Women's Fiction authors discussion
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Your genre-hopping is intriguing, and a wonderful way to experiment and find your voice. I know of writers who publish each genre under a different pen name -- different brands for different markets.I'm wasn't sure how to classify my work, at first. One agent called it "up-market women's fiction".
As an aside, I also have a YA fantasy manuscript awaiting my attention. Completely different genre! So, I may need to join you in your literary form of interpretive dance.
-Lisa Lipkind Leibow
Double Out and Back
available now from www.RedRosePublishing.com
Kaylin here. Tried my hand at Mainstream Women's Fiction and truly enjoyed the exercise. Great reviews and contest wins, however, I think the subject matter was too emotionally draining to attempt again. This time around I'm writing action/adventure romance and think I've found my niche. But then only time will tell...Kaylin McFarren
FLAHERTY'S CROSSING
Champagne Books, February 2010
I generally go by the voices that I hear in my head. The voices I hear right now are all contemporary women's lit voices. I'm not sure I'd ever hear much of anything else anyway. It's where I'm comfortable, but how good it is...well, time will tell sooner than later.
Good day - this is my first comment ever anywhere - the good conversation is very encouraging! I was so uncomfortable with pinning a genre down that I invented my own: unauthorized autobiography, which I think of as writing against my will.
Linda! That's a riot! You are wrong. Your genre is definitely comedy!
Hello, thought I'd say hello and introduce myself too. My name's Lavinia and I enjoy writing contemporary fiction, either in novel form, or right now I'm trying to get into flash fiction. What projects/writing are you guys working on now?
I'm new too, Lavinia. As well as saying hello to you, I'd like to introduce myself. Laurel.I write fiction, novels, short stories, poetry and sometimes short plays. As well as finishing a murder mystery, I'm writing a skit for the local players group.
Laurel
http://laurel6346.tripod.com
Nice to meet ya Laurel!!So far I've noticed everybody is really nice on goodreads!
Glad you're here, Laurel! What is your skit about? Sounds like fun.
My short story, Ways of Love is a Free Read on Night Owl Free Reads. Check it out atwww.nightowlromance.com/nightowlroman...
Laurel
I agree with K.L. I tend to write the story that is playing out in my head. One day it can be freaky demons, the next a sassy twenty something or a single mom. I feel if you force your stories to fit a mold they will be moldy and forced. :-)
I tend to write women's fiction that focuses on serious themes (addiction, adoption, identity) and with predominantly lesbian characters. Would that be literary lesbian fiction?I also have a growing list of ideas for sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal stories. I'm not sure if I should write those under a pen name (to avoid confusing readers).
Hello World! I write historical fiction. My latest Dandelions In The Garden is about the infamous female mass murderer, the 16th century Hungarian countess, Elizabeth Bathory. It is book one of a two-part series. Dandelions In The Garden
Dharmashanti wrote: "I tend to write women's fiction that focuses on serious themes (addiction, adoption, identity) and with predominantly lesbian characters. Would that be literary lesbian fiction?I also have a grow..."
I've wondered the same thing, Dharmashanti. In my novel, the protagonist is a lesbian, and the novel is set amid a queer literati San Francisco crowd. But the secondary heroine is a born-again Christian, and part of the book is set in her church. So...I just call it upmarket women's fiction and let it go at that. :) Trying not to pigeonhole myself.
Oh, the novel is GLITTER GIRL: http://www.podiobooks.com/title/glitt...
Subject sounds fascinating, Charlie. Love the title. My latest novel in print is a romantic suspense titled Mangroves and Monsters. Both MAM (sequel) and my debut novel, Hoodoo Money (released just after my 60th birthday), were published by a small indie house in Maryland: Draumr Publshing. Very author friendly. It's been a good experience.Sharon
Congratulations on your latest published book, Sharon. The title sounds interesting.My Roman Britain book, is now up as a download at www.smashwords.com/books/view/8255
20% sample available as a free read.
