Introduction to the genre challenge 2013 -15

[Liz, Moderator]

Excellent! The new poll for next month's genre should be active soon too...

[Her Royal Orangeness]

What is chemical fiction?

[Liz, Moderator]

Her Royal Orangeness wrote: "What is chemical fiction?"

It's drug-related fiction (eg Trainspotting, Naked Lunch etc)

[Her Royal Orangeness]

Liz wrote: "Her Royal Orangeness wrote: "What is chemical fiction?"

It's drug-related fiction (eg Trainspotting, Naked Lunch etc)"

Ok...thanks!

[Liz, Moderator]

Only one more day to vote for next month's genre. Currently in the lead: YA/New Adult....

[Ian, Moderator]

Just voted for 2nd placed Memoir/Biography, but in passing, what's New Adult? I've seen it tagged to those romances full of semi steamy sex with six packed blokes on the cover - ie New Adult Romance, but other than that, is it an age range after YA? Would have thought at that stage your're adult enough to tackle anything.

[Liz, Moderator]

Yes, it's a new one on me too (and likewise, surely adult says it all?) but apparently it is now a bona fide genre. According to wikipedia: 'New Adult (NA) fiction is a developing genre of fiction with protagonists in the 18-25 age bracket. The term was first coined by St Martins Press in 2009'. Well I think NM (New Marketing) might be a more suitable acronym.... ;)

[Liz, Moderator]

Cynical? Moi? Never!

[Ian, Moderator]

Tu? Jamais. Moi absolument!

[Helen]

It came about last year I think, and yes, idea is to get more sales.

[Laura]

I wonder when 'Old Adult' emerges as a separate genre...

[Robyn]

with protagonists in the 18-25 age bracket

I thought this would have described a good portion of literature already existing. Perhaps Austen needed a rebranding?

[Em]

Which books/writers are considered to be New Adult then?

I'm thinking we might need some new genres: "eternal child", "clinging to lost youth" ummmm "old lady". I look forward to seeing the revised list.

[Liz, Moderator]

Em, I have no idea, but I'm sure there's a fair few people out there who could make some suggestions.

[Mike]

Well, I'm an Old Git. Why haven't I got my own genre? I feel ignored and discriminated against.

[Bill]

I think I'm a member of the Old Git genre as well, Mike, and a very distinguished grouping it is...

[Ian, Moderator]

Make that 3 - that's a new genre then official like, to go with the rather nice beer of the same name......a refreshing golden ale with a fusion of American and Slovakian hops apparently.

[Laura]

So what books are in the 'Old Git' genre?

[Ian, Moderator]

Ones about beer, football and Pink Floyd I suspect.

[Andrew]

Dark side of the old peculiar sums that up Ian!

[Mike]

I think us Old Gits like grammar books and style guides, but not to read ourselves - we urge them on younger people. (We read them at school and think we can remember what was in them but of course we can't.) Vintage detective and thriller writers, of course. George Orwell. No sci-fi, fantasy or self-help. Oh and, yes, of course, the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

[Helen]

Rofl!!

[Liz, Moderator]

Perhaps it should be rebranded as 'GitLit'?

[Bill]

Mike wrote: "I think us Old Gits like grammar books and style guides, but not to read ourselves - we urge them on younger people. (We read them at school and think we can remember what was in them but of course..."

Old Gits don't like old classic SciFi? John Wyndham, Jules Verne, HG Wells, Robert Heinlein?.. hmmmm, I may have to rethink this..

[Liz, Moderator]

Ok, YA/NA has come out on top, so I will go ahead and set up the thread...

[Ian, Moderator]

Helen wrote: "Rofl!!"

That was a new one on me H. Pick yerself up girl.

[Ian, Moderator]

Liz wrote: "Perhaps it should be rebranded as 'GitLit'?"

Rofl

[Em]

Git-lit! That's priceless!

[Mike]

Git-lit includes classic sci-fi Bill, and certainly the ones you mention. I would add C.S. Lewis to that list. Also, perhaps surprisingly, R.C. Sherriff for a beautifully-written piece of tosh called The Hopkins Manuscript. And Chapman Pincher, of all people, for Not with a Bang.

So some current sci-fi and fantasy will probably make the grade as git-lit, if it stands the test of time. I am told Chris Beckett probably will.

[Liz, Moderator]

I've just posted the poll to choose the genre for April...

[Liz, Moderator]

New thread posted - Biography/Memoir for April.
There are plenty I've been meaning to read, but somehow I never get round to it. The Genre Challenge gives me the perfect excuse....

[Ian, Moderator]

Lots on my kindle to choose from plus the temptation of buying by his Mozness.

[Liz, Moderator]

I've posted the poll, so please go ahead and choose next month's genre....

[Liz, Moderator]

There's just over 24hrs left to vote for next month's genre.

In the lead at the moment is: Psychiatry/madness, closely followed by: Comedy/humour....

[Liz, Moderator]

As we're getting towards the end of May (already!), I've just posted the poll for next month's genre. So please go ahead and get voting ;)

[Liz, Moderator]

Comedy/humour in the lead, closely followed by travel/exploration. Still plenty of time to cast your vote....

[Liz, Moderator]

I've just posted the poll to choose the genre for July....

[Liz, Moderator]

We seem to have a tie this month: Travel/exploration and Gay/Lesbian.

What to do? We could do one this month and save the other for August?

[Ian, Moderator]

Toss a coin Liz.

[Bill]

Yup, toss a coin..

[Laura]

Coin toss!

[Liz, Moderator]

Ok, heads for travel/exploration, tails for gay/lesbian.

And this month's genre is: Gay & Lesbian writing.
I will get on and post the new thread...

[Liz, Moderator]

We're coming to the end of another month and it's time to choose the next genre.

As the previous poll was a tie between Gay/Lesbian & Travel/Exploration, (and on the toss of a coin we chose Gay/Lesbian), shall we just say August is Travel/Exploration?

[Em]

Fine by me...

[Sue]

And me - there can't be many topics left.

[Laura]

Suits me fine too.

[Liz, Moderator]

Sue wrote: "And me - there can't be many topics left."

I think there are only five genres to go now.... The end is in sight!

[Bill]

Fine with me as well.

[Liz, Moderator]

The new thread for Travel/Exploration has been posted....

[Liz, Moderator]

The poll to choose September's genre has been posted. :)