ABOUT THE SERIES

Description: RED RAIN is a clean, Christian science-fiction series for middle grade and young adult readers. The books are written in a “serial” style with fast plots and relatively short lengths (most books are under 60,000 words each). The series currently has 9 main entries (books #1, #2, etc.) and 7 supplemental novellas (books #1.5, #2.5, etc.). The series is designed to be read sequentially, and the supplemental novellas are optional.

Genres: Science fiction, dystopian, action-adventure, religious/Christian, young adult, middle grade

Reading Level: The books are written with a young adult audience in mind and feature a teenage protagonist. Due to the short length and easy reading level, they are also suitable for middle grade readers. The main series books are recommended for pages 10+; the supplemental novellas are recommended for ages 13+.

CONTENT GUIDELINES

Language

The series features no explicit language and no euphemisms. Characters are frequently described as having cursed, but the specific words are never listed. There is the occasional unfinished “What the—” The word “hell” is used periodically but never as an exclamation. The Lord’s name is not taken in vain. Notable Exception: In Green Dragon (#8.5), there is a bleeped out “WT****” in a text message. A character tells another character they “suck.”

Sexual Content

The series features no sexual content, explicit or implied, with any notable exceptions listed below. There are no innuendos and no crude humor. There is no mention, positive or negative, of gender identity or sexual orientation issues.

Notable Exceptions: In Catalyst (#4.5), a character mentions “the uncomfortable symptoms of puberty.” A character tells a story about how she was “almost born in the back” of the family car; her father laughs and tells her to ask her mother if “that’s what really happened.” A married couple has a surprise pregnancy and is initially shocked and upset; the mother wonders if she “miscounted.” In Green Dragon (#8.5), it is stated that a secondary character spent the night at her boyfriend’s.

Romantic Content: Characters are occasionally described as “attractive.” The teenage protagonist has a sweet, “slowburn” romance which involves mild feelings of emotional attraction, mild physical affection (hand holding, hugging, gentle cuddling), and occasional kissing. An adult protagonist has a failed relationship which involves mild feelings of emotional and physical attraction, mildly suggestive behavior, and kissing. Several adult characters have romantic relationships that involve mild feelings of emotional and physical attraction, mild physical affection, and kissing.

Violence

The series features mild-to-moderate violence, with any notable exceptions listed below. Common types of violence include: explosions, falling from great heights, car crashes, shootouts, armed standoffs, characters getting knocked out, and brief fistfights. The female teenage protagonist gets kicked/punched occasionally but never to excess. Characters carry and use guns frequently.

Notable Exceptions:

• In Prisoner 120518 (#2.5), a character falls into a puddle of acid; the narrator later remarks that the acid “spared them the expense of a burial.”

• In Andromeda (#3), a villain commits suicide. The actual act happens off-screen; the narration skips from the villain aiming the gun to the POV character reacting to the body. There is a brief mention of a puddle of blood.

• In Catalyst (#4.5), there is mention of excessive blood splatter at the scene of an accidental death.

• In Blue Fire (#5), it is mentioned that the government is responsible for the genocide of a Jewish community. The situation is discussed indirectly and abstractly, and it’s implied there’s a mass grave off-screen.

• In Queen Sacrifice (#8), the characters visit a group home for the disabled. It is briefly discussed that the government is engaging in euthanasia, abortion, and eugenics. The concept of forced sterilization is vaguely implied. A shootout results in multiple deaths; no gore is described. A public execution is referenced but not witnessed. A military character is shot to death on screen for treason; no gore is described.

• In Green Dragon (#8.5), the POV character is physically abused by his father. He is hit once on screen and briefly recounts past episodes of abuse.

• In False Flag (#9), a mass public execution is discussed but not witnessed. A character is shot to death on screen; the POV character briefly mentions blood and “the sounds of someone dying violently” but does not watch the death.

Drugs & Alcohol

The series contains minimal drug and alcohol use, with any notable exceptions listed below. Characters are occasionally knocked out with drugs and are prescribed pain and sleep medication by doctors/trusted adults.

Notable Exceptions: In Prisoner 120518 (#2.5) and Aurelius (#3.5), a teenage character mentions taking an unknown substance to help him sleep and later deals with the hangover. In First Light (#5.5), it is implied that adult characters have been drinking at parties and on dates. In Laodicea (#6.5), an adult character is drunk. In Jonah (#7), the teenage protagonist is given sleep medication by a doctor and then doesn’t sleep, leading her to act with impaired judgment. In Queen Sacrifice (#8), the same character, regretting her actions, is afraid to tell adults about her continued sleep problems because she “doesn’t trust herself on medication.” In False Flag (#9), the same character is prescribed anxiety/sleep medication by a trusted adult and wrestles with the balance between needing medication and praying for healing. Also in False Flag (#9), an adult character suggests serving alcohol at a party to “stimulate gossip”; it is implied that adult characters have been drinking at a party, and one adult character acts drunk.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

I would love to come speak or teach at your school! I have experience teaching workshops, leading writer’s groups, and leading Sunday school classes, and I would be thrilled to help you bring the love of reading and writing to your institution. Email me with your proposal, and I’ll get back to you within a few business days.

BOOK DONATIONS

I would love to partner with you to make the RED RAIN series available at your school, library, or church. In most cases, I will donate one set of main series paperbacks (currently books #1-9) per legitimate institution. Additional copies, hardcovers, and copies of supplemental material/omnibuses are available at wholesale pricing. Email me with your request, and I’ll get back to you within a few business days.