Naming a Genre

[E.G. Gammon]

I know (from posts here at the message board) that most publishers take your manuscript and label it whichever genre they choose. But, what about queries to agents? They all have strict guidelines for submissions and won't accept certain genres. So, you kind of have to have an idea of what your genre would be up front so you can avoid querying an agent that doesn't accept your type of manuscript.

The reason I ask is because of my complex novel series. I've asked before on here for a genre label for my novel series, but no one could give a specific answer without creating a genre. Agents probably don't want a "created" genre. Any opinions are helpful.

Genres:
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Crime/Detective/Police/Mystery
Romance
Thriller/Espionage
Horror/Psychic/Supernatural
New Age/Inspirational
Historical
Courtroom Drama/Legal Thriller
Gay/Lesbian
Commercial/Mainstream
Literary

My novel series could be a combination of a lot of those. Originally it was written to be a network soap opera, but then after seven years of development, I decided to convert it to a novel series. The 2 main stories are a serial killer mystery and a supernatural plot. From that short description, you could call my series "Horror/Supernatural," "Thriller," "Mystery," and "Romance (the "soap" aspect of it)." But, I am worried about calling it a Romance, because lots of agents don't want to accept Romance novels. Well, the story really isn't the "formula" for a romance novel, so the other genres are the ones I should use. But, it's just deciding WHICH one is better.

I've heard that if a novel contains Supernatural elements that it is automatically labeled that, even if there are other plots in the book besides that. Is that the way to go? There's also the whole "serial killer" plot, which could fall into the Mystery, Thriller, and Horror genres. I don't know. Any help is appreciated. I'm new at this... Thanks!

[HConn]

Call it a paranormal romance and smile.

That genre sells a lot of books.

Now stop fussing over the genre and write the book!

:)

[jdkiggins]

EG,

There is a Paranormal Romance genre now. You might want to check that out.
Try Tor Publishing, or Tor Romance.

I'll come back if I hear about any other publishers that may handle both.

Joanne

[E.G. Gammon]

Now stop fussing over the genre and write the book!

Yeah, probably a good idea! :) And thanks (both of you) for "Paranormal Romance." I was just scared of labeling it as a "Romance" since my series doesn't fit the general formula for a romance novel. But, I guess PARANORMAL Romance has a different formula. (Great to know it's popular)

[Susan Gable]

Yeah, probably a good idea! :) And thanks (both of you) for "Paranormal Romance." I was just scared of labeling it as a "Romance" since my series doesn't fit the general formula for a romance novel. But, I guess PARANORMAL Romance has a different formula. (Great to know it's popular)

Darn it, I love my post. :(

Please define the "formula" you feel a romance novel must have, and why you feel your book doesn't fit that. Once I know what you're thinking, I can better tell you if using the lable paranormal romance for your novels is a good move or not.

If your novels don't have the "standard" things a romance novel has to have (and we've discussed this before, but this time, I want your take on what makes a romance novel a romance first! <G>) and you call it a romance, paranormal or not, it's going to bite you in the butt. :eek:

A paranormal romance is still a romance.

A couple years ago, writers couldn't give their paranormal romances away. Now they're hot. It's a cycle thing. (Although why they weren't buying them while Buffy was actually ON tv, but they're buying now that she's OFF, makes no sense to me. Unless they figure the Buffy fans now can get their fixes from paranormal romances.)

I love reading paranormal romances. Great fun! (even the serious ones. <G> Because there are even comediac paranromal romances.)

Susan G.

[E.G. Gammon]

This is taken directly from a literary agent's website:

Romance

Romance is unabashed escapist fiction, following the love story of a (usually female) protagonist, and intended to sweep women readers away from their day-to-day problems. The Romance Writer's Association defines its genre simply as "a love story with an optimistic and emotionally satisfying ending." However, also key to Romance novels is an absence of moral ambiguity. Courage saves the day, justice triumphs, good defeats evil, and it is already readily apparent who and what is good and who and what is evil. Almost uniformly, Romance involves the "taming" or "civilization" of a wild man by a woman. Sub-plots and minor characters are kept to a minimum; these are not multi-layered works. Romance readers are seeking to relax and enjoy. Romances should be easy to read, but should strike strong emotional chords. Marriage is almost without exception the desired goal of a Romance plot.


^ Now, THAT is NOT my series AT ALL. I'll explain why it's not each detail at a time:

