About the Book
Book: The Next Fithian
Author: Rick Barry
Genre: YA Christian Science Fiction
Release date: September 14, 2021
Was this a new life — or a death sentence?
When Rankin Johnson boards a flight to Israel, he expects an adventure in archeology. But the airplane comes under attack and explodes in midair. Rankin shouts, “God, I’m yours!” Instantly, he’s in some other place. An angel informs Rankin the Lord is pleased to accept his offer. He dubs Rankin “the next Fithian” — a messenger from God, not to Earth, but to planet Zemna in the alternate dimension. What happened to the previous Fithian? “He was killed,” the angel says before vanishing.
On Zemna, Rankin finds a perplexing, violent world. Futuristic technology mingles with primitive ways. Also, a bizarre symbol—the Intersection of All Things—has appeared on his left palm. It’s a tool to aid his mission, but how? Rankin is supposed to share God’s message with this planet. Instead, he becomes a slave. What he really wants is a trip back to Earth.
With the aid of Prahv and Theena, a brother and sister who become his best friends, Rankin escapes. He hopes to fulfill his mission and return home as fast as possible. But now there’s a price on Rankin’s head. More than one Zemnan would rather kill him for the reward than hear what he has to say.
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About the Author
Rick Barry has climbed mountains, jumped from perfectly good airplanes, toured World War 2 battlefields, and visited Eastern Europe over 50 times in Christian ministry. He has a degree in teaching foreign languages and speaks Russian. His fiction and non-fiction have been published by Kregel Books, Focus on the Family, JourneyForth Books, Answers in Genesis, and others. His previous novels are Kiriath’s Quest, Gunner’s Run, The Methuselah Project, and Methuselah Project S.O.S.
More from Rick
Years ago, I received an unexpected phone call. Michael Ross, then-editor of Focus on the Family’s Breakaway magazine, asked me to brainstorm a big, bold adventure for teens: “Maybe fantasy. Maybe science fiction. Maybe both mixed together. I don’t know. Just make it big!”
Such an intriguing challenge! I accepted the assignment and developed a 3-part Christian sci-fi story, The Next Fithian. Those three installments reaped enthusiastic reactions from readers. However, after Part 3, that assignment was done. I moved on.
As years passed, my Fithian characters refused to let me forget them. They kept coming to mind, urging me to create an exhilarating, novel-length adventure for them. At first, I refused. I was giving priority to my novels about World War II airmen.
However, whenever I attended homeschool conferences to sign books for shoppers, teens visited my table to talk. What were those teen guys and girls wearing? T-shirts portraying the Avengers, Spider-Man, Captain America, the Hulk … It was obvious what kinds of adventures captivated these young adults. I wondered—what kind of uplifting novel could I pen for Christian fans of the Marvel universe?
In reply, my thoughts jumped back to The Next Fithian, a story brimming with action, adventure, danger, faith—plus a positive role model. This time, I yielded and began brainstorming ways to extend the original 5,400 words into an 80,000-word sci-fi novel with a Christian worldview. I didn’t want simply to create a gripping adventure. I wanted to give readers something unique. I wanted to touch their emotions, to make them laugh, to make them cry, to inspire them, and make them ponder things they had never considered before. I also wanted to transport them to another world where they might see better how to live in our own real world.
Responses from volunteer readers give me hope that The Next Fithian: An Ordinary Teen on a Strange, New World will appeal to diverse readers, both teens and adults. One teen, Kaden E. wrote, “WOW! I just finished the book, and boy was it fantastic!” Another teen, Victoria S. declared, “Rankin is exactly the kind of protagonist we need—he’s mentally, emotionally, and spiritually mature; intelligent; and compassionate.” Adult test reader Marali S. emailed, “I enjoyed this! You must write more!” Another, Jude U., wrote, “I pronounce excellence! The ‘romance’ was sweet and just enough.”
A mix of other test readers gave similar encouragement. So, even though my target audience is young adults, I hope adults will also enjoy it, just as adults enjoyed 17-year-old Katniss Everdeen of Hunger Games fame.
Christian sci-fi might not be your style, but pause and think—maybe you know a young adult who might benefit from such a story?
Author Interview with Rick Barry
Q: What was the inspiration behind this novel?Rick: The inspiration was two-pronged. First, while driving across Illinois I noticed an exit sign for two cities. Stacked one above the other, the names were Rankin and Fithian. Immediately I thought, “Rankin Fithian—what a cool name for a character in a story!” I jotted those words on a scrap of paper. Twelve months later, editor Michael Ross phoned me from Focus on the Family. I had already written stories for their Breakaway magazine. Michael urged me to dream up something fresh, something big and bold. He gave me carte blanche for genre, so long as the story was “big.” What a vague, intriguing assignment! Eventually an idea took shape—to take an American teen and transport him to a perplexing violent world where he doesn’t want to be. At last, the name Rankin Fithian had a storyline!
