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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Are The Best Genre & Retelling Mashups Ever?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

What are some of my favorite story retellings and mashups? Well, Sandy Barela and I spent a couple of hours trying to think of all of them! via @chautonahavig

Once in a while, I get a hankering to read something different.  So, I give myself permission to do what I call a “free read” every now and then. That’s one where I get to read whatever I want.

Well, recently, my decision to enjoy a specific free read got me thinking about one of my favorite books, Dear Mr. Knightley (review here) and then I wondered if there were more.  That sent me on a quest to discover more books like it–books that are retellings or mashups or both!

Sandy Barela from Celebrate Lit Publicity and Publishing joined me a couple of weeks ago for a couple of hours of brainstorming, and this is part one of that session.

What Are The Best Genre & Retelling Mashups Ever? Retellings

Note: Links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What Are The Best Genre & Retellings Mashups Ever?

Well, I suspect that depends on what you think!  However, Sandy Barela and I came up with quite a few that we loved and wanted to share. From Austen to Dickens, Peter Pan to Wizard of Oz, we really hashed out a bunch. Including a couple of my own books!  That was fun!

We talked about some great books with retellings and mashups including (affiliate links):

  • Dear Mr. Knightley
  • 12 Days at Bleakly Manor
  • A Very Austen Romance Anthology
  • Presumption and Partiality
  • Mortal Sight
  • No Space Like Home 
  • Dust
  • A Twist of Faith
  • Operation Valentine
  • Olivia Twist
  • The Seamstress
  • Winning Miss Winthrop
  • The Christmas Carol Society
  • Jack
  • The Accidental Case Files of Emily Abbot

We actually had to stop recording before we even got to the awesome mashups we wanted to create because well, time!  AAAK!  So, we’re just going to continue this episode in a few weeks… and maybe again in a few weeks after that! (just depends on how much time is left!

Celebrate Lit Publishing (our sponsor this week) is having a CONTEST.

Okay, I don’t know about you, but I love me a good contest, and we’ve got a doozy for you today. Celebrate Lit Publishing is accepting entries into a contest with a publishing contract as the grand prize!  All you have to do is go HERE and submit your initial entry by August 31, 2020.  It’s a short form that just requests your email, basic story idea (what you’re mashing up) and why you’re excited to do this.

Then, by December 31, 2020, you’ll be expected to submit the first three chapters, a full synopsis (detailing the full plot—no cliffhangers. This is for a publisher, not a reader), and a marketing plan (how you plan to help promote your book).

Did you get that part about where the grand prize is a publishing contract? (restrictions and limitations do apply)

Since I can’t enter, I’m just going to help with reading all the submissions. And then I’ll do episodes talking with the authors who entered and see who’s doing what with their stories!  SQUEE!

This was the first of a two or three-episode series on these mashups. Stay tuned for the next one or two.

Celebrate Lit retellings and mashup contest

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 602: A Chat with Paul Headworth
byChautona Havig

Christians are fond of saying that Christ has already defeated Satan, but sometimes, it sure doesn’t seem like it. Listen in as I chat with Paul Headworth about his novel exploring this in his book, Prophetic Redemption.

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Headworth focuses on the difficulties of cases and what happens when things go wrong. By the time we got done talking, I knew I’d have to read it.

Prophetic Redemption by Paul Headworth

This special novel is geared for the believer and nonbeliever, providing an engaging murder mystery while sowing many positive and possibly life-changing messages.

A judge from the 32nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Publishing Book Award cited, “The masterful use of suspense is key to maintaining reader engagement and greatly enhances the story’s captivating appeal. Additionally, the rich character motivations and development, especially evident in Charlie’s relentless pursuit of justice for his wife and son, alongside Paul’s transformative journey, render these characters both believable and relatable. Moreover, this book defies the stereotype that inspirational works lack depth. Instead of burdening readers with recipes, it proves that such books can be emotionally resonant and deeply thought-provoking.”

Learn more on Paul’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
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  • RSS
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  • YouTube
  • and more!
Episode 602: A Chat with Paul Headworth
Episode 602: A Chat with Paul Headworth
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Over halfway there! 🎉✨ I just crossed the 50,000-w Over halfway there! 🎉✨ I just crossed the 50,000-word mark on Dear Uncle Nick, and you know what that means… it’s time to open Box 4 of my Archer & Olive Advent Box! 🎁
Nothing motivates a writer quite like a stationery treat every 5,000 words. Just like an Advent calendar builds anticipation for Christmas morning, each little box gets me one step closer to bringing this 1934 farming community and their heartwarming advice column to your bookshelf on Black Friday! 🎄✍️
There’s no preorder for this one, so we are counting down the days and words together until launch day.
👇 Your turn: At 55,000 words, I get to open Box 5! Leave your best guess in the comments—what stationery surprise do you think is hiding inside next? 🖊️📓
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G'night! G'night!
When Mom makes pepper jack bread and you butter an When Mom makes pepper jack bread and you butter and fry it. Yum.
With 45,000 words "on the page," it’s time to cele With 45,000 words "on the page," it’s time to celebrate with Box #3! 🎁☕

I am officially halfway through writing my upcoming historical Christmas novel, Dear Uncle Nick! Writing this story—which centers around a cozy, small-town advice column in a 1934 farming community—has been such an encouragement even to me!
To keep my momentum going so this book is ready for you by Black Friday, I’m treating myself to a little joy: opening a beautiful @ArcherandOlive Advent Box "gift" every time I complete 5,000 words. 45K means Box 3 is officially MINE! But now how to use this amazing journal? HELP!
Because this book releases on Black Friday without a preorder, I’d love for you to follow along here so you don’t miss the release day announcement. Your prayers and encouragement mean so much to me (and to Eddie Morten--I'm sure of it!)
#DearUncleNick #HistoricalFiction #ChristianFiction #ChristmasNovels #InspirationalFiction #AmWriting #CozyReads #BlackFridayRelease #HistoricalChristmas #AuthorLife #ArcherAndOlive
Dear Uncle Nick, Our town has a lot of people in n Dear Uncle Nick,
Our town has a lot of people in need—no mistake about that.
We can’t meet them all, but we can do what we can to help.
Everyone loves a good box social, but that can be expensive, especially this time of year.
I propose a “dessert social.” We apply the same premise, but the boxes only hold enough dessert for two. Penny bids can be augmented by work or other goods. Folks can even buy the “augments.”
What do you think?
Hungry for cinnamon rolls!

Ever heard of a box social? 📦✨ In 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, communities had to get creative to help neighbors in need.
This "unprinted letter" from the archives of my upcoming historical Christmas novel, Dear Uncle Nick, shows the exact heartbeat of a small farming town trying to survive winter with a little sweetness and a lot of grit.
✍️ The Question: If you were bidding on a dessert box for two tonight... what dessert would you hope is inside? Let me know in the comments!
#HistoricalFiction #AuthorLife #DearUncleNick #FountainPen #1930s #ChristmasNovel #ChristFic #HistoricalRomance #BookReels
Awesome movie. Don't remember a single foul word, Awesome movie. Don't remember a single foul word,  despite rough subjects and scenes. Well done.
#jimmymovie
Writing with white gel ink on kraft paper just hit Writing with white gel ink on kraft paper just hits different. 🖊️🤎
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Despite his quiet, protective pining and our main couple's semi-secret admirer flirting through the newspaper columns, this book is more than just romance. It's a huge found family of cast that I'm loving.
Only a few thousand words left until the 45k milestone and Box #3! Let’s go! ⌨️✨
#archerandolive #writinggoals #historicalromance #blackfridayrelease #writingprocess #cozyvibes #stationery
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