Is this a waste of time?

seun · Jul 19, 2008

I consider myself a fantasy/horror writer and that's fine with me. However, I wrote a book a couple of years ago that isn't fantasy or horror and recently finished a short sequel. It's a strong story with a lot of potential. Recently, I've been thinking about going back to it and tweaking it to resubmit. If you were in the same situation, would you stick to the genre you're (occasionally) good at it or try to sell a book completely outside that genre?

Obviously this isn't an issue I need to get too excited about but say an agent is interested in it, what happens when I say 99% of my work is unlike this story? Is this plan a waste of time?

Albedo · Jul 19, 2008

You could do what Iain Banks does and use your middle initial to differentiate your genre from your literary stuff. (I don't get it either, unless he's purposely taking the piss out of using nom de plumes to sell your 'shameful' work...)

seun · Jul 19, 2008

Albedo said:
You could do what Iain Banks does and use your middle initial to differentiate your genre from your literary stuff. (I don't get it either, unless he's purposely taking the piss out of using nom de plumes to sell your 'shameful' work...)

Good plan although I don't have a middle initial. :tongue

tehuti88 · Jul 19, 2008

I'm afraid I can't answer any of your questions regarding actually getting published and such, sorry--but if it's a story that you feel you can write well, despite its genre not being what you normally do, then why not write it? If it "feels" right to write it, then go ahead. It can't be a waste of time if it's something you care about. At the least it can be a learning experience. Even if a story turns out to be the only of that type you ever write, it's still better than writing nothing. And who knows, maybe it'll spark an idea for a similar story.

You don't have to limit yourself, or even branch out if it's not what you want to do. There's always room for an odd story that doesn't fit in with the rest of what we write.

Again, not speaking from publication experience so I'm pretty ignorant, but I'd let an interested agent know only if they seem interested in representing you based solely on that type of work. But that's just me. I wouldn't really know.

Good luck with the story either way.

Mr Flibble · Jul 19, 2008

seun said:
Good plan although I don't have a middle initial.

You can have mine. It's Z.

I normally write fantasy / alternate future stuff, but there's a mainstream story circling in my brain that may well have to get written. If it ever became an issue ( chance'd be a fine thing!) I'd use my maiden name for that genre.

BlueLucario · Jul 19, 2008

No. You're probably limiting yourself to that specific genre.

seun · Jul 19, 2008

Like I said, it's nothing I need to get worried about now (the joys of not having an agent) and I suppose if it ever did get to the point of an agent being interested, they'd know how to market a 'straight' book from a fantasy writer.

All I need now is a maiden name.

dpaterso · Jul 19, 2008

Albedo said:
You could do what Iain Banks does and use your middle initial to differentiate your genre from your literary stuff. (I don't get it either, unless he's purposely taking the piss out of using nom de plumes to sell your 'shameful' work...)

I'd say it serves a purpose. Friends bought me 3 Banks novels for my last birthday, knowing I liked his Sci-Fi. They didn't know he writes in more than one genre, or that the "M" makes all the difference.

-Derek

Mr Flibble · Jul 19, 2008

All I need now is a maiden name.

Noodlemeyer.

dolores haze · Jul 19, 2008

If I really like a writer I'll follow them into genres I don't usually read. I hate it when they have a completely different name and I have to piece it together by myself.

I write in a few different genres myself, but I'm not yet published. I plan on using different names for adult and children's writing, but the same name for all the adult writing (romance, erotica, sci-fi.) It seems sensible to have different names for VERY different audiences. I'd hate for a parent to order a grown-up book for their child, thinking it was a kid's book. Yeah - that could be quite unpleasant.

Kalyke · Jul 19, 2008

I like non-genere because I can write a story about "anything" and get away with it. I'd just have an alter-ego who writes one kind and use your real name for the other kind.

Pike · Jul 19, 2008

Don't most agents handle more then one genre? I'd think that if you came to them with work that spans multiple genres it'd be a strong selling point - for them to editors and for you as a writer! Can't see it as a waste of time.

Pike

Albedo · Jul 19, 2008

dpaterso said:
I'd say it serves a purpose. Friends bought me 3 Banks novels for my last birthday, knowing I liked his Sci-Fi. They didn't know he writes in more than one genre, or that the "M" makes all the difference.

-Derek

Yeah, that's exactly my point. It obviously causes more confusion than clarity by only changing one letter in his name. He must be doing it for a laugh, otherwise he'd chose a real pseudonym.

JamieFord · Jul 19, 2008

Write what you want to write.

Karen Joy Fowler has made a career of writing science fiction, fantasy, lit fic, basically whatever she wants.

If you ask an agent "What's hot? What's selling right now?" They'll probably tell you, "Good writing"--regardless of genre.

Kryianna · Jul 19, 2008

Having publishing credits -- even in a different genre -- will help you in your career. That's what "they" say.

