Querying - agonizing over genre

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Serena Casey

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I know I'm not supposed to agonize too much over genre, but this seems like a distinction that might make a big difference in what an agent might be expecting. Here's the deal - I'd appreciate your insights.

I'm working on my query for my first novel, tentatively titled Spring Rain, Autumn Rain. I didn't write it with any particular publisher in mind, or even with the thought of getting it published at all, but now I'm planning on shopping it around just to see if I can make anything happen. I'm wavering between calling it either a traditional romance or women's fiction. It's very romantic (I think), definitely has the Happily Ever After, but it's not a typical romance. It's more of a love story that has its roots when the MCs are children together, and the main story takes place when they're in their 40s. There's some physical contact but nothing heavy, no sex, nothing I would feel uncomfortable letting a teen-ager read.

So what do I call it? I am querying agents who represent both romance and women's fiction, so maybe I should just choose a term, not worry about it and let them decide?
 

job

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Even with all the info you've given -- the ms could still be either Women's Fiction or Romance.

If the heart of the story is 'boy falls in love with girl', and what drives the plot, what takes up most of the words, what serves as the emotional engine -- is the relationship between the male and female protagonists, then you probably have a Romance. The age of the H&H and the degree of explicit sexuality determine the sub genre, but it's still Romance.

If the heart of the story is 'woman against the world', or 'woman finds herself', or 'sisterhood is empowering', and the major emotional scenes are between the female protagonist and someone who is not the male romantic lead -- then you may have Women's Fiction.
 

Serena Casey

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Thank you so much for your explanation; that really helps. It seems "traditional romance" is probably the way to go.

I appreciate your time! :)
 

tammieofmi

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Good Luck Serena Casey you got some great advice by the other 2 responders. I clicked onto this thread because I agree it can be tough when you finally decide to try and sell something and want to hit the right agents. Then it does matter what you label it.

One other thing is if in your query you give a few current books that you think your's is similar to - what genre are those books listed at? Sometimes that helps or even opens it up to other areas you might not have considered.

Again good luck with it!
 
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