When I reviewed the novel, Out Of The Blue by Janice Thompson, Wendy left the following comment:
Why is it that so many Christian titles these days center around the Amish? I have nothing against them, but, it’s like they feel that it’s “wrong” to use electricity and modern gadgets? Wouldn’t most people, both Christians and non-Christians, relate to “regular” people that resemble those they see everyday in public and in their work places?
My response? Well, I’m not sure. I don’t really know a lot about the Amish, but I do know this: When you place the Amish on the cover of a Christian novel, it seems to sell. Why? I don’t know. I know I’ve seen agents blog about Amish books selling well, and take a look at the following link of the top twenty best-selling novels via christianbooks.com. I counted five titles out of the twenty that have the Amish on the cover! That’s 25% of the titles!
If I had to speculate about this a bit, I’d say that people may find the simple life of the Amish to be appealing. Also, the Amish depict a clean, chaste, and faith-filled life that some people may crave? It would be interesting to see if any Amish authors out there can comment on this post and give some of their insight as to why the Amish books sell so well.
Also, there are a few websites/blogs that focus on Amish fiction. I just heard about these within the last week or so. They are:
Amish Reader
Amish Hearts
If you have specific questions about the Amish or Amish fiction, you might want to visit these sites and maybe ask the list owners some questions? Just a suggestion!
So, authors and blog readers, why do you think the Amish books sell so well within the Christian market?
Thanks for posting this on your blog. I hope some authors respond.
Hi Cecilia,
Very interesting question, and one that is on a lot of editors’ minds … mine, for one. My editor asked me if I could write Amish. As an edgy Inspirational author, my reaction was a bit of shock and the question, “I don’t know — is there such a thing as “Edgy Amish”?
I think the answer to that question is “no, there is not.” Why? Because as I read somewhere, I think it may have been Zondervan who researched the Amish question, and found that readers do, in fact, want to return to a simpler, less amoral time when things are chaste and pure. Our world today is so stark in its penchant for immorality, that I truly believe many readers read Amish to escape our difficult 21st-century morality.
Just my two cent’s worth.
Julie
Hi all! Well, as the author of a book focusing on an Amish character, I feel compelled to chime in. I agree that it’s probably the simplicity of the lifestyle that draws people to the Amish. Like several others, I’ve tried to figure out the appeal. . .and have wondered why Amish-themed books seem to sell as well as they do. In some ways, it has boggled, to be honest. In my book (Out of the Blue) I didn’t really focus on or glamorize the Amish way of life. My story was about a girl running away from her Amish roots. (She leaves in her blue wedding dress to escape marrying someone she thinks she doesn’t love.) The story picks up again fourteen years later when she’s living the life of an Englisher in a nearby town. I had to do a lot of research about the Amish because I wanted to effectively portray her family members and wanted to show how torn she was between the two lifestyles. I spoke to a professor who’d grown up Amish. He gave me a lot of insight. There are so many sects of Amish and they all have different rules/guidelines. For example, my character could go back home to visit her family, even though she wasn’t Amish. Why? Because she hadn’t yet been baptized intot he faith when she left as a seventeen/eighteen year old. I think I did a pretty good job of contrasting the two lifestyles. My sister lives near the Amish country in Pennsylvania and I’ve been to Paradise PA, where my story takes place. I have some awesome photos of that area. It’s gorgeous!
I’m not really sure what it is. I do know that I am very fascinated with the Amish people and their lifestyle. They are not modern like we are and work probably much harder than we do but seem to have more of a family life than we do.
Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
I’ve been asking myself the same question. It frustrates me, because I don’t like to read Amish stories, don’t want to write one, and yet I know if I did I’d have a much better chance of getting published. That’s very frustrating. But I think there is room in Christian fiction for all kinds of stories, including the kind I like.
And Julie, I love your books just the way they are!
