Topic: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Hello, I'm new to the community and to writing. I finished my first novel and want to get it published, but I can't figure out what genre it fits into. Any tips, please? 
- Marilyn Johnson
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
This may help you by using a process of elimination.
- Rachel (Rhiannon) Parsons
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
I wouldn't worry about genre. Just put in keywords in the search engine that fits what your themes, characters and setting is. What attracted you to write this story? It will be what will attract your readers to you. They say, 'build it and they will come,' but you have to figure out who they are and tell them about it.
- AJLZarychta
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
While I agree that there is a certain amount of "if you build it, they will come" with regard to book writing, having a general idea of what category your book fits into will help others to find your book. It also helps when looking for an agent if that's what you're into. Not all agents want to represent the same types of stories.
That said, there is a lot of room out there for mixed genre. I've seen people asking where their book fits, because it has elements of several genres. For example, take Frank Hebert's "Dune". On the surface, you think SCIFI. But there's straight-up magic and a helluva lot of political intrigue. If I were Frank, querying that book today, I'd say it was a Sci-fantasy political thriller.
I wrote a Pride and Prejudice continuation that had vampires in it. Yeah, it fits into the Supernatural genre, and horror, too, but because it's based on a Jane Austen novel, there's romance there as well. There is NOTHING wrong with a book that straddles the line between genres. My book was Regency Supernatural Horror Romance. Also fits into derivative works and fan fiction.
So I would ask you, what are your elements? Is there horror? Magic? If you give us something to go on, I'm sure we can get you going.
Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
AJLZarychta wrote:
While I agree that there is a certain amount of "if you build it, they will come" with regard to book writing, having a general idea of what category your book fits into will help others to find your book. It also helps when looking for an agent if that's what you're into. Not all agents want to represent the same types of stories.
That said, there is a lot of room out there for mixed genre. I've seen people asking where their book fits, because it has elements of several genres. For example, take Frank Hebert's "Dune". On the surface, you think SCIFI. But there's straight-up magic and a helluva lot of political intrigue. If I were Frank, querying that book today, I'd say it was a Sci-fantasy political thriller.
I wrote a Pride and Prejudice continuation that had vampires in it. Yeah, it fits into the Supernatural genre, and horror, too, but because it's based on a Jane Austen novel, there's romance there as well. There is NOTHING wrong with a book that straddles the line between genres. My book was Regency Supernatural Horror Romance. Also fits into derivative works and fan fiction.
So I would ask you, what are your elements? Is there horror? Magic? If you give us something to go on, I'm sure we can get you going.
Well it's difficult because I see lots of elements of realistic fiction with elements of fantasy and/or science fiction. It deals with the main protagonist going through loss of loved ones and feeling as if he is alone, but there are parts of the novel where it just couldn't happen in everyday life. I don't know, I don't want to classify it as realistic fiction, but I also don't want to classify it as science fiction. Do you know if there is a genre that has elements of both?
Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Marilyn Johnson wrote:
This may help you by using a process of elimination.
Thanks! I'll definitely look into this!
- Randall Krzak
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
How about a romantic fantasy? This would cover the fantasy/sci-fi parts and also with the protanganist's loss of his loved ones?
- Christine Dreier
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
I looked at the article on writing genres, but I too am confused what genre to call my novel. Both of the worlds my MC lives in are historical, but there are also fantastic elements in it as well as a love triangle. Is it literary fiction as it dwells on historical, political, societal issues? I don't dare anymore to call it magical realism as I first did as people expect a very different kind of fantasy than my story deals with. Does anyone have any suggestions?
- Randall Krzak
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Christine, how does you story match up again these historical romances? I haven't checked them out, but with the historical aspect and the love triangle, this might help you a bit.
- Christine Dreier
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Thanks, Randall, I'll take a closer look if the stories match up. Romance, however, seems to be such a clearly defined genre and though there is a love triangle in my novel, it's not what defines the story overall.
- vern
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Most stories, if not all, have elements of more than one specific genre. For instance, a historical novel might also have a love affair and a murder mystery. You pick the element which dominates in your mind and/or intention and go with it. There is a good chance that no matter what you pick, an agent/publisher will choose a different genre. Of course, if you self-publish, it really doesn't matter; you're not marketing the genre, you're marketing the book, hopefully anyway.
