I hope the year is going well for all of you out there. I’m thankful to say that it has been a good start of the year for my book Launch that came out last July. I received two bits of news I wanted to share.
First of all, I found out that Launch tied for Gold in the young adult fiction category for the Illumination Book Awards, highlighting the best in books written with a Christian worldview. That was an amazing piece of news. I was also excited to find I tied with my writer friend Gillian Bronte Adams and her fantasy book Song of Leira. Gillian’s an amazing writer, so sharing the award with her is an honor.
The next week continued the good news. The INSPY’s are the blogger’s award for faith-driven fiction. They came out with their longlists, the top ten books for each category, and Launch made it in the YA category. All books have to be nominated and voted by readers, so it was an honor to have enough people nominate Launch that I made the cut. When I look at all the authors who are nominated, it is such an esteemed group.
It’s been an adventure having a book out for readers to discover and enjoy. If you’ve read Launch, leaving a review on Amazon and telling friends is the best thing for an author.
Book 2 is being worked on as we speak. The editor is wielding her red pen, and I expect to be working on revisions soon. While waiting, I’m already working on book 3. The trilogy is coming together. I hope to have more news soon.
I’m going to try to blog more in 2019. If there’s any topics you’d like to discuss, leave a comment below. I’ll leave you with a question – what’s a book you’re looking forward to reading this year?
by Jason Joyner | Oct 3, 2018 | Blog, books, fiction, speculative fiction
Huzzah! I have finally hit 1000 followers on Twitter. To all the bots who follow me, I thank you.
Seriously, it’s just one marker out there on social media, but it’s a pretty cool landmark. And I’m in the mood to celebrate.
This summer I released my debut YA superhero novel, Launch. I’ve had a great time connecting with readers over it and seeing it in the hands of people. So I want to give a copy of Launch away to keep it going.
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL.
I have two talented friends, John W. Otte and Matt Mikalatos who have ALSO written some awesome superhero books: Failstate and Capeville.
So the winner will receive a copy of ALL THREE BOOKS.
You can find out more about the contest here. You get an entry just for signing up, and bonus chances for things like following me on Instagram or signing up for my newsletter (where you can win more prizes this month, shhh, don’t tell).
If you like Marvel, DC, the Incredibles, or are fans of cool adventurous fiction, then sign up for this trifecta of goodness. You won’t be disappointed.
by Jason Joyner | Jun 4, 2018 | #specficfaith, Blog
Do you feel like it is the summer of superheroes?
I sure do. It got an early start with Avengers: Infinity War coming to theaters in late April. Even though I won’t watch 
Deadpool, that’s another movie that just released. Han Solo may not have the Force, but he’s got the scoundrel’s luck to propel him to his own stand-alone Star Wars movie. Then we’ve got another Marvel movie in Ant-Man and the Wasp in July. The best Pixar movie finally gets a sequel when The Incredibles 2 hits theaters this month.
That’s just in the cinema. This week a new comic book based show opens on Freeform, Cloak and Dagger, developed from a cult favorite Marvel duo. There’s still all the superhero shows on The CW and Agents of SHIELD as well.
Oh, and there’s a book coming out that has superpowered teens. More about that in a minute…
Pop culture has exploded with superheroes. Special effects have finally caught up to the imaginations of comic book artists and writers. Instead of a buff Lou Ferrigno in green body paint in the 70s (Google the original Incredible Hulk), we have gods like Thor and Wonder Woman running around with guys bit by spiders and men dressing up as a bat accompanied by graphics that do justice to the source material. The explosion of movies, TV shows, and cross marketing with video games, Pop Funkos, and other products have caused us to be inundated with these costumed crusaders.
Is it too much?
I hope not, because I have a book coming out on July 3rd, my debut YA superhero novel called Launch. It deals with teens who develop special abilities who are gathered at a special conference hosted by a tech billionaire – a man with his own gifts and a desire to change the world with the teens he’s invited.
Maybe I have good timing. I have an easy opportunity to cross-promote my book with all these superhero properties coming out.
Then again, is there going to be superhero fatigue? Are people getting tired of these different heroes in colorful costumes?
The Cloak and Dagger series interests me because, like the show and its comic book source material, my book has a blonde girl and African-American male as my protagonists, and even some of the powers seem similar at first glance.
What does a writer do?
I can’t help but think that the timing is not by accident. I’m not going to worry about too many capes, or similarities to other properties out there. The Teacher in Ecclesiastes said that there was nothing new under the sun. Experts in writing and creativity note this as well – we aren’t writing new stories. We’re taking things we like from other tales, putting our spin on them, and putting them out there for audiences to enjoy.
I like my story. It’s got adventure, geeky references, fun characters, high stakes, and hints of romance. Anything from Indiana Jones to comic book heroes to Doctor Who influenced me in writing it. So if a literary take on the world of superpowers sounds intriguing to you, I hope you’ll give Launch a chance on July 3rd.
