I know some authors don't like being labelled with a subgenre – cosy crime being one that immediately comes to mind, where a lot of authors rail against it – but I really do see them primarily as guidance for readers and booksellers. They're the bookstore equivalent of "If you like X, you might like Y", nothing more.
What I find more of an issue as an author is that readers and publishers are often hesitant to follow authors into completely new genres (preferring us to sidestep into related subgenres instead). Before I focused on books, for many years I wrote comics/graphic novels and videogames, and was constantly flitting from genre to genre. I've written everything from horror to rom-coms to westerns to sci-fi 😅 But in the book world that would be commercial suicide, which is a little frustrating at times.
Funny story: after my husband read the first draft of my book I asked 'I'm not sure if this is more of a rom com or a standard romance.' His reply: 'Well it's not funny, is it?' Reader, it is! 😆 (Well, a bit!)
I volunteer in a charity bookshop and we display by genre. There are always ones that puzzle me. Do I file The Lord of the Rings as classic or dystopian? The Salt Path as travel, biography or …
Debbie I once agented a Cold War thriller. The publishers used the central character’s name - Schiller - as the title. Dillon’s (the old London University bookshop) filed the copies under Philosophy!
At last year's London Book Fair I attended a talk by Saara El-Arifi where she explained that when writing the FAEBOUND series, she saw her books as fantasy with romance elements, but they were marketed to readers as romantasy. I find it interesting to consider that alongside the great points this piece makes about genre definitions: that even if an author categorises their book a certain way, their agent, an editor, or the market might decide differently!
You and Sam were so generous during the Blue Pencil webinar - I learnt a lot, so thank you. When I was writing my debut, A Moment on the Lips, I had no real understanding of genre and was initially told it was a romantic comedy. I later realised it sat more in women’s fiction, and once I repositioned it and updated the cover, sales really took off.
Thank you. Very useful 🙂👍
I know some authors don't like being labelled with a subgenre – cosy crime being one that immediately comes to mind, where a lot of authors rail against it – but I really do see them primarily as guidance for readers and booksellers. They're the bookstore equivalent of "If you like X, you might like Y", nothing more.
What I find more of an issue as an author is that readers and publishers are often hesitant to follow authors into completely new genres (preferring us to sidestep into related subgenres instead). Before I focused on books, for many years I wrote comics/graphic novels and videogames, and was constantly flitting from genre to genre. I've written everything from horror to rom-coms to westerns to sci-fi 😅 But in the book world that would be commercial suicide, which is a little frustrating at times.
Thanks for another great article. I'll be at the in-person event on Wednesday, look forward to learning more. George
Funny story: after my husband read the first draft of my book I asked 'I'm not sure if this is more of a rom com or a standard romance.' His reply: 'Well it's not funny, is it?' Reader, it is! 😆 (Well, a bit!)
Haha how rude!!
So interesting and thought provoking. I did wonder what the difference is between Book Club and Reading Group? Thanks
I volunteer in a charity bookshop and we display by genre. There are always ones that puzzle me. Do I file The Lord of the Rings as classic or dystopian? The Salt Path as travel, biography or …
Debbie I once agented a Cold War thriller. The publishers used the central character’s name - Schiller - as the title. Dillon’s (the old London University bookshop) filed the copies under Philosophy!
That must’ve cost sales 😫
At last year's London Book Fair I attended a talk by Saara El-Arifi where she explained that when writing the FAEBOUND series, she saw her books as fantasy with romance elements, but they were marketed to readers as romantasy. I find it interesting to consider that alongside the great points this piece makes about genre definitions: that even if an author categorises their book a certain way, their agent, an editor, or the market might decide differently!
You and Sam were so generous during the Blue Pencil webinar - I learnt a lot, so thank you. When I was writing my debut, A Moment on the Lips, I had no real understanding of genre and was initially told it was a romantic comedy. I later realised it sat more in women’s fiction, and once I repositioned it and updated the cover, sales really took off.