Should I stick to Fantasy?

Monkey · Apr 23, 2007

Here's my dilemma:

I've written a novel, a roleplaying game, a couple of supplements for the game, and a short story that have gotten accepted for publication. The problem is that they are all with presses of the "not so big" variety. I've been reading the "Ask the Agent" thread where Nathan Bransford has been answering questions, and he says that if you have too much published and none of it sold very well, then your chances of getting an agent are much slimmer.

I *really* want to get an agent. When I look through the websites that list agents, or read Writer's Market, or just ask around, though, it seems like there are less agents repping the High Fantasy stuff I do than straight, contemporary fiction. And maybe it's just the circles I run in, but every writer I've met personally (with the exception of one) writes High Fantasy. I don't think any of them ever got an agent.

So I'm trying more contemporary fiction...Chic Lit. I *think* it's coming along pretty well, but it seems...I don't know...tedious, I guess. I think writing fantasy is more fun.

I'm thinking of posting the beginnings of my new endeavor on the "Share Your Work" board to see if people feel I can 'hang' in that genre. I read, though, that I should wait 'till I'm a bit better known around here. Geesh, I hate having to be patient! I suck at it.

In the meantime, I ask you this:

How hard is it, really, to find an agent for High Fantasy? Is it harder to be a bestseller if your book is High Fantasy? I mean, almost all the New York Times best sellers I've ever seen were contemporary. So, the big question is: Should I stick with Fantasy, or should I try something that *may* have an easier time finding the success I'm looking for?

I'd appreciate the help!

Judg · Apr 23, 2007

I can't answer your basic question but word on the streets

has it that Chick Lit has run its course. If you're going to branch out, you might consider another direction. Something oriented toward a female readership does not have to be chick lit.

BiggerBoat · Apr 23, 2007

Hi'ya Monkey. Welcome to the forums.

There's the old adage that if you aren't writing what you love, with passion, then it will show in the final product. I think I skilled, experienced writer can overcome this, writing in a tactical way to specific markets. However, one of the advantages of a book from a newer novelist might be the energy that comes from writing within a genre that the author loves.

You didn't mention what you like to read? Do you read primarily fantasy or do you also read contemporary fiction? I do think High/Epic/Traditional Fantasy is a tough market. The books tend to be longer, which is tough for first-time authors. More than that, I think that there's a tendency towards sameness in the genre. New authors should find a way to break out with an unconventional setting, characters or story (or all of the above!). The agents who rep fantasy are probably familiar with the genre and all of its tropes, and they want to see something fresh.

You may have noticed that urban/contemporary fantasy is definately hot right now. I think we're approaching a downturn in that market with a glut of fiction, but it demonstrates how a spin on traditional fantasy and/or genre crossovers can really take off.

You might certainly be a skilled enough author to pull off a compelling book without necessarily loving the genre, but when you describe the work as tedious I'd say that you should consider your reasons for writing. Perhaps think of the journey (writing) rather than the destination (publishing). Make it fun! Sit down and consider what you love about your favorite books, what makes fantasy fun for you. Then, consider ways to put a fresh spin on the genre that will not only make it exciting for you to write but potentially exciting to agents and editors.

I know where you are coming from. I've often considered focusing on writing mystery/crime/suspense, because I enjoy reading within those genres and it seems potentially easier to break into. However, the thought of writing one just doesn't get me excited. It doesn't seem like fun. Instead, I'll take some of the aspects I like about those genres (for example, tight plotting) and try to apply them to what I actually enjoy writing.

Best of luck to you.

WildScribe · Apr 23, 2007

Write what you love, and make that work. Writing "chick lit" that bores you is a waste of your time.

BiggerBoat · Apr 23, 2007

WildScribe said:
Write what you love, and make that work. Writing "chick lit" that bores you is a waste of your time.

You just managed to say what I intended to say using about 1000 less words.

Economy of language ... phhht.

and you call yourself a writer

Will Lavender · Apr 23, 2007

Miss Snark says that chick lit is dead.

And, as others are saying, I would write what you enjoy writing. If you don't believe in your story, no agent is going to.