As far as I know, there’s no new movie releasing that day…
by Jason Joyner | Jan 23, 2018 | #specficfaith, Blog, Uncategorized
Why do I read Christian speculative fiction?
I’ve always loved stories. As a kid I would daydream about being the hero and saving the day. I created scenarios with my G.I. Joes and Star Wars figures, making up adventures where the good guys struggled and prevailed. I also grew up on superheroes and comic books. The idea of special abilities appealed to me, a boy who was usually the youngest and smallest in my classes. What if I had a power that no one could see?
Some people think that there’s no place for fantasy or science fiction with a Christian worldview. The idea of magic is conflated with the idea of the prohibition of witchcraft in the Old Testament. Science fiction could be construed as going against God’s plan. Why would we go to the stars if the rapture is coming soon?
I read all sorts of stories as long as they’re well-told, but I do particularly enjoy when I can read a well-written story from a Christian perspective or with that moral foundation to it. I believe that there can be a seamless blend of a Christian worldview along with exciting stories of far-flung lands or distant worlds.
Fantasy can offer a clear view of good and evil—or it can explore the greys and the challenges in staying pure. A story can have a theme of sacrifice or perseverance that enhances those Biblical ideals without getting preachy about it. I believe magic can be used in stories if the consequences are reflected as well. The Chronicles of Narnia use the idea of a Deeper Magic that reflects the underlying power of God in creation, something greater than the White Witch’s power.
Science fiction has long been able to offer a critique of society and its priorities. Classics like Fahrenheit 451 warn of a future where books are forbidden. Why can’t a Christian be able to use such settings to speak prophetic truth to a world in need of change?
I believe that as long as a work of fiction doesn’t glorify what the Bible calls evil, it can be used to reflect his light and truth, whether allegorically, directly, or indirectly. There is room for quality stories that echo Christian principles. I am convinced that there is a place and a need for these stories.
As C.S. Lewis so eloquently said, “I thought I saw how stories of this kind could steal past a certain inhibition which had paralyzed much of my own religion in childhood. Why did one find it so hard to feel as one was told one ought to feel about God or about the sufferings of Christ? I thought the chief reason was that one was told one ought to. An obligation to feel can freeze feelings. And reverence itself did harm. The whole subject was associated with lowered voices; almost as if it were something medical. But supposing that by casting all these things into an imaginary world, stripping them of their stained-glass and Sunday school associations, one could make them for the first time appear in their real potency? Could one not thus steal past those watchful dragons? I thought one could.”
So today I’m joining with other fans of Christian speculative fiction to celebrate the stories. There are some great resources out there to help you find and enjoy these type of tales.
I just will share two today. Enclave Publishing is the premier publisher of Christian speculative fiction, although other houses are producing great books too. Then check out Speculative Faith/Lorehaven for a great resource building community for fans.
I’m passionate about seeing these stories get wider awareness. Look on Twitter for the hashtag #SpecFicFaith to see more people posting about this. I’ll leave you with another classic quote from G.K. Chesterton:
“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”
by Jason Joyner | Nov 14, 2017 | Blog, reviews
In a world where wars and disease have decimated the population, Collin Mann’s small city holds on for survival. He buries the people who succumb to the Sickness, which claims everyone before they turn thirty. Being a grave-digger is the only way Collin feels he can contribute, because he’s not brave and strong like his brother Ethan, one of the protectors of the city.
Felicity is a teacher who watches over the children of the town, even though she is still young herself. When the leader of the city dies, she is thrust into the leadership void. However, she has a secret she is determined to protect as much as her people.
When the Saetos, the blood-thirsty hillsman, make a push to seize the city and kidnap people, Collin is forced to step up. Can he prove his bravery and become a savior for the people he cares about? Will Felicia be able to lead her people through the crisis, or will the city fall, along with all hope for the future?
The story Charles Franklin weaves is a potent mix of world-building, action, and drama. The society is a rich setting where a lot of conflict bubbles out of the surroundings. There is no shortage of excitement and action. Yesterday in my interview with him, Charles said he loves the thrills of Robert Ludlum, and it is evident.
The reader is sucked into the challenges faced by Collin, Felicia, and the other characters. There are surprises that will keep a reader guessing through 
the whole story. And just when you think things can’t worse for everyone, Charles turns the screws and makes the reader feel the pain.
Overall, this book is a strong debut and sets the stage for a trilogy that should continue to up the stakes and thrill readers. It is a book recommended for fans for Christian YA and dystopian stories.
You can order Children of the Forgotten here.
by Jason Joyner | Nov 13, 2017 | Blog
My friend Charles Franklin is a YA author who is releasing his debut book,
Children of the Forgotten. It’s an exciting story of a dystopian world where a city of survivors are looking for hope, and they’ll find it in unlikely places. I’m going to do a review tomorrow, but today here’s Charles telling me about his inspiration:
What inspired you to write this story?
