Inspirational fiction is a sub-category within the broader categories of "inspirational literature" or "inspirational writing." It has become more common for booksellers and libraries to consider inspirational fiction to be a separate genre, classifying and shelving books accordingly. Reasons for this include the increased popularity of inspirational fiction in recent years, and the appeal of inspirational fiction beyond readers of the genre that these books would otherwise be classified in.

Definition and classification

Libraries are increasingly recognizing and using the categories of inspirational writing and inspirational fiction, although there is no universally accepted definition for these categories. Some books obviously fit into the category of inspirational writing, such as the ''

Chicken Soup for the Soul Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment is an American self-help, consumer goods and media company based in Cos Cob, Connecticut. It is known for the ''Chicken Soup for the Soul'' book series. The first book, like most subsequent titles in the ...

'' series, which was explicitly written to inspire readers by means of true anecdotes. While the subgenre of inspirational fiction is not considered a rigorous category by many libraries, it is frequently used. Possible criteria that have been suggested as categorizing a book as inspirational fiction include novels whose main purpose is depict an example of change in the life of a major characters in order to inspire readers to make such changes in their own life. For example, one library explains its list of "inspirational fiction" books with the statement, "Any good book can be an inspiration, but many of these books highlight people overcoming adversity or reaching new levels of understanding. Whether they pull themselves up by their own bootstraps or have help from a higher power, these books will uplift and entertain you." Classifying a book as inspirational fiction based on the effect on the reader is difficult since personal choice, taste and even personal beliefs are factors that affect the way a book can "inspire" a reader. For example, a study of inspirational literature by Professor

Lisa Jardine Lisa Anne Jardine (née Bronowski; 12 April 1944 – 25 October 2015) was a British historian of the early modern period. From 1990 to 2011, she was Centenary Professor of Renaissance Studies and Director of the Centre for Editing Lives and ...

in 2006 revealed that gender may also be a factor in a reader's reaction to inspirational literature.

Sub-genres

Some libraries have begun to classify some books written in other genres as inspirational fiction.InspirationalFictionforTeens.pdf Inspirational Fiction for Teens.
Appleton Public Library. The

American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with 49,727 members ...

's''The Readers Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction'' lists "inspirational" as a subgenre in every type of fiction it discusses, e.g. Romance or Westerns. Another method of categorization is to divide inspirational fiction into these subgenres, e.g. Inspirational Romance Fiction, Inspirational Western Fiction. Due to the absence of strict rules for categorizing books as inspirational fiction, libraries often include explanations or disclaimers when using this category, such as this example: "Please note: The books listed here cover a wide variety of genres and types, from traditional inspirational fiction authors such as June Masters Bacher and Janette Oke, to thrillers such as those written by Paul Meier and fantasy and science fiction titles by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. In addition, many titles address issues of faith from unconventional viewpoints. Some readers may question the suitability of titles that do not fit their personal view of what constitutes inspirational fiction; we simply ask that you keep in mind that individual readers' tastes vary." One library distinguishes between inspirational fiction and the smaller category of religious fiction by noting that "inspirational fiction is more broad based. Instead of dwelling on the religious aspects of faith, they emphasize morals, values and life lessons."

Christian fiction

In the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

and

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by to ...

the term "inspirational fiction" is often used to refer exclusively to "religious fiction," "faith-based fiction," or more narrowly "Christian fiction", which focuses on Christian values. Christian fiction is most frequently written for the evangelical Protestant market,Neal, Lynn S. ''Romancing God: Evangelical Women and Inspirational Fiction.'' University of North Carolina Press, 2006.
Through Google Books
'' although some examples of inspirational fiction have been written to appeal to Roman Catholic or Orthodox Christian readers. Janette Oke is considered to be one of the earliest and most prolific of writers in this category. Her books often focus on individuals, very often pioneers in the early West, who must draw upon a sense and awareness of faith to overcome adversity.

Theological fiction

Theological fiction Theological fiction is fictional writing which shapes people's attitudes towards theological beliefs. It is typically ''instructional'' or ''exploratory'' rather than descriptive, and it engages specifically with the theoretical ideas which underl ...

