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Here's one more excerpt from my upcoming novel The Former Things, which is a Christian fiction story told from the perspective of an atheist.
I don’t feel like heading straight home. Between everything that’s happened so far today, I’m agitated and restless. I need to clear my head. I’m not far from a park, maybe a few blocks. I hope it wasn’t too damaged by the storm.
It takes me about ten minutes to get there. I see a large white tent set up on one side of the grounds next to some large dogwood trees with vibrant white flowers. I see some people going in and out of the tent, but I can’t tell what they’re doing. Curious, I walk closer for a better view.
Of course, I think bitterly as I come to a halt. It’s a Christian group. The Hopes & Prayers Relief Organization. It figures. One crisis arises and they swoop in like vultures under the guise of “helping.” I start to feel a little queasy at the thought. But as I turn around, I almost bump into someone.
“Sean?”
Our eyes meet and there’s instant recognition. Of all people, it’s her.
“Jennie, is that you?” I ask, not believing my eyes.
She’s with a young woman I don’t know. But Jennie Lou Harris looks as stunned as I feel. After a few seconds, she remembers how to smile.
“Yes. Yes, it’s me,” she replies. “This is . . . quite a surprise. How are you?”
Her companion, a short Asian woman in a white t-shirt and khaki skirt, wisely stays silent. She’s probably waiting for Jennie to introduce us. Part of me hoped I’d never see Jennie Lou again. And another part is thrilled that she’s here. She hasn’t changed much, except cutting her hair to shoulder-length. She and her friend are wearing Hopes & Prayers t-shirts, which sport ocean blue lettering on a white background. Jennie Lou is wearing blue jeans with hers. She always liked blue jeans.
I almost wish she wasn’t as beautiful as I remembered. I nearly don’t comprehend what she says, I’m so absorbed in her appearance.
“Did you not hear me, Sean? I asked how you’re doing.”
My verbal recovery is less than stellar.
“Uh, I—um, I’m fine, thanks,” I manage to say. “You’re here with them?” I point at her t-shirt.
She smiles uneasily. “Yes. We’re here to help the community recover from the tornado.”
I start tensing up. Don’t say anything. It won’t make any difference. And it will mess up any chance of--
“How?”
The word is out of my mouth before I can contain it. And it’s filled with contempt.
Both of them stiffen and go quiet. Jennie’s friend frowns and Jennie’s brow furrows. I need to fix my blunder.
I clear my throat. “I mean, what service is the organization providing?”
That seems to diffuse some of their alarm, especially Jennie Lou. She considers my question.
“Hopes & Prayers has a mobile hospital,” Jennie Lou replied. “Since yesterday, the city’s hospitals have been pushed to capacity. This organization has medical professionals who volunteer their time and services. They can help treat those who can’t afford medical treatment.”
Jennie Lou’s friend steps forward and offers her hand. “Hi, I’m Lynn Wilson. I’m a volunteer like Jennie.”
I accept her handshake and give her a polite smile.
“We also have a musical group that will be giving a free concert,” Lynn continues. “Some of our volunteers are licensed counselors. And we’re providing free food for those who need it.”
That all sounds good. Those are all valuable services. Except they’re leaving one out.
“And spiritual counseling?” I ask, looking directly at Jennie Lou. I consciously remove as much negativity from my voice as I can.
Jennie Lou keeps a straight face, but I can see the confidence in her eyes. It’s just short of defiance.
“Of course, for those who are seeking it,” she replies.
“Of course,” I repeat, holding my own emotions in check.
More awkward silence.
“I suppose Lynn and I should get back,” she suggests. “It was good to see you, Sean. You’re looking well.”
I nod and start to walk away. I hear their steps on the grass as they head in the opposite direction. Then I stop.
“I’m not well!”
I couldn’t help it. Those words erupted from me loud and clear. My feet dig into the ground and won’t let me proceed.
“I was there!” I continue. “I was in the building across the street from the twister. I heard it roar and scream and destroy while we cowered in the dark next to our desks! We—thought we were going to die.”
Having said all that, I turn to face them again. Lynn is further away than Jennie. I can’t read her expression from here, but she’s frozen in a half-turn. Jennie Lou is maybe ten feet from me with eyes wide and mouth open. She heard everything I said.
The Former Things is available for preorder on Amazon. It will be published by Ambassador International on July 12, 2022.
I don’t feel like heading straight home. Between everything that’s happened so far today, I’m agitated and restless. I need to clear my head. I’m not far from a park, maybe a few blocks. I hope it wasn’t too damaged by the storm.