Monkey · Apr 23, 2007

Thanks for the great feedback! I read a lot of different genres. I LOVE to read humorous writing, especially Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchet, and Steven Brust, but I don't think I could ever write like them. I think humorous writing is an artform and also an incredible skill, and I just don't have it.

I do well with fantasy, though. My first fantasy novel was almost 70,000 words, short for the genre, but long enough. Part of the backstory is that the birth of magic nearly destroyed mankind...so it's a post-apocalyptic high fantasy. The concepts behind the world are my own, and I loved thinking through how man would have to restructure society, religion, and technology after the birth of magic.

Of course, the *story* didn't focus on all that...*I* did.

So I guess I'll abandon my current WIP and start dreaming again. That's where fantasy starts, for me: letting my imagination go and thinking "then what?"

I described working on my current (now dropped) WIP as "tedious" because I found that writing it was slower and more of an acedemic process, whereas high fantasy seems to move quickly and get carried along by flights of fancy.
(Editing comes later)

Thanks!

WildScribe · Apr 23, 2007

BiggerBoat said:
You just managed to say what I intended to say using about 1000 less words.

Economy of language ... phhht.

and you call yourself a writer

I'll take that as a compliment, Darlin'

waylander · Apr 23, 2007

Monkey said:
How hard is it, really, to find an agent for High Fantasy? Is it harder to be a bestseller if your book is High Fantasy? I mean, almost all the New York Times best sellers I've ever seen were contemporary. So, the big question is: Should I stick with Fantasy, or should I try something that *may* have an easier time finding the success I'm looking for?

I'd appreciate the help!

How hard is it to get an agent for high fantasy - b#st#rd hard.
I've been published in some good mags (Black Gate, MZBFM). My fantasy novel made it to the acquisitions committee of one publisher, the editorial director of another and is a requested resubmission at a third and I still don't have an agent

Monkey · Apr 23, 2007

Yeah, that's about what I thought.

Funny thing is, as soon as I made the decision to cut my WIP, I started feeling all mushy about it...

I started thinking "Aww, but I really liked the part where..." and "it's too bad that..."

I don't know if this is just my natural inclination to stick to what I started, my being too enamored of my own work, or if it means that the WIP was actually starting to grow on me.

Hmmmm. I'll just back burner it for a while and see what happens, I guess. In the meantime, I'll be dreaming.

Thanks, Waylander.

Maprilynne · Apr 24, 2007

It is hard to get a fantasy agent, but I write high fantasy and I have a great agent. So it does happen. (And I know I'm not the only one, you quiet people out there *cough,cough* David!)

jodiodi · Apr 24, 2007

I am in this romancefantasythrillerparanormalactionadventure and so far, I've had 3 partial requests out of a multitude of submissions. I've targeted romance agents, fantasy agents, romance and fantasy agents.

Good luck with your writing and your search for an agent.

Chasing the Horizon · Apr 24, 2007

I tried to write contemporary once. By the time I was halfway through plotting it I was bored to tears. Needless to say, it never got written. I know the fantasy market is tough (which is why I was trying contemporary) but the fantasy I finish has a much better chance of selling than the contemporary I never complete.

If you're bored, the reader will be bored too. Better to write what you're good at, and keep writing it and submitting until you sell. At least you'll be having fun in the mean time.

The Lady · Apr 25, 2007

I can't imagine writing something that bored me. How would you drag yourself to the keyboard every evening? Perhaps you could give your chick lit a fantasy twist. As for me, I imagine as long as I'm writing fiction, it'll be some form of fantasy. Having said that, I'm not the most enthusiastic reader of high fantasy these days, but Fantasy is such a wide genre, there's plenty of niches to get comfortable as a writer

jodiodi · Apr 25, 2007

Giving the chick-lit a fantasy twist is a good idea, I think. I can't write chick-lit and have no plans to try. In fact, the only reason my book is considered fantasy is that it has its own world, mythos, and there are some fantasy elements (vague magic, immortality). Otherwise, it's pretty much an action/adventure-romance.

Monkey · Apr 26, 2007

The company producing my RPG, "Gieden", just sent me a contract for a supplement I had made for the game.

The supplement was incredibly fun to do and only took a little over a month. I'm going to do another one and let the novel ideas germinate for a while.