Laurel
http://laurel6346.tripod.com
http://www.authorsden.com/laurellamperd
Hi everybody. I saw this group and you look so nice. I hope you will add me as a friend. I like to write...my book keeps being classified as chick-lit...but I say it is a memoir...who knows...lol...Let's be friends so we can talk about all kinds of books. Dianne
Welcome, Dianne. Your book sounds interesting. Chick lit or memoir. You will have readers guessing. All the best with it.Laurel
Laurel wrote: "Welcome, Dianne. Your book sounds interesting. Chick lit or memoir. You will have readers guessing. All the best with it.Laurel"
Thanks Laurel! =)...Lets become friends.
I wonder what genre my books fall into. My first one is easy as it's a self-help one about breaking the pattern of abusive relationships in our lives, but I wonder about my other two. They're not chick lit as such. Stop the world, I need to pee! is about the adventures of Fenella Fisher and how she eventually escapes from an abusive marriage. The Case of Billy B is about a father and son who face all kinds of hurdles in life including abuse and a stalker. It's probably women who would read them, so does that make them Women's fiction?
I'm pretty new to GR and just stumbled on this site. Sorry for chiming in so late on this thread but it intrigued me.My first book Starting Over(I'll post it somewhere on this group) was based on my great-grandmother's life story. It was the book I had to write. It is a bit of a historical family drama I suppose, but I mirror the story of the woman born in the late 1800s to a woman born in the late 1900s to try to give some contrast and to explore how our lives are affected by the changes in society and technology.
Anyway, after that I wanted to try something much lighter and more modern. I wrote what probably could be called a chick-lit book (seeking publication as I type). I wrote it in the first person to see what that would be like. And tried throwing in some humour. The heroine is youngish (around 30) and the whole books spans just a couple of years where my first book followed 2 women from the ages of 14-50 and covered more than a century in total.
So for my third book (in edit stage) I wanted to try something different again. This one is about 2 sisters, not quite 60 years old. The main character is suffering empty-nest or maybe a mid-life crisis. Her background is dramatically different than mine and I wanted to try writing from a more mature woman's point of view.
And just to keep bouncing around and testing myself, my 4th book (25% done) is a crime fiction where the detective is a man. I'm not a crime fiction buff but a male friend told me that I'd never be a success unless I included some bombs or murders. I took that as a challenge.
I don't know if I'll ever settle into a voice and style that readers would be happy to turn to with certaintity that they know what they'll get. I still write because I love it and the challenge of trying different things keeps that love fresh. It probably isn't going to help in the marketing game, but right now I'm not writing for the commercial success.
Hi everyone...I just joined this group. I have 4 romance novels published, and am offering a couple of free copies of the latest one, Analysis Of Love, through a Goodreads contest. This series is about the various members of a large Hispanic family, and the people each of them find themselves falling in love with. I thought I was writing erotica, because of the graphic sex scenes, but now that I have joined author/reader loops, I have discovered that since there are ONLY 2 people involved in my sex scenes, they are considered too tame for erotica! Who knew? Why a Hispanic family? No real reason...I come from a large family on my Mom's side, and I don't think ethnicity is as important as the feeling of loving and supporting each other. Plus I'm trying to learn Spanish!
But the free short story on my website (www.fionamcgier.com) is a sci-fi with sex in it...I shopped around a very short story that was also sci-fi with sex...I guess the only thing that my fiction stories all have in common is sex! But NOT erotica! ;-D
My husband says I write realistic male characters, and my friends say I write about men they want to meet, NOW, preferably in a private room somewhere!
Fiona
Hi everyone I have just joined this group. I have just published my novel Cardboard: A woman left for dead in North America. As to genre I am one of those writers who never knows what genre I am writing - I guess I come to recognize it as it takes shape - but unless I have to write for a particular audience I let my head go. Also the chick-lit category - my question is how do writers define this?
Another Fiona? Cool! I've only met 2 here in the US, despite my late Dad (from Glasgow) telling me it was a really common name. Good luck with your novel!
Welcome to women Writers, Fiona. You sound as if you are very productive with four novels published and others in the pipeline. Loved the interesting information on your blog. You are a very busy wife and mother.Laurel
Members might be interested to read the lovely review Carol Kean wrote of my children's book - The Battle of Boodicuttup Creek. Available from Amazon, B&N and other outlets. Download available from www.smashwords.comLaurel
http://www.amazon.com/Battle-Boodicut...
