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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

The Crazy Things Some People Do for a Good Book

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

I love great mashups like the next person, but add to that a bit of Christian fiction and brainstorming all the stuff I want, and WOW! Fun! via @chautonahavig

Do you ever wonder how some stories would play out in a different setting?  Like The Little Princess… but in the Chicago Projects, or The Little Mermaid—in reverse. 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 two of that session.  You can listen to the first part where we talk about books others have created from retellings and mashups over on Episode 13.

The Crazy Things Some People Do for a Good Book- mashups

Note: I don’t think there are affiliate links in here, but there could be!  *shrugs*

The Crazy Things Some People Do for a Good Book

How about stand in a hot room in the desert with the windows closed and all fans off to keep the recording as clear as possible?  Yeah?  Or stuff one’s self in a walk-in closet to do the same?  Yep. Sandy and I went all out to bring you our craziness as clear as possible.  You know, so you could hear us cackle, come up with nutty ideas, and basically have a good time that hopefully makes a bit of sense.

We talked about mashups like mixing:

Amish and Bronte

Count of Monte Cristo and… Persuasion (and it was funny at the time, but I’m gettin’ ideas!)

Anne of Green Gables—set in England in WWII

Little Women—no, wait. Not telling on that one.  Hee hee!

Shakespeare

Horror

Dickens.

Although she tried to bring in Wuthering Heights (which for some reason we kept calling “withering—it’s really a better word for it, though… withers the soul), I managed to keep it out!

And better than that, we gave verbal permission (verbal agreements are legal and binding!) for anyone to take any of these ideas and run with them because…

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

Yep, that’s right. I’m excited to share that 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 asks for name, email, basic story idea (what you’re mashing up) and why you’re excited to do this.

Then, by December 31, 2020, you need to submit your 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).

Just going to reiterate… Celebrate Lit Publishing will choose one winner and, if publishable, offer a contract!  EEEP!

Trust me, if I could enter, I would. But, well… I kind of can’t.  So, I’m just going to help with reading all the submissions. And then I’ll do episodes talking with the authors!  SQUEE!

This was the second of a three-episode series on these mashups. Stay tuned for the next.  It has some of my favorites in it. AAAAK!

Celebrate Lit mashup contest

Christmas Episode Recommendations:

You can either call 442-242-0904 and leave a voicemail (try not to use the speakerphone and be in a quiet place)

Or, if you prefer, you can send an email to [email protected].

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 584: A Chat with James Finke
byChautona Havig

If you love spiritual warfare with a bit of Screwtape Letters thrown in, then listen in as James Finke and I chat about his Dear Judas. This is one I do NOT want to miss.

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

James FInke started out writing apologetics and during Covid, shifted to apologetics-infused fiction. And if you don’t follow him on Instagram, you should! He’s brilliant.

Dear Judas by James Finke

Christians are binging this in a weekend. Not your typical Christian fiction. This one will impact your walk with Christ. From James Finke, author of the bestselling Christianity Uncomplicated series, comes Dear Judas, a gripping Christian novel where love, apologetics, and spiritual warfare collide.

Tommy Finch has built his life on evidence, logic, and measurable results.

A successful medical device salesman in a demanding corporate world, he has no need for God.

Until his heart stopped.

After a near-death experience shatters his disbelief, Tommy finds himself confronting questions his rational worldview cannot explain. But as he searches for answers, he becomes the target of unseen forces determined to lead him to “their father’s house below.”

There is just one problem for hell’s strategy team.

Tommy is married to Elizabeth, a devoted Christian whose persistent prayers and unwavering faith make him far more dangerous than he realizes.

Through chilling letters between a junior demon and his calculating supervisor, Dear Judas reimagines the themes of The Screwtape Letters in a contemporary setting, blending spiritual warfare, thoughtful apologetics, humor, heart, and eternal stakes.

As Tommy wrestles with skepticism, truth, and the unseen battle unfolding around him, one question becomes unavoidable:

What if the evidence actually points toward God?

Perfect for readers of C. S. Lewis, Frank Peretti, and Francine Rivers, especially those who enjoy Christian fiction filled with spiritual conflict, emotional depth, and faith that refuses to separate reason from belief.

Learn more on James’ WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

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  • and more!
Episode 584: A Chat with James Finke
Episode 584: A Chat with James Finke
October 6, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 589: A Chat with Amanda Cabot
October 5, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 587: A Chat with Four Authors
September 30, 2026
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Episode 586: A Chat with Becca Kinzer
September 28, 2026
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Episode 585: A Chat with Jenelle Hovde
September 26, 2026
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Episode 583: A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard
September 21, 2026
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Episode 582: A Chat with Terrie Todd
September 19, 2026
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Episode 581: A Chat with Bethany Crigger
September 14, 2026
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Episode 580: A Chat with R. T. Ward
September 12, 2026
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Episode 579: A Chat with Lauren Smyth
September 9, 2026
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There's nothing like a town that comes together to There's nothing like a town that comes together to take care of their own. When a local couple is scammed with a "defective" diabetic alert dog, Fairbury residents are ticked. Fundraisers abound, and one couple even writes a Christmas play. But without a Christmas miracle, it's not going to happen. God, however, is in the business of miracles. All they needed was for Him to agree.
FREE through Wednesday, October 7, 2026. https://amzn.to/4hMAcEF #Affiliatelink
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There's nothing like a town that comes together to There's nothing like a town that comes together to take care of their own. When a local couple is scammed with a "defective" diabetic alert dog, Fairbury residents are ticked. Fundraisers abound, and one couple even writes a Christmas play. But without a Christmas miracle, it's not going to happen. God, however, is in the business of miracles. All they needed was for Him to agree.
FREE through Wednesday, October 7, 2026. https://amzn.to/4hMAcEF #Affiliatelink
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There's nothing like a town that comes together to There's nothing like a town that comes together to take care of their own. When a local couple is scammed with a "defective" diabetic alert dog, Fairbury residents are ticked. Fundraisers abound, and one couple even writes a Christmas play. But without a Christmas miracle, it's not going to happen. God, however, is in the business of miracles. All they needed was for Him to agree.
FREE through Wednesday, October 7, 2026. https://amzn.to/4hMAcEF #Affiliatelink
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#ChristFic
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There's nothing like a town that comes together to There's nothing like a town that comes together to take care of their own. When a local couple is scammed with a "defective" diabetic alert dog, Fairbury residents are ticked. Fundraisers abound, and one couple even writes a Christmas play. But without a Christmas miracle, it's not going to happen. God, however, is in the business of miracles. All they needed was for Him to agree.
FREE through Wednesday, October 7, 2026. https://amzn.to/4hMAcEF #Affiliatelink
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