I wrote a romance novel that I think might be contemporary romance, but there's a very subtle paranormal element to it that doesn't totally come together until the last two chapters (as it stands now). It's kind of a twist ending. How do I describe the genre then? There's a slight/mystery/thriller component to it as well, but very subtle. Mainly, it's a story about two characters very much set in our world. But there are some fishy things happening that the main character thinks are just in her head or that she's too preoccupied with other things going on to take seriously. Then boom...there's a kind of out of left field ending.
Notwithstanding the possibility I have to totally rewrite this and make it more firmly footed in one genre (which might be the case), how would I categorize genre as it stands?
Oh, also as it stands, there's a heavy erotic component. I bring this up as an afterthought because I could totally cut out the erotic part and just have it be a romance. I haven't decided what to do about that yet.
But...if it's a romance without the erotic stuff, what would I call this? I feel like contemporary romance is the best fit. The paranormal element is too subtle and I think calling it paranormal romance would be misleading.
And if I keep the erotica...is it simply erotic romance? Or contemporary erotic romance?
Finally, what do you think in terms of trying to pitch this. Better with or without the erotic element? I feel like the label erotic romance narrows audience and takes the emphasis off the characters and the story when they're the most important part. But I think the erotic parts make it fun and more real than a story without them. Because isn't that a huge part of a romance between two people?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Notwithstanding the possibility I have to totally rewrite this and make it more firmly footed in one genre (which might be the case), how would I categorize genre as it stands?
Oh, also as it stands, there's a heavy erotic component. I bring this up as an afterthought because I could totally cut out the erotic part and just have it be a romance. I haven't decided what to do about that yet.
But...if it's a romance without the erotic stuff, what would I call this? I feel like contemporary romance is the best fit. The paranormal element is too subtle and I think calling it paranormal romance would be misleading.
And if I keep the erotica...is it simply erotic romance? Or contemporary erotic romance?
Finally, what do you think in terms of trying to pitch this. Better with or without the erotic element? I feel like the label erotic romance narrows audience and takes the emphasis off the characters and the story when they're the most important part. But I think the erotic parts make it fun and more real than a story without them. Because isn't that a huge part of a romance between two people?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!