Bold New Frontiers
By Ann Aguirre | June 8, 2011 |
What do you do if what you’re writing isn’t a genre?
In my case, I sell the book anyway. That’s certainly the situation for the book that came out yesterday. It’s called NIGHTFALL, and it has elements from fantasy and horror and apocalyptic zombie movies, but it is, unquestionably, a romance. Twenty years ago, there’s no way I could’ve gotten this project past the gatekeepers because they were far more unforgiving about genre bleed. Which is too bad for us, as readers. The cool thing about this novel is that it’s essentially a sub-genre of romance that we created. I’ve dubbed it apocalyptic paranormal, and I can’t think of any other author who has written a magical shifter apocalypse. It tickles me to be in the vanguard, starting something.
I love that writers have options now, and that there’s a place for whatever we want to write. Does that mean every book will sell to NY? No. But we have places we can take projects that didn’t exist twenty years ago. There’s a robust indie market that welcomes ideas that are niche or quirky or not readily marketable. Sometimes that’s really all that’s wrong with a book — the marketing people just can’t decide how they’d sell it to the chain reps. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea or that readers won’t eat it up.
I think it’s beyond awesome that people can write what they want, push the envelope. Some of my favorite books contain elements from various genres, bringing in what I love from each one. I’m delighted when I run across a story that has magic, monsters, and romance. The one thing I’d like to see more of is epic fantasy geared toward women, however. I want the big worldbuilding, the politics, the intrigue, the war, and combat scenes, as well as romance and sex. I’m going to write one myself next summer; I’ve had the partial for ages. And there’s certainly room for it, I think.
What’s the genre crossover you’d most like to see? Or alternately, what are you writing that’s different from the norm? In honor of NIGHTFALL’s release yesterday, I’ll give away a copy to a random commenter.
Ann Aguirre is a bestselling, multi-published author with a degree in English Literature. She is a prolific writer, with nine releases planned for 2011 alone. She writes romantic science fiction and urban fantasy under her own name. As Ava Gray, she writes high-octane romances. She also writes “hot paranormal apocalyptic action” with fellow author Carrie Lofty under the pseudonymn Ellen Connor. Follow her on Twitter.
I’ve never written quite inside the genre boxes, and my books have been with the smaller publishers who are willing to look away from the more “acceptable” confines of NY. Additionally, their timetable is so slow that technology is often out of date before I finish writing, much less get the book into print. I’ve decided to bypass the publisher for a 4th book in one of my series, and I’ve put it up for sale at the digital markets.
I also have a mystery that straddles the sub-genres of police procedural and cozy, which I’m seriously considering publishing myself.
Of course, with this new world comes the need to understand that you have to put up quality projects, and there’s a major investment of time, and money as well, since professional editing and cover art are a must.
I would love to see a lot more epic fantasy for women. I cannot express enough how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel books. These books have everything a great epic fantasy needs: intrigue, phenomenal worldbuilding, romance/sex, magic, politics, war…you name it.
Personally, I’m getting more and more into steampunk, and I would like to see more steampunk romances. I’m actually working on a steampunk romance novella, and it has be REALLY excited every time I open the draft to work on it.
Congrats on the new release, Ann!
I love books that don’t fit into a genre peg. Give me lots of awkward edges, please. My favorite: women’s fiction with magical realism, which is also what I write.
As for big fantasy, have you read any of Juliet Marillier’s novels? Wonderful fantasies with lots of crossover, imo.
I don’t know if I can think of a genre crossover that sounds more awesome than that. As a READER, I would love to see anything and everything in terms of new genre creations. I’m glad the publishing world is slowly becoming more open to things like this because creativity should not be limited.
The cover is spectacular!
Congrats on the new release, Ann. I’d love to see more genre blends in adult fiction. The YA market seems to have no problem with crossovers and blends, but for some reason the adult commercial fiction market still likes to keep writers in their boxes. Kudos to you for popping the lid out.
“Genre” sometimes is thought of as a pejorative, but agents and editors think in terms of genres. Literary agent Peter Rubie said that the development of genres was “basically to help you more easily find what [the book buying public] is looking for. They are also guides that let you know, generally, what you can expect to find in a certain type of book.” And genres endure: Clive Bloom noted that “the most popular genres at the end of the twentieth century were virtually the same as at the beginning.” Even when we write a cross-over novel, it might be helpful–in terms of presenting it to the industry–to keep genres in mind, maybe coming up with a cross-over label that fits the novel, such as horror-romance, literary-horror, sci-fi-romance, and the like. Agents like knowing immediately what they have in front of them.
I would like to see more chick lit and adventure/suspense, especially during the summer/light reading time of year. I loved Helen Fielding’s Olivia Joules. I devoured it on a long train ride.
