Question: How are fantasy books doing these days?

efreysson · Jun 6, 2009

I've written the first book of a planned fantasy series, in my native Icelandic, but due to the economic woes our nation is facing right now, none of the publishing houses are willing to take on a non-sure bet of a novel. So, now I'm wondering whether I should wait and hope for things to steady our here, or if I should translate the whole thing into English and try to gain the attention of publishers in English-speaking countries.

So, what I'm curious about is: What's the situation outside of my own country when it comes to this particular matter? How are fantasy books by first-time authors doing these days? Would I be wasting my time by even trying to get published abroad?

Parametric · Jun 6, 2009

Depends on the subgenre. I hear epic fantasy is tanking right now (sigh), but urban fantasy is doing great (yay!) and steampunk is on the up (ooh).

Cyia · Jun 6, 2009

There's no harm in trying a few queries outside your home country. From what you've posted here, your English seems perfect.

Good luck!

Epiphany · Jun 6, 2009

*agrees with Cyia*

Epic fantasy isn't doing too hot unless it's related to some bigger franchise, like the new warcraft book that came out this year. But yes, urban fantasy is probably one of if not the hottest market right now, esp. young adult.

ChaosTitan · Jun 7, 2009

If your first novel is standalone, you'll have a better chance of getting it picked up, than if it isn't. Also, mind your word count. Anything over 150k for fantasy, epic or not, is going to be a very hard sell.

Mr Flibble · Jun 7, 2009

ChaosTitan said:
Anything over 150k for fantasy, epic or not, is going to be a very hard sell.

A lot depends on which country you sub to. In the UK 140k is considered optimal for fantasy ( maybe not urban, not so sure) because you're allowed a little extra for world building. Any less than 100k, unless it's YA, they might think you've skimped. Any more than 160 might be too much, though I've read a couple of debut novels lately that were at least that. ( These figures are according to one of the leading Fantasy agents here)

So check around for what is best for each country that you try and sub to. The UK is very hard to break into as there are so few fantasy agents. ( ie, about 12)

ChaosTitan · Jun 7, 2009

Oops. Should have specified the US market in my post.

efreysson · Jun 7, 2009

Thanks for the comments. I guess I should have included more information on my book:

It's a dark, low fantasy, 120K words, focused on characters and plot over hyper-detailed descriptions of clothing or cultural nuances, and it does stand pretty well on its own; The next one isn't a direct sequel as such, just a continuation of some of the characters.

Toothpaste · Jun 7, 2009

Just because I don't know, what is low fantasy?

efreysson · Jun 7, 2009

Toothpaste said:
Just because I don't know, what is low fantasy?

It's an umbrella term, but usually it means: Less epic and fantastical, with more gritty realism, and lower emphasis on magic and Ultimate Good vs Ultimate Evil, than most High Fantasy.

waylander · Jun 7, 2009

And less about the doing of kings and emperors, more focus on the lower level fighting people

Toothpaste · Jun 7, 2009

efreysson said:
It's an umbrella term, but usually it means: Less epic and fantastical, with more gritty realism, and lower emphasis on magic and Ultimate Good vs Ultimate Evil, than most High Fantasy.

So it is still set in a fantastical setting, but maybe more character driven, less about being the chosen one, and more about the personal issues of a fantastical character?

efreysson · Jun 7, 2009

Toothpaste said:
So it is still set in a fantastical setting, but maybe more character driven, less about being the chosen one, and more about the personal issues of a fantastical character?

For example.

Toothpaste · Jun 7, 2009

lol, thanks! I learned something new today!

childeroland · Jun 8, 2009

How about historical fantasy? (Ala Keith Roberts, Naomi Novak (sp?)), etc?

efreysson · Jun 8, 2009

Sooo . . .

I'm still not entirely sure what my next step is going to be; Everyone who has read my manuscript, be they friends or professional literary figures has complimented it, but my experience with looking for representation abroad has left me rather jaded.
Still, could someone recommend a place or persons to start looking, anywhere in the English-speaking world? I'm pretty badly out of practice.

waylander · Jun 8, 2009

Agentquery.com
And we have here on AW a little list of agents who handle fantasy
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42019

Question: How are fantasy books doing these days?

efreysson

Closer than ever

Parametric

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

Epiphany

Don't kill the bar, Dude.

ChaosTitan

Around

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

ChaosTitan

Around

efreysson

Closer than ever

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

efreysson

Closer than ever

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

efreysson

Closer than ever

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

childeroland

What happened to my LIFE?!

efreysson

Closer than ever

waylander

Who's going for a beer?