The way I look at it, we often get sidetracked by things which ultimately are pretty much irrelevant in getting a book published. This is one of those things which will take care of itself with the crafting of a good story. Just my three cents (inflation). Take care. Vern
- Randall Krzak
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
vern wrote:
Most stories, if not all, have elements of more than one specific genre. For instance, a historical novel might also have a love affair and a murder mystery. You pick the element which dominates in your mind and/or intention and go with it. There is a good chance that no matter what you pick, an agent/publisher will choose a different genre. Of course, if you self-publish, it really doesn't matter; you're not marketing the genre, you're marketing the book, hopefully anyway.
The way I look at it, we often get sidetracked by things which ultimately are pretty much irrelevant in getting a book published. This is one of those things which will take care of itself with the crafting of a good story. Just my three cents (inflation). Take care. Vern
Vern, your comments are well worth the inflation.:) Many thanks for sharing. Regards, Randy
13 2018-06-26 23:12:03 (edited by Deckland Oz 2018-06-27 00:12:42)
Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
vern wrote:
The way I look at it, we often get sidetracked by things which ultimately are pretty much irrelevant in getting a book published. This is one of those things which will take care of itself with the crafting of a good story. Just my three cents (inflation). Take care. Vern
Having actually worked in both marketing and editorial at one of the big NY publishers, I can say with certainty that writing a book which fits clearly into a specific genre is absolutely essential to getting it published, because genre is one of the primary tools publishers use to market books. If you don't know your genre, if it is unclear to everyone, unless you plan to self-publish, you have a serious problem.
- vern
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Deckland Oz wrote:
vern wrote:The way I look at it, we often get sidetracked by things which ultimately are pretty much irrelevant in getting a book published. This is one of those things which will take care of itself with the crafting of a good story. Just my three cents (inflation). Take care. Vern
Having actually worked in both marketing and editorial at one of the big NY publishers, I can say with certainty that writing a book which fits clearly into a specific genre is absolutely essential to getting it published, because genre is one of the primary tools publishers use to market books. If you don't know your genre, if it is unclear to everyone, unless you plan to self-publish, you have a serious problem.
I have no doubt that a marketer might put a book in a specific genre for promotion, but if what you state is the case, then give me an example or two of a book which has no elements of any genre other than the one it supposedly fits. And also show me any submission requirements which would state that a book must fit one and only one genre and that genre must be picked by the author in advance. And why would there be such a thing as crossover if a book must fit entirely in one specific genre? Call me skeptical. Thanks. Take care. Vern
15 2018-06-27 00:46:49 (edited by Deckland Oz 2018-06-27 00:53:25)
Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
vern wrote:
Deckland Oz wrote:vern wrote:The way I look at it, we often get sidetracked by things which ultimately are pretty much irrelevant in getting a book published. This is one of those things which will take care of itself with the crafting of a good story. Just my three cents (inflation). Take care. Vern
Having actually worked in both marketing and editorial at one of the big NY publishers, I can say with certainty that writing a book which fits clearly into a specific genre is absolutely essential to getting it published, because genre is one of the primary tools publishers use to market books. If you don't know your genre, if it is unclear to everyone, unless you plan to self-publish, you have a serious problem.
I have no doubt that a marketer might put a book in a specific genre for promotion, but if what you state is the case, then give me an example or two of a book which has no elements of any genre other than the one it supposedly fits. And also show me any submission requirements which would state that a book must fit one and only one genre and that genre must be picked by the author in advance. And why would there be such a thing as crossover if a book must fit entirely in one specific genre? Call me skeptical. Thanks. Take care. Vern
Obviously books may have elements of various genres; that's not the point. What is the point is that if you actually want to attract an agent or an editor, you're going to have a much easier time of it if one element of your book is prominent enough to make the work clearly definable as a given genre. As for submission requirements insisting your book be a given genre, it's very likely that some do. Of course, if you're talking about big, reputable publishers, virtually none take direct submissions anymore; you have to find an agent. As for agents, I think very few will request pages if you don't state clearly what your genre is and have a query that backs that claim up. Agents are busy; they have no time to waste figuring out what genre your book is so they can pitch it to an editor. Bear in mind, btw, that most, if not all agents, specialize in specific genres; if I'm an agent who works only in espionage thrillers and horror, and you send me a query that says, "has elements of literary fiction and romance," I'm not reading any further. If this isn't clear, I'm guessing you haven't spent an awful lot of time querying your novel, because it's a pretty basic and widely known fact.
