Christian Women Don’t Read Men

Posted by Dale Cramer on March 27, 2012

It’s true. The vast majority of fiction sold through the Christian market is bought by women, and I have long suspected that many of these women actively avoid novels written by men. This particular observation seeped into my steel-trap mind after reading hundreds, maybe even dozens, of reader reviews that began with the disclaimer, “I normally never pick up a book written by a man…” However, since the name Dale is androgynous, it’s possible a fair number of them may have discovered my books entirely by accident, such as those who plainly state that they wouldn’t have read me in the first place if they’d known I was a man.* Sometimes these women come right out and tell us why they don’t read men, and not surprisingly it’s usually some variant of, “I don’t care to read another novel about a steely-eyed, broad-shouldered, swashbuckling James Bond type who mows down bad guys like a hay scythe and rescues damsels in distress.” This is perfectly understandable. Those books can be trite and predictable.

If sales are any indicator, what the average reader of Christian fiction really wants is something more intellectually stimulating and unpredictable. Like romance. This is not surprising either, when you think about it. Christian fiction (fiction published by evangelical Christian publishing houses) has only been around for thirty-five years or so. For many years they published only nonfiction: Bibles, Bible studies, inspirational true stories, biographies, memoirs, etc. In the beginning there was darkness on the face of Christian publishing, until one day Bethany House said, “Let there be prairie romance.”

And then there was fiction. It sold very well, and they saw that it was good, so other publishers sought out romance writers and their lines became more diversified. Christian fiction broadened its horizons and began to appear in vastly different forms, like historical romance, contemporary romance, Amish romance, and chick-lit romance. Their readership grew, and they saw that it was good.

Then one day Crossway said, “It is not good that romance should be alone.” So they gambled a rib and published Frank Peretti. Suddenly there was a man writing Christian fiction, and millions of romance readers rushed to see this strange new thing. It sold well, and the publishers saw that it was good, so they sought out other male writers, some of whom made a name for themselves. But, being men, they wrote stories with car chases and explosions (and very little romance), and before long the traditional readers of Christian fiction grew hungry for petulant heroines in hoop skirts. After the briefest infatuation the vast hordes of female readers quietly returned to their pastel tomes with curlicue lavender-chrome titles. They wanted stories written by women. About women. For women. They wanted romance.

One by one, the male writers went away sorrowful. Only the ones with day jobs remained.

In the twilight of the millennium Tyndale published the Left Behind series and the whole world clamored for it out of curiosity— the heathen hordes longing to know more about this rapture thing, just in case. Millions of these people were ordinarily readers of general market fiction, and several of them were men. When they were finished with the Left Behind series a few of these men went looking for something else to read in the Christian fiction section. Inevitably, the testosterone fog parted for a moment and they suddenly found themselves in a sea of pastel books with big-head women on the covers, some of them wearing bonnets. The men slunk away hiding their faces, as if they’d accidentally wandered into the middle of the lingerie department.

It’s a circular problem. A publisher will tell you they don’t publish fiction for men because men don’t buy books. A man will tell you he doesn’t read Christian fiction because it’s all too pastel.

Even I don’t know what to do about it.

*A common mistake. After all these years I’m convinced my own wife didn’t know I was a man when she married me. It’s the only possible explanation.

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34 Comment(s)

I have two responses to this:
1) Well, that settles it. You’ll have to use Dalia Cramer as a pen name.
2) What about Gilbert Morris and Jack Cavanaugh?

At any rate, I tell everybody how much I enjoy your books, so please don’t let the female-dominated market stop you!

Julia
Mar 27, 2012 | Reply
Well said, Dale. Just so you know, there is hope–there are women out there who seek the male author. I’d much rather read you, Charles Martin, Steven James, Tim Downs, & Chris Fabry … I could go on. Men give us fascinating stories without the gush. No pastel covers & lavender titles for me. As my 16 year old son says, “Give me big booms and explosions.”

Brenda Anderson
Mar 27, 2012 | Reply
Ah, Dale. I’ve long maintained – at least in the last 5 years – that the CBA publishing houses are out of touch with Christian readers as a whole. They’ve secured their standard (and exceedingly vocal) demographic that you describe here and have only dabbled their toes in the waters of writers who dare to move beyond their formulaic romance stories. The authors named above by Brenda with the addition of Robert Liparulo, J. Mark Bertrand, and Tom Morrisey are my standard fare.

