Question about Urban Fantasy

I'd say urban if it was a town.

ur·ban /ˈɜrbən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ur-buhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective

1. of, pertaining to, or designating a city or town.
2. living in a city.
3. characteristic of or accustomed to cities; citified: He is an urban type.


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[Origin: 1610–20; < L urbānus, equiv. to urb- (s. of urbs) city + -ānus -an]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.


Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

I suppose if Ottowa can count as a setting in urban fantasy then a small town can.

I think that "urban" refers more to the real-world, unfantastic lifestyle of the characters that has fantastic intrusions. If it's out in Witchita or Cheboygan, then sure, why not.

(I know those aren't small towns, it's just fun to say those names.)

No - the "urban" in urban fantasy refers to the fact that it's fantastic elements that are set in the real world. (Not necessarily real towns, mind you, just the "real world"). As Spiny says up there.

My UF's set mostly in the Adirondacks, and for that time there isn't even a town involved.

Label it urban fantasy if you're querying agents/editors who consider fantasy, and paranormal or supernatural fiction (suspense, thriller, mystery, romance, what have you) if they don't want fantasy.

Might be good to shift this question over to the Sci-Fi/Fantasy board, since they tend to be a pretty informed bunch about urban fantasy.

Meanwhile, I'd say the answer to your question is "it depends".

Charles De Lint is usually categorized as Urban Fantasy, though his books take place in a decidedly non-urban setting (a Canadian village). The term obviously has some wiggle room.

Other genre terms include dark fantasy, modern fantasy, contemporary fantasy, paranormal, paranormal romance...

I've also seen some authors getting cute in query letters with things like "suburban fantasy" and "rural fantasy".

If you're pitching to an agent who's looking for urban fantasy, then urban fantasy is a good term to use, as long as your novel fits the model. If you read widely in the genre, you'll get a sense of things. It may be that one of the other terms I mentioned (or one I didn't) is more appropriate to your particular story.

Don't forget this existing thread on the subject.

This thread (and the other one) have been rather illuminating... And exceptionally confusing. I have two major projects right now, and both of them seem to skirt the edges of the 'Urban Fantasy' definition.

How frustrating.

One involves a fictional world that behaves in most ways like our real world, with the addition of the supernatural 'beneath the surface'. Rather like what I've heard Urban Fantasy is, just not using the real world as a starting ground.

The other really does involve the real world as a base, but incorporates elements of the supernatural.

Are both of these stories Urban Fantasy?

JPLangsdorf said:

Are both of these stories Urban Fantasy?

Click to expand...

You really shouldn't get caught up in precisely defining sub genres. There are books that are clearly urban fantasy (like Jim Butcher) and others that are sort of, and others, as you said, that skirt the edges. If you're pitching to an agent and you use a phrase like, "somewhat of an Urban Fantasy" (or hopefully, something better,) the agent isn't going to insist you be more specific before looking at it.

I swear I thought it referred to African-American erotica.

Not joking.

Swvaughn is right -- it's the juxtaposition of real-world settings with fantastical elements, as well as a certain gritty feel, that makes something "urban fantasy." It can take place in a small town or Hong Kong, as long as you have that mix.

(I would say that without that grittiness, you're just looking at straight-up fantasy. Would most agree?)

I think you're onto something there.

Lycius said:

I'd say urban if it was a town.

Click to expand...

Husband and wife are driving the back highways, seeing the USA. They stop at a tiny general store at the only intersection in a small hamlet. An old man is sitting in a rocking chair outside the front door to the store. The lady decides to strike up a conversation, and says to him, "What's it like, living out in the country?"
He looks up at her and says, "I wouldn't know, ma'am. I've always lived here in town, myself."

JP - I think your first one is fantasy, and not urban -- urban fantasy is set on Earth. And your second is urban fantasy.

Claudia - yes! Gritty is a common characteristic to most urban fantasy.

(Jim Butcher is awesome... I just finished Book 1 of The Dresden Files, and Book 2's on its way. Great stuff!)