It takes me about ten minutes to get there. I see a large white tent set up on one side of the grounds next to some large dogwood trees with vibrant white flowers. I see some people going in and out of the tent, but I can’t tell what they’re doing. Curious, I walk closer for a better view.
Of course, I think bitterly as I come to a halt. It’s a Christian group. The Hopes & Prayers Relief Organization. It figures. One crisis arises and they swoop in like vultures under the guise of “helping.” I start to feel a little queasy at the thought. But as I turn around, I almost bump into someone.
“Sean?”
Our eyes meet and there’s instant recognition. Of all people, it’s her.
“Jennie, is that you?” I ask, not believing my eyes.
She’s with a young woman I don’t know. But Jennie Lou Harris looks as stunned as I feel. After a few seconds, she remembers how to smile.
“Yes. Yes, it’s me,” she replies. “This is . . . quite a surprise. How are you?”
Her companion, a short Asian woman in a white t-shirt and khaki skirt, wisely stays silent. She’s probably waiting for Jennie to introduce us. Part of me hoped I’d never see Jennie Lou again. And another part is thrilled that she’s here. She hasn’t changed much, except cutting her hair to shoulder-length. She and her friend are wearing Hopes & Prayers t-shirts, which sport ocean blue lettering on a white background. Jennie Lou is wearing blue jeans with hers. She always liked blue jeans.
I almost wish she wasn’t as beautiful as I remembered. I nearly don’t comprehend what she says, I’m so absorbed in her appearance.
“Did you not hear me, Sean? I asked how you’re doing.”
My verbal recovery is less than stellar.
“Uh, I—um, I’m fine, thanks,” I manage to say. “You’re here with them?” I point at her t-shirt.
She smiles uneasily. “Yes. We’re here to help the community recover from the tornado.”
I start tensing up. Don’t say anything. It won’t make any difference. And it will mess up any chance of--
“How?”
The word is out of my mouth before I can contain it. And it’s filled with contempt.
Both of them stiffen and go quiet. Jennie’s friend frowns and Jennie’s brow furrows. I need to fix my blunder.
I clear my throat. “I mean, what service is the organization providing?”
That seems to diffuse some of their alarm, especially Jennie Lou. She considers my question.
“Hopes & Prayers has a mobile hospital,” Jennie Lou replied. “Since yesterday, the city’s hospitals have been pushed to capacity. This organization has medical professionals who volunteer their time and services. They can help treat those who can’t afford medical treatment.”
Jennie Lou’s friend steps forward and offers her hand. “Hi, I’m Lynn Wilson. I’m a volunteer like Jennie.”
I accept her handshake and give her a polite smile.
“We also have a musical group that will be giving a free concert,” Lynn continues. “Some of our volunteers are licensed counselors. And we’re providing free food for those who need it.”
That all sounds good. Those are all valuable services. Except they’re leaving one out.
“And spiritual counseling?” I ask, looking directly at Jennie Lou. I consciously remove as much negativity from my voice as I can.
Jennie Lou keeps a straight face, but I can see the confidence in her eyes. It’s just short of defiance.
“Of course, for those who are seeking it,” she replies.
“Of course,” I repeat, holding my own emotions in check.
More awkward silence.
“I suppose Lynn and I should get back,” she suggests. “It was good to see you, Sean. You’re looking well.”
I nod and start to walk away. I hear their steps on the grass as they head in the opposite direction. Then I stop.
“I’m not well!”
I couldn’t help it. Those words erupted from me loud and clear. My feet dig into the ground and won’t let me proceed.
“I was there!” I continue. “I was in the building across the street from the twister. I heard it roar and scream and destroy while we cowered in the dark next to our desks! We—thought we were going to die.”
Having said all that, I turn to face them again. Lynn is further away than Jennie. I can’t read her expression from here, but she’s frozen in a half-turn. Jennie Lou is maybe ten feet from me with eyes wide and mouth open. She heard everything I said.
The Former Things is available for preorder on Amazon. It will be published by Ambassador International on July 12, 2022.
- Published on
I can finally show you the cover for my Christian Space Western short story “Sea Change!” It will be part of a Christian sci-fi anthology called Lights in a Dark Sky. All the stories takes place in Joanna White’s Republic Chronicles universe. She let me and several other awesome Christian authors write in it. Lights in a Dark Sky will be released in November 2022 and will be perma-free (as in permanently free).
There is a Facebook group for this anthology . Join now to get updates and participate in the online release party in November!
Now here's the cover to my short story "Sea Change."
There is a Facebook group for this anthology . Join now to get updates and participate in the online release party in November!