As an author who has been writing about the Amish for a number of years, I’d like to comment on the question being discussed about why Amish fiction is so popular, based on the comments my readers have made to me. In our modern society, many people are longing for a simplier way of life, where family values and focusing on God comes first, instead of wordly pleasures and capital gains. While we can’t all leave our English way of life and become Amish, we can learn many things from the Amish that we can incorporate into our own way of living. As was said in a previous post, there are many differences among the Amish and other Plain people, so in order to write an accurate story about the Amish I feel that it’s necessary for an author to personally know the Amish they are writing about in order to convey their lifestyle as accurately as possible. When I began writing about the Amish over 10 years ago, it was not only to show my readers what the Amish are really like, but because I have a deep love and respect for these very special people I have come to know and love on a personal level. My husband grew up in a Mennonite church, my great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith, and we have a number of Amish friends in all the communities I write about. If it weren’t for the fact that I know so many Amish personally, I don’t think it’s a topic I would ever have chosen to write about. There are too many misconceptions about the Amish, and knowing them personally is the only way I could write stories that accurately portray their way of life.
— Wanda Brunstetter
http://www.wandabrunstetter.com
Hi Cecelia,
I am the author of Plain Perfect, and I have five more solo books releasing, along with two novellas – all Amish fiction. And, yes…it is a shocker that Amish fiction has taken off the way it has.
Like some of the others have said, and from what I gather from readers, these stories take people to a simpler time, and with all the problems in the world – it’s an escape.
My books focus on finding peacefulness within an Amish community. People seem to be searching for peace, or have searched for it at one time, and so they can relate.
The trend doesn’t seem to be going away either. More and more authors are getting signed for multiple Amish fiction book deals. And many are hitting bestseller lists.
Thanks for inviting me to comment, Cecelia!
Hi Cecilia,
Thanks so much for inviting me to post! It’s been fun reading other authors’ posts about the genre. To me, the Amish genre is growing, just like the whole inspirational market. I love that there’s not just ‘one’ type of Amish romance for readers to choose from.
In Hidden, my first book for Avon Inspire, my heroine is an abused Englisher who seeks refuge in an Amish bed and breakfast. It’s not super edgy, but it’s not necessarily very sweet, either. So, I think there’s something for everyone in this genre.
Shelley
I am just fascinated by their way of life being so different from mine. They have a simple life that I would love to have. They work so hard and kids in our society don’t know about hard work!
I just can’t get enough reading about them. From starting with Wanda Brunstetter and Beverly Lewis, I am now so happy to find other Amish Christian fiction authors out there.
Keep the Amish books coming as I plan to read them all!!!!!
Sarah : )
I enjoy reading Amish fiction, but I have to take it in small doses. So much of it that I’ve read all seems the same with very few deviations that I get a bit bored with it after awhile.
I will say that I’m in the middle of Cindy Woodsmall’s Amish series, and I have been so impressed. The main topic of the series (rape) is not something you’d even read in other Christian fiction novels, and the fact that she has merged that particular topic with the Amish culture in this series is so fascinating to me.
Cecilia, this is such a great topic. I’m glad you posted it. I just read what Wanda wrote and I love her response. She has strong relationships with the Amish she writes about.
I also remember when I sat across from you and Kim Sawyer on the bus at the ACFW conference and how Kim talked about her Mennonite roots. While not all good Amish or Mennonite writers have ties with the communities they write about, it does seem like the majority do.
I’m inclined to think that those who feel a true passion for the Amish or Mennonite people are going to be able to write well about them.
Writing an Amish book just to jump on the band wagon will probably never work. I love to read these books, but I wouldn’t feel a passion to write about them unless I had relationships with them. I wouldn’t even feel authentic about it.
I’m not saying good research can’t produce a good story, but a book is always going to better when a writer has a passion for the topic they are writing about.
