Vella Karman joins me for this special Friday With Friends episode of More Than a Song to talk about her debut novel, Beyond the Mirage; her faith and writing journey; how Scripture shapes her storytelling; and the Bible tool that keeps her time in God’s Word fresh and alive.
Vella Karman is a Christian novelist drawing on her southern roots to craft stories splashed with color and emotion. Her writing has been read in more than forty countries. She developed the Fantastical Summer anthology, leading a team of fifteen writers to craft a collection of faith-based short stories. Her debut novel, Beyond the Mirage, is out now from The Pearl. Vella completed a rigorous professional development program through The Company, graduating as the first student to earn a full copy editing certification in the duration of the program — and I can personally vouch for the precision she brings to a manuscript, because she was one of the copy editors on my debut novel, A Seat at the Table!
In this conversation, Vella shares:
- Why she reads the Bible — and how she can physically feel the difference when she hasn’t
- Her favorite verse, Isaiah 41:13, and what it reveals about God’s personal, merciful nature
- The spiritual warfare and a pivotal New Year’s Eve moment that inspired Beyond the Mirage
- The core truth woven into her debut novel: “I can trust myself when I trust God”
- Why Christians should be the most fun people on earth — and what that has to do with the Gospel
- Her favorite Bible Interaction Tool: the Blue Letter Bible app (free on Apple and Android)
- Her song recommendation: “Scared” by Claire Leslie
What if God allowed people to teleport?
Lauren is a quodesher–one of those people who can teleport a whole carful of people across the country.
When California wildfires turn the drive to her sister’s wedding into a mad dash teleportation tour of the country, she’s entrusted with her sister’s wedding ring…and thrust into a responsibility she knows she’s not ready for.
When the ring goes missing, Lauren is forced to make choices that will impact the lives of the people around her forever.
As the leader of this ragtag group of wedding guests, she finds herself in more trouble than she bargained for. And since when did she ask to be haggled about her parents’ death (ancient history) at every move?
Not all is as it seems. And trusting God…might just be a journey.
With the imagination and powerful prose of Nadine Brandes’s Wishtress, this clean YA novel speaks to the journeys we all embark on, and the faith it takes to put the broken pieces back together.
What would you do if you started growing a fluffy tail every time you felt embarrassed?
A mermaid outcast, a girl who can steal stars, and a high schooler suddenly affected by gravity in a gravity-free world—these are just a few of the fantastical premises you’ll find in this collection of short stories.
Weaving classic coming-of-age themes into magical versions of our world, fifteen Christian writers each bring a fresh perspective on childhood, loneliness, and identity.
Save a spot in your beach bag, because this collection of clean, fun summer stories is more than a fluff read. This beautifully brave anthology leads us to ask hard questions while staying grounded in the truth of the Bible. You’ll want to revisit these thought-provoking stories throughout the year.
Connect with Vella
I know you’ll want to get to know Vella better.
