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Questions about genre by a first time author
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Angel
(last edited Feb 26, 2015 04:43AM)
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Feb 26, 2015 04:41AM
My writing doesn't fit any particular genre and never has. I'm not capable of it, which I'm proud of. Makes my writing unique. Because my writing doesn't fit in any particular genre or typical format, I went indie and publish my own works which are now selling quite well on Amazon, B&N, Booksamillion, etc. But, I have been in your situation many times before. To go indie was my solution. It works for me. But, this may not for you. But, don't give up. I didn't even when I wanted to. There are many times I wanted to. I have been writing for 24 years since I was 13. Just some author friendly advice.
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Not being an expert, I'm still pretty sure that it's Historical fiction. I'm not sure you have to tie to any one event, but yours seems to build around social and economic events. Last year I read a good Historical novel, The Doctor's Daughter: Journey to Justice, and while the lives of the characters were affected greatly by the Civil War, it was not really about the war.
I would say historical fiction as well. Lots of stories have many elements, so pick the one that's featured the most. Your setting fits.
Marie wrote: "Thank you, Angel. I'm sure we all know how much someone telling us to keep going can be during the stressful times :) I do intend to independently publish to begin with, but was considering looking..."
Something to remember is that if you walk away from it, you'll never know. If you publish it as Historical, and readers disagree, they will certainly tell you what it is. As self-publishers, even those of us who were previously traditionally published, we all continue to learn the business as we go along. Putting it in a genre that might be slightly wrong for it wouldn't be a huge mistake, and it's too minor a point to be stressed about. We learn from our mistakes.
Something to remember is that if you walk away from it, you'll never know. If you publish it as Historical, and readers disagree, they will certainly tell you what it is. As self-publishers, even those of us who were previously traditionally published, we all continue to learn the business as we go along. Putting it in a genre that might be slightly wrong for it wouldn't be a huge mistake, and it's too minor a point to be stressed about. We learn from our mistakes.
Marie wrote: "Thank you, Ken. A lot of it is also nerves. I never thought I would end up an author, and being outside of my comfort zone is like one massive crisis of self confidence. I feel a little like a fraud, if that makes any sense..."
It does. I've been doing it for years, with a long hiatus in the middle, and still feel like a fraud sometimes. If you ignore it, sometimes it'll go away and you can get some work done. And when it does come back, get an attitude. If you gotta be a fraud, at least be a confident fraud.
It does. I've been doing it for years, with a long hiatus in the middle, and still feel like a fraud sometimes. If you ignore it, sometimes it'll go away and you can get some work done. And when it does come back, get an attitude. If you gotta be a fraud, at least be a confident fraud.
Marie,The lines that divide one genre from all the others are becoming thinner every day. The average avid reader is better educated, more sophisticated, more willing to try new things and accept differing points of view. As a result, most readers have developed an eclectic taste in books.
You may have noticed that some publishers now provide more than just one genre description below the ISBN on the copyright/disclaimer page of a book. For example: Fiction / Science Fiction / General
Fiction / Alternative History.
So do not obsess or fret over genre designation. Have your work published, then let the publisher, vendors, and librarians decide what genre or genres they wish to attribute to it.
I wish you success.
Hi Marie,Your novel sounds a bit like what Diana Gabaldon writes (my wife loves her) and her books cross many genre. You've come this far, don't let that dissuade you. When all else seems to not fit, Mainstream Fiction is an option (it is for me anyway). Good luck and just keep writing.
Marie,As the others have stated it sounds like your story is Historical, and no the exact years don't have to be nailed.
There is also a trend for genres / subgenres / subgenres etc (i.e.: Sci-Fi / Action / Suspense / Romance) so don't worry about it too much.
I want to echo those who said that putting it in a "wrong" category isn't a huge mistake. Also, I want to point out that once your book is out there, readers/reviews/Amazon, etc. often puts it in their own category anyway. For example, my book ended up as a Teen Health bestseller which I never would have classified it as such myself. I would say take a deep breath and go with historical fiction. Then, get back to writing:)
Marie wrote: "My novel is a period, family drama that takes place in London and Northern England. The year is never specified, but it uses the aesthetic of the late 1870's."Yep. Historical fiction.
My stuff is hard to categorize, too, which makes it hard to label when I go to publish.
It sounds like a historical fiction. Historical because it happened in the past. The only time an event needs to be included if it is Alternate History.
Keep in mind New Adult is just an age range.
Young adult is for like 13-19.
New adult is for 20-30
Then adult is 30+.
(Those are just approximates.)
I've been firmly promoting from day 1 as "action-adventure" (even here this week) and I just discovered my readers are coming back with "modern-romance."That's really a difference! If the guy gets the girl in the end, not matter what happens in-between does that make it romance instead of action? Is there a split-the-difference of romance-action?
Right there is Naylene's neat guide, so I can list it as YA (13 and older) to all ages, that I can figure, but this other stuff really surprised me.
Have a look on Amazon. If you can find a book that deals with similar issues, check the thread/threads that relate to that book ie, Fiction/Romance/Historical fiction... The words in the thread are keywords based on what people are searching for. The threads may give you some idea where to position your book.
Graham wrote: "Have a look on Amazon. If you can find a book that deals with similar issues, check the thread/threads that relate to that book ie, Fiction/Romance/Historical fiction... The words in the thread are..."Thank you! It did make sense after I thought about it for a while, but it was a surprise.
Marie wrote: "And Ken, I think being a confident fraud is my new life path...."
lol. Best of luck with it, Marie.
lol. Best of luck with it, Marie.
I'm a historical fiction author and I'd say, broadly, it sounds like historical fiction to me! Of course, there are subsets to all genres and at times it may be relevant to stress what kind of historical fiction - if for example, you're ever doing an interview for a romance blog, describe it as historical romance, that sort of thing.
