The Burning Tree has really grown on me.¹

When I was in college, the literature teachers made me read rural-set fiction. Flannery O’Connor was a chief offender. (Yes, I know that as a Thoughtful Christian, I’m supposed to praise her work to the skies. Perhaps a re-read would help me do this.)

But from my memory, O’Connor seemed quite the edgelord. Besides that one time the nasty serial killer murdered Grandma, O’Connor’s tales left out some seemingly essential elements—spooky curses of uncertain origin with mythological undertones.

So hurrah for Helen Dent! She steps in with The Burning Tree, a YA-adjacent autumnal fantasy with magical realism and rural roots. That’s our choice for this month’s Book Quest in the Lorehaven Guild, our castle in the cloud on Discord.

• Here’s more info about The Burning Tree book quest
• Here’s our review of this debut by Helen Dent
• And here’s our podcast interview with Helen

Subscribe to Lorehaven and enter the Guild to join the quest party!

The Burning Tree book quest started Monday, Nov. 4 and ends Saturday, Nov. 30.

Speaking of the Fantastical Truth podcast …

🙏🏻 We’re celebrating gratitude for fantastic fiction

This podcast episode started a lot of conversations.

Zackary Russell and I just finished a few spooky-season topics, such as:

• 233. Should Christian Fans Really ‘Avoid the Appearance of Evil’?
• 235. What Are the Scariest Stories About Aliens Among Us?
• 236. How Can Scary Stories Expose Human Sin? | Christian Horror with Mike Duran

And for that last one, we’re actually giving away a physical, signed copy of Mike Duran’s Christian Horror to anyone who shares that episode before Tuesday, Nov. 5. (Lord willing, I think we’ll plan more book giveaways with some guests!)

Next, we’re planning to celebrate our gratitude for stories we love, whether it’s The Chosen and more streaming shows from the “Bibleverse” (screenwriter Ryan Swanson is our guest this week), or dystopian fiction, or subgenres that Zack and I haven’t yet explored but happily support for their fans.

You can listen at Lorehaven.com or on any podcasting platform.

Speaking of less-covered genres that many readers love…

👸🏻 From royalty to fae realms to romantasy

Next year, we’re planning more podcast episodes about fantasy subgenres we haven’t yet specifically covered. Those subgenres include but aren’t limited to:

• gaslamp fantasy
• fairy tale remixes / retellings
• cozy / coffee shop / tea shop fantasy
• Regency / Victorian / Edwardian fantasy
• fantasy with just a lot of royal drama in it—is there a name for this?

Four months remain until Above the Circle of Earth launches in March 2025. Prebuy this sci-fi starting at 20 percent off retail direct from the Enclave store!

These genres aren’t necessarily Zack’s and my first choice of enchanted cup o’ joe. So we look forward to asking the genre experts, starting around January!

(Later we clear the decks for Martian Month, including my own novel’s release.)

Meanwhile, we’ll ask you for your favorite fantasy subgenres to explore.

Shouldn’t more be said about your favorite steampunk meets palace intrigue romantasy / mistaken identity / spy thriller / alternate historical mashup?

If so, let us know. Email us back. Replying to this message is fine for now.

Or tag @lorehaven on your social media F.I.X.—Facebook, Instagram, or X.

In fact, if you’re not following us there, give us a follow! And if you enjoy our resources to help you explore fantastical stories for God’s glory, forward this message to a fellow fan. Somehow I suspect next year will bring epic changes …

Godspeed and #GoTherefore!

Stephen