Romance is unabashed escapist fiction, following the love story of a (usually female) protagonist, and intended to sweep women readers away from their day-to-day problems. (My novel series was originally supposed to be a network soap opera, and the story was constructed to have some huge plot shockers all along the way. There are MULTIPLE romances, one even between two MEN, and in a town with a serial killer and supernatural things roaming around, I doubt the problems here, will be LESS than the "day-to-day problems" women readers face) The Romance Writer's Association defines its genre simply as "a love story with an optimistic and emotionally satisfying ending." (The novel series used to be a soap opera, and what good is a soap opera without cliffhanger endings? Every book of the series, ESPECIALLY THE FIRST, ends on major cliffhangers. I wouldn't call that "an optimistic and emotionally satisfying ending." The end of the SERIES has a satisfying ending, but each individual book does not) However, also key to Romance novels is an absence of moral ambiguity. Courage saves the day, justice triumphs, good defeats evil, and it is already readily apparent who and what is good and who and what is evil. (My series will be famous for its huge plot shockers. The town is full of supernatural beings and a serial killer. Courage isn't enough in my world. Justice doesn't always triumph. Characters are evil, but in some weird way, we understand them. We like the most evil characters as much as the good ones. And in no way does the series show at the very beginning who is evil and and who is good. At the beginning of Book 6, a character who we thought was good all along, turns out to be VERY evil. And don't get me started on the identity of the serial killer. We think that person is good, too, and the person isn't) Almost uniformly, Romance involves the "taming" or "civilization" of a wild man by a woman. (This is no where in my novel series. There are strong female characters but there's also strong male ones, too. No one tames anyone. Two characters fall in love because they do. One doesn't tame the other) Sub-plots and minor characters are kept to a minimum; these are not multi-layered works. (My novel series couldn't be more multi-layered. The novel series' story will span out over 7 main novels, and will have over 80 characters throughout them (some introduced first, others dying - by the serial killer or other ways - and some showing up in other novels). This story has been developed for over seven years, and every character is important. The series will have 2 "umbrella" stories (the supernatural stuff and the serial killer) OVER the many many subplots of all of the characters and how they relate to the umbrella stories) Romance readers are seeking to relax and enjoy. (My novel series will be "on the edge of your seat" action, people being murdered, investigations, all of the supernatural stuff, in no way a "relaxing" read. It will keep people awake that's for sure. The last chapter of the first book has over 5 main character deaths. I wouldn't call that relaxing) Romances should be easy to read, but should strike strong emotional chords. (The series will have a lot of characters and we explore who they are, but there is a lot of plot, too. The series won't be "EASY" to read. It's a huge mystery. A journey. A thrill-ride) Marriage is almost without exception the desired goal of a Romance plot. (There are weddings in some of the books, but they aren't used as "resolutions." They are just jumping off points to something else. And some characters we want so badly to get together, never do)

So, as you can see, my novel series doesn't fit the formula for a "Romance" novel - AT ALL. That's why I was reluctant to call it a Romance.

[Susan Gable]

So, as you can see, my novel series doesn't fit the formula for a "Romance" novel - AT ALL. That's why I was reluctant to call it a Romance.

LOL - Ummmm...yes, I can see why you'd be reluctant. And I think you shouldn't use that term to describe them to an agent, either. Perhaps just the term "mainstream" novel?

Actually, if I were you, when I wrote a cover letter/query letter, I'd call it what it is: "soap-opera type saga of the town of XYZ, where yada, yada..."

Don't know if they can market it that way, but it gives a good, honest account of what the book series is all about. :-)

Susan G.

[HConn]

EG, how much of your book have you written today?

[E.G. Gammon]

I went through some of my early scripts (and began converting them into paragraph form) and I wrote a little on the main outline for the series (which I plan on finishing by June 30). Why? If you think I was just wasting precious writing time, with the LONG response above, you should know I have been up ALL night working on my writing...so, it all evens out.

[Daughter of Faulkner]

mainstream fiction with a soap opera flair?!

Mainstream something with an emphasis on the super natural?!

Just a couple of ideas to work with...
Good wishes to you!

:Sun:

[brinkett]

Talking about genre, is a story that takes place on another planet automatically considered science fiction if that and the fact that they have space travel is the only science fiction-y thing about it? Is there such a thing as mainstream with science fiction elements? There is a category called sociological science fiction that it might fit, but I'm not sure. I've always read/heard that sci fi should be about the future and/or about technology that doesn't exist but can be explained using current scientific knowledge. This story has neither. My concern is that it won't meet the expectations of the typical science fiction reader (if there is such a thing).

[E.G. Gammon]

I realize me posting here, post after post, about a novel series I'm just starting to write, is taking away time I could use writing it. But, you have to realize that I am new to all of this "novel" stuff. For seven years I researched extensively on the craft of TV writing, script format, soap opera structure - all of that, thinking that one day my story would become a daytime soap opera. I just recently decided to convert it into a novel series. It's pretty obvious why I would have so many questions, especially about the genre of the work. What I'm attempting to do won't be easy to publish - I know that. Non-standalone serial novels are hard to sell, but I'm not giving up. The whole debate over genre is one I need to clear up, because I don't want to waste my time, querying an agent (when I get to that point) that doesn't accept my type of story. Right now, as I'm working on the series, I am compiling a list of agents that I can query when I get to that point. I want to rule out the ones that wouldn't accept my work. The type of novel series I am writing has probably never been done. It's only natural I would have questions. I am working hard every day, pushing friends and activities from my life, staying up hours I didn't even know existed - losing sleep, putting my heart and soul into this. This won't be the last question I ask - so just remember that this is all so new to me. I like to think and plan way ahead. I'm an organized freak. I have to know where I'm going before I start heading there (which is why I am spending so much time on the entire series outline).

But, thanks to everyone who suggested a genre. Anyone else have any ideas of a genre I could label this unique piece of work?

[brinkett]

If the town is filled with supernatural beings, wouldn't it be some type of urban fantasy?


I am working hard every day, pushing friends and activities from my life, staying up hours I didn't even know existed - losing sleep, putting my heart and soul into this.

Take a breather. No book/series is worth the loss of good friends, or your health.

[E.G. Gammon]

Take a breather. No book/series is worth the loss of good friends, or your health.

I didn't say they were GOOD friends. :) And I think every writer at some point, loses sleep. I have never been the type of person who can just hit the pillow and go to sleep, without sitting in bed an hour and a half with my pen and notebook, writing my "verge of sleep" material, first.