Post-apocalyptic stories are some of my favorite, and I always enjoy how the characters fight against whatever foe has caused this end-of-the-world scenario. As a fan of these stories, though, I found myself wanting to tell my own tale and fill it with faith. Plenty of authors have done it, and done it well, but I hope I put a bit of a different twist on it!
What do you hope people are going to get out of your story?
I want them to know that, even when it seems like the world is ending, it’s not. Each of us is fighting a battle, and some days the enemy seems to be winning. But, this is not true. We serve an awesome, powerful God, Who only has good things in store for us. One of my favorite lines from the novel is, “All is lost. All is gone. But this one thing: hope.” I hope my readers remember that when things sometimes seem too much to bear.
What are some of your favorite authors?
I’ll start with the usual for a fantasy author, and say Tolkien and Lewis. In addition to them, though, I read a lot of Anne Rice and I’ve always given her credit for helping me fall in love with stories. There was just something about how she brought her characters to life in a way that made me fear, yet love them. Robert Ludlum introduced me to action thrillers, and is a big influence on a novel that I’ll talk a bit more about in a later question!
What’s a secret pleasure you use to motivate yourself as a writer to get through a tricky spot?
I’m really big on music as inspiration, and when I’m writing I’m normally on some type of movie score channel since music with lyrics distracts me. So…when I hit a tricky spot, I’ll usually turn up the movie score station, close my eyes, and picture a scene from my book. This is almost always an instant pick-me-up and helps me at least get a scene on the page. It can always be edited after that!
What’s a real world thing you’ve done that found its way into your book?
Having a military background, I tried to use my past experiences when I wrote a fight or battle scene. I’ve always wondered how some stories can have a really detailed fight scene when, in reality, things are moving so quickly that the details are often fuzzy at best! I also know that readers need to see everything that’s happening, so there’s a balance between making the scene fast-paced, exciting, and also descriptive enough. I hope I was able to do that.
What are you working on next?
There are still two more books left in the Anistemi Series, so I’m currently working on Book 2 (Title TBD!). When I take breaks from that, I’ll be working on the Ludlum-inspired action thriller that I hinted at earlier. There aren’t a ton of details to share yet, but I can tell you that it is focused on combating human trafficking. Think Charlie’s Angels meets X-men. 😉
Charles Franklin grew up in Mineral Wells, Texas. Following a 22-year Army career including plenty of middle-east combat, he lives in Texas with his beautiful wife and three children and is starting a new career as a middle-school teacher. As an author, he enjoys telling tales of adventure filled with faith and purpose. When he’s not writing, he enjoys spending precious time with his family. Find him online and get a free short-story prequel to his Anistemi series at CharlesFranklinAuthor.com
by Jason Joyner | Sep 22, 2017 | Blog, superheroes, Uncategorized, YA series
It’s a few days from my birthday, but an amazing present came early.
I am so excited to announce that I’ve signed a 3 book contract with Little Lamb Books for my YA superhero series!
This came about in an unexpected way. I participated in #FaithPitch on Twitter, an online pitching opportunity in July. I’ve done this before and had a few nibbles, but no real bites with either my adult suspense or my YA.
I got tagged by Little Lamb Books, and I had noticed them from the same thing the year before. I could see they had developed and grown their author list. The timing was crazy busy with a lot of family stuff going on, but in a couple weeks I was able to get their requested submission together.
After I sent that off, I was asked to call Rachel, the founder and publisher. Of course, it would just be a little get to know you session.
How could I expect to get an offer that day?
That was crazy enough, but it was also cool how God orchestrated things. Listening to Rachel, I really felt a match with her vision. She brought up things that my wife and I talked about regarding ways to promote the book.
So with a little discussion and negotiation, we ended up at this point today.
Right now the first book has the tentative title of Launch. Finalizing titles and working on edits will be the first steps. We’re looking at a 2018 release date.
I’ll be posting more updates along the road. The first details will come to my author newsletter, and you can sign up here. You can read about Rachel’s side of the journey at the Little Lamb Books announcement.
Overall, it’s the beginning of an exciting journey. I can’t wait to show you the world of Launch. It promises to be a wild ride. 
by Jason Joyner | Sep 18, 2017 | Blog, Uncategorized
Something is coming. Watch for details.
by Jason Joyner | Dec 8, 2016 | Blog, love, Uncategorized
Twenty years ago, a modern love story began.
Two people had grown up together, through church and school. Her mother taught both of them in Sunday School and youth group. They didn’t run in the same crowd at school, but being in an area where few shared their beliefs, they had a connection there because of their faith.