"They" also say that publishers are more interested in giving a 2-3 book contract instead of a single title contract. It's better for you in the long run, too, really. Now, the sequel you wrote -- how short is it? Is it long enough to be a second book, or would it need more fleshing out first? Would you *want* to write more in that genre? If the answer is no, there's your answer.

I'm not saying toss what you have, though. Once you get an agent for the fantasy/horror, they may be interested in doing a single title with the other one.

Chameleon · Jul 19, 2008

Don't confine yourself to a genre. Write the story that is begging to be written, otherwise you'd be cheating yourself.

If this is one time thing, have you considered using a Pseudonym? I'm not sure how pen names work in the publishing world, but if you are already writing under your name, you can use another if the genre is different.

Good luck!

maestrowork · Jul 19, 2008

I think a writer should always test their limits, and go outside of their comfort zones. And if that means they write something other than their preferred genre(s), then that's fine. A good story is a good story, and I don't think one should set any limit.

Many writers go outside their genres, all the time. Grisham has written mainstream books that are not legal thrillers. Patterson has written romance instead of suspense. King has done many things other than horror. And I've heard Rowling's next book is not going to be a YA fantasy.

Just because you write outside your chosen genre doesn't mean you're not good at it. Or that you won't be good at the other types of stories. If you have a hunch, go with it. If nothing else, you'll be pleased.

Besides, no agents or publishers are going to reject your ms. because "oh, he's a horror writer, so what does he know about X?"

p.s. so far I've written mostly mainstream/literary, but one of my published shorts was a horror. And my next WIP is going to be a thriller. I'm very excited about it, actually.

Prozyan · Jul 19, 2008

On the other side of the coin, however, there has been a handful of authors that state writing across multiple genres using the same name can be a bad thing. The reasoning is: Say your first breakout novel is horror and you begin to develop a horror audience. Now your second book is in another genre, so readers of your first book might not necessarily transfer across the genre. And, perhaps, some that do feel "betrayed" or cheated when they pick up a book expecting one thing and getting another.

The advice, when writing in multiple genres, is to use a different pen name for each genre, at least until you have developed some strong name recognition with one name.

This isn't necessarily my personal feelings and I have no idea about the validity of the concept. It is just something I read somewhere and thought it would be worth a thought in this thread.

FennelGiraffe · Jul 19, 2008

Albedo said:
You could do what Iain Banks does and use your middle initial to differentiate your genre from your literary stuff. (I don't get it either, unless he's purposely taking the piss out of using nom de plumes to sell your 'shameful' work...)

Albedo said:
Yeah, that's exactly my point. It obviously causes more confusion than clarity by only changing one letter in his name. He must be doing it for a laugh, otherwise he'd chose a real pseudonym.

I've heard it has to do with marketing and how sales data is aggregated. By using a "different" name, he insures his sales in each genre are tracked separately. (I've also heard it was done at his publisher's insistence. Changing just the initial was a compromise solution.)

JeanneTGC · Jul 19, 2008

I write in almost all genres. My agent covers all of them, so she's always excited to see what I send her next.

I also have about a dozen pen names. This is to avoid reader confusion and, more importantly, bookstore confusion. I don't want my fantasy series put on the shelf next to my novel set in the Old West, for example. Bad for readers, worse for me.

If you have a book you think is strong, write it, polish it, and submit it, regardless of genre. Just look carefully at the agents you're submitting to and shoot for those who also agent your other works. Agent Query is wonderful for this.

maestrowork · Jul 19, 2008

Write the story now. Think about publication, pen names, marketing later. Much later.

Melenka · Jul 19, 2008

Louis L'Amour wrote The Walking Drum, one of the best historical fiction novels I've ever read. I've never read his westerns, as the genre doesn't appeal, but I remember details from that book 20+ years later.

Write the story that's asking to be written. Everything after that is just the frosting on the cake.

MsK · Jul 19, 2008

maestrowork said:
Write the story now. Think about publication, pen names, marketing later. Much later.

That sounds like good advice. But, certainly write the story- I just read some of your work in SYW and you are a fantastic storyteller! I'm sure your skills are not limited to one genre.

ejket · Jul 19, 2008

Melenka said:
Louis L'Amour wrote The Walking Drum, one of the best historical fiction novels I've ever read. I've never read his westerns, as the genre doesn't appeal, but I remember details from that book 20+ years later.

Then there's Ken Follett, who started off writing thrillers, then wrote The Pillars of the Earth, which was quite a contrast (historical, set in the middle ages). It's probably better to reveal your eclectic tastes after establishing yourself, though.

mscelina · Jul 19, 2008

Doesn't really matter at this point, seun.

Look, so many genre agents cover mainstream and literary now that for the most part, the issue is pretty moot. I'd say that when/if you're actually offered representation by an agent, then you should bring up the other genre (if you sell the mainstream, then mention the genre and vice versa).

But until you reach that point it's just an unnecessary distraction. Good luck!

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