- Christine Dreier
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Deckland, Thanks for stating the perspective of agents and publishers. I'm not anywhere near to query my novel but want to figure out at this stage what the rules and requirements are. Well, as to your comment that I don't know the basic facts, it's not a helpful comment. I'm asking because my novel doesn't neatly fit into a specific genre.
Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Christine Dreier wrote:
as to your comment that I don't know the basic facts, it's not a helpful comment.
Where on Earth did I say you don't know the basic facts? I haven't even replied to one of your posts in this thread. I suggest you read more carefully before saying my comments are not helpful.
18 2018-06-27 01:58:22 (edited by Deckland Oz 2018-06-27 01:59:45)
Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Wait! Are you Vern's female alter-ego? Okay. Well, that's cool. I'm not judging.
- vern
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Deckland Oz wrote:
vern wrote:Deckland Oz wrote:Having actually worked in both marketing and editorial at one of the big NY publishers, I can say with certainty that writing a book which fits clearly into a specific genre is absolutely essential to getting it published, because genre is one of the primary tools publishers use to market books. If you don't know your genre, if it is unclear to everyone, unless you plan to self-publish, you have a serious problem.
I have no doubt that a marketer might put a book in a specific genre for promotion, but if what you state is the case, then give me an example or two of a book which has no elements of any genre other than the one it supposedly fits. And also show me any submission requirements which would state that a book must fit one and only one genre and that genre must be picked by the author in advance. And why would there be such a thing as crossover if a book must fit entirely in one specific genre? Call me skeptical. Thanks. Take care. Vern
Obviously books may have elements of various genres; that's not the point. What is the point is that if you actually want to attract an agent or an editor, you're going to have a much easier time of it if one element of your book is prominent enough to make the work clearly definable as a given genre. As for submission requirements insisting your book be a given genre, it's very likely that some do. Of course, if you're talking about big, reputable publishers, virtually none take direct submissions anymore; you have to find an agent. As for agents, I think very few will request pages if you don't state clearly what your genre is and have a query that backs that claim up. Agents are busy; they have no time to waste figuring out what genre your book is so they can pitch it to an editor. Bear in mind, btw, that most, if not all agents, specialize in specific genres; if I'm an agent who works only in espionage thrillers and horror, and you send me a query that says, "has elements of literary fiction and romance," I'm not reading any further. If this isn't clear, I'm guessing you haven't spent an awful lot of time querying your novel, because it's a pretty basic and widely known fact.
To start with, I've checked dozens of agents and every single one lists multiple (many) genres they accept. And no one said to put in a query that you have elements of different genres. As I stated earlier, you pick whatever genre best fits in your own mind and don't worry about it. I doubt very seriously any agent will decide against a good query and sample (or complete draft as many accept now) because they might not see the genre classification as you do. And btw, you might read clearly the first time before making assumptions and deciding not to read further. Take care. Vern
- vern
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Deckland Oz wrote:
Wait! Are you Vern's female alter-ego? Okay. Well, that's cool. I'm not judging.
