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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Ready for the Great Stories from This Exciting Contest?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Classics, fairy tales, genres... All about an exciting contest. Don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what kinds of submissions Celebrate Lit gets. via @chautonahavig

This week is the final episode in our three-part series on classic retellings, continuing stories, and mashups with Sandy Barela from Celebrate Lit Publishing. Before we get to the brainstorming session (the last part of a nearly two-hour recording that I broke up),  I gave a short, mini-gush about one of the books we discussed in Episode 13 (about the great ones already in print).  I loved the book, Dust, by Kara Swanson and had to rave about it for a few minutes.  My review for that book is HERE.

Then… onto our brainstorming session and a reminder about the contest!

brainstorming with Sandy Barela and exciting contest

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

Ready for the Great Stories from This Exciting Contest?

One thing we didn’t remind authors of in this episode is that anything we came up with in this brainstorming session is fair game. If you liked any of the ideas or suggestions, please do feel free to run with it—either for the contest or just because you want to write it!

In no particular order, I know we discussed:

  • Alexander Dumas and his Three Musketeers, Count of Monte Cristo, Man in the Iron Mask, and some of his family history.
  • Dickens, of course (in passing).
  • Edgar Allen Poe
  • Shakespeare (we pretty much turned everything of his into something)
  • Louisa May Alcott (Come on… Eight Cousins?  Please!)
  • Lewis Carroll
  • Sir Walter Scott:  Particularly Ivanhoe… in space!
  • Both The Scarlet Letter (Amish?) and The Scarlet Pimpernel (WWII?).
  • Jules Verne
  • Jack London
  • H.G. Wells
  • Frankenstein
  • So many more!

I wrapped up the episode with a couple of things.

The Celebrate Lit Story Mashup/Retelling Contest!

exciting contest

To enter:

Fill out THE FORM for this exciting contest with

  • Name
  • Email
  • Story idea
  • What inspired you

By August 31, 2020.

Then, by December 31, 2020,  Send in the following:

  • The first 3 chapters (as clean as you can edit them)
  • A full editor’s synopsis (tell everything that’ll happen—share all the spoilers)
  • A marketing plan

To learn how to make a good marketing plan, join the discussion at Christian Authors Anonymous over on Facebook.

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

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 578: A Chat with Carolyn Bourke
byChautona Havig

I did a whole video on dementia in Christian fiction and how we need more not long ago. Now Carolyn Bourke has given us another wonderful addition to the line up in A Beautiful Death.

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

This book shows how people with dementia are still people with love to give and needs. If you loved The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, I suspect you’ll enjoy this book, too!

A Beautiful Death by Carolyn Bourke

A moving story of resilience, second chances, and the unbreakable bonds of familial love. World-renowned pianist Cassie Brennan faces a devastating diagnosis: rapidly advancing younger-onset dementia threatens to steal her memories and identity. As she grapples with the lonely life she’s always led, an unexpected friendship with newbie journalist Elle Jones offers a glimmer of hope. With time running out and the shadows of dementia closing in, Elle helps Cassie confront her deepest regrets and search for reconciliation. Together, Cassie and Elle embark on a journey of forgiveness and self-discovery, testing the boundaries of friendship and the resilience of the human heart. Bourke weaves a tapestry of emotions that will resonate with readers long after the final page in this heartwarming tale of resilience and humor in the face of dementia, where Cassie’s quirky attitude and indomitable spirit captivate.

Perfect for fans of Sara Brunsvold’s The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, A Beautiful Death is a testament to the enduring power of love and the indomitable strength of the human spirit.

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

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • YouTube
  • and more!
Episode 578: A Chat with Carolyn Bourke
Episode 578: A Chat with Carolyn Bourke
September 7, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 577: A Chat with Denise M. Colby
September 5, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 576: A Chat with Ann Swindell
August 31, 2026
Chautona Havig
A Chat with Dante Lupinetti
August 29, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 574: A Chat with Laura DeNooyer
August 24, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 573: A Chat with Cheryl Weber
August 22, 2026
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Episode 572: A Chat with Kari Trumbo
August 19, 2026
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Episode 571: A Chat with Lucas and Shauna Fischhaber
August 17, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 570: A Chat with Niki Florica
August 15, 2026
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Episode 569: A Chat with Fayla Ott
August 10, 2026
Chautona Havig
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One foolish night sparks an accusation that threat One foolish night sparks an accusation that threatens to ruin multiple lives. Savannah never meant to let things go so far, and she certainly never meant to say anything so heinous. When she disappears the whole town knows it has to be HIS fault, that Mac.
Quite possibly my favorite book of all I've written.
Available in print and on Kindle Unlimited. https://amzn.to/4gONyQa #affiliatelink
#ChristFic
#ChristianRomance
When Hollywood's prince abdicates his cinematic th When Hollywood's prince abdicates his cinematic throne for Bible college and a cigarillo girl, Gary Prinz assumes all threats against him are hyperbole rather than serious. But when shots ring out and people start dropping at his final movie premiere, things look dire--especially when that cigarillo girl is arrested for the murders.
Set in 1926 Hollywood, this Cinderella-esque mystery is available in print, on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited), and audiobook (available on all platforms), or listen FREE on YouTube @ChristaDelSorbo.
https://amzn.to/4xvQRCQ #affiliatelink
#ChristFic
#ChristianMystery
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One foolish night sparks an accusation that threat One foolish night sparks an accusation that threatens to ruin multiple lives. Savannah never meant to let things go so far, and she certainly never meant to say anything so heinous. When she disappears the whole town knows it has to be HIS fault, that Mac.
Quite possibly my favorite book of all I've written.
Available in print and on Kindle Unlimited. https://amzn.to/4gONyQa #affiliatelink
#ChristFic
#ChristianRomance
When Hollywood's prince abdicates his cinematic th When Hollywood's prince abdicates his cinematic throne for Bible college and a cigarillo girl, Gary Prinz assumes all threats against him are hyperbole rather than serious. But when shots ring out and people start dropping at his final movie premiere, things look dire--especially when that cigarillo girl is arrested for the murders.
Set in 1926 Hollywood, this Cinderella-esque mystery is available in print, on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited), and audiobook (available on all platforms), or listen FREE on YouTube @ChristaDelSorbo.
https://amzn.to/4xvQRCQ #affiliatelink
#ChristFic
#ChristianMystery
#HistoricalChristianMystery
One foolish night sparks an accusation that threat One foolish night sparks an accusation that threatens to ruin multiple lives. Savannah never meant to let things go so far, and she certainly never meant to say anything so heinous. When she disappears the whole town knows it has to be HIS fault, that Mac.
Quite possibly my favorite book of all I've written.
Available in print and on Kindle Unlimited. https://amzn.to/4gONyQa #affiliatelink
#ChristFic
#ChristianRomance
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