That fine line between romance and... something else? (ZOMBIES!!)

So this book I'm writing for a very specific imprint (Amber Allure/Amber Quill Press) is supposed to be an m/m erotic romance, but the ending is giving me fits.

My understanding is that all it takes to make a book a romance (by genre definition and industry standards) is a story that focuses primarily on a romantic relationship and its inevitable/obligatory happy ending.

In this case, I'm writing a futuristic dark fantasy m/m romance with a healthy amount of BDSM. That's the book the publisher and I agreed I would write, and that's the book I intend to deliver.

I've got...

The principle players: An ancient Greek demigod called up from the Underworld (along with four of his fellow demigods) to champion what's left of humanity after war and pestilence have decimated the population, and the young soldier who has reluctantly volunteered to act as his squire/sexual thrall.

The internal conflict: Squire is appalled by Champion's mission, which is essentially wiping out entire communities of people who've become infected with a particular strand of plague (ZOMBIES!!). In addition, the BDSM aspects of their relationship come as a bit of a shock to Squire. And the Champion just wants to go home, which in this case is the Underworld, but now he's grown attached to Squire against his own better judgment...

The external conflict: Apocalypse Now-ish.

And therein lies the rub. My two principles survive the final fall of civilization and are joyously reunited, but all is not well (see above re: final fall of civilization).

Champion and Squire descend to the Underworld (which isn't such a great place from Squire's perspective because Hades is mad as any five hatters, but at least they're together). My principle couple has its HEA, but Earth is now a scorched rock populated by plague-infected zombies and their prey.

My question: Does this count as a "happy ending?" Or even a "satisfying" one?

I have no desire to "fix" Earth, btw. No deus ex machina waiting in the wings, no plans to build a haven for the few remaining humans. At the end of the book, this plane of existence is toast.

Would you (the collective you) call this a romance by the standards of the genre?

Actually, I have a sequel very vaguely in mind in which one of the Champion's colleagues, who's semi-villainous in the first book, finds himself trapped on Earth with a tiny band of human survivors. He's misanthropic in the extreme, and they don't trust him, but they join forces out of necessity. He falls for the son of the wise and aged leader and...hijinks ensue?

I dunno. I try to write one book at a time.

The infected-squire thing is an interesting angle, especially if it requires my Champ to give up his one chance at going home. I do enjoy a noble sacrifice made for luurrrrve.

Hmm...

So if they could save even a handful of humans -- say, retreat with them to that haven I swore I wouldn't build and set up housekeeping with an eye toward a not-entirely-bleak future, would that be enough to call it an HEA?

I see an epilogue in my near future. *sigh*

Thanks, sunandshadow!

xccorpio said:

It's not much of a happy ending. Maybe like you said; a 'satisfying' ending to a dark story.

Honestly, it looks more erotica than romance. With very interesting plot.

Click to expand...

Thanks.

I'm really trying for that happier ending. It's going to be marketed as erotic romance, and there's a certain segment of the readership that will put up with twelve tons of angst and the most gruesome torture imaginable if you can deliver that HEA. If you let them down, they might never pick you up again.

On the other hand, I want to remain true to the story, and saving the world would be a cop-out.

Dilemma.

I hear you.

I'll ponder my options. But first, a big glass of cheap Chardonnay and an hour or two of bad TV, because seriously...everybody should have problems this trivial, yes?

You all make excellent points, and I appreciate the encouragement.

I will find a way to inject hope. I rather like that image of the sun shining on a single green shoot struggling up through the rubble, December. Thanks!

I don't hate it. Not at all.

In fact, I think I'm a little in love with it. If my editor agrees, you'll be seeing your name on the acknowledgments page.

Yes, your suggestion was just the spin the project was missing. I've had to re-jigger my original character arcs a bit, but I think it will be a much better, more "mythic" story for the new framing and slightly uplifting end.

New and improved "zombie apocalypse gay BDSM romance!" Now with more hope!!