The irony here is I write love stories. Real love stories that don’t pass some of the stringent criteria for romances in CBA. They’re not graphic and they’re definitely Christian novels, but, alas, the reality of sexual issues is taboo. It’s a rare romance story that now gets my attention.

All that to say I feel your pain but rest assured I’ve heard nothing but high praise for your work. However, part of my rebellious protest to some of the CBA choices for their publishing endeavors absolutely forbids me to read ANYTHING associated with bonnet books. Period. Or prairie romances. Etc. My loss in your case, I’m sure.

There are a lot of us out here who prefer novels written by good male writers. We just aren’t given any recognition by the CBA crowd.

Nicole
Mar 27, 2012 | Reply
@Nicole:
Nicole, for what it’s worth I believe the publishers have done everything they can for the writers you mention. I know they have supported me without reservation. The only other thing I would say to you is, please make an exception to your no-bonnet rule and read Levi’s Will. If you’re disappointed I will personally refund the purchase price. It’s not really a bonnet book.

Dale Cramer
Mar 27, 2012 | Reply
I would agree that these particular writers have been supported by their publishers, but I still believe the prevailing “attitude” is women won’t read novels written by men and women won’t read “romances” with male protagonists. (I write with male protagonists.)

I’ll seriously consider your request, Dale. And if I read it, I’ll review it on my blog, etc. Fair enough?

Nicole
Mar 27, 2012 | Reply
I read story’s wrote by men, there are some very good male writers out there. romances is good , but it has to have some suspense in, the story for me. and most of the time my DH, and I read the same books .

jel
Mar 27, 2012 | Reply
You married a smart woman, Mr. Cramer. I’m confident she knew what she was doing.

The sex of the writer is not as important to me as the quality of the work.

Michelle Ule
Mar 27, 2012 | Reply
I have read every book so far, and Dale, you tell a story. They are so good, the stories should be made into Hallmark Movies. From the first opening sentence the story takes you in. I find I can read these books in two to three days. Then I can’t wait for the next one. You dig deep to bring these characters to life. It all appears to be real, and very believable. Keep on writing, and we will keep on reading. You have a God given talent….. Jean

Jean Liben
Mar 27, 2012 | Reply
And that’s the reason why you should be published in mainstream fiction–Then you’d be accessible to readers of all genders.

FWIW, I never judge a book by the gender of the author. It’s the story and writing that sells me.

Elise

Elise S.
Mar 27, 2012 | Reply
What about Ted Dekker? Definitely male. Definitely fiction, and yes Christian.

mryutzy
Mar 28, 2012 | Reply
Ahh, Dale, we are out there, really we are!! I read a lot of fiction by women, as you know from my blog, but I adore reading male authors including all the ones listed above. Let me add James Rubart, John Olson, Mark Mynheir, Travis Thrasher, Jeff Struecker and Cliff Graham

Nicole ~ I reiterate Dale’s request to read Levi’s Will and add Bad Ground to it – one I think you would love and not a bonnet in sight

We also shouldn’t forget those women who write “big booms and explosions” – get your hands on Ronie Kendig’s military thrillers and you will see not all romance need be lavender and lace!

Rel Mollet
Mar 28, 2012 | Reply
@mryutzy:
Yes, Dekker has done well. But he’s an exception, and he has long since moved on to a general market publisher, as has Charles Martin.

Dale Cramer
Mar 28, 2012 | Reply
Why in the world would any serious reader care so much about an author’s gender?

Jay DiNitto
Mar 28, 2012 | Reply
Very well stated. I used to have dreams of writing for the Christian market but have since realized that, as a male, I should go to the general market. I was also one of the original book reviewers for the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. But after the book options became overwhelmingly pastel (as you call it) I stepped away. On a last note, I was looking at the bargain rack for fiction at the Christian bookstore and found that a large number of those books were written by male authors, many of whom have been listed in the comments. It was just another sign that the Christian market equals romances written by female authors.

Sean
Mar 28, 2012 | Reply
I followed a tweeted link over here by Mike Duran (he’s always trying to distract me) Very clever, Dale! Made me laugh.

Most of my favorite authors are male, but then, I don’t read much CBA at all…as they don’t provide the type of pastel-less books I prefer.

I’m going to head over and check yours out, though!