She was popular, in student government and choir. He was a little awkward, in band and drama. He was shy, but asked her to prom – only because he knew she was so nice she wouldn’t say no. Otherwise he probably wouldn’t have had a date. They had fun, but it was just as friends.
She was a year older than him in school. When she graduated, she went to Youth With a Mission for their Discipleship Training School in Lakeside, Montana. He was a little lost without his good friend that year, but ended up following in her footsteps, also going to YWAM after his graduation.
When he returned, they both attended the local university, carpooling together the first year. She didn’t like it when he was snooty about having to listen to country music. He wasn’t amused when she and her friends all got in the back of his car and treated him as their chauffeur. Sometimes they seemed to bicker like brother and sister, but they remained friends through it all.
She found that she could even call on him-when he was about to sit down to a hot plate of homemade macaroni and cheese-while she was being chased by a vicious spider. He arrived at her house, only a few blocks away, to find her standing on the kitchen counter using a broom to fend off the ferocious arachnid. A well-placed sandal ended the threat.
After a couple of years he decided he needed something radical in his spiritual life, and signed up for a Bible school program through YWAM – in Australia. She is one of the last people he spends time with before leaving. He even calls her from Oz, since he has some extra time on his phone card. But she wasn’t expecting a call from overseas, so she asks, “Who is this?”
After 9 months he came back from Down Under, and their friendship resumed. She noticed that he had matured in his time away. He had always honored their relationship so much that he never dared to make it more, because he didn’t want to scare her off.
Over the next year, they continue their friendship. Best friends now, they start working together at a local restaurant. But when asked if he’s ever thought of dating her, he replies that “they’re just like brother and sister.” When you’re both in your early twenties, and some of the only singles around in your church in a small town, that automatic pairing is inevitable. However, they both share a strong passion for the Lord, and they try as best to let Him guide their lives.
Their college studies are coming into focus: she is majoring in education, and he is trying to get into the physician assistant program. December arrives and he’s dealing with finals in fun classes like anatomy, physiology, and organic chemistry. English papers aren’t the highest priority, so on a Sunday he is holed up in his basement most the day to research and write his next assignment. He might have been farther along, but his mind was distracted by what she said after church.
“I need to talk to you about something. But I can’t do it right now.”
Isn’t that maddening?
“Well, when are you going to tell me? What if I call you when I get my research done?”
“Okay.”
He finds that he can’t concentrate, and his overactive imagination is spinning with different possibilities. Finally he gets enough done where he figures he can take a break and give her the long awaited phone call. Despite all his imaginings, he can’t expect what would happen next.
“Remember how you said we were like brother and sister?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, my feelings for you have changed.”
Pause. “What do you mean?”
“I like you more than a friend.”
That may not be the most amazing line ever spoken in a romantic film, but it was the most wonderful thing I have ever heard. This woman, who was my ideal, had just opened a door that I could not have ever hoped would open. She is beautiful. She loves the Lord with all her heart. She is sweet and kind, tender and caring. Her smile lights up a room, but she could also speak with God’s fire when moved.
So our courtship began. Being good friends, we knew that this wasn’t a trifle. The next day I fasted and prayed and the Lord spoke Proverbs 18:22 to me. Wow.
It wasn’t easy to be single and waiting. Both of us railed against that at times, but mercifully Jesus kept us hidden in His hand, keeping us from any serious entanglements, keeping us pure.
March 28, 1998, was the day that we were joined into one, and that day will always be special. But our journey started 20 years ago. The day we fell in love.
I love you Beccy. Always and forever.
by Jason Joyner | Mar 31, 2016 | Blog, Uncategorized
Hey y’all. I’m pleased to help my author friend Amy Brock McNew with her cover reveal for her debut book, Rebirth. Check out the awesome cover and a synopsis below. The book is available on May 24!
Liz Brantley has a gift she wants to return.
Able to see and fight demonic forces, she has spent her life alone, battling the minions of hell bent on her destruction, running from the God who gave her this curse. The demon
Markus, drawn to her abilities, unleashes havoc on her hometown and pulls Liz further into the throes of battle.
She’s desperate for a normal life.
When she meets a mysterious man who seems unaware of the mystical realm that haunts her, the life she’s always wanted flits within reach. But her slice of normal slips from her grasp when an old flame, Ryland Vaughn, reappears with secrets of his own. Secrets that will alter her destiny.
Torn between two worlds, Liz is caught in an ancient war between good and evil.
And she isn’t sure which side to choose.
Author bio:
Amy Brock McNew doesn’t just write speculative fiction, she lives and breathes it. Exploring the strange, the supernatural, and the wonderfully weird, Amy pours her guts onto the pages she writes, honestly and brutally revealing herself in the process. Nothing is off-limits. Her favorite question is “what if?” and she believes fiction can be truer than our sheltered and controlled realities.
