Hallo, faithful reader!

Stephen here. And at first I had no idea what to think of my friend Elijah’s recommended title for our April book quest in the Lorehaven Guild.

Why haven’t I heard of The Book of the Dun Cow? What’s with this story about the classic character Chanticleer, rooster king of the barnyard coop, keeping his flock safe from an ancient evil?

Then I learned this is an award-winning 1978 fantasy by the Lutheran minister Walter Wangerin, Jr. And I felt very illiterate.

(Perhaps I personally ought to stick with science fiction …)

This new quest begins Wednesday, May 1 in the Lorehaven Guild. Elijah David is your Quest Leader, following our Guildmaster Ticia Messing‘s magical mystery March through Tattoo of Crimson. If you haven’t already joined the Guild—as a Lorehaven subscriber, you get the secret code! (Click said secret code here.)

Speaking of secrets …

🎭 Fantastical troupe

On the Fantastical Truth podcast, we’ve had a blast imagining that we could see the Prince Caspian play from our new allies at Logos Theatre. For episode 208, Zack Russell and I interview theatre president Noah Stratton (who plays Caspian villain King Miraz). Meanwhile, Jenneth Dyck, who has actually seen the show and who got us interview “tickets,” shares a full report from backstage.

One of the great blessings of this job? Connecting with many faithful believers who don’t just talk about fantastical stories; they invest serious talent and risk-taking into creating them. “[They] shall stand before kings” (Prov. 22:29)!

Speaking of kings …

💥 The end(?)

Twenty years ago, Jesus came back. At least, He returned to Earth in fictional form. Millions were reading this event in a certain late great end-times series.

This summer, Zack and I will reconnect with some old apocalyptic friends.

There will be beasts. Plagues. Surprise guests! Charts with arrows! The works!

For this rapturous recollection, set your ears upon Fantastical Truth.

Speaking of good news …

🚀 #GoTherefore

All this time, I was creating my own sci-fi novel. Now everybody gets to hear a little about it. Because last Tuesday, Enclave Publishing and I got to reveal that I’m contracted for publication. [TBA title] will arrive spring 2025. To see what few details I can share, you can read my homepage announcement.

Chances are you’ve already read at least one Enclave novel. (Also, their parent company, Oasis Family Media, is a sponsor of Lorehaven and the podcast.) They create fantastical hardcover novels with digital versions and audiobooks.

My story is an earnest sci-fi adventure for grown-up readers. And yet I also want to imitate Benny the LEGO astronaut and gleefully shriek, “SPACESHIP!!!”

Meanwhile, you’ve probably only signed up for Lorehaven. If you want to add Stephen’s-sci-fi-novel news—including bonus takes on new stuff at Lorehaven—you can subscribe at the newly refurbished EStephenBurnett.com.

🌎 In for a landing

• Recently the Lorehaven Guild reached a level of 300 heroes.
• We’re still preparing for Realm Makers 2024 in St. Louis!
• And we’re looking ahead to Realm Makers 2025. By then, we’ll have my new novel and more fantastical stuff, plus my friend Marian Jacobs’s book that explores a biblical worldview of occult magic vs. fictional magic.
• Don’t miss new Christian-made fantastical novel reviews every Friday.
• Plus over 1,300 Christian-made novels listed in our digital Library.
• Folks are still debating Jesus pictures, fiction scolds, and clichéd criticism.
• This month, share your favorite Christian fantastical book with a new fan!

Godspeed and #GoTherefore!

Stephen