Now here's the cover to my short story "Sea Change."
- Published on
he Former Things is now available for preorder on Amazon in paperback for $17.99! Ebook will also be available for $4.99. It will be published by Ambassador International on July 12, 2022.
PREORDER THE FORMER THINGS ON AMAZON
PREORDER THE FORMER THINGS ON AMAZON
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A few weeks ago, I wanted to make a new Christian fiction short story. I had no idea that my efforts would blossom into inspiration for a full novel — and a Mindfire prequel at that!
Here's what happened: I reached out to a friend and we brainstormed for a bit one day. I brought three ideas to the figurative table:
1. This could be a completely new tale with new characters and environment;
2. This could be a story somehow related to Mindfire; or
3. This could be a story somehow related to the Jordan of Algoran series.
My friend recommended it be related to one of my previous books and we proceeded from there. For Mindfire, it seemed natural to do a tale with Steve and Sue Hamilton, Leia's father and adoptive mother. And for the Jordan of Algoran Series, there's a space in the second book, Jordan's Arrow, that's ripe for untold tales.
My intuition told me to go with the Mindfire-related story with Steve and Sue. I thought it would be good to write something that complimented the events in Mindfire without entirely depending on that book. Then I thought "what if we saw Steve and Sue's last adventure together as the superheroes Crusader and The Cat?" And what if it was a time travel story? That led to determining where to send them, further into the past or way into the future? Since sending them to the future ran the risk of running into spoiler territory, I decided it needed to be the past.
But when? My friend suggested World War I. It was a neat idea, but I was concerned because of another superhero story that was set in that era in a popular movie. On the other hand, I believed the 1920s and 1930s had lots of potential for storytelling. We narrowed it down to the 1930s, the era of the Great Depression. It was enough for me to work with and start building plot ideas!
Mindfire is set between 2013 and 2014. It also established that the AR-MEN superhero team were active for a short time between approximately 1990 and 1993. Crusader was one of the founders of The AR-MEN and The Cat joined later.
I created The AR-MEN as a homemade comic book series back in 1980. I wrote, drew and hand-lettered it regularly from 1980 until 2000, with a final issue in 2006. All of the superhero and supervillain characters in Mindfire were originally part of the comic book.
For the prequel novel, I didn't want to use the whole superhero team. I wanted to narrow in on Crusader and The Cat. I hoped to show their story before they married and left being superheroes behind (to become Christians and raise their family in peace). I also wanted to put them in a situation (time travel) where their superpowers would not be as as useful.
I've already outlined the whole book and I know its ending, and am about 10,000 words into writing it. It is called Unto Dust: A Mindfire Prequel.
The title is based on Genesis 3:19 (King James Version):
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Below is part of a scene featuring Crusader and The Cat from a 1996 issue of The AR-MEN (where they fought my parody of the Power Rangers team, The Mighty Dreadful Multi-Colored Shapeshifting Warriors). Crusader used his sun saber and The Cat was in full feline form.
Here's what happened: I reached out to a friend and we brainstormed for a bit one day. I brought three ideas to the figurative table:
1. This could be a completely new tale with new characters and environment;
2. This could be a story somehow related to Mindfire; or
3. This could be a story somehow related to the Jordan of Algoran series.
My friend recommended it be related to one of my previous books and we proceeded from there. For Mindfire, it seemed natural to do a tale with Steve and Sue Hamilton, Leia's father and adoptive mother. And for the Jordan of Algoran Series, there's a space in the second book, Jordan's Arrow, that's ripe for untold tales.
My intuition told me to go with the Mindfire-related story with Steve and Sue. I thought it would be good to write something that complimented the events in Mindfire without entirely depending on that book. Then I thought "what if we saw Steve and Sue's last adventure together as the superheroes Crusader and The Cat?" And what if it was a time travel story? That led to determining where to send them, further into the past or way into the future? Since sending them to the future ran the risk of running into spoiler territory, I decided it needed to be the past.
But when? My friend suggested World War I. It was a neat idea, but I was concerned because of another superhero story that was set in that era in a popular movie. On the other hand, I believed the 1920s and 1930s had lots of potential for storytelling. We narrowed it down to the 1930s, the era of the Great Depression. It was enough for me to work with and start building plot ideas!
Mindfire is set between 2013 and 2014. It also established that the AR-MEN superhero team were active for a short time between approximately 1990 and 1993. Crusader was one of the founders of The AR-MEN and The Cat joined later.
I created The AR-MEN as a homemade comic book series back in 1980. I wrote, drew and hand-lettered it regularly from 1980 until 2000, with a final issue in 2006. All of the superhero and supervillain characters in Mindfire were originally part of the comic book.