Q: How long did it take you to write this novel?Rick: The original tale was three short stories of 1,800 words apiece, and I wrote each installment within thirty days. But after that job was over, I set aside it and worked on several World War 2 novels. Over time, though, the idea of resurrecting “The Next Fithian” and fleshing out the story as a full sci-fi novel kept coming back to me. Eventually I yielded and commenced working on it in my spare time. That took five or six months. But even after I finished the first draft, I left it untouched on the computer for quite a while as I worked on other projects. The story needed time to ripen in my mind before I revised and polished it.
Q: What was the most surprising thing you discovered while researching and writing this novel?Rick: Because most of the story happens on an alternate world, it required far less research than my novels about World War 2 airmen. The plants, animals, people, and culture sprang from my own imagination. However, let me mention that, on the new planet with his new title, Rankin receives a special emblem on the palm of his left hand—the “Intersection of All Things.” It’s the mark of a Fithian and a tool to aid him in his mission. But how? He doesn’t know, and neither did I! The emblem comes with no user manual. As the story unfolds, Rankin and I discovered together how that emblem can interface with objects on the alternate world. It’s a key part of the story, and I thoroughly enjoyed discovering its abilities as the story progressed.
Q: Do any of the novel’s characters hold a special place in your heart?Rick: Definitely the protagonist, Rankin. He carries regrets from past actions; he’s an orphan; and since he’s seventeen there’s a lot he needs to figure out about life and himself. But throughout the story, Rankin repeatedly steps up to plate and faces his fears armed with trust in God. The hardships compel him to grow and mature in his Christian faith.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote from this novel?Rick: Various moments in the story give birth to spiritual insights. At one point, Rankin expresses frustration. He wants to leave a city called Quel-Tel-Palarim, but the city rulers won’t permit it. They don’t trust him and restrict his movements. Theena, his conversation partner says, “The Creator knows where we are. He knows where you are. He must have a reason for confining you to Quel-Tel-Palarim even when our personal plan seems so much better…. Shouldn’t we trust His omniscience as much as His love, Rankin?”
Q: What do you hope readers take away from this novel?Rick: To trust God and live pure lives according to His will no matter where we find ourselves.
Q: If the novel was made into a movie, who would like you to see play the main characters?Rick: Recreating this sci-fi novel on film would require the budget of a Marvel Studios movie. But if a producer wanted it, I’d like an actor somewhat like Tom Holland (Spider-Man) to play Rankin.
Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers wouldn’t know?Rick: For many years, I worked full-time in the office of a Christian ministry to Eastern Europe. I still assist them from a distance by translating Russian correspondence and reports and creating newsletters, etc. However, for the past couple years I’ve been the caregiver for my mom. That has affected life quite a bit.
Q: In what setting do you enjoy writing the most? Rick: I’ve written at home, in libraries, in my car under shade trees, on park picnic tables, aboard airplanes, and in other settings. Probably my favorite place would be in the corner of a coffee shop. Writing can be a lonely profession. When I’m in a coffee shop, I’m not “with” the patrons around me, but simply being around fellow humans keeps me from feeling like I’m in solitary confinement. I tune them out, but it’s still nice to have real life flowing around me. At home I generally write without music, but sometimes I’ll play something light in the background to ward off the deathly silence.
Q: What are you reading now?Rick: Don’t laugh. I just finished Book #7 in the children’s Artemis Fowl series. It’s different, quirky. Not something I’d write myself. Yet, there’s a lot of humor and imagination in these tales. Occasionally, reading something different from usual is refreshing. It stimulates the brain.
Q: How many bookshelves are in your home?Rick: Before becoming a caregiver, I lived in my own home with several tall bookcases. Now, though, most of my personal possessions are boxed and in storage while I care for Mom in her home. That situation is a bit limiting, but that’s life right now. (See again Rankin’s lesson from question #5!)
Q: Who is an author you would recommend to anyone and everyone?Rick: Anyone and everyone? That’s a vast audience! One author who comes to mind is Walter Lord. He wrote non-fiction accounts of big events by interviewing scores of actual participants and weaving their memories together into fascinating fast-flowing books. For instance, his A Night to Remember is the best true record of the Titanic sinking that I’ve ever read. His other books include Day of Infamy (the bombing of Pearl Harbor) and The Miracle of Dunkirk. Even if you normally prefer fiction, these books hold your attention!
Q: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?Rick: Writing is a strenuous mental process. When not writing, I like to balance that with physical exercise, being outdoors, and also running. I haven’t run a race in years, but I always feel better when I run two or three times a week.
Q: Where can readers find out more about you and your novel?Rick: My website reveals more about me and all my books. It’s
rickcbarry.com. One particular blog post goes into more detail about The Next Fithian. That link is
https://rickcbarry.com/2021/07/27/the-next-fithian-the-story-behind-the-story. Thank you for the interview!
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 13
Texas Book-aholic, December 14
Inklings and notions, December 15
For Him and My Family, December 16
deb’s Book Review, December 17
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 18
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 19
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 20
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 21
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, December 21 (Author Interview)
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 22
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 23
Simple Harvest Reads, December 24 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 25
Beauty in the Binding, December 26 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, December 26
Giveaway
To celebrate his tour, Rick is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
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