Oh yeah, you're cool. Take care. Vern
- vern
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Agents specialize in one genre? I think not as evidenced by small sample from A.A.R. below. Take care. Vern
Biography, Memoir, CHILDREN'S and Y/A, Cooking, Food, Wine, FICTION, Mystery, Thrillers, Romance, Science-fiction, Fantasy, Young adult
Jim McCarthy
Dystel and Goderich Literary Management
African-American, Arts, Cinema, Photography, Biography, Memoir, Comedy, Humor, Erotica, FICTION, Gay + Lesbian, Historical, Horror, Music, Musicals, Mystery, Thrillers, NONFICTON, Pop culture, Entertainment, Religion, Spirituality, Inspiration, Science-fiction, Fantasy, Women's literature, Young adult
Ethan Ellenberg
The Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency
Biography, Memoir, Business, Investment, CHILDREN'S and Y/A, Comix, Graphic novels, Early readers, FICTION, Middle grade, Mystery, Thrillers, NONFICTON, Picture books, Romance, Science, Technology, Science-fiction, Fantasy, Women's literature, Young adult
Kimberley Cameron
Kimberley Cameron & Associates
Query by Email or Mail
Biography, Memoir, Cooking, Food, Wine, FICTION, Health, Diet, Historical, History, Horror, Literary, Mind, Body, Spirit, Mystery, Thrillers, NONFICTON, Parenting, Family, Politics, Current affairs, Pop culture, Entertainment, Relationships, Family, Religion, Spirituality, Inspiration, Science, Technology, Science-fiction, Fantasy, Self-help, Travel, World cultures, True crime, Women's literature, Young adult
Deborah Schneider
Gelfman Schneider/ICM Partners
Currently not accepting queries
Biography, Memoir, Cooking, Food, Wine, FICTION, Health, Diet, Literary, Mystery, Thrillers, Narrative nonfiction, Politics, Current affairs, Pop culture, Entertainment, Science, Technology, Science-fiction, Fantasy, Women's literature
Shira Hoffman
McIntosh and Otis, Inc.
Email only
Biography, Memoir, Comedy, Humor, Comix, Graphic novels, FICTION, Horror, Middle grade, Mystery, Thrillers, New adult, NONFICTON, Pop culture, Entertainment, Romance, Science-fiction, Fantasy, True crime, Women's literature, Young adult
Barbara Lowenstein
Lowenstein Associates
African-American, Business, Investment, FICTION, Health, Diet, Historical, History, Middle grade, Mind, Body, Spirit, NONFICTON, Politics, Current affairs, Professional, Reference, Science, Technology, Science-fiction, Fantasy, Women's literature, Young adult
- Christine Dreier
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Thanks so much, Jeff. Magical realism was what came first to my mind but that seemed to lead readers to believe it was fantasy. In so many ways magical realism fits the bill as the worlds per se are historical, real, while magical/fantastical elements come into play here and there. As the story progresses, my MC will come to see these fantastical elements as real, and they do belong to her adopted world. I'll take a closer look at speculative fiction. That genre had never crossed my mind. Cheers, Christine
23 2018-06-27 02:44:37 (edited by Deckland Oz 2018-06-27 06:57:22)
Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
vern wrote:
Agents specialize in one genre? I think not as evidenced by small sample from A.A.R. below. Take care. Vern
I said agents specialize in specific genres, plural, not "one genre" as you indicate above. So your list only proves my point: those are the genres in which those agents specialize.
But again, what's important is simply that if you have no idea what your genre is and you don't state what it is in your query, your chances of an agent asking for pages are severely diminished. Remember that a book is a package deal, now more than ever. For an agent to spend her precious time looking at your book she needs to know from the outset that it is something she can really sell. That means it needs to hit a number of essential points; genre is one of those points. As for genre, it too must hit certain points, i.e., the criteria for that genre. To assume that your writing and your query are so marvelous that they'll simply blow any agent away without consideration for the practical aspects of how it will be sold and marketed is a bit arrogant, and really quite foolish. If you are serious about getting published, you probably want to use every tool at your disposal. Genre is one of those tools.
But listen, I'm not here to argue. I'm sorry if I've put a bee under your bonnet. It certainly isn't my intention. If you disagree with the way I see things, and with the importance of knowing your genre from the start, I've no problem with that. Maybe you're right and I'm full of stuff and nonsense. Probably so. But I have worked in the belly of the beast; I have some idea what I'm talking about.
- vern
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Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Deckland Oz wrote:
vern wrote:Agents specialize in one genre? I think not as evidenced by small sample from A.A.R. below. Take care. Vern
I said agents specialize in specific genres, plural, not "one genre" as you indicate above. So your list only proves my point: those are the genres in which those agents specialize.