Rachel
Mar 28, 2012 | Reply
if we are naming names, here are a few more to thow into the pot.

Don Reid, Richard Paul Evans, Tom Bibey, and Harry Kraus, they are very good writer’s .

jel
Mar 28, 2012 | Reply
Thanks for the additional affirmations for Dale’s work, Rel. Love Mark Mynheir and Travis Thrasher. Looks like Mark Young’s an up-and-comer too. And Harry Kraus.

Nicole
Mar 28, 2012 | Reply
Dale my Mom and I are tired of books written by women and love your non bonnet books. I also love your blog cause I am reading great stuff for FREE!! Keep on writing…please.

Sue Humbach
Mar 28, 2012 | Reply
I guess I’m a bit of an oddball. Most of my favorite authors are male: Bob Hamer, Robert Liparulo, Tom Morrissey (writing with Jerry Boykin), Joel Rosenberg, James L. Rubart, John Olson, Steven James, Mike Dellosso…

That said, I do like some romance in books. Not a lot. Certainly no requirements for lavender (though it’s one of my favorite scents) and I definitely don’t need lace… I do think this is a universal element that many people relate to.

As a writer of action-laced (ahem) thrillers about the military and paramilitary groups, I see that my books do not sell as many as the Amish or historical titles. All the same, my books are doing well, I believe, because of the romance threads that are always at least present in them. Among my readers, there are both those who rail against the romance element when they feel it’s too strong, and those who rail that it’s not strong enough.

Ronie
Mar 29, 2012 | Reply
Just a couple of other good male authors to add to the list — at least I didn’t see these listed as I read through the posts — Randy Singer and Dan Walsh. I love Amish fiction, Christian romance, etc., but I certainly don’t bypass something because of its male author.

Pam Burke
Mar 31, 2012 | Reply
Dan Walsh, is a good author

jel
Mar 31, 2012 | Reply
Dale, Before your first Caleb Bender book was published, I wrote you a note on your web page letting you know that I have read all your books and Summer of Light was my favorite book of all time. It still is. Frankly, I am tired of all the Amish fiction, but I bought and read both your Caleb Bender books because you wrote them. I had hoped that it would be worth reading them because they were ‘inspired by actual events’ and your father being Old Order Amish gave some validity to your attempt. I am disappointed. I feel like you were influenced by some marketing genius to jump on the bandwagon of what was selling. When I read a book written by a man (and I read plenty) I want to hear from a man and broaden my perspective. From the back of the book …” searching desperately for Domingo. Domingo the fierce. Domingo the protector. Domingo the forbidden.” This does not sound like your voice. Miriam went to meet Domingo in the field with her shoulders exposed by a peasant blouse and a moon flower in her hair … This sounds contrived to me, like you are writing to sell books. I apologize for my bluntness, but I want my favorite author to be free to write his own story … not to write what sells. I hate marketing … it feels manipulative.

Mary Beth Knapp
Apr 26, 2012 | Reply
Love this post and thank you for sharing it! Generally falling into the non-bonnet group myself, I still enjoy a well-crafted story by whichever author can offer it to me. Unfortunately, it seems to me that the Christian romance division is so well established that they no longer even require the basics of the craft – ie. beginning, middle, end. I understand that business aspect (if it sells, it sells) but the number of books in this genre, particularly series, that don’t offer me a complete reading experience in each installment (like a plot curve with SOME resolution) finally made me put down the genre as a whole.

That being said, based on twenty years ago, Christian publishing has come a long way in terms of quality and quantity and I hope to see more publishers expand outside the vortex of their romance cash cows.

And I hope they can do it with both Dales (m.) and Dales (f.). Whichever one writes the story best.

Valerie
May 10, 2012 | Reply
Valerie, there are those who say my current series lacks resolution in its parts, but the simple fact is its just one big long story. There are subplots with a measure of resolution in each book, but if you need to know how everything turns out it’s probably best, in this case, to wait till December and get the entire series at once. It’s a big story. I don’t think too many people will complain about the experience once it’s all complete.

Dale Cramer
May 10, 2012 | Reply
This is so interesting to me, because my husband refuses to read books written by women. In fact, he was given an entire series of a genre he loves, but he won’t crack the covers … because they were co-written by a woman.

Another element in this discussion is the race or ethnicity of the author. I’ve read a number of articles that conclude that whites only read white authors and blacks only read black authors. This may be true to some extent, but I don’t get it. Just like I don’t get husband … or others who prefer to stay within their own gender boundaries.

