320. How is Realm Makers Reshaping Our Culture?

This year’s Realm Makers event came up fast. Zack and Stephen had a blast at the annual event just two weeks ago in St. Louis, Missouri. Whether you got to join us there, or would like to catch up later, let’s survey the successes of this three-day conference and expo. And as more Christian fans (and creators!) find their place in these challenging yet fantastical worlds, we will explore how Realm Makers is not just helping you find your tribe, but helping slowly change the real world.

Episode sponsors

1. Twist of Time by Tricia Goyer and Nathan Goyer
2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo
3. Author Update from Author Media
4. Iffy Eats Monsters for Breakfast by Bryan Timothy Mitchell

Mission update

• New at Lorehaven: new reviews
• Stephen’s article: “Why I Look Forward to America 250,000.”
• Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild.
• This week: we begin our quest into C. S. Lewis’s The Silver Chair!

1. Thursday: the Realm Awards banquet

• Zack’s arrival and initial view of the St. Louis Union Station Hotel.
• Comparisons between this new venue and previous RM locations.
• Stephen’s arrival and all-day setup of the Lorehaven booth.
• Evening festivities: the Realm Awards costume banquet.
• What we wore, what we saw, and who won best dressed.
• This event celebrates the best Christian-made fantastical stories.

Winner of the Realm Award for 2026 Book of the Year: The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin

Winners of the 2026 Realm Awards:

• Comics/Graphic Novels
  The Epistle to the Galatians: Word for Word Bible Comic: NIV Translation, illustrated by Simon Amadeus Pillario, published by Word for Word Bible Comics
• Cover Design
  Daughter of Light by Morgan L. Busse, cover design by Jenneth Leed, published by Enclave Publishing
• Flash Fiction
  “Godspeed, Spaulding” by Olivia Gratehouse, published by Havok Publishing
• Short Stories
  “The Department of Lost Things” by Shannae Grace, published by The Author Conservatory
• Audio Drama
  Route Styx (Season 1) by Colton Grellier, published by Sound and Fury Entertainment
• Audio, Short to Medium Length
  Jake Muller Adventures: Undead by Micah Touchet and Darby Kern, published by Tannhauser Gate Entertainment
• Audio, Novel Length
  Embergold by Rachelle Nelson, narrated by Aimee Lilly, published by Oasis Audio
• Novelette/Novella
  “The Keeper’s Voice” by Teddi Deppner, published by Parabolic Orbits / Onward and Upward Media, LLC / Ben Avery
• Debut
  Return to Aramon: A New Moon by Ezra Ferguson, published by Songmyth Media, LLC
• Middle Grade/Young Readers (Combined Category)
  The Mage Pocket: Apprentice Alliance by Millie Florence, published by Sprouting Pen Press
• Young Adult
  The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin, published by Enclave Escape
• Adult
  The Valkyrie by Carrie Cotten, independently published
• Horror/Paranormal/Supernatural
  Forever by Gina Detwiler, published by Ally Press
• Cross-genre
  The Dogs of War by Emily Hayse, published by Blue Maverick Press
• Fantasy (General)
  Fates Defiant by Brigitte Cromey and C. M. Banschbach, Borderlands Publishing Company
• Fantasy (Romance)
  Rune by Victoria McCombs, independently published
• Science Fiction
  The Crier Stone by Lyndsey Lewellen, published by Enclave Escape
• Readers Choice Award
  Captive by Bradley Caffee, published by Mountain Brook Fire
• 2026 Book of the Year
  The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin, published by Enclave Escape

2. Friday: Realm Makers Expo, day 1

• Intro the Lorehaven booth and especially our Side Quests.
• This time we had distinct Creature Quests and Treasure Quests.
• Lacy Rhiannon is that overseer, while Stephen helps/talks sci-fi.
• Lots of families with kids found purpose in visiting all other booths!
• That afternoon, Stephen and Zack joined Clint Hall’s sci-fi panel.
• Stephen then joined Lucas Kitchen’s “Christian label” discussion.
• Zack’s perspective on the writing conference, including keynotes.

3. Saturday: Realm Makers Expo, day 2

• Today was less writers’ conference, more fan-focused events.
• Stephen joined a book-signing with Ronie Kendig and Kathy Tyers.
• Also there: German Lutheran pastor/Jedi knight Stefan Munker!
• Plus our new Realmie, Jess Luttrell of the Cosplay4Christ podcast.
• Later, Stephen had a blast emceeing Tricia/Nathan Goyer’s event.
• More meetings with fantastic creatives, including Paul McCusker.
• Zack’s perspective on the end, including any keynote addresses.

Com station Top question for listeners

• Will we see you next year, July 22–24, for Realm Makers 2027?

Next on Fantastical Truth

Not just Independence Day, but all month long, American citizens are celebrating our nation’s semiquincentennial called “America 250.” Other fans from around the world are joining in! But some folks, of course, feel uncertain about such patriotism. Don’t our countries have a lot of problems? Isn’t our eternal citizenship in Heaven? Let’s explore how Scripture endorses “the glory and honor of the nations.” And let’s recall how fantastical stories illustrate this good love of our country.