I don’t know how amenable the publishing industry is with cross-genre works. My first novel was adventure / historical fiction / magical realism and I was told to pick one.
What would I most like to see? Everything! I’d love to see women’s fiction crossover into every other genre out there.
I am so glad that I happened up on this blog!
Your novel’s crossover sounds brilliant. I love books that can’t fit into one particular genre. I love a bit of everything and get bored if it’s the same type of story over and over again.
I look forward to picking up this book. It sounds great!
Wow, I can’t think of a genre crossover I’d like to see. I feel like everything is so blended these days that everything is a genre crossover! Perhaps I’d like to see something completely new, because I love everything :)
Thanks for the giveaway! The book sounds great!
Mickey @ imabookshark
I wrote the story I had in my brain. *Then* I tried to figure out what genre it was. It has elements of romance, commercial women’s fiction, historical, time travel…I didn’t know what to call it.
It’s heartening to find, on this very blog, an interview with Diana Gabaldon (she’s in the sidebar on the left). Her books didn’t fit either, yet they continue to sell in the millions. They have some of the same elements as mine.
I’m tempted to write “shelve it with the Gabaldon” in my query, but that would be way too cheeky and not quite true. Like every novel it’s unique.
I get why we need genres, I really do. So I’m calling it “commercial women’s fiction with a time travel twist.” Hope it works.
Congrats for the release date of Nightfall! Your book look great and I’m intrigue enough to read it. Can’t wait to get my copy
I would love to read more books with epic setting and fantasy genre, like Tairen Soul by C.L.Wilson. I love how she build the world at her books, kinda remind me of Lords of The Rings. But she mix it with romance
Yeah, I’m type of “I want to read book with HEA guarantee”, so no matter what genre of the book, I’ll read it as long they have HEA.
You won the copy of Nightfall! Email me at ann.aguirre at gmail dot com to claim your book.
genre is just for classifications. books should never be limit by these classifications especially in fictions where writers can write anything. Publishers should not box a book in one genre alone if it can fit into different categories.
Apparently, what I write – World War II historical fiction – isn’t much of a draw, either! I’ve been told time and time again that this particular time period “doesn’t sell.” My current WIP is not a romance (though there is a love story), and it’s not strictly historical (it’s set in a fictional town). So we’ll see what the gatekeepers have to say…
I love that there are so many options for readers, & writers. I love that if I want, I can just switch genre in the blink of an eye. I’ve never thought about it from a writer’s perspective. I never thought about them getting tired of writing in their “chosen” genre. I consider it a win-win situation.
Thanks for the giveaway!
andreat78@yahoo.com
My favorite genre used to be fantasy/adventure but as an adult I also enjoy romance novels (paranormal mostly). The problem with most classic fantasy fiction is the lack of a romantic gene. I would love to see more romance with my swords and sorcery as I still put it at the top of my list when looking for new reads.
James Clemens, Banned and the Banished series was pretty close to the ultimate read for me, the romance was there… simply took until the end of the series to really blossom and become what I was really looking for. Very well written fantasy however and truly is now one of my favorites.
Hi
I love to escape in books so any book with genre crossover is fun to read.
I am looking forward to the series that starts with Nightfall!
Thank you for the giveaway!
As for reader I love them all and still discovering new authors everyday. Each author and their books are little presents and surprises ever time..*S*
Would love to read your new release and I have put it on my gotta have asap list.
Thank you!
Pommawolf @ hotmail.com
Terry, good luck with whatever you decide!
Therese, when I wrote this post about cross-genre, I was thinking about you! TLWoMH is such a magical book, and it wouldn’t have been the same at all if you hadn’t been brave enough to incorporate that magical realism.
Sara, I hope you like NIGHTFALL if you win. :D
Kathleen, I’ve noticed that too. YA seems to have much more open-armed approach, whereas books for adults want things with better borders. I wonder why that is. Is it because young minds are more adaptable? (This is certainly true in the linguistic sense. It’s easier to learn a new language, if you’re younger.)
James, you make some good points!
That’s an interesting mix, Mari.
Rima, that’s a bummer. Sometimes they just don’t greenlight taking a risk. Don’t give up!
Thanks, Ashley. Hope you like NIGHTFALL if you try it.
Petrea, isn’t that along the lines of TIME-TRAVELER’S WIFE? That sure sold well!
Fingers crossed for you, Melissa!
I think authors should be able to more freely blend the genres they want to write in that way there are even more possibilities, so it’s great that it’s not a total taboo anymore and writers have more options now.
Regarding what genres to blend, I think High Fantasy plus Steampunk could be fun so that would be my pick.
Something like The Merchant Princes series by Charles Stross?
I actually don’t know, I haven’t read it
Melissa, that’s so not what I wanted to hear. WWII doesn’t sell well? Darn. There was me hoping that my book might stand a chance amongst the saturation of vampire novels from being set during the London Blitz.