5.0 out of 5 stars BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK I'VE SEEN IN DECADES, February 23, 2010
By Carol L. Kean "candykean" (Iowa, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This fun, witty, page-turning adventure story sneaks in a few moral lessons and science facts, but kids won't even know they're learning while enjoying a good read. Laurel Lamperd transports us to Australia, showing us the native flora and fauna without giving away what she's doing - teaching us about her native land while spinning a great yarn, the kind of story we could enjoy hearing around a campfire.
Two boys reluctantly allow a girl into their adventure, which begins when Shane and Mitch spot an injured cormorant at Boodicuttup Creek. This is a contemporary issue; in real life, fishermen have killed the fish-eating water fowl to near extinction. The boys know this bird needs protection, but they never expected classmate Leanna Browning to visit the creek and keep her own eye on the injured cormorant. Seamlessly, the author weaves in details of the setting. Characters don't just walk past a shrub or tree, for example; they pass a mungji or a Western Yellow Robin.
Just as expertly, Lamperd depicts children as they really are, open and imaginative. When the villain and his bulldozer threaten the cormorant's home at the creek, Shane thinks of the T-Rex on TV and imagines it devouring Jem Gasper and his bulldozer. My inner child delighted in these dialogues. "If we had some explosives, we could blow up the dam, Jem Gasper and his bulldozer with it," Mitch says. Even good-girl Leanna startles the boys with, "There'd be arms and legs and bits of machinery flying everywhere."
Of course, Leanna thinks of something more constructive and legal--a petition to stop developers from destroying the creek.
Shane and Mitch are mortified at the potential public humiliation of joinng Leanna to collect signatures, but they reluctantly agree, hoping to "nick off" if other girls join Leanna. However, the cricket team captain signs the petition and applauds the idea, then encourages the boys to try out for the team. Nice payoff for going along with Leanna. And how cool of Mitch to give credit where it is due. "It was Leanna's idea," he confesses.
I love books where good things come from right decisions. Later, the cricket captain handles the bullies by encouraging them to take up sports. Every book needs a good guy like Jeff Phillips to steer the bad guys in the right direction.
Another thing that sets this story apart from other children's books is the adults. No stupid, incompetent grown-ups here for the kids to out-shine. Uncle Rolly is marvelous, and Mr. Albrecht too.
And here comes the mythos that makes this story so exciting and archetypal. Uncle Rolly has a "bullroarer," which may summon a Great Goanna in times of peril or great need. "Only make believe," Mitch thinks, yet he "felt a tingle of fear when he thought about the Great Goanna." In desperation, Mitch, Shane and Leandra consider borrowing Uncle Rolly's bull roarer to summon the Great Goanna and stop the bulldozing of Boodicuttup Creek.
Lamperd manages to imbue us with that sense of wonder handed down from the culture of Indigenous Australians. In the Aboriginal world view, every event leaves a record in the land, and everything in the natural world is a result of the actions of the archetypal beings. Certain places and creatures have a particular potency, which the Aborigines see as a dreaming which resides in the sacredness of the earth. Of course, the way Uncle Rolly explains this is far more exciting and cool. And Lamperd "shows" us without "telling" us.
This is one of the most fascinating, funny and satisfying children's books I've seen since my own childhood.
I was blown away by the review I got of my latest book, The Case of Billy B, available as a paperback and on Kindle from Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.5.0 out of 5 stars I had tears in my eyes, February 13, 2010
By Readers Favorite "Readers Favorite" (Hawesville, KY USA)
Based on a true story, this is a fictionalized account of one boy`s history of child abuse. Born with a cleft lip, ignored by his mother for the first six months of his life, she walks out on him and his father. His Army father is now faced with the task of raising Billy by himself, trying to keep a roof over their heads, and feeding and taking care of Billy while trying to further his Army career. Finally, realizing there was no other choice, he leaves the service and vows that he and Billy will make it.
The women he goes out with only have one thing on their mind... Marriage. Billy`s dad finally becomes consumed with two things in his life,beside Billy, Sex and Vodka. Unable to hold a job, he is always on the move. Ending up in Michigan, he meets up with a woman who runs a day care center. Infatuated with Chris, she is very abusive toward Billy, becoming a very real threat in their lives. Not only does Billy suffer the abuse of Stella, his father is not much better. Mentally, Billy has withdrawn into himself and has seen and endured more then any child his age should.
