- Joined
- Apr 26, 2016
- Messages
- 148
- Reaction score
- 23
The first rule of writing is avoid cliches, I know. But here I go breaking the rule anyway. I didn't choose literary fiction. I didn't research the genres and say yes this one this is what i want to write in. Rather, I wrote the story that needed to come out. So yes, Lit fic chose me. After I was part way through I studied the genre's and tried to "place my book on the shelf". I then asked my CW Prof what genre she felt it fit into, as I was struggling to place it. She told me she reads it as literary fiction.
But now, as I read forums, and attempt to write a query letter. I am finding that lit fic..has a bad rep!! I don't understand why. I have had several comments (both on AW forums and elsewhere) that suggest I should not try to sell my book as Lit Fic.
But it is lit fic. It is what it fits into. It is only a label, and I understand it may be harder to sell. But It is what it is. I cannot (will not) change my voice or my book because the genre may be difficult to sell. As much as I love Spec-fic and fantasy, I couldn't write in it, as much as I would love to. My heart is in the type of story I am telling, and that story falls into this genre. And, I'm pretty proud of that!
Besides, if I tried to sell it as anything else I think it would come off pretty poorly.
I think I just needed somewhere to vent some frustrations.
And, while I am here. Should I structure my query letter differently for this genre?
Thanks,
Dee
But now, as I read forums, and attempt to write a query letter. I am finding that lit fic..has a bad rep!! I don't understand why. I have had several comments (both on AW forums and elsewhere) that suggest I should not try to sell my book as Lit Fic.
But it is lit fic. It is what it fits into. It is only a label, and I understand it may be harder to sell. But It is what it is. I cannot (will not) change my voice or my book because the genre may be difficult to sell. As much as I love Spec-fic and fantasy, I couldn't write in it, as much as I would love to. My heart is in the type of story I am telling, and that story falls into this genre. And, I'm pretty proud of that!
Besides, if I tried to sell it as anything else I think it would come off pretty poorly.
I think I just needed somewhere to vent some frustrations.
And, while I am here. Should I structure my query letter differently for this genre?
Thanks,
Dee