Personally, I read books from any quality author, regardless of gender, race or nationality. Granted, I read more from female authors than men, but that reflects (1) the curve in availability mentioned in your post and (2) the genres I prefer are rarely written by men. (Those may be the same points simply rephrased.)

Again, this is all very interesting. Confounding might be a better word.

Tanya Dennis
May 11, 2012 | Reply
I have never in my life given any thought to picking a book or putting one down based on the author’s gender, and it’s weird that anyone would. I always go by genre. I like thrillers, speculative fiction or anything weird. I personally don’t care, but I could see people not buying books with protagonists of the opposite gender because they have an intense need to identify with the main character, but the author’s? I don’t get that at all.

Courtney Vail
May 11, 2012 | Reply
I’ve never really cared who writes it; as long as it’s worth reading. We read the Bible don’t we? And, unless I’ve lost my mind somewhere along the way, it was written by men, for men and women.

Sheri Wann
Jun 2, 2012 | Reply
Thank you for writing about this on your blog. Originally came to your web site because you’re one of my favorite authors and I wanted to know when your new book would be available. Got the bonus of finding a long list of men who write Christian (or at least nonoffensive) novels. I read both men and women, but must say the female writers of Christian fiction are easier to find. Have just started to sample the list of writers mentioned here. So far, I like Charles Martin and Tim Downs. Had already read some by Harry Kraus and love his books also. Would like to add that not all female Christian writers camp out on romance, although unfortunately most do. Who are your favorite male Christian writers? Care to share with us?
Judy McKay

Judy McKay
Sep 12, 2012 | Reply
We, my daughters and I, love your books. One, I don’t need nor want my 12 and 14 yr. olds to read about romance at their age. In this world of changing boyfriends/partners, whatever the term may be, as often as people change clothes. I, for one, recommend courtship versus dating. We like the adventure and drama of the Daughters of CB. It has enough info about the relationships blooming in romance but none of the unwanted detail. We love your historical fiction and maybe, in the future, you could write a historical account of the Mexico settlement, as one of the settlements that failed, based on what you know and your family’s account passed down over the generations. Keep up the good work; we love it.
Beth

Beth
Jan 3, 2013 | Reply
Beth, I’m delighted you and your daughters can share my stories. This series gave me a chance to include a bit of adventure, which was nice, although I suspect a nonfiction treatment of the Mexico settlement would be hard to do since there is so little information available about what actually happened there. It’s better for me to stick with fiction and imagine what it might have been like. Thanks for reading. If you haven’t read Levi’s Will you might give it a try. It picks up a generation later in the same family.

Dale Cramer
Jan 4, 2013 | Reply
I freely admit that I rarely read books by male authors. I have often found them to be violent and lacking in compassion for the human condition. It’s not that I NEVER read them, but more, that I am often drawn to women authors. After all, as a woman, we seem to have more in common with other women. I am hoping to win a copy of your latest book, “Though Mountains Fall” to see if I can love your writing. I am an avid reader of all things Amish!!

Cheryl
Jan 10, 2013 | Reply
@Cheryl: Glad to hear you’re willing to give me a try, but I would point out that Though Mountains Fall is the final installment of a three book story. For what it’s worth, I recommend starting at the beginning. There is some violence in the series but the historical context of the story sort of demands it. Mexico was a turbulent place in the 1920s.

Dale Cramer
Jan 12, 2013 | Reply
I personally prefer male authors, mainly because (generally speaking) there seems to be more substance in the stories. Dale, you won me over with the first book of yours I read, Levi’s Will, where Will comes to the realization that “the truth would make a man free if he turned to it willingly and embraced it like a friend.”
Keep the good books coming, Dale.

Karen Crawford
Feb 11, 2013 | Reply
I have just finished reading your Caleb Bender series and could not wait to get to Book 3. I am an avid reader! I loved the books, love Amish stories, especially those well written as yours are with history, romance and good family togetherness with trials and happiness. I am now looking forward to reading Levi’s Will, which I just read a sample on this website, especially since this continues Levi’s life after his wife Emma’s passing. Your books have become favorites of mine, Dale, keep up the good writing!

Janey Andrews
Apr 18, 2013 | Reply

Christian Women Don’t Read Men

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