Trends in Women's Fiction

RitrChick · Mar 24, 2010

So we've seen Chick Lit, Mommy Lit, etc. and now it seems the consensus is to generally label books for women, about women, as Commercial or Contemporary Women's Fiction. Got that.

BUT....

I wonder what emerging or current trends there are these days within women's fiction? What components do the stories have? Are they all funny or are they serious?

Just wondering what you've read and seen in the stores or what kind of sales are being reported on PM. I'll admit that I've been spending a lot of time putzing around with YA, but even so, I still feel far more compelled to write women's fiction.

Thoughts??

Irysangel · Mar 24, 2010

I believe the trend for women's fiction is more serious, more family oriented. Families in crisis, or women rediscovering love after divorce/widowhood or something.

I know Susan Wiggs and Debbie Macomber are super hot right now. Ditto Robyn Carr.

CheyElizabeth · Mar 24, 2010

Mommy lit?? God I would hate to read about that. I read books to escape the world of parenthood..

Anyhow, I also spend most of my time in YA so I am unsure, but I think strong independent women characters are hip now. No more damsels in distress.

Deb Kinnard · Mar 24, 2010

I've got a hunch that in romance, medievals may be poised to come back. Of course, I've got a dog in this particular hunt, so I'm hopeful.

They say the "lits" are dead. We'll see.

KathleenD · Mar 25, 2010

I'm seeing a lot more calls/hints for steampunk. I'm also seeing more references to steampunk in pop culture.

I admit I don't see how that could go really mainstream the way chick lit did, but I also am not in any way a tastemaker or a gatekeeper.

Or a keymaster. Sorry. Couldn't resist.

AllieB · Mar 25, 2010

I read a recent PW article that talked about the new "women's fiction" trend as being chick lit 10 years later...what those women are facing now that they're in their 30s, struggling with marital problems, raising kids, losing/finding identities amid that, etc.

Rose English · Apr 8, 2010

There's an article in May's RT Book Reviews which suggests that contemporary romances/ women's fiction set in small towns, with established communities are becoming increasingly popular.

I'd thought they always were. I thought that was (part of) the appeal of the Aga-saga and so on...

cooeedownunder · Apr 8, 2010

I read somewhere a while ago - older women and younger men.

cate townsend · Apr 8, 2010

cooeedownunder said:
I read somewhere a while ago - older women and younger men.

Let's hear it for the Cougars.

wrangler · Apr 8, 2010

AllieB said:
I read a recent PW article that talked about the new "women's fiction" trend as being chick lit 10 years later...what those women are facing now that they're in their 30s, struggling with marital problems, raising kids, losing/finding identities amid that, etc.

Just not too long ago finished a book like that. It was called The Ten Year Nap; it was very well done and beautifully written, though I did find it painstakingly difficult for me to read.

brainstorm77 · Apr 9, 2010

I agree with the whole small town rural settings; family based also seems to be a trend. All of which I like, so it suits me fine

Lisamer · Apr 12, 2010

AllieB said:
I read a recent PW article that talked about the new "women's fiction" trend as being chick lit 10 years later...what those women are facing now that they're in their 30s, struggling with marital problems, raising kids, losing/finding identities amid that, etc.

I'm reading One Night in Boston and loving every word of it!

Lisamer · Apr 12, 2010

ARGHHH!! I meant to put my reply in the "what are you reading?" thread. DUH!

Lydia Sharp · Apr 12, 2010

Irysangel said:
I believe the trend for women's fiction is more serious, more family oriented. Families in crisis, or women rediscovering love after divorce/widowhood or something.

Funny. That describes my first women's fic novel in a (very small) nutshell, and no one seems to want it. :Shrug:

Chumplet · Apr 12, 2010

My women's fic runs along those lines, and I still have hope for it. It deals with difficult issues and I think agents only see the 'Debbie Downer' side of it. I've only been querying for 4 months and there is some interest, so I'm just being patient.

milly · Apr 12, 2010

I agree...my work definitely fits within drama/romance/mystery in small rural setting, etc....I'd love to hear of any suggestions on just what agents are interested in this sort of thing if its the trend

Synonym · Apr 12, 2010

cooeedownunder said:
I read somewhere a while ago - older women and younger men.

Oh yeah. I do like the sound of that. Back to work then...

Rose English · Apr 13, 2010

Lydia Sharp said:
Funny. That describes my first women's fic novel in a (very small) nutshell, and no one seems to want it.

This is exactly the kind of story I look to read, and write. So don't give up!

Rose English · Apr 13, 2010

milly said:
I agree...my work definitely fits within drama/romance/mystery in small rural setting, etc....I'd love to hear of any suggestions on just what agents are interested in this sort of thing if its the trend

I'm interested too.

And I think a lot of my friends are, going by our book club choices

Rose English · Apr 13, 2010

cooeedownunder said:
I read somewhere a while ago - older women and younger men.

Excuse my ignorance but I only discovered the whole cougar thing recently and had to look it up on wiki to see what it was about (I lead a quiet life, ahem).

Does the cougar theme only work in erotica do you think?

I was thinking of that book Tim by Colleen McCollough; later made into the film with Mel Gibson and Piper Laurie. That was quite a romantic story but I don't think the term cougar was around then. Or maybe it didn't fit the criteria in other ways?

Bubastes · Apr 13, 2010

Rose English said:
Does the cougar theme only work in erotica do you think?

No, I don't think so. I think there's a lot of potential in this theme because it can incorporate so many issues (fear of aging, raised eyebrows by society, different life stages between the hero and heroine, the heroine not believing that a younger hero could find her attractive, rediscovering youth, etc.). I see so many great possibilities for characterization in this area.

WendyNYC · Apr 13, 2010

Most of the women's fiction I've read lately has been all about very distinct characters with a strong voice. Think THE HELP and OLIVE KITTERIDGE (although would you call those women's fiction? Or literary? Or both?) Amazing, amazing characters who stick with you long after you've put the book down. I've also read a lot of mother/grown daughter conflict lately, but maybe that's a function of what's speaking to me right now.

Lydia Sharp · Apr 13, 2010

Again, I'm shaking my head in confusion. I've also got a cougar subplot (where the MC's boyfriend's much younger brother has an obvious attraction to her and almost ruins their relationship) and mother/grown daughter issues going on as well. And every beta reader I've enlisted said what grabbed them right away was the MC's voice.

But, thinking back on my rejections, quite a few said they were interested in the premise, but ultimately decided against it. Maybe I just haven't hit the right agent's desk yet.

Rose English · Apr 13, 2010

Bubastes said:
I see so many great possibilities for characterization in this area.

I agree.

I find the term 'cougar' derogatory when I stop to think about it. I'm getting old and grumpy.

Rose English · Apr 13, 2010

I think of Olive Kitteridge as mainstream/contemporary rather than women's fic.

But why? *racks brain*

Trends in Women's Fiction

RitrChick

Rejoining the Butt in Chair Club

Irysangel

She of Many Names

CheyElizabeth

My horn can pierce the sky!

Deb Kinnard

KathleenD

New kid, but no need to be gentle.

AllieB

Rose English

cooeedownunder

Grateful for the day

cate townsend

wrangler

Dearest Strumpets and Knaves:

brainstorm77

practical experience, FTW

Lisamer

Lisamer

Lydia Sharp

for the love of love

Chumplet

This hat is getting too hot

milly

seeing sparks

Synonym

Rose English

Rose English

Rose English

Bubastes

bananaed

WendyNYC

fiddle-dee-dee

Lydia Sharp

for the love of love

Rose English

Rose English