"is fictional writing which shapes people's attitudes towards

theological Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the s ...

beliefs A belief is an attitude that something is the case, or that some proposition is true. In epistemology, philosophers use the term "belief" to refer to attitudes about the world which can be either true or false. To believe something is to take i ...

. It is typically ''instructional'' or ''exploratory'' rather than descriptive, and it engages specifically with the theoretical ideas which underly and shape typical responses to

religion Religion is usually defined as a social- cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relates humanity to supernatur ...

." Authors associated with theological fiction include

C. S. Lewis Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963) was a British writer and Anglican lay theologian. He held academic positions in English literature at both Oxford University (Magdalen College, 1925–1954) and Cambridge Univer ...

and

George MacDonald George MacDonald (10 December 1824 – 18 September 1905) was a Scottish author, poet and Christian Congregational minister. He was a pioneering figure in the field of modern fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow writer Lewis Carroll ...

Visionary fiction

Some writers, including psychotherapist and author, Michael Gurrian, are promoting the term "

visionary fiction Visionary fiction is a fiction genre with New Age or mind, body, spirit themes and perspectives, including consciousness expansion, spirituality, mysticism, and parapsychology. It is sometimes classed as a subtype of speculative fiction. Ex ...

" for some inspirational fiction, Gurian describes this subgenre as "fiction in which the expansion of the human mind drives the plot." Books like Gurian's own ''The Miracle: A Visionary Novel'' and Michael Murphy's ''

Golf in the Kingdom ''Golf in the Kingdom'' is a 1971 novel by Michael Murphy. It has sold over a million copies and been translated into 19 languages. ''Golf in the Kingdom'' tells the story of Michael Murphy, a young traveler who accidentally stumbles on a mystica ...

'' have been suggested for this category. Other authors associated with visionary fiction include Theresa Crater and Jodine Turner.

Gentle fiction

Another category that is sometimes associated with "inspirational fiction" is "gentle fiction," which is often used to identify works categorized by a lack of profanity and portrayal of explicit sex or violence, and which lull readers into a good, thoughtful read. Novels that explore with charm and humor the everyday joys, frustrations, and sorrows of lives quietly led are often categorized as "gentle reads".Adult Reading Round Table, Rolling Meadows Library, Rolling Meadows, IL
/ref> Authors associated with gentle fiction include

Maeve Binchy Anne Maeve Binchy Snell (28 May 1939Born 1939 as per biography, ''Maeve Binchy'' by Piers Dudgeon, Thomas Dunne Books 2013; (hardcover), pp. 4, 280, 302; (ebook) – 30 July 2012) was an Irish novelist, playwright, short story writer, colum ...

, Ann Bates Ross,

Patrick Taylor Patrick or Pat Taylor may refer to: * Patrick Taylor (American football) (born 1998), American football running back * Patrick Taylor (author) (born 1941), Irish-Canadian author and doctor * Patrick Taylor (politician) (1862–1922), Australian po ...

Lisa Wingate Lisa Wingate (born 1965 in Germany) is an American writer. Biography As a youngster, Lisa was inspired by a teacher who said she could expect to be a writer some day. Lisa lives and write in Texas. ''Before We Were Yours'' remained on the N ...

, and

Jan Karon Jan Karon is an American novelist who writes for both adults and young readers. She is the author of the ''New York Times''-bestselling Mitford novels, featuring Father Timothy Kavanagh, an Episcopal priest, and the fictional village of Mitford. H ...

References

External links

List of Inspirational Fiction, Library Services, Irving, Texas
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140228173114/http://www.provolibrary.com/inspirational-fiction List of inspirational fiction by religious category -- Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Mormon, and others -- and non-religious, Provo City Library, Utah.]
List of "Gentle Fiction -- Not Religious", Public Library, Lansing, Michigan
{{DEFAULTSORT:Inspirational Fiction Catholic novels Christian literature Christianity in fiction Fiction about religion Novels about religion