I agree with everything that has been posted here. People are wanting to come back to simplicity and the values that their grandparents grew up on. They want to live a more simple life with out clutter (clutter of the mind, not enough time and tons of ‘stuff’ in their living space). I also think that people like reading about the Amish because of the sense of mystery around them. Why do they chose to live ‘that’ way? How do they raise their children? How do they foster friendships with family life? What about their personal lives, their faith. People want to get inside the mind and heart of an Amish person. The news often does documentaries about them and that makes people even more curious as to how they live. We love their cooking and baking and want to know about their traditions and heritage. How are they most like us and what things do we have in common with them? Could I live as an Amish person? What is their personal relationship with the Lord like? To me these are all things that make them interesting in their own way. I think books about them will always be best sellers….for the mystery and thrill of experiencing a life outside of your own. They are a beautiful people in their own right.
In my humble opinion…..
Hi Cecilia,
Thanks for asking me to post. I’m a debut inspirational author, and my first book, A Gift of Grace, will hit bookstores next month. It’s the first in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series.
As others have said, I believe the fascination is with the simplicity of the Amish way of life. I have a great respect and admiration for their strong faith and focus on family. Visiting with them is so calming to me.
My first book is about an Amish woman who gains custody of her two non-Amish (“English”) nieces. I enjoyed seeing how the two worlds would mesh and what issues would emerge in the newly-formed family.
Thanks again for asking me to post. Your blog is great!
I have read quite a few Amish books, some I’ve really enjoyed, some I’ve barely made it through… in the end it really comes down to if the storyline is good or not.
I do enjoy learning about the simpler life 🙂
Just a reader…
Hi, Celia,
Thanks for dropping by my site and asking me to post.
I think it’s surprising how many people have or feel a connection to the Amish community. But whether someone has Amish neighbors or have only seen a snapshot photo of them in a magazine or newspaper, many would like to know what the Amish life is truly like.
My first connection to the Plain community was having an Amish-Mennonite best friend while growing up. Both sets of parents (hers and mine) voiced a lot of concerns. And that’s when the seeds were planted for my Sisters of the Quilt series.
As an adult, I reconnected with the Plain community through an Old Order Amish family. Each year as I spent days or a week inside their home, living without electricity and listening to them talk of their beliefs, traditions, and practices, a desire grew to want to write about the harder issues that face them.
As I shared with them my ideas for the series, one of my Old Order Amish friends said, “We know the problems we face and how poorly at times we handle those issues. If you’re going to write, don’t make us out to be what we are not. Don’t make us perfect. Tell the truth of our struggles.”
But the beautiful part of sharing their struggles is that the Amish, as a whole, are a people of faith. It’s accepted by non-Amish that the foundation of the Amish existence is built on avoiding worldliness and clinging to the simple ways. We can all identify with having a worthy goal, but humanness enters the picture and we get off center. I think part of what makes the Amish so fascinating is they want to do what is right and they’ve agreed to keep a lot of rules to help them stay on the proverbial straight and narrow, but no amount of rules or dressing modestly will keep a human from making mistakes or committing sins, and needing Christ. But their lifestyle is such that the inner struggle of mankind is seen clearly, and, by seeing life through their ways, we can see the weaknesses of man that caused Jesus’ innocent blood to need to cover all of us—and that God is no respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34)
Em Gott sei Friede, (God’s peace),
Cindy
We live about three miles from the first Amish farm in our area, and five miles from the Lancaster County line. Horses and buggies are a familiar sight, as are the farmers plowing with their mules or horses.
When I was thinking about what to write, the Amish were a natural since I have so many every day encounters with them, whether at a farm stand or at Walmart. (Our Walmart has a shed and rail for tying up buggies while the drivers shop. The intersection and the traffic there make me think those who drive their buggies instead of taking an Amish taxi are either the bravest or most foolhardy people I’ve ever seen!)
When I think of the Amish in terms of faith, I find myself fascinated by the issue of law and grace that is such a tension for them. Then there’s the tension with the regular world, a world that encroaches more and more on the Lancaster County Amish due to tourism and the loss of farm land to development.
My Amish fiction is romantic suspense as are the rest of my novels. At this moment I’m in the middle of updating and expanding The Key, The Document, and The Decision for re-release by Harvest House next year. They’re changing titles, so be aware if you’ve already read the old version.
