Do you know what genre you’re writing in? Many authors do not. And the issue of genre seems to become more and more confusing all the time. It used to be there were specific genres—romance, thriller, fantasy, adventure, etc. Now there are new genres and sub-genres. Have you heard of, “steampunk” or “urban life” fantasy? What about “high tech” or “space opera” science fiction?
According to one publisher, science fiction might be a subgenre of horror, time travel is a subgenre of romance, and what is up with the term, “alternative history science fiction?”
How would you categorize your thriller? Is it a political thriller, futuristic thriller, paranormal thriller or a suspense thriller? Have you ever read or written a book that could be considered a docufiction, realistic fiction, dark literature or airport novel?
There are genres in nonfiction, too—true crime, biography, adventure, narrative nonfiction, creative nonfiction, ethnic, self-help, how-to and memoir, for example. And what about the different types of memoirs one can write?
There’s the recovery memoir, military memoir, historical/family memoir, political memoir, situational memoir, travel memoir or inspirational memoir to name a few.
You’d think there are enough genres already used to label your book. But guess again. Authors are still having trouble pigeon-holing their books because they believe that nothing currently fits their particular tome. Some books do not deserve an exclusive label—they fit into one that is already accepted. I’ve met authors, however, who consider their books so unique that they can’t apply any current genres to it. They want to convince publishers (and the public) that their book is a humorous thriller cookbook, a medical adventure with a how-to aspect or, perhaps, a lesbian fantasy romance, for example.
What’s my opinion of genre hop scotch? I appreciate that there are new genres and subgenres being recognized as some of them definitely give a book a more definitive identity. But I would also warn authors against trying to be so inventive with their books that they turn off their potential readers altogether.
No matter your book’s genre, you are going to have to promote it and boy to I have a book for you. It is a reference book. I would also call it an informational how-to. The publisher tagged it “reference/writing.” I guess there is no publishing or business of writing category accepted, yet. And that’s too bad.
Order your copy of Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. http://amzn.to/oe56Ia
While you’re at the Amazon book page, check out the latest review by Anne Schroeder, editor of the SLO Nightwriters newsletter in San Luis Obispo, California. As you will see, this is review number twenty-two.