Change genre?

iwannabepublished · Aug 8, 2009

I'am having no success finding an agent for a Science Fiction manuscript. I thought I'd change genre and and am working on a mystery/thriller.

This may sound like a dumb question but -

Do you think people read a book becasue they like the author or because they like the genre? In other words, if I ever get my thriller published and then go back to Sci Fi, will people want to read it because they want to read what I wrote or will I end up with two different audiences? I much prefer Science Fiction. I think it's, for me at least, easier to write.

ChaosTitan · Aug 8, 2009

It depends. Some readers will follow a favorite author no matter what they write; other folks read in certain genres, no matter what.

Summonere · Aug 8, 2009

I think they read because they like the story, first, and genre merely tells them where they're likely to find the kinds of stories they like, and author usually tells them who writes the kinds of stories in the kinds of genres they like.

Libbie · Aug 8, 2009

Kenteicher said:
I'am having no success finding an agent for a Science Fiction manuscript. I thought I'd change genre and and am working on a mystery/thriller.

This may sound like a dumb question but -

Do you think people read a book becasue they like the author or because they like the genre? In other words, if I ever get my thriller published and then go back to Sci Fi, will people want to read it because they want to read what I wrote or will I end up with two different audiences? I much prefer Science Fiction. I think it's, for me at least, easier to write.

I do both. I always peruse the sci-fi section for new stuff that looks interesting (fantasy, too; they're usually shelved together.) And I will read everything a favorite author writes, even if it's not in the original genre.

Scribhneoir · Aug 8, 2009

Kenteicher said:
Do you think people read a book becasue they like the author or because they like the genre? In other words, if I ever get my thriller published and then go back to Sci Fi, will people want to read it because they want to read what I wrote or will I end up with two different audiences?

Probably two different audiences with some crossover. Personally I love mysteries and hate science fiction, so I would not follow a favorite mystery author to the SF realm, but I would follow a favorite author to another genre that I liked.

Wayne K · Aug 8, 2009

I follow authors. If I read a new author, its because of a book review or article.

Aschenbach · Aug 8, 2009

Nowadays horror/crime/mystery/thriller are pretty much indistinguishable. Urban fantasy can have elements of all the preceding, and literary often uses genre tropes, but with weird line breaks and italics and junk.

I would say there are few genres that don't have crossover, and I follow authors rather than genres. But there are some mixes that might not work, e.g. sword & sorcery fantasy + Bridget Jones style chick lit.

Danthia · Aug 9, 2009

If they like both genres, sure. If not, no. It's about the story more than the author. If they really love an author, they might try another genre, but only if the story sounds interesting to them.

One thing to think about. Just because you've had no luck with that particular science fiction novel doesn't mean you won't with another book in the same genre. Took me four tries in fantasy before I sold one. If you want to write in another genre, then of course go for it, but don't feel you have to just because your first try didn't sell. Most people's first try doesn't.

Wark · Aug 9, 2009

Did you find science fiction agents?

What did your betas say? And not family or friends.

BigWords · Aug 9, 2009

"Genre" is a concept. Stories are stories, and I tend to disregard packaging.

Change genre?

iwannabepublished

working hard - hard at work?

ChaosTitan

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Summonere

Libbie

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Scribhneoir

Reinventing Myself

Wayne K

Aschenbach

Moral Marjorie

Danthia

Wark

Mark Brockman

BigWords

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