Genre

[alg]

Genre as a marketing category!
Publishers and editors do not think about genre the same way authors do. Here's an explanation.

... Now I write an ode to spinach:
spinach

Comments

[itshardtosay]

I need to go back and read this entry, but I wanted to leave a quick comment to say thank you. I have had a string of forgetting and putting Miss Snark's syndication on my friends list was one of them.

Checkmark! Gold Star! Yay, Anna!

p.s. in case you missed it, CKR 'caps in my journals.

[alg]

Hey, thanks. I've actually seen everything you've capped, by which I mean I've seen almost everything Callum has done *ever*. Hee.

[itshardtosay]

And why would I think you hadn't? You're crazy! ;)

I hope your mouth is feeling better. xoxo

[kate_nepveu]

When I read Point of Honour by Madeleine Robins, I am reading a mystery novel; others are reading a novel of alternate history about a woman P.I.

And you are all reading an absolutely kick-ass book. (With a kick-ass sequel that should not be read first, because it will spoil the first one!)

I keep trying to review it and flailing because I feel like I can't do it justice. Nevertheless: kick-ass novel that is *truly* Austen-meets-noir, with all the implications thereof there on the page.

[alg]

Hahaha, yes, I know all about it! pnh edited the first one, and I edited the second. *cuddles madrobins* They really are terrific books -- I am so glad you enjoyed them!

[kate_nepveu]

Yup--I know you know, but I just want everyone else to know too. =>

[hamadryad11]

kick-ass novel that is *truly* Austen-meets-noir, with all the implications thereof there on the page.

Oh, that sounds so good. I'm going to have to look for them.

[jaylake]

You rule. Thank you for the extended effort at giving us all better perspective.

[alg]

I'm only doing it so that I can see how many different ways you can come up with to tell me I'm awesome.

Hee.

No, really -- thanks! I know I say it over and over again, but it makes me really happy to know that I am helping people understand this stuff a little better.

Hunter's Moon

[anonymous]

Let's use Hunter's Moon as an example. This is a book by Cathy Clamp and C. T. Adams. When it was sent to me by the agent, she did not say, "This is an SF novel" or "This is a shapeshifter novel" -- she said that this was a novel sent to her by another one of her clients who just happened to be Laurell K. Hamilton. Laurell had loved the book

Re: Hunter's Moon

[alg]

I did say that publishing is a subjective industry, didn't I?

This is a perfect example of that.

[alg]

I'd be interested in hearing more about the debate re: critiquing outside one's genre. I have mixed feelings on the subject, and I'd love to know what other people are saying.

And also you are welcome!

[hamadryad11]

This is an interesting debate. Will you be posting more about it on your LJ? I'd like to hear some different perspectives on it. On the one hand I agree with your position, but at the same time, it seems to me that it can be difficult if you go too far outside the genres you're familiar with.

I went to a writer's group meeting, and found that there was a really wide variety there. I thought it was great that they were such a versatile group, but I could see members having a lot of trouble when it came to critiquing poetry, for instance. I have to wonder if the lone poet in the group was benefitting all that much.