One has to read this book with an open mind to see and visualize the sheer torment that this young child endured. Called a freak and a misfit, can there be any help for this struggling father and his son? As he and Billy are continually stalked by Stella, it seems Billy becomes a pawn in the game of survival. Can Chris save himself and provide a stable home for them.
I had tears in my eyes reading this just wanting to hold Billy and show him that there was love in this world and no need for the suffering he was going through. The ending of the book left me with open minded and cries sequel. This book is highly recommended, but be prepared for coarse language and sexual content. The book contains material not suitable for those 17 and under.
modern romance/mystery. I am a first time published author of "Her Sanctuary", by P.Q. Glisson. It is the story of a woman who has escaped an abusive ten year marriage. A Half Native American man who because he is neither full Indian or white has no place in either world. On top of the racism and prejudice, he has been pronounced guilty by the towns' people and the Indians for the death of his wife and baby.It is a story about forgiveness, healing and love.
Can a woman who has never trusted or loved open her heart to a man who's been accused of murdering his own family? Can a man who has given up on love ever find a way to give love another chance? Can their love survive a betrayal that could cost them both their lives?
The case of Billy B does sound an interesting harrowing book, Cindy. It is a great review. If it is based on a true story, I wonder why Billy didn't have an operation for his cleft palate. Laurel
Laurel, I guess you'll have to read it to find out what happened lol
Hi everyone, I'm Stacy Juba and I write mysteries/romantic suspense. My novel Twenty-Five Years Ago Today
is now available. For twenty-five years, Diana Ferguson’s killer has gotten away with murder. When rookie obit writer and newsroom editorial assistant Kris Langley investigates the cold case of the artistic young cocktail waitress who was obsessed with Greek and Roman mythology, she must fight to stay off the obituary page herself.
My second mystery novel Sink or Swim is scheduled for release in December 2010 and is about a reality TV show contestant who is stalked after returning to her normal life. I'll look forward to getting to know all of you. Feel free to add me as a friend.
Stacy Juba
http://www.stacyjuba.com
Stacy, both books sound really interesting. I will add the first one to my list of books to read. Please feel free to check out my profile and read excerpts from my published novel, Her Sanctuary, by P.Q. Glisson, and others I am currently working on. If you want, you can become a fan and/or befriend me, if we're not already friends. Good luck with both books!
Hi all!My name is Jenn and I write chick lit (and chick lit with extra humor). I have one critically acclaimed novel entitled Reunion, and I just released a new comedic novella entitled The Cinderella Curse.
Although I am a self-published author (ugh!), my novel Reunion is the only self-pub sitting among bestsellers on the exclusive High Raters page at ChickLitClub.com. Chick Lit Plus also gave it 5 stars with Samantha saying she "can't say enough praises about this book." Oh and then there's all the 5-star reviews on Amazon. Yet, I remain without agent/publisher. Anyhoo ...
Thanks for reading!
-Jenn
www.jlpenn.com
www.jlpenn.blogspot.com
Hi Jenn, Welcome! I too am self-published. It sucks to have great reviews and still no agent. (I'm in the same boat) ChickLitClub sounds like just the place for my book, Her Sanctuary. Do you just go to the site and sign up or do is there some gauntlet you have to go through?
Hi P.Q.,Thanks! I emailed Stephanie at ChickLitClub and offered her a copy of my book to review. One of her reviewers contacted me and has since become a friend and big supporter of my book. She's also got my novella in her cue to read very soon. :)
Good luck!
-Jenn
www.jlpenn.com
www.jlpenn.blogspot.com
Thanks J.L.I appreciate the info. I'll definitely check it out. If the people at ChickLit are as helpful as the ones here at goodreads, it should be a genuine pleasure.
