Christina Engela is one of South Africa’s most unique and skilled storytellers, having written 29 books (so far) in science fiction, and also several non-fiction titles. Best known for her realistic characterization and for casting fully-fleshed-out LGBT characters in leading roles, Christina brings a wealth of personal experience to each of her stories. With several new offerings already in the pipeline, including several standalone titles, 2020 is bound to be a busy year for her fans!
ABOUT CHRISTINA ENGELA, THE AUTHOR:
It’s true that Christina might not be the only writer – or even the only sci-fi writer from South Africa, but she is by far the most authentic, eccentric and unique sci-fi/fantasy/horror writer to originate from that country!
This is not just because of the characters or settings she creates, or the unique situations she imagines, but also because of her life experiences, her unusual outlook on life – and the strange and often wacky things she notices in the world around her – and of course, her quirky sense of humor!
In her fiction, she creates believable characters, and spins gripping tales that transport her readers to distant worlds, becoming absorbed in their lives and adventures! Christina is the proud owner of a warped sense of humor, and it shows in her writing – and also typically in ordinary conversation! She writes in the science-fiction/ fantasy/ horror genres, and has already published 29 titles in three series – and others, including an academic paper about Satanic ritual abuse hysteria and a children’s book against bullying.
Aside from writing, Christina also edits on a freelance basis as well as part-time for Moon Books Publishing, and has 7 published titles to her credit so far. As if all that isn’t challenging enough, she also paints, dabbles in photography and makes music on her computer from time to time!
Christina has a lot of diverse interests and life-experience to draw upon in her writing, including having been a soldier with the South African Army and the director of two LGBT rights advocacy groups among other things. She’s also an advocate for freedom of (and from) religion.
If you would like to read more about Christina’s life and experiences, and to view a more detailed biography, please visit the links below.
WHAT DOES CHRISTINA WRITE ABOUT?
Christina Engela is a writer who seamlessly blends elements of sci-fi, fantasy and horror into her stories. Broadly speaking, her writing is perhaps best described as “space opera”.
Which elements? Well, she writes about aliens, space ships, big explosions – and crypts, ghosts and vampires – in the same books and in a way that makes all of these topics fit with each other without causing a melt-down or an inter-dimensional rift!
Her favorite setting for her stories is the planet Deanna, where she loves to create unique characters and situations and to blend them with her past real life experiences and sometimes endearing (or not so endearing) parts of her real life acquaintances. For some reason, this location lends itself to what she calls ‘quantum-ness’ and for creating the unique characters around which her stories flow. This is one of the reasons why the series of stories centering around Deanna is called the Quantum Series.
Christina also wrote the Galaxii Series, which predates the Quantum Series, and as could be expected, is slightly less ‘quantum’, as is “Panic! Horror In Space“, but while slightly darker and more serious in mood, still contains her trademark wit and humor in generous portions.
Christina also writes non-fiction.
NON-FICTION:
In 2006, Christina wrote “Bugspray”, a book about Volkswagen Beetles and her experiences with them, a book that was updated, expanded and reissued again in 2015. In 2013, she researched and compiled the 400 page academically reviewed tome “Satanism: The Acid Test (STAT)” for the Alternative Religions Forum, which has been key in turning the tide of Satanic Ritual Abuse (S.R.A) hysteria in media reporting bias at least in South Africa, if not around the world.
Christina’s current Bibliography gives details of her works. Please visit School Writing, And After – A Journey if you would like to see how Christina’s writing evolved from childhood until she became a young adult. The ‘Timeline of Milestones, Awards & Achievements‘ provides additional details about her personal achievements as well as actual publishing dates of her books.
On numerous occasions, Christina has said that she writes from experience – but this is almost certainly not a reference to flying in a space ship, blowing up planets, or tripping over crabby-grass! Her sense of irony in her storytelling, character detail and development, and plot construction set her apart from the herd, but what makes Christina Engela unique as an author, is what she writes about.
In today’s world, it is rare to see new content that reflects SGM (Sexual and Gender Minority) characters either impartially, unbiased or fairly. Very little such material, if any is otherwise being produced by authors.
Sadly, a lot of writers perpetuate stereotypes in their characters – sometimes deliberately, and sometimes due to ignorance on their part – and not always just when it comes to SG minorities. The very same holds true when it comes to the portrayal of Pagan or ‘occult’ belief systems – and although Christina doesn’t specifically write books focusing on Paganism or esoteric beliefs, as a non-theistic Pagan herself – Christina reflects a keen, open mind and includes her own experiences, insight and research in various paths and disciplines into her writing.
Christina’s writing is not stereotypical, and her characters – regardless of their sexuality or gender – are anything but stereotypes. Her writing is also not aimed specifically at any particular audience. The beauty of her stories is that the characters sexual orientation or gender appear as elements of the story – not as the story! There are plenty of heterosexual and cisgender characters – even lead characters – in there to balance things out!
CHRISTINA’S TARGET MARKET:
You may be wondering what Christina Engela’s target market is, and although she generally writes across the genres of science fiction and horror, most of her writing is aimed at the intelligent, discerning and open-minded reader who appreciates fiction written by an author who is part of the LGBT community, and one who’s spent years campaigning for LGBT equality and human rights as an activist.
Most of her novels tend to feature LGBT characters in some form or another – and in many of them, these characters are either the leading character, or one of the main characters. LGBT characters and issues are portrayed in a balanced outlook, and are not sensationalized or stereotyped. In her stories, LGBT characters are portrayed as inspirational people – action heroes, military personnel, leaders, pilots, scientists, police officers, CIA agents to mention but a few – and treated just like normal everyday people – not as caricatures, negative stereotypes, or sensational elements!
Christina’s target market therefore, is not just Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror – but LGBT-friendly Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror!
If you’re not part of the LGBT collective, you needn’t worry that you will have some kind of ‘gay agenda’ rammed down your throat – the beauty of Christina’s stories is that these appear as elements of the story – not as the story! There are plenty of heterosexual and cisgender characters – even lead characters – in there to balance things out!
However, just as fiction is not all she writes – writing isn’t all she does. If you would like to know more about her, please feel free to browse her website.
To send her a message, please use the Contact form.
CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA ENGELA:
Below are some links to other places you can follow or connect with Christina Engela:
WEBSITES, COLUMNS & BLOGS:
- Christina & Wendy’s Paranormal Blog: Our Ghost Encounters (2020 – present).
- Christina’s Book Marketing Website: The Crow Bar (2019 – present).
- Christina’s Column on Penton Independent Alternative Media (2011-13).
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Christina’s Column on Litnet (2009-10).
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Christina’s Activism Blog: Sour Grapes – The Fruit Of Ignorance (2009-present).
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Academia | Minds | Instagram | GoodReads | Author’s Database | Library Thing | YouTube | Pintrest | Stage32 | The Book Marketing Network
If you would like to know more about Christina Engela and her writing, please feel free to browse her website.
If you’d like to send Christina Engela a question about her life as a writer or transactivist, please send an email to christinaengela@gmail.com or use the Contact form.
Show your appreciation for Christina’s work!
All material copyright © Christina Engela, 2020.
