By Debby Giusti
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Whether you read Amish fiction or not, you may be wondering how the Amish genre that's taken the Christian market by storm got started.I blame Ada Ranch Buchwalter. Born in 1886, Ada grew up as an Old Order Mennonite. She later rejected the Plain life and was subsequently shunned by her community. The fictionalized story of Ada’s decision to leave her Mennonite sect was the basis for The Shunning, a novel written by her granddaughter, Beverly Lewis. Published in 1997 by Bethany House, The Shunning was an almost overnight success, went on to become a Hallmark movie and, to date, has sold more than a million copies.
Steve Oates was vice president of marketing for Bethany House at the time, and in an interview with Deborah Kennedy, Oates talked about Bethany House’s initial response to Lewis’s submission. “We thought it was a good, sweet story and that there was potential for it to sell maybe 25,000 in the first year,” he recounts.
Add another 100,000 sales to his modest assessment of the story’s anticipated success, and you’ll have a more accurate account of the book’s first year marketing history. The Shunning showed publishers how the simple life could capture the hearts of readers who were soon eagerly clamoring for more Amish stories.
Fast forward to 2013 and a Wall Street Journal article by Valerie Weaver-Zercher (“Why Amish Novels are Hot,” June 6, 2013) that highlighted the growth of Amish fiction since that first Lewis novel hit the shelves.
Weaver-Zercher writes, “In 2003, one new romance novel with an Amish theme was published. This year at least 86 are being released. Five of the top 10 best sellers on a recent list of Christian fiction were Amish titles, and the novels regularly hit mainstream best-seller lists. The top three authors of Amish romance novels— Beverly Lewis, Cindy Woodsmall and Wanda Brunstetter—have sold among them more than 24 million books.”
I first met fellow Georgian, Cindy Woodsmall, at the Atlanta airport when we were were both en route to an ACFW conference. Her debut novel had recently released, and she shared some of the struggle she had faced on her journey to publication, which she also recounts on her website. When Cindy started submitting, publishers backed away. Beverly Lewis was successful, and they didn’t feel there was room for another author writing Amish stories. In 2005, WaterBrook Multnomah took a chance and offered Cindy a three-book contract. A few months later, Wanda Brunstetter’s first Amish book was released. Cindy’s debut novel hit bookstores the following year and sold out within two weeks.
When books sell, editors take note, and so do writers who quickly jumped aboard the Amish bandwagon as the popularity of bonnet fiction increased.
Some folks speculate that the glut of sexually explicit books has caused so many readers—folks searching for a good story without the sexual sensationalism—to embrace the Amish genre. A perfect storm, so to speak, but in a positive way that accounts for the increased sales.
That may play into the mix, but to me, the draw seems fairly straightforward. Readers yearn for a connection that features home and hearth. Add faith and a happily ever after and you have some of the reasons for the growing success of Christian fiction. Plop a bonnet—or prayer kapp—on the heads of the heroines of those stories, and you've got a combination that keeps books flying off the shelves.
Do you enjoy Amish fiction? If so, what’s the draw for you? Maybe you haven’t read any stories with a bonnet on the cover. Is there a reason, and if not, are you willing to give Amish fiction a try? Share the names of any Amish books you’ve enjoyed or stories that made you see the Amish in a new light.
Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for HIDDEN AMISH SECRETS. Be sure to enter the Amish Hearts & Heath Giveaway, as well!
Happy writing! Happy reading!
Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
HIDDEN AMISH SECRETS
Her temporary Amish homecoming
could get her killed.
Julianne Graber left her Amish life behind after a family
tragedy, but now she’s back to sell the family home— and someone’s dead set on
getting rid of her. With her neighbor William Lavy by her side, Julianne must
uncover dangerous secrets to make sense of the past and present. Can she find
justice for her family—and a future with Will—before the killer hits his
target?
Order on Amazon!
Debby, what a great glimpse into the history of Amish fiction. Who knew???? It's such a glimpse into a side-by-side and different culture. I love the image of simple faith. Simple truths. Thanks so much for the insight and congratulations on your success as you weave two genres together. You are such an inspiration to so many.
ReplyDeleteRuthy, the Amish genre continues to grow, and it amazes me that the genre started such a short time ago, really. THE SHUNNING opened the market and took the publishing industry by storm. I wonder what new genre is on the cusp with a unique story by perhaps a debut author. The publishing world is fluid, which I find exciting.
DeleteThanks for your kind words, dear friend!
The temp has dropped in GA and we're wearing sweaters and hoodies to keep warm...but the sun is bright, the sky is blue and so many flowers are in bloom. I'm counting my blessings and thanking God for this beautiful day!
ReplyDeleteBe sure to get a cup of hot coffee and a freshly baked biscuit or two, served with honey and jam. You'll find them, along with an assortment of fresh fruit, on the breakfast bar. Enjoy!
Debby, I do enjoy Amish fiction but I tend more to read an Amish book because I know the writer and it's usually a friend of mine who writes Amish, rather than pick up an Amish book because it's an Amish book. Doesn't matter how it gets read as long as it gets read, right?
ReplyDeleteI admire anyone who has the "gift" to write Amish. I don't. I also have as yet not the gift to write World War II/Holocaust, and that's okay too. Enough people are out there doing it right. And don't get me started on middle-grade dystopian. I'm still waiting...
I too wonder what will Come Next.