Monkey · Apr 26, 2007

BTW:

I just posted the beginning of my Chic Lit novel on the Share Your Work board. I told you I suck at being patient. :tongue

Now you can judge for yourself if I have a chance in that genre.
I'd appreciate the feedback!

HapiSofi · Apr 26, 2007

High fantasy's a very crowded field. If you can get your warm & tinglies writing something else, do so.

I too have heard that Chick Lit is dead. I'm not surprised. Everybody jumped on that bandwagon, everybody used the same kinds of cover treatments, and the quality of the books themselves was uneven. That's a fast and effective formula for burning out your readers.

I'm not counseling anyone to imitate Laurell K. Hamilton, but if you can write books that make your readers feel the way they felt when they read early LKH, you'll make acquiring editors happy.

Sassee · Apr 26, 2007

Monkey -

You really like fantasy, but want to write chick lit? Combine them. After reading your little blurb I think it would be pretty interesting. It's very easy to give normal looking human characters some not so normal backgrounds or abilities.

Nicole_Gestalt · Apr 26, 2007

There is a huge market for RPG's and stories based of the worlds they are based upon. What is the company you've done the work for? (You can PM me if you would rather not say in the open forum) It sounds like you've got your foot in the door as they say so you might have actually more of a chance with the fantasy work now, unless you are wanting to split away from the type of fantasy work you've done and follow a different path.

Wryter ABC · Apr 26, 2007

Out of the very little I've written (I'm an outline addict), most was fantasy. Fantasy is just...more fun for me. It allows me to explore ideas from every tier of fiction. If you want to stay inside your "home" genre, go ahead. But trying out new things is great too. The idea of a chick lit/fantasy blend is pretty cool (though there seem to be a lot of urban fantasy/chick lit/adult fiction novels out there right now. If you can put a new twist on the genre, do it!

Monkey · Apr 27, 2007

HapiSofi:
Romance and comedy, IMO, are both hard for a similiar reason: an author's words become disasociated when put down on paper. It takes real talent to be able to write about something that's intended to be sensual or comical and to be sure that 'the story so far' has put your audience in the right mental space to appreciate it. (I hope that makes sense!) Because of this, I try to make comedy and sensuality sort of side-lines in my stories...if the reader doesn't 'get' it, it's ok, the story moves on. I don't think I could write like LKH, and honestly, although I recognize her talent, I don't like her books.

Sassee:
Wouldn't that put me right back into the fantasy genre, where I started? If I'm going to go fantasy, I'd rather go whole hog!

Nicole:
My publisher for the novel and game is Windstorm Creative. There's a huge thread on them here, with very mixed emotions. The good news is that they have expanded their distribution and there are some people making pretty good sales through them now (at the time, only a couple of Windstorm authors spoke up and reported good sales). The bad news is they still aren't going to pump out the volume of a major publishing house. I've got four contracts with them now, and a WIP that they are extremely likely to publish.

I like working with them. They are great people, and their printing practices are very environmentally sound. I would work with them even after having large sales elsewhere. On the other hand, I do - at some point - wish to land an agent and get something published with a really large publisher. For this reason, I want to get something agentable written before I do too many more tie-ins to the novel and game I currently have on contract with Windstorm. That's really what motivated me to start this thread.

Wryter:
I hear ya. I think fantasy is more fun for me, while with other writing, I tend to focus more on the technical aspects of writing. With fantasy, it just flows, ya know?

Thanks to everyone who has offered me feedback. I appreciate it!

Backward Masking · Apr 27, 2007

Let's recap, shall we?

I'm sure I'm just repeating the general bit, but write what feels right to you. Take the stress and overthinking out the equation.

Should I stick to Fantasy?

Is me.

DISENCHANTED coming soon

Just Shovelin' Chum

Slave to the Wordcount

Just Shovelin' Chum

Everything is what it seems.

Is me.

Slave to the Wordcount

Who's going for a beer?

Is me.

Author Waiting in the Wings

Reflections of Reality

Blowing in the Wind

Critical Member

Reflections of Reality

Is me.

Is me.

Hagiographically Advantaged

Momma Wolf

Wryter ABC

Is me.

Why so serious?