I do have to say that much as I admire the tenacity of the Amish, I’m glad not to be Amish, especially as a woman with intellectual curiousity. An eighth grade education would be very limiting, and I hate housework. Of course if I had been raised Amish, I wouldn’t know any better, I guess, but the freedom to learn and live in grace is precious to me.
1. I am not Amish.
2. I do come from the Anabaptist community.
My stories have Old German Baptist Brethren character’s in them but they are not the main character of the book. (You might say they are the “side-kick” character)
Because the truth of my own life is mingling with other Christians, learning and sharing with them.
I am getting some “push” to make my stories “more” German Baptist, but that is not true to my life or my stories.
This is an interesting discussion.
What a great subject! I’m so glad to see you’ve collected so many of my fellow Amish fiction writers in one place to post our opinions.
Having spent my life in rural Pennsylvania, the Amish and the other Plain sects are simply a facet of everyday life to me. In fact, I hadn’t thought too much about the fiction appeal until I decided to use some Amish characters in a book, Restless Hearts, in my Flanagans series from Love Inspired. The reponse astonished me. It was truly, as I think Wanda mentioned, a case of finding something that is totally familiar to me and bringing it into my fiction because I know it and care about it.
That initial book led into a suspense series, The Three Sisters Inn series, which had English protagonists and Amish minor characters.
I’m so pleased that I recently contracted with Berkley for three longers books with Amish main characters, starting with Leah’s Choice in November. That book was so interesting to me to write, because the main character was very like a friend of mine who comes from a Plain background and was faced with a choice to develop her gifts through leaving the community or to find God’s will in staying.
I agree with all that has been said above. People, especially in these uncertain times, are longing for simplicity and peace in their lives. Even though they might have no real desire to become Amish, I think they enjoy a sojourn in that world.
Blessings,
Marta Perry
I don’t know what the appeal is to the Amish novels, but I for one love them. I think I am drawn to them because maybe somewhere deep down inside of me I crave a simpler way of life. When I read these stories about individuals trying to leave the Amish community and others trying to join an Amish community it reminds me of the struggles that I think many people have. A struggle between wanting to be part of the growing and thriving world, yet at the same time to exist in a place that has a real sense of faith and community and simple life. I have a friend who is Amish and she chose to live with electricity and music and such. Her family has supported her and has given her a room devoted to what she wants. Out of 5 children she was the only one to not follow all of the Amish traditions, but her family still supports her no matter what her choices. She is the only one with a car, lights, music, and such, the rest of the family still goes without and they are all very happy living under one roof. I just feel that at times I myself would love to just get away from the stress of school and work and life in general and at times feel that living a simpler life might be easier. I think that is why I am drawn to the Amish novels, I like to transport myself into that community and imagine what life would be like.
There is definitely appeal to the Amish. After all, they are fairly mysterious in their closed communities. We visit our Amish market and find great food (they come down to Maryland from Lancaster, PA.)
As an author of Amish fiction I’m not sure what else to add to the discussion–everyone has so eloquently stated everything I wanted to say! I’ll just give my personal reasons for choosing to write Amish fiction. My three book series, Heart of Middlefield, is set in Middlefield, OH, the fourth largest Amish settlement in the world. I live near Middlefield and really enjoy visiting there, and I wanted to introduce readers to this community. Like many readers of Amish fiction and of historicals, I too am drawn to a simpler life and am fascinated with the contrasts between the Amish and we “Yankees”. Researching and writing these books has also challenged my faith, leading me to deeper questions about grace, seeking God, and living a humble life.
The Amish, the Amish. For such a small amount of the American population, they take up a lot of Christian Fiction!
Like Julie Lessman, my editor at Harvest asked me if I could write Amish, couching it with the fact that they were looking for “Sassy Amish.”
The funny thing is that my agent and most editors I’ve chatted with are SO done with the Amish. But it sells, so it stays.
