I know you have been eagerly awaiting the second part of my interview with Raela ~ hasn’t she been so incredibly gracious and forthright in responding to your questions? So, I won’t hold you up ~ it’s now over to Raela!

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Raela Schoenherr

Fiction Acquisitions Editor

Bethany House

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Rel: As an editor, what are you particularly looking for in a novel?

Raela: As an editor, I’m looking for books where the author has a strong and engaging writing voice, compelling and layered yet likable characters, and an intriguing and interesting story with plenty of well-crafted conflict. Pacing is important; I’m always looking for novels that keep the pages turning (or, as the case may be, the fingers swiping on a device). Sometimes the setting becomes a character of its own and sometimes it simply serves to keep me grounded in the story, but either way I want to feel like I’m there without having the setting described to me as if it were a checklist. And, if that’s all in place, the book absolutely has to have high potential to appeal to Bethany House’s audience. As much as editors may like a book, it’s a nonstarter if it isn’t something their company can sell.

Are different things important when you are choosing a book to read for leisure and not work?

The things I listed above are generally pretty necessary in any book I read whether for leisure or for work. When I read for leisure I try to give myself a break from the editor mindset and simply enjoy reading, which can be hard to do. I know it’s a really good book if I’m so caught up in it that I’ve forgotten to analyze it to pieces! Although, when it comes to manuscripts, that’s a good sign too, if a bit annoying when I realize I’m so caught up in the story I’ve forgotten to take notes on it. 🙂

Incidentally, I would advise the opposite to aspiring authors. If you’re trying to learn the craft of writing, one of the best ways is to read with a critical mindset. Rather than just sitting back and either loving or hating the book, think through what you didn’t like and what you did and why. Try to pay attention when your interest starts to lag and figure out what in the writing may have prompted that: Has the pacing slowed? Have you stopped caring about the main character? Is there too much/not enough dialogue or narrative?

What is the best/funniest/most surprising response you have received from an author you have contracted when you shared the good news?

You know, by the time I talk to them, I think they’ve usually gotten the jumping around and cheering out of the way and are trying to be professional. J If an author has an agent, I make the offer of publication to the agent who then communicates with the author. Regardless, it’s a blast to talk with an author for the first time after they’ve accepted my offer.

What popular trends do you see in Christian fiction today?

Stories with at least a thread of romance still have the biggest claim in Christian fiction. Romantic suspense is a solid genre right now. The bonnet books craze has settled down but there is still an audience for Plain books (not your favorite, I know, Rel!). I know other houses have pulled back a bit on historical romance, but Bethany House continues to publish it as it’s been a mainstay category for us since Love Comes Softly was published back in 1979. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for historical, but I would love to see growth in the market for contemporary titles. And, you know, it’s starting to feel like there’s been a bit more biblical fiction lately than there has been for a while too. But at the end of the day, no one really knows what will be trending tomorrow!

Do you think those trends differ from those in the general market? If so, in what ways?

Christian fiction tends to follow a little bit behind the general market, so whatever is popular in mainstream may be popular in inspirational in a year or two or so. That being said, not all trends will translate into the Christian market whether because of content or lack of audience or some other mysterious reason.

How do you gauge what readers are interested in?

Burnt offerings? Flip of a coin? Just kidding. Honestly, just trying to stay on top of what seems to be finding an audience and connecting with readers out in the marketplace, along with, obviously, sales numbers. Also, we try to keep generally aware of what’s going on beyond Christian fiction and what may trickle down to impact our market’s reading choices. For example, I think many of us sat up and took note when Downton Abbey was first getting popular and hoped that interest would translate to books in the same vein as the show.

We hear all the time that fiction is in decline. What is your take on this?

I don’t know that I agree. I think people will always want to read fiction, although what kind of fiction they want to read, the format they read it in, and where they find it most certainly will continue to shift. But story is timeless. People have been telling stories since before they even knew how to write! I mean, “The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid,” right? (Gold star to anyone who knows who said this without looking it up!)

Do you pay attention to what readers are saying about your books with all the review sites and book blogs now commenting on books? What feedback from readers is most helpful to you?

I do, actually. As I tell my authors though, it’s important to take everything with a grain of salt. Not everyone is going to love every book. But if common themes or issues begin to emerge from a large sampling of reviews, I try to take note of them. For example, on the positive side, it’s always a relief to see that everyone loved a secondary character in an author’s earlier book if we know we’re doing that character’s story as a follow–up down the road! And obviously, constructive criticism is invaluable, whether it be about themes, characters, pacing, coherency, plot, etc.

Which authors do you read for leisure?

Despite doing it for my job, I do still love to read outside of work. I love historical fiction, quirky contemporaries, memoirs about cooking (even better if they’re set abroad), some psychological thrillers, and yes, I’m one of the 50% of readers over age 18 who can’t get enough YA. Within YA, I read most subcategories, but I largely seem to read realistic contemporary and fantasy/dystopian/sci-fi. There’s not a ton of good historical YA, but I’m always happy to gobble those up too. And, true confession, I’m thoroughly predisposed to love time slip/dual time stories (Susanna Kearsley, anyone?) I guess I didn’t really answer your question about specific authors though, did I? If any of your readers are also fans of any of these genres, I’m happy to talk more about specific authors—leave a comment below or send me a tweet!

When you need to get away from words for a while, what do you enjoy doing?

Reading is a bit sedentary and solitary, isn’t it? Usually when I need a break from words, I’ll try to find something active and/or social to do. As I said earlier, I do actually enjoy running. I also love biking and golfing when the weather is being cooperative. In the winter, it’s pretty much the gym except for the occasional ice skating or downhill skiing outing. I’ve been working with high school girls at my church’s youth group for the past four years and have loved getting to know them. I’ll never say no to going to a live theater show or trying out a new restaurant, and I’ll take most every opportunity I can to travel. And now that football is gearing up, I’ll have my nose buried in football news until February. When it comes to entertainment by screen, I’m much more likely to be binge-watching making my way through seasons of a television show than watching a movie. I’m an extrovert, so really whatever activity allows me to spend time with friends and family is fine by me!

I can’t thank you enough, Raela, for this wonderful interview and the care and time you are showing to my readers. Bless you!

Relz Reviewz Extras
Introducing Raela ~ Part 1
Follow Raela on Twitter
Visit the Bethany House website
All things Bethany House @ Relz Reviewz

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