I’m working on query letters now, and tempted to say it’s a cross between “Let The Right One In” and “Hope And Glory (film)”.
How can that not spark interest? :-)
Mark – What I can’t figure out is that there seems to be more and more WW2 novel deals on Publisher’s Lunch, yet all the agents who bothered to give me a reason why they were rejecting me said the exact same thing: hard time period to sell. So I dunno???
There’s a small, but mighty group of WW2 novelists who are hoping to change this! Keep on writing. :-) I’ve half-jokingly said that I’d move to England just to sell my novel as WW2 fiction is much more popular there.
Congratulations! I love blended genres. Diana Gabaldon’s OUTLANDER series comes to mind.
Now if I could figure out what my latest WIP was, I’d be in business–some hybrid of women’s fiction/family story/thriller/crime… ; )
Nice of you to mention epic fantasy geared toward women. That’s exactly what I’m writing now. I hope to start querying by July. It’s good to know someone looks forward to the type of story I’m bringing out.
This post, and the comments, do my heart a lot of good. I totally agree with Alice (above) about Jacqueline Carey, and would add NK Jemisin and Kate Elliott to the list. And of course there’s WU’s own Juliet Marillier. I’m just so pleased to hear women calling for more epic fantasy slanted their way. I’m a guy, but love the stuff that has some romance at its heart, so that’s what I write. Hope there are many, many more of you out there.
Glad you’re leading the way, coloring outside the lines, Ann! Best of luck with the new genre-bender!
You say you want more epic fantasy for women. Have you read Kim Vandervort? THE SONG AND THE SORCERESS seems very geared toward women, although not so much that men couldn’t enjoy it. It does focus on one main character and the small group around her, though, rather than dozens like George R.R. Martin’s or Kevin J. Anderson’s works, if that’s what you’re seeking.
What am I writing that’s different from the norm? How about Real Person Fiction (RPF). As opposed to fan-fiction where fictional settings (Gotham) or characters (Luke Skywalker) are expanded on, real person fiction uses a known person in a fictional setting. Its not slanderous. Its not worshiping. (yes, it is legal!) It would be YA if my MC wasn’t in her early 20’s. Bottom line? I’m writing an RPF early adult humorous romance. Bet you haven’t read something like that in a while. Or ever.
RPF? I did that once. The lady won a contest, and I turned her into a character in a story I was writing as the prize.
I whole heartedly approve of blending genres, my personal opinion is that if the writing and the story are good, it doesn’t really matter what genre the work belongs too. I can understand why publishers and agents are so determined on the subject of genre classification, from a marketing point of view.
Love the cover, Ann, very enticing! It sounds like exactly the sort of thing I’d buy from my local bookshop. I’m looking forward to reading it!
Talk about good timing. Just last month my latest novel, St. Martin’s Moon, was released, and it is a genre mashup as well. I realized during my blog tour that the reason I had such trouble trying to describe the story is that it didn’t fit in any of the recognized genres, so I invented a genre for it to occupy. I call it Gothic SF. My story is a werewolf adventure set in a haunted lunar colony.
https://authorguy.wordpress.com/2011/05/07/tomorrow-night/
Genre crossover? How about UF in which the protagonist actually ends up with a HEA? Where the love interest DOESN’T get turned into a vampire (unless she really wanted to be one)? I’m think mostly of Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden and Anton Stout’s Simon Canderous.
Great post! This may be straying from the topic a bit, but I love any book (whatever the genre) that appeals to multiple generations. I suppose that can create a marketing issue for publishers, but I for one, am always on the look out for books that my kids and I will both enjoy and will be able to discuss together. To me, there’s no greater joy than discussing a book with someone I love/admire/gave birth to. Books like The Book Thief and Black Swan Green and Where I Live Now and The Hunger Games series come to mind . . . classics like Catcher in the Rye, Old Yeller, and Island of the Blue Dolphins too. We can learn a lot about our kids and about young people by listening to their reaction to and interpretation of a novel.
Thanks, Ann!
I’m loving all these wonderful recommendations! Crossovers or SFF with a twist are my passion, too, although romance isn’t my twist of choice. I’ve written high fantasy set in an almost-real place (think Guy Gavriel Kay), urban fantasy based on Jewish mythology, historical (but not Victorian) paranormal, and so on. Hoping that when I’m ready to query, agents won’t hold it against me…but if they do, I guess I have options now!
I love all of these comments and you’ve definitely touched a chord with this one! My first two books are women’s fiction with romantic elements and my third is written from a male POV. Does that make it “men’s fiction”. I doubt it.
Patti
Congrats on the release, Ann. You’re certainly a writing machine. (Meant in the best of ways.)
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