I Published My NaNo-Novel: Staying True to Your Story

Bru Baker started participating in NaNoWriMo in 2010, and went on to publish the novel she wrote that year, Island House. She tells us about the experience, including having her eyes opened to the genre hierarchy, and why it matters to tell the story you’re passionate about:

When I signed a contract to publish my 2010 NaNoWriMo novel, Island House, I didn’t realize romance was a bit of a dirty word in the book industry. Or that since my characters were both men, my book would be further marginalized by being categorized into a sub-genre: gay romance. I had written this novel for the joy of writing it, and, at the time, was just thrilled to find there was a market for what I had produced. 

I was proud to join the ranks of published authors and not at all prepared for the subtle (and not so subtle) snubs that a genre author receives. I had no idea certain genres of fiction were looked down on by some people because they weren’t part of mainstream fiction.

I didn’t understand that retailers bury genre fiction on their virtual shelves. That probably goes for their physical shelves, too, but as a writer in a sub-genre, I’ve never had the opportunity to see my books on a bookstore shelf.

I also wasn’t prepared for the way some mainstream authors belittle genre works. I’d never thought of “trope” as an insult until it was said to me with a sneer by an author who thought genre fiction was a waste of time. I was surprised I needed to justify my seat at the fiction table, but I’ll defend my right to be there—and yours, too!—until such casual dismissal isn’t commonplace.

That being said, I’d never warn a writer away from genre fiction. 

“Your words shine when you’re being true to yourself and your style.”

If westerns are your thing, write westerns. If the story that dogs you day and night is a romantic suspense paranormal mystery, then write it! Your words shine when you’re being true to yourself and your style. At the end of the day, I’d rather have a book I’m proud of than something I hacked together because I was following mainstream trends.

Publishing is an ever-changing landscape, and I’ve seen a lot of positive changes over the six years I’ve been a part of it. The advent of niche publishers has made it easier for genre writers to get their books published, and social media is perhaps the greatest tool in a genre author’s belt. Putting yourself out there will help readers who love those genres find your books. Having a presence on sites where readers look to discover new authors like Goodreads, NetGalley and BookBub is helpful, too.

A good story is a good story, and at the end of the day, that’s what matters to readers. And if yours is a tragi-comedy space opera as told in the POV of the ship’s cat, you’d better believe there’s a reader out there who’s been looking for a book just like that for years. It may take some time and patience to find your niche, but never let anyone tell you you’re less of a writer because you aren’t in the mainstream.

Bru Baker is a former journalist who made the jump to writing fiction in 2010, when she entered her first NaNoWriMo. She balances her time between writing gay romance with Dreamspinner Press and working in reference and reader’s advisory for a Midwestern library. She’s happiest when she’s either writing a book or surrounded by them. Her next release, More than Okay, will be out in late September.