Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion
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Stonechild
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Can you help with a genre, please?
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Irene wrote: "Isn't it fantasy?"Hi Irene,
When I look at fantasy I see different worlds, magic, alternative existences, and don't see mine fitting into this. I explain that the statues provide a link between two worlds, perhaps a medium might do.
Carlo wrote: "Kevin, I don't know if I can help you. Usually, when I happen to write a story that could involve multiple genres, I resolve the question by asking myself: "What message would I like to send to the..."Thanks, Carlo, that's a good thought. My drive for writing Stonechild was one of conservation as that's where I work. I was trying to spread the word, especially as I can't work at the moment.
I agree with Carl...look at the message being conveyed. Your book sounds interesting! Good luck!
Wanda wrote: "I agree with Carl...look at the message being conveyed. Your book sounds interesting! Good luck!"Thanks, Wanda. If it's message on conservation, where would that sit? I've asked Amazon of the have something such as eco fiction but they say not.
Kevin wrote: "This isn't meant as a tempter to read my book, but I would appreciate your guidance. I often see on Goodreads, opportunities to promote your historical/horror/fantasy/scifi etc, novel, and I don't ..."Dystopian fiction?
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/...
You've really got me thinking there, Kevin.
It sounds great, whatever genre you choose.
Carlo wrote: "If, as I understand, the novel tries to communicate to the reader a different vision of things and of the world, if the category exists you could almost classify it as a "motivator" or inspirational."The statues come to life with a message, which, perhaps as expected, we don't listen to and so they have to do what's necessary. Molly invites the reader to question why we are not taking action. I'd like to think it was inspirational.
Margaret wrote: "Kevin wrote: "This isn't meant as a tempter to read my book, but I would appreciate your guidance. I often see on Goodreads, opportunities to promote your historical/horror/fantasy/scifi etc, novel..."Thanks, Margaret, that's really interesting.
I don't think fantasy needs necessarily to have magic. I see it as an alternative world. Does your novel have any elements of science in the coming to life of the ststues? I mean as an explanation, not someone doing scientific things to enable it. If so, it could fit in science fiction. Possibly.I don't think I'd classify it as historical. I see that more as taking place in the period.
A real conundrum. How about Contemporary?
V.M. wrote: "I don't think fantasy needs necessarily to have magic. I see it as an alternative world. Does your novel have any elements of science in the coming to life of the ststues? I mean as an explanation,..."Thanks for the reply, V.M. Science or religion are given as possible explanations, and I thought historical as involves statues of Churchill, Brunel, Nightingale and Shakespeare that engage with the public.
Hi Kevin, I'm not seeing the time period (did I miss it)? My understanding of the definition of historical fiction is that it takes place 50 years ago and beyond. So, the reference of the statues probably wouldn't qualify unless the time period of the book is "historical".
Gail wrote: "Hi Kevin, I'm not seeing the time period (did I miss it)? My understanding of the definition of historical fiction is that it takes place 50 years ago and beyond. So, the reference of the statues p..."Thanks, Gail, I didn't know that. Mine is set in present day so definitely not historical.
I do feel like it could be low-fantasy or magical realism. 'Magical' not meaning precisely magic itself, but anything supernatural.The term magic realism is broadly descriptive rather than critically rigorous, and Matthew Strecher (1999) defines it as "what happens when a highly detailed, realistic setting is invaded by something too strange to believe."
Victoria wrote: "I do feel like it could be low-fantasy or magical realism. 'Magical' not meaning precisely magic itself, but anything supernatural.The term magic realism is broadly descriptive rather than critic..."
Thanks, Victoria, it does fit with it being too strange to believe. I'll do some reading on Matthew Strecher.
Magic and science are not mutually exclusive. It is now postulated we live in a multidimensional universe. You can still take energy from one dimension and give to another. This does not violate the laws of physics, but the energy has to be used in a way that is allowed in that universe. The idea that you can do anything with magic is actually stupid. To make objects appear out of nothing requires the formation of mass. That is theoretically possible, but to cause a 150 kg object to appear required the energy shift equal to several large Thermonuclear weapons. If I may plug my fantasy books (The Forest of Allund series) magic in my books is the use of this multidimensional energy, but can only be used as energy in the mage's world. Yes you can make a fireball, but making an orc appear out of nothing is impossible.
The Forest of Allund
The Forest of Allund
Brilliant, Wilbur, I really like your reasoning here, which makes sense. I'll take a look at your books. Thanks.
That's a tough one, but after reading all the comments, I think magical realism that Victoria has suggested is the most suitable category. You get 2 categories on Amazon, so you can probably choose 'mystery' as the second one. You can also add "eco fiction" somewhere in the blurb or even as a subtitle, so that people looking for it on Amazon could find your book. It sounds really original and interesting, so good luck! :)
Thanks, Alina, that's really helpful. I've written to Amazon asking them to consider an eco-fiction category.
I've done a few courses with Kathy Ver Eecke (branding consultant etc) and her advice to authors who are unsure of what genre their book belongs to is to think about what category you'd find it in in a book store. ;-)
Thanks, Paula, I'll give that some thought.
I've written a novel where the statues of London come to life with a message on saving the planet. The main character, a 15 year old girl called Molly, sets out to prove that this isn't true, and because we don't listen, the battle for London begins.
It ends with...well, perhaps that is a tempter.
It was written as YA, but is being read mainly by adults.
It's an adventure for sure as Molly is chased all over London.
It's eco-fiction but there's no category on Amazon for that.
It's mystery involving the statue of Sherlock Holmes, and historical as many famous statues are involved, perhaps alternative historical as they come to life.
Is it a fantasy? Not really, it doesn't involve magic, and there is an explanation as to the how this is all possible, and at the same time focuses on the why.
Political? A little as it questions the government's actions, and at the same time our own.
A horror, not sure, but scary and life threatening in places for certain.
A detective story then, and I used to be a police officer? Molly does have a clue to solve, which might save the day.
So, perhaps you can see my dilemma? How do I genre my book, Stonechild?
I'll leave you with the book blurb and would really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
Where do we go to when we die? Imagine human consciousness embedded in the molecules of a statue. So, when the statues of London come to life, it is a spectacle like non other, and they come with a specific message, and an offer we cannot refuse.
As the world reels in this wonder of science and religion, Molly Hargreaves has other plans and she sets out to prove that things are not as they seem. Chased, captured and confined, Molly confronts the statues and her own fears. But who can she convince? The people are welcoming, the Government has succumbed, and the police try to act, but how do you shoot stone and metal? Be prepared to be run ragged around London on a mystery worthy of the great Sherlock Holmes.
Kevin Albin