A question of genre

Lifelongdagger · Nov 20, 2009

I've written this book. The first two thirds detail the friendship between two lads growing up in East London in the nineteen-seventies. So there is obviously references to football, a degree of violence, family struggles, etc. The last third of the book, right to the end, sees one of the lads in prison then come out having to face a local gangland boss.

My problem is this. I've been Querying this as a Crime novel, as that is the section where the major conflict takes place. But I'm uncomfortable with this. To me, the major factor is the relationship between the characters before this, the growing up, the going to school, the dreams shattered in a childhood wrought with violence and dysfunctional familys.

I do not think it is a Crime novel. The language in the book is very strong, therefore, I wasn't sure about Mainstream, although think Mainstream is more suitable than Crime.

Any ideas anyone?

Warmest regards, and many thanks,

Ian

Seams · Nov 20, 2009

I don't see why it still can't be a crime novel, a bit like that movie, i'm unsure if you've seen it...Rockarolla, which though criminal in intent, depicts the lives around the crimes.

hard one to call, Ian

Lifelongdagger · Nov 20, 2009

Cheers for the reply, Seams. That's thing, it's not really criminal in intent, not in my eyes anyway. It's more one of the lads sort of falls into it. I suppose, what I'm thinking, is that if an agent reads the book on the understanding it is a Crime novel yet the first two thirds of the book are entirely absent of criminal activity, the agent might not even get to the last third.

As you say, Seams, a difficult one to call.

All the best,

Ian

Melville · Nov 20, 2009

It definitely doesn't sound like a crime novel so you'd better not label it as such since it will lack any conventions expected (delightfully so) in the genre. Calling it a crime novel makes it seem as if you are uncertain of its appeal as opposed to being wholeheartedly behind what it actually is.

HOWEVER it sounds like an interesting coming-of-age novel with criminal elements which might just make it attractive not only to readers of contemporary fiction but also to readers of crime fiction.

Think of Dennis Lehane's MYSTIC RIVER.

You might want to highlight what it has and not call it something that it isn't. It sounds like an interesting book which deserves a query emphasizing what it truly offers.

Good luck!

Lifelongdagger · Nov 20, 2009

Thank you, Melville, for your kind words. You've nailed it bang on the head for me there. Given me the gist of what I'm struggling with. Thank you. Coming of Age? Blimey, never thought of that, but it is. It really is. Now just need to find out what genre adult coming of age stories come under, and I'll be happy so happy you wouldn't believe

Love the quote, by the way. Melville was a genius.

allenparker · Nov 20, 2009

Melville said:
HOWEVER it sounds like an interesting coming-of-age novel with criminal elements which might just make it attractive not only to readers of contemporary fiction but also to readers of crime fiction.

Good luck!

I agree.

Lifelongdagger · Nov 20, 2009

Thanks, Allen. After browsing Amazon for a while, am veering towards 'Contemporary', unless anyone can shoot me down on that one

Ian

Libbie · Nov 20, 2009

I'd lean more toward contemporary, too. There are lots of novels out there sold as contemporary fiction that have elements of the crime novel in them, but the crime stuff isn't the primary focus.

It is perfectly OK to query your book as just a plain old novel, without specifying a genre. Just be sure you're querying agents who have represented similar stuff, or who have interest in both crime novels and contemporary novels. An agent will know which editors will like the book, whatever its genre.

Lifelongdagger · Nov 20, 2009

Thanks, Libbie. I think I'll go for Contemporary in my next round of submissions, and see what happens. Not that specifying the genre, as you say, will make or break a book, but I'd feel more comfortable that the agent is actually getting something they expect.

Warmest regards, and many thanks,

Ian

Lady Ice · Nov 20, 2009

Lifelongdagger said:
I've written this book. The first two thirds detail the friendship between two lads growing up in East London in the nineteen-seventies. So there is obviously references to football, a degree of violence, family struggles, etc. The last third of the book, right to the end, sees one of the lads in prison then come out having to face a local gangland boss.

My problem is this. I've been Querying this as a Crime novel, as that is the section where the major conflict takes place. But I'm uncomfortable with this. To me, the major factor is the relationship between the characters before this, the growing up, the going to school, the dreams shattered in a childhood wrought with violence and dysfunctional familys.

I do not think it is a Crime novel. The language in the book is very strong, therefore, I wasn't sure about Mainstream, although think Mainstream is more suitable than Crime.

Any ideas anyone?

Warmest regards, and many thanks,

Ian

Gritty or kitchen-sink realism. Kitchen-sink realism means literature/film/theatre which is about working class life and portrays the working class in a believable way. A lot of them are set in the 60's and 70's.

Samantha's_Song · Nov 20, 2009

Lady Ice has your novel down to a T there, Ian.

Lady Ice said:
Kitchen-sink realism means literature/film/theatre which is about working class life and portrays the working class in a believable way. A lot of them are set in the 60's and 70's.

Lady Ice · Nov 20, 2009

You could also call it 'coming of age'.

ishtar'sgate · Nov 20, 2009

Lifelongdagger said:
I've written this book. The first two thirds detail the friendship between two lads growing up in East London in the nineteen-seventies. So there is obviously references to football, a degree of violence, family struggles, etc. The last third of the book, right to the end, sees one of the lads in prison then come out having to face a local gangland boss.

Okay, now that you've nailed down the genre, I have to ask. Is the gangland boss his old friend?

Samantha's_Song · Nov 20, 2009

No.

ishtar'sgate said:
Okay, now that you've nailed down the genre, I have to ask. Is the gangland boss his old friend?

Sprry if that sounds blunt and rude, it isn't meant to be, it's just that I beta read this brilliant bit of work for Ian. But I'm like him, I don't know what genre he should put this in either, same as I never know what genre to put my own in, as they're a little similar to Ian's novel.

Lifelongdagger · Nov 20, 2009

Thank you, Lady, Ishtar, and Elodie for taking the time to read through this thread.

Feel like I'm edging towards Contemporary Coming of Age novel. Don't know if that would be a legitimate thing to term it on a query, but it sits pretty well with me.

Thank you all,

Warmest regards,

Ian

A question of genre

Lifelongdagger

Seams

○

Lifelongdagger

Melville

Reader first, writer second

Lifelongdagger

allenparker

Naked Futon Guy

Lifelongdagger

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Lifelongdagger

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions

Samantha's_Song

At least I don't need backing-up

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

Samantha's_Song

At least I don't need backing-up

Lifelongdagger

A question of genre

&#9675;

Reader first, writer second

Naked Futon Guy

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Makes useful distinctions

At least I don't need backing-up

Makes useful distinctions

living in the past

At least I don't need backing-up

○