These are uncertain times we live in. The economy is bad, the church is wrestling with a lot of tricky issues. The Amish, with their appearance of simplicity, offer a respite from that. In uncertain times, what could be more comforting than a warm Amish kitchen with pie in the oven? (There’s always pie)
I think people turn to Christian fiction in the first place for its safety, especially for their teens. Amish fiction, in one respect, is that much safer. Nothing really, really bad can happen if the girl on the cover is wearing a bonnet.
(We all know that’s not necessarily true, but that’s public perception for you).
This is a lovely blog & forum you’ve created, Cecelia – thanks for inviting me!
Interesting post.
I was around an Amish community once and I was just riveted. I just could NOT stop staring. Weird, fascinating, cool in it’s own way. I felt like a jerk for staring, but then I thought, you know, if you don’t want to get stared at…well…I mean…they must get stared at alot, so rude or not, I just went ahead and stared.
Hi Cecelia,
Thanks for inviting me to post.
After reading all the previous posts I believe just about everything has been said regarding why Amish fiction is so popular. For myself, I grew up close to the Geauga County Amish community and now live near Holmes County.
The reason I write Amish stories is the same reason I’m drawn there again and again to spend hours, days and weeks at a time with the Amish. The peace and serenity of their lifestyle is so magnetic for a Christian. How much easier to feel close to God when not fighting rush hour traffic, watching the stock market flucuations, or worrying over escalating crime in our neighborhoods. Not that they don’t have problems, but it’s easier to stay grounded in their wholesome, rural, family-oriented world.
Mary Ellis
A Widow’s Hope
Writing about the Amish–and doing them justice–requires thorough research, and I’ve accumulated quite a library of Amish-related tomes, thanks to the stories I’m writing about them!
It’s long been my belief that the Amish are a curiosity to us Englishers.
They seem unique, mysterious, even somewhat peculiar because, even on the rare occasions when they venture into our world (to shop, visit a doctor or hospital, or see Amish friends who live outside their community), they stick determinedly to their rules.
We smile at their charming clothing, their unusual modes of transportation, their happy faces…all while we wonder how they manage to exist without electricity, indoor plumbing, cell phones, cars, television and radio!
Ask them if they miss any of those things, and the Plain people will smile serenely and firmly state that they do NOT. Because they really don’t see their lifestyle as one of suffering or sacrifice.
That isn’t at all surprising when you consider that their beliefs are deeply rooted in religious persecution that dates back to the mid-1500s. Living without modern conveniences must seem like child’s play compared to being hanged, stoned, or burned at the stake, as their ancestors were!
The real quandry rises when we ask ourselves if, by choosing our gadget-driven way of life instead of theirs, we might be disappointing our Lord….
While I admire and respect the way those decent, hard-working people live, I don’t think for a minute they’ve found a secret path to Paradise. Quite the contrary!
Those who are continually inundated by temptation–related to our choice NOT to ‘live Plain’–are forced to exercise willpower in to the Nth degree.
Anyone who’s ever gone camping knows avoiding certain temptations can be much, much more difficult than living without electricity and plumbing!
So aren’t we fortunate that the Lord blessed us with the grace to meet those temptations, day after day, and stand firm in our faith, despite them…
…all without having to sacrifice the Internet or cable TV!
Eventhough I am geared more toward Amish cookbooks than Amish novels as an author, I think the Amish books do well because they are clean-cut and usually have a bit of history about the Amish. I tour quite a bit, and have tons of families show up at my presentations, and I think that is one point: the whole family can enjoy Amish books. I have a strong international following and half of my followers are tweens and teens, so it is a family trend to read Amish books. I have never had any trouble booking tours and have aleady booked a whole fall tour for my “Amish Nurses of Lancaster County”, and “Sisters of Clay County”, series that debut in the fall. I am former Old Order Amish and am now Mennonite and enjoy writing good Christian books. As Senior Editor of The Amish Garden, a hardcopy newsletter, I get a lot of email from all over the world, not just the United States, so I think it is a worldly trend to read simple, yet inspiring books.