What is mainstream/contermporary?

[JenNipps]

I know Cate asked this in the "Let's Play" thread, but I'd like to bring it over here, too, so it doesn't get buried there. Some of you all had some good responses, too.

"What exactly is mainstream these days? . . . ."

[E.G. Gammon]

I guess I'll repost my post from the "Let's Play" thread...

Taken from a literary agency's website:

Commercial/Mainstream:

Commercial novels are works expected to sell well and be highly marketable. Generally speaking, they tend to be more plot-driven than literary works. Other traits of commercial (or, in alternative parlance, mainstream) novels are difficult to pin down, and may depend upon trends in public interest. Simply put, commercial works are predicted to attract a large and diverse audience. They are seen as highly marketable books with great potential to gather cross-over readers.

[JenNipps]

I guess I'll repost my post from the "Let's Play" thread...

Taken from a literary agency's website:

Commercial/Mainstream:

Commercial novels are works expected to sell well and be highly marketable. Generally speaking, they tend to be more plot-driven than literary works. Other traits of commercial (or, in alternative parlance, mainstream) novels are difficult to pin down, and may depend upon trends in public interest. Simply put, commercial works are predicted to attract a large and diverse audience. They are seen as highly marketable books with great potential to gather cross-over readers.

Thank you for re-posting. :)

I wonder, then, given this definition, if that's why Danielle Steele is so popular in mainstream markets? Then again, I may never know. *s*

[brokenfingers]

Hmmmm, I think one of the defining characteristics of mainstream (meaning non-genre) fiction is in the nature of the conflict.

Most of the other genres have larger-than-life conflict:

Horror – good vs. evil
Mystery – solving the crime
Thriller – saving the world
Fantasy – the quest
SF – assorted conflicts balanced against technology (in a future/alternate time frame)

I think mainstream novels mainly deal with more real-life problems and conflicts -especially relationships.

[AmyBA]

I think another common factor in labeling a book mainstream/contemporary is a definitive resolution of the conflict. There's rarely any ambiguity as far as whether or not the main character gets what he/she wants, overcomes the obstacle, etc.

Just my $.02

Amy

[katiemac]

That's a good point, Amy. Just look at the Hollywood mainstream films -- "happing endings" are all the rage.

[maestrowork]

Hmmm, I am not sure if a happy ending is a prerequisite, though. Not all mainstream are "feel good" stories. There's certainly a "Hallmark" quality to many of them.

But don't other genres also have definitive resolutions at the end, too? I mean, Romance dictates "happily ever after." Mystery: the case must be solved and the culprit caught. Thriller: the world is saved and the hero gets the girl. Fantasy: the hero completes his journey and reach the holy grail... The only genres that might or might not have that kind of endings are sci-fi or horror, for those stories don't necessary must fulfil the protagonist's destiny.

Just thinking...

[JenNipps]

Hmmmm, I think one of the defining characteristics of mainstream (meaning non-genre) fiction is in the nature of the conflict.

Most of the other genres have larger-than-life conflict:

Horror – good vs. evil
Mystery – solving the crime
Thriller – saving the world
Fantasy – the quest
SF – assorted conflicts balanced against technology (in a future/alternate time frame)

I think mainstream novels mainly deal with more real-life problems and conflicts -especially relationships.

Sorry for the delay in answering this. Contest/conference preparations & all.

I've heard that before about mainstream dealing with real-life problems/conflicts. I've also heard, on the other hand, that it's the other way around and mainstream deals with larger-than-life issues. I guess it depends on who you talk to and their perspective.

Personally, I have a definition, of sorts, that says mainstream is for something that doesn't fit any other category, conflict/problem notwithstanding. I don't know if that makes sense or not considering I just got home this afternoon and am operating on pretty low sleep for the past week.