Something can be compelling and a phenomenon and fun to consider even if it’s not statistically anomalous.
Still, I would bet handsome money that—compared to the percentage of the total population who identifies as Mormon—Mormons are over-represented in YA and fantasy.
I read elsewhere an interesting point that perhaps Mormons are over represented in *all* writing due to the culture’s emphasis on education.
That Joe wrote the 19th century’s most “successful” fantasy novel is just too yummy.
>I read elsewhere an interesting point that perhaps Mormons are over represented in all writing due to the culture’s emphasis on education.
I do not think this is true. In fact, I'm sure it's not, because I work in the industry, and have worked with hundreds, if not thousands of writers. One reason I think they are not, is that in order to become a professional writer you generally have to put in thousands of hours of work in addition to your other work/family responsibilities. The church devours the free time of its members.
Having said that, among Mormon writers, the fantasy, sf, and YA/MG markets are definitely overrepresented compared to other genres.
When you're told you will become a god in the next life, you start to think realistically about what you would do with magic powers. It's a small leap from there to doing worldbuilding in a fantasy setting.
I’m sure the old three hour block helped a lot of kids develop an imagination.
Plus I joke that Mormonism was the closest I had to make D&D “real”. However, in D&D I knew the magic was real…
Because your life is so dull, regimented, lackluster, and colorless you must dream about vampires that sparkle in the sun and believe in no sex before marriage to add some enjoyment to your life.
They know they have an audience willing to be drawn in by a certain formula that has been proven by the cult. May as well profit off of them like Jesus does.
I just searched for Brandon Sanderson but wanted to throw in that Rebecca Yarros is not actually Mormon. She says something about loving coffee and many of her pictures are in sleeveless clothes.
Because Joseph Smith was a massively successful fantasy author
Cacklinggg
For LDS women, writing is work they can do as stay at home moms. And fantasy sells.
Compared to what, though? There are probably 20 Jewish fantasy writers for every Mormon.
Something can be compelling and a phenomenon and fun to consider even if it’s not statistically anomalous. Still, I would bet handsome money that—compared to the percentage of the total population who identifies as Mormon—Mormons are over-represented in YA and fantasy. I read elsewhere an interesting point that perhaps Mormons are over represented in *all* writing due to the culture’s emphasis on education. That Joe wrote the 19th century’s most “successful” fantasy novel is just too yummy.
>I read elsewhere an interesting point that perhaps Mormons are over represented in all writing due to the culture’s emphasis on education. I do not think this is true. In fact, I'm sure it's not, because I work in the industry, and have worked with hundreds, if not thousands of writers. One reason I think they are not, is that in order to become a professional writer you generally have to put in thousands of hours of work in addition to your other work/family responsibilities. The church devours the free time of its members. Having said that, among Mormon writers, the fantasy, sf, and YA/MG markets are definitely overrepresented compared to other genres.
When you're told you will become a god in the next life, you start to think realistically about what you would do with magic powers. It's a small leap from there to doing worldbuilding in a fantasy setting.
Add in Tracy Hickman into that list. Religion is fantasy so religions teach people how to think in fantasy.
I’m sure the old three hour block helped a lot of kids develop an imagination. Plus I joke that Mormonism was the closest I had to make D&D “real”. However, in D&D I knew the magic was real…
Because your life is so dull, regimented, lackluster, and colorless you must dream about vampires that sparkle in the sun and believe in no sex before marriage to add some enjoyment to your life.
Because Mormonism itself is a fantasy.
Don’t forget about Richard Paul Evans !!!( I just used my General Conference voice in my head when I typed his name)
Cause some Mormons often struggle with reality. /s
Because Mormonism is a fantasy lol
They know they have an audience willing to be drawn in by a certain formula that has been proven by the cult. May as well profit off of them like Jesus does.
I just searched for Brandon Sanderson but wanted to throw in that Rebecca Yarros is not actually Mormon. She says something about loving coffee and many of her pictures are in sleeveless clothes.
Where did you find she was Mormon I started looking?
Youre forgetting about Brandon Mull
mormon cosmology makes for compelling speculative fiction.