Kirishin, Japan's oldest Christian publishing company, will launch what it is calling the "world's first christian light novel" via its newly planned label. The company is holding a contest to find the right book to become its inaugural Christian light novel series.

The grand prize winner will be published in Kirishin newspapers. Interested writers need only submit a single chapter to be considered. The company is looking for a work that is entertaining but also focuses on Biblical and Christian themes. The author is not required to be Christian to submit a work. Entries will be accepted starting on September 1 until December 31.

Kirishin launched in Japan at the end of World War II, in 1946. The company has continued to publish religious literature for the last 70 years, including manga.

Christian denominations were previously anthropomorphisized in Kirishin's Christ Weekly paper with the star "Puritan."

[Via Hachima Kikō]