For the prequel novel, I didn't want to use the whole superhero team. I wanted to narrow in on Crusader and The Cat. I hoped to show their story before they married and left being superheroes behind (to become Christians and raise their family in peace). I also wanted to put them in a situation (time travel) where their superpowers would not be as as useful.
I've already outlined the whole book and I know its ending, and am about 10,000 words into writing it. It is called Unto Dust: A Mindfire Prequel.
The title is based on Genesis 3:19 (King James Version):
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Below is part of a scene featuring Crusader and The Cat from a 1996 issue of The AR-MEN (where they fought my parody of the Power Rangers team, The Mighty Dreadful Multi-Colored Shapeshifting Warriors). Crusader used his sun saber and The Cat was in full feline form.
- Published on
Here’s a one-minute teaser trailer for my newest Christian fiction writing project, a Mindfire prequel called Unto Dust. Let me know what you think!
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I want to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas! I plan to enjoy time with my wife and kids. I can't believe 2021 is almost over, but I'm looking forward to the new year!
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Update on my next Christian fiction novel, The Former Things. We now have a Summer (possibly July) 2022 release date. I revised the latest trailer to reflect that. And look for a cover reveal in the next few months. Things are moving along!
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This is a teaser trailer I made for an upcoming project, a short story which will be part of a Christmas Christian fiction anthology for my publisher Ambassador International. Right now, we are aiming for Christmas 2022.
- Published on
This is the third and final excerpt from my Christian Space Western short story "Sea Change." This is an scene between two main characters: Jivan Korda, a bounty hunter, and JeLae Lanna, the woman who had a bounty put on her. They're on an outer rim world called Ordax 5.
They were silent for a few moments, just sky gazing. When he did catch a glance at her, she looked longingly at the heavens. What was out there for her, he wondered.
“Did that Icerr raise you?” she asked a few moments later, quite casually. Jivan nodded.
“Rayzm did alright by me,” he answered. “I never missed a meal, always had shelter, things to do. He’s got his quirks, like anybody. But I got no complaints.”
Miss Lanna nodded. “I hope my daughter is as kind in describing me. Father of All knows I did my best.”
That got Jivan’s attention, pulling him out of his sullen mood.
“You a religious woman, Miss Lanna?” he asked. “I don’t hear too many folks talk that way.”
She shrugged. “My true love gave me some...religious texts as a gift. I read them sometimes and I’ve tried to follow those ways. I admit, though, I don’t fully understand their meaning. I’m no Wise One...far from it. I’m just trying to be a better person than I used to be.”
Jivan smiled. “That sounds nice. I wish I could aspire to something like that. Father and I are trying to make an honest living. And I admit, you’re not like I expected, Miss Lanna.”
Miss Lanna stretched her arms and yawned, even though no sound came out of her mouth. She got to her feet.
“You seem like a good kid, Jivan,” she said with a maternal glint.
They were silent for a few moments, just sky gazing. When he did catch a glance at her, she looked longingly at the heavens. What was out there for her, he wondered.
“Did that Icerr raise you?” she asked a few moments later, quite casually. Jivan nodded.
“Rayzm did alright by me,” he answered. “I never missed a meal, always had shelter, things to do. He’s got his quirks, like anybody. But I got no complaints.”
Miss Lanna nodded. “I hope my daughter is as kind in describing me. Father of All knows I did my best.”
That got Jivan’s attention, pulling him out of his sullen mood.
“You a religious woman, Miss Lanna?” he asked. “I don’t hear too many folks talk that way.”
She shrugged. “My true love gave me some...religious texts as a gift. I read them sometimes and I’ve tried to follow those ways. I admit, though, I don’t fully understand their meaning. I’m no Wise One...far from it. I’m just trying to be a better person than I used to be.”
Jivan smiled. “That sounds nice. I wish I could aspire to something like that. Father and I are trying to make an honest living. And I admit, you’re not like I expected, Miss Lanna.”
Miss Lanna stretched her arms and yawned, even though no sound came out of her mouth. She got to her feet.
“You seem like a good kid, Jivan,” she said with a maternal glint.
- Published on
Here’s a new book trailer I made yesterday for my current work in progress Queen of the Skies, Book 1 in the Steam & Mettle Christian steampunk series. Let me know what you think!
About the author
Allen Steadham is a nondenominational Christian. Happily interracially married since 1995 and the proud father of two sons and a daughter. He and his wife have been in the same Christian band since 1997. He plays electric bass, she plays strings, they both sing. It's all good.
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