Christian Novelist Reaches Beyond Stereotype

By Rick Moore
For The Tennessean

When Eric Wilson’s first novel, Dark to Mortal Eyes, was published in 2004, he was hoping it would lead to a career as a successful writer of Christian fiction. But not even he could have imagined the winding road his life has taken since.

Since that first book hit the shelves, Wilson has authored three other Christian fiction novels: Expiration Date, The Best of Evil and A Shred of Truth, which all contain elements of suspense, supernatural intrigue and Biblical references and settings.

In addition, he has written novelizations of the faith-based films Facing the Giants and Flywheel for Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Wilson’s first four novels were published through WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House. He recently signed a three-book contract with Thomas Nelson’s fiction division to develop his upcoming “Jerusalem Undead” supernatural suspense trilogy, featuring characters that can almost be likened to modern-day vampires, a concept that Wilson knows many Christian readers may consider to be decidedly non-Christian.

Author broadens reach to readers

Wilson is hesitant to label his characters traditional vampires, but he knows that the comparison will be drawn between the bloodsuckers of movie lore and his characters, called “collectors,” from the first book of the series, titled Field of Blood. The book draws its name from the Akeldama, the field near Jerusalem purchased with the money Judas received for betraying Christ in the New Testament.

“I’m not as concerned with writing for the Christian mainstream as I am with writing for people who might not ordinarily read a novel written by a Christian author,” said Wilson, who traveled to Israel and the Akeldama for research.

“I want to reach out beyond the stereotype of what a so-called Christian author is supposed to be.”

Jars of Clay producer is author of thriller conspiracy

Katie Shroder is the publicist for the fiction division of Thomas Nelson, and was, coincidentally, a publicist for Wilson’s books when he was with WaterBrook.

“This is the type of thing that’s not out there yet, but we think it’s something the market is asking for,” she said of Wilson’s Jerusalem Undead trilogy. “Our view is that we’re not looking for traditional, formulaic Christian fiction. We’re simply looking for the best writers who are definitely Christians who have the best stories to tell, but who aren’t trying to fit into some box about what Christian fiction should or shouldn’t be.”

Music producer and author Matt Bronleewe, who was a founding member of contemporary Christian rock band Jars of Clay, is the author of Illuminated, a thriller conspiracy novel published by Thomas Nelson. He said he believes that Wilson will soon be a force to be reckoned among American novelists.

“I’d love to see Eric end up all over the place,” Bronleewe said. “We met through my agent, who was a big fan of Eric’s and said he thought that Eric was brilliant and would be huge. I think the new series he’s putting together is going to be fantastic.”

Second novel optioned as film

Wilson, who at various times has made a living as everything from a barista to a headstone engraver, lives in Antioch with his singer/songwriter wife, Carolyn Rose, and their two teenage daughters.

An Oregon native, Wilson is a former youth pastor who grew up in a family that smuggled Bibles into Communist countries. His second novel, Expiration Date, the story of a character who can foresee people’s deaths, has been optioned for a motion picture and is in pre-production.

Wilson said he isn’t concerned with negative opinions or controversy about what people think a Christian fiction writer should or should not be, and that he feels blessed to have the opportunity to write for a living.

“I’m just being myself, using the talents God gave me to do what I believe I’m supposed to be doing,” he said. “If my work makes people think and talk, that’s a good thing.”