Just looked you up on Amazon. I've seen your title before somewhere - no doubt on another forum. Anyhoo ... I highly recommend publishing your book in digital format as well. My Kindle sales run rings around my soft cover sales. No joke. I sold 150 Kindle editions last month w/ the help of online promotion like forums, etc. My sales increased more than 12-fold in one month. I've already sold 52 Kindle editions of Reunion and 10 of Cinderella (just released) so far this month. Kindle is the best thing since sliced bread. LOL ;)With all that said, after taking a look at your description, I'm not sure ChickLitClub will be right for you. Chick lit is generally very light, usually humorous, always a happy ending, etc. But you might do well to Google other book review sites that work with your genre. I also recommend entering more tags for your book in order to improve your listing in search results. Tags are very important (choose your top 3 wisely as you can't change the order later).
Good luck!
-Jenn
P.S. I'm also on FB if you'd like to look me up there. It's a great way to catch up with lots of other authors.
Hey Jen, Thanks. I'm a girl who whole heartily agrees with happy endings. My book is no exception. shhh, don't want to give it away, but my fans are screaming for a sequel.I agree with you about Kindle. I have already sent amazon.com the necessary information to make it available on Kindle. Just waiting to hear back. How long did it take you to hear from them?
I also sent the info for the "look inside" feature.
Since I used a self-publishing company, the agreement says their rights are non-exclusive so I can do pretty much what I want with the book. They just hold onto the original template of the interior and exterior but I own the copyrights. So I checked with them and they said it was fine to set it up myself to save money, so I did.
I will def look you up on fb. I just joined "Author's Book Review Exchange" on fb. There are a lot of writers on there!
Thanks again for all your help!! Good luck to you too!!
When you set everything up on DTP, it shouldn't take more than a day or maybe two to go live on Amazon. I don't remember how long the "look inside" feature took because it's been awhile, and that only applies to the soft cover. They'll automatically offer a free sample for your Kindle edition. You might also try Smashwords. Other authors recommended that to me, so I recently joined and posted my books there.I am finding there are an infinite number of promotion avenues - it's crazy and daunting b/c it takes sooo much time. I'm trying to work on two other novellas and my second full-length novel in addition to all this promotion, so I'm feeling more like a juggler than a writer lately. LOL
Have a great night!
-Jenn
Yeah, I keep hearing about smashwords. I think I'll look into it.I know how you feel. I'm also trying to work on two more book but at the same time, promoting and marketing. I've got two businesses who've offered to let me have a book signing in their store but I've got to order the books first and the finances just aren't there yet. It's so frustrating! I haven't had my book out long enough to start receiving royalties yet. I should be getting something this month. Will just have to wait and see.
You have a great night too!
Hi. I just joined GR so I'm in this discovery-orientation stage. I just released 'Pain au Chocolat' which focuses on relationships between two women and their families and the conflict arising from different cultures. The genre was thought to be lesbian fiction at first, but then the characters also have relationships with their spouse / boyfriend. So with resignation, I push the book under romance instead at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I agree with many of you - it is frustrating trying to promote the book while working on a second book. I'm still keeping my day job!Cheers,
KChristin Martin
Pain au Chocolat Book trailer at http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xctr...
Kchristine wrote: "Hi. I just joined GR so I'm in this discovery-orientation stage. I just released 'Pain au Chocolat' which focuses on relationships between two women and their families and the conflict arising fr..."Christy wrote: "I'd like to write a different genre for each book I put out. My first, Familiar Scars, is a historical romance, and my next to be out soon is occult studies.
I am working on edit..."
Hi Christy, I am naturally drawn, compelled to write literary fiction. It's automatic for me. I would say just get in bed with whatever is most comfortable--like the most comfortable blanket, I mean! For me it's a poetic kind of fiction. I like to write poetry too, but I actually like fiction better because I feel like I can do more with it?? My first novel, Angels Carry the Sun, is coming out in about a month with Lilly Press!!
Women's Fiction authors
Books mentioned in this topic
Familiar Scars (other topics)Pain au Chocolat (other topics)
Twenty-Five Years Ago Today (other topics)
Starting Over (other topics)
Dandelions in the Garden (other topics)
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I am working on editing a chick-lit book and in doing so I'm thinking...as bad as I was at the first two genres, this might be worse.
Do any of you try different genres or do you have one you milk because of a knack for it?
I have yet to find mine...Perhaps if there was a literary form of interpretive dance...