I often find myself hanging in the balance between writing what's marketable and writing what's on my heart. I'm sure you've all been there. And in the narrow sliver of time when we get both right.
Catch-up day, may be back later.
Kathy Bailey
Your Kaybee
You're always so supportive, KB! Thanks, dear friend.
DeleteI admire you for writing historical fiction. Doubt I could tackle that genre. Although I love WWII stories and have thought of a couple possible plots. But who knows what the future will hold.
What will be the next NEW genre? That might be a fun post someday.
I love what you've done with Amish fiction, Debby. How you've 'married' suspense with the simple Amish life. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary. They're polar opposites, for sure! :)
DeleteInteresting post, Debby. I had wondered how the popularity of Amish fiction came about. I have read many of Beverly Lewis' books, but I can only read so much Amish at a time, and then I get a little tired of it. But I really enjoy your books with the suspense. It makes it different. I also like Jan's Amish historical books. Historical Amish don't seem so different from everyone else who don't have cars or electricity anyway!
ReplyDeleteSandy, I've often had the same thought about historical Amish. In one sense it must be trickier to write, because you'd have to focus more on the intangible differences.
DeleteSandy, I enjoy adding the suspense to the Amish stories and feel that it makes a nice mix. Thanks for your kind words about my stories! I'm not sure I could write a straight Amish romance without adding a hateful villain! Jan's stories are wonderful...and historical Amish does seem to match the time period, although still a challenge to write, as KB mentioned.
DeleteSorry I'm late to the party! Thank you for your kind words about my stories. :-)
DeleteHi Debby:
ReplyDeleteFor me the allure of the Amish genre is the same as it is with Hillerman's Navajos, Coel's Arapahos, and the whole of science fiction. These stories provide a glimsp into the 'Other'. As such they act as a strange mirror that allows us to see ourselves in a way that is not ordinarily available. It is as if a fish were to read about land animals. He would likely learn more about his under water world than that of the terrestrial creatures.
Of course, I like the way you do your Amish stories which have the added features of the military (another 'other'), science -- as in DNA, inspiration -- as in living an admirable life style, and, of course, constant danger as one tries to figure out 'who done it'. What's not to like? The romance comes as a bonus! :)
I do question the editor's choice of titles at times. Like, "Hidden Amish Secrets", I mean, isn't the whole idea of secrets that they are to be kept secret? Also, "Amish Christmas Search", I mean did the Amish lose Christmas? Is there an Amish Grinch that stole it?
Yes, I know the meanings that were intended in these titles but then again, as in advertising writing, you have to be careful when you write something that has two different meanings which could provide a distraction…or be too funny. :O
Hi Vince!
DeleteTitles are an author's bane. We have to submit so many...that are rejected often! LIS publishes 6 titles a month so you can see how lots of titles have already been used. Believe me, it's a challenge. Bottom line, the editor makes the decision. :)
Hi Debby:
DeleteI know what you mean about titles. I've been on both sides of the issue -- sometimes in the same week! Sometimes you have to give the boss what she wants, only better. Consider: "Hidden Amish Secrets", that's passive but I get the idea, so how about, "Unveiling Amish Secrets"? That's active and should attract more inquiring minds.
I'm not sure about "Amish Christmas Search" as I'm about 70% into that book and I don't see how Christmas has much to do with the story, yet. Putting "Christmas" in the title around Christmas may help monthly sales numbers but is it really wise? If the reader expects a Christmas centric story, she could well be disappointed. And if it is a reader, who does not want to read 'another' Christmas story, that reader may miss out on a story she would really love. Also, having 'Christmas' the title can hurt sales for most of the rest of the year. This is not a problem if your job depends on the monthly sales of the next month. But it may not be that good for an author.
However, if the publisher just has to have the word 'Christmas' in the title, then perhaps it can be mitigated by saying something like, "Saving the Amish Girl by Christmas". It is longer but the story is about saving an Amish girl.
Just some ideas about giving them what they want, only better. (This can work with spouses,too.)
Now I do love, "Yule Die". I hope that was your idea.
I’ve read Amish fiction since I first read The Shunning. I find it full of hope. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed The Shunning and other Beverly Lewis stories. And I got to meet her at ACFW! Such an honor!
DeleteI Love reading Amish fiction it is enjoyable to read! Thank you for sharing Blessings to you! Please enter me for your book!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah! I know you love Amish fiction. Thanks for leaving a comment. You're in the drawing!
DeleteI have enjoyed reading Amish fiction for many years, but more recently have really enjoyed Amish suspense or mysteries. Why not combine the best of two worlds in one wonderful book!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you think, Joy! I love mixing suspense in with my Amish stories. :)
DeleteThanks for being with us this evening. You're in the drawing. I hope you signed up for the Amish Hearts & Hearths Giveaway as well!
Thanks for the great post, Debby!
ReplyDeleteI remember when The Shunning was first published. I was a reader then rather than an author, and I learned a lot about the Pennsylvania Amish community through Beverly Lewis's books. So different from my knowledge of the Indiana Amish community, so those books were an education.
Congratulations on your new release!
Speaking of The Shunning...I don't want to spoil the story for anyone who hasn't read it, but the ending wasn't as I had hoped it would happen. (If you get my drift, Jan.) I should add that I love Beverly Lewis' writing, and she was retelling what had happened to her grandmother.
Delete