But again, what's important is simply that if you have no idea what your genre is and you don't state what it is in your query, your chances of an agent asking for pages are severely diminished. Remember that a book is a package deal, now more than ever. For an agent to spend her precious time looking at your book she needs to know from the outset that it is something she can really sell. That means it needs to hit a number of essential points; genre is one of those points. As for genre, it too must hit certain points, i.e., the criteria for that genre. To assume that your writing and your query are so marvelous that they'll simply blow any agent away without consideration for the practical aspects of how it will be sold and marketed is a bit arrogant, and really quite foolish. If you are serious about getting published, you probably want to use every tool at your disposal. Genre is one of those tools.
But listen, I'm not here to argue. I'm sorry if I've put a bee under your bonnet. It certainly isn't my intention. If you disagree with the way I see things, and with the importance of knowing your genre from the start, I've no problem with that. Maybe you're right and I'm full of stuff and nonsense. Probably so. But I have worked in the belly of the beast; I have some idea what I'm talking about.
I don't question your experience in the industry. I agree that the genre is important to the agent/publisher going forward with marketing, etc. What I don't agree with is that it is imperative to know what that genre might ultimately be in the eye of said agent/publisher. My point is that you pick the genre the way you see it and then don't waste a lot of time worrying about whether it is "right" or not. If the agent/publisher thinks it should be something different (and not everyone is going to agree) then they will use whatever they deem the most marketable for them.
Personal story. My first query letter many years ago when I didn't know what a query letter was and made no mention of genre got a very positive response. I had recently joined a writers' group and the initial reaction to my first presentation was that it read like an English 101 essay. It was suggested I change the voice to that of the child protagonist -- much the same way the original To Kill a Mockingbird was switched to the voice of Scout, not the adult. After making the voice switch on the first few chapters, I received many wows and decided I was ready for the big time.
I sent a letter to a reputable agent in NY with no mention of genre as I had no idea what should be in a query letter. I simply wrote the letter in the same voice as the child protagonist and explained my fits and starts in completing the story over many years due to putting food in my belly, etc. The agent responded in the same voice as my letter requesting a sample of three chapters or fifty pages (not sure exactly what it was all these years later) which I sent. Still no mention of genre by me or the agent.
The agent then requested the full manuscript suggesting it might fit in mid-grade. I sent the full manuscript with my opinion that it might not be suitable for mid-grade as the story evolved into more colorful language and graphic activities associated with coming of age. My mistake was that in my eagerness, I did not take the time to revise the rest of the manuscript into the same voice and gentler presentation. Thus the full manuscript was rejected, but it had nothing to do with me not placing it within a specific genre with my query letter. That is my point. Sure, you should state the genre in your query, but not being certain of what that genre is should not be a problem to lose sleep over. It is more of a big deal for the agent/publisher than it is for the author and said agent/publisher knows where to put it if the story has merit. That's the way I see it. Take care. Vern
Re: Can someone help with finding one's genre?
Thanks, Vern. It's an interesting tale and it must have been an exciting experience for you. I'm sorry it didn't work out. And I totally hear what you're saying. But, as you say, it was a long time ago. Unfortunately, things have changed very much since even twenty years ago. The market is inconceivably more competitive now than it was back in the day. Of course, you can still wing it; write whatever you want and hope for the best. But my point is: you're likely shooting yourself in the foot by doing so.
Genre isn't simply something your book ends up being; it's something you consciously craft your book to be from the first sentence. You have to understand all the key elements of the genre you're working in and make sure you're hitting every one. This can only be done in a deliberate manner. If you wait for the genre to manifest itself magically as you go, you may find a big pile of beautiful nothing at the end of your rainbow. Then all your work was for naught because even if you can find an agent, they won't be able to find a publisher. Why? Because publishers must sell books. To sell books they must know the market. If the market isn't crystal clear, they will not waste their time. They need a book that fulfills audience expectation. This is what film-makers call “fun and games:” it's the reason people plunk down money to see the flick; it's the beef. And that beef is defined by genre. Like it or not, this is an essential part of the writer's craft in today's market.
