Over at Pimp My Novel, Eric recently did a multi-part analysis of book sales, broken down by genre.
He says science fiction is likely to be sold under another label, like fantasy or thriller. I think this is a good thing, because it shows that people still like it. The numbers on hard-core science fiction books are down, but I think that’s because it’s acceptable to have a little sci-fi in your mainstream now, or a science element in fantasy. We might stop classifying our sub-genres by subject matter, and start classifying them by writing style. This is probably already happening informally (like when they put in a blurb, “In the tradition of Stephen King” or whatever) but what if you walked into a bookstore and the signs over the shelves said, “Thoughtful,” or “Flowery” or “Hip” or “Wry”?
Or what if they started naming the sections after the big-name authors? I could read a book about knitting if I enjoyed the author’s voice, so I would go directly to the Stephen King section without worrying about a traditional genre. Realistically I know that wouldn’t work, because there are too many influential, distinct voices to have a section for every one, but you see where I’m going. The way we’ve classified our genres isn’t as cut and dried anymore. Look at Young Adult. It’s supposedly a genre unto itself, but YA can encompass anything at all, from vampires to drugs to cancer. Crossover is becoming the new norm.
Speaking of crossover, I have a book idea that melds fantasy and hard core science fiction, with a romantic element thrown in. Where would that go?
Sunday, December 12, 2010
It would go straight to the top!
ReplyDeleteHaha, yeah Sarah, I'll buy that!
ReplyDeleteShort, flippant answer: the trunk, because nobody's buying stuff like that.
ReplyDeleteLonger, thoughtful answer: if it's primarily a romance with SF/F elements, it would go as a romance. If the romance isn't the primary theme, it would go in the SF/F section. You'd be more likely to sell it as a romance, so I'd suggest making that the main story.
I forgot to mention that it might work as a YA. If I decide to include that romantic element, it will definitely be dessert to the SF/F main course, because that's what the story demands.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, the point of this post is that there is a lot of crossover these days. For instance, Margaret Atwood wrote a definitively futuristic sf novel which is considered mainstream fiction.
It would go under Romance. Anything with a romantic element goes there. Which might not be such a bad thing you know, romance sales are huge.
ReplyDeleteI still say "literary" is a genre, not a "type." :P
As far as the romance thing goes, the inclusion of a romantic element doesn't automatically make it Romance with a capital R. It can be sexual tension, unrequited love, etc. If it's not the main storyline, I don't think they would sell it as such.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where a mix like that would go, so here's hoping your agent and at least ONE editor DOES, so it's salable. :D
ReplyDeleteGood luck writing it!
I think our current classifications suck and I should be put in charge. There. I said it. Everyone should listen to me.
After all, I am a WORKING PRO. ;)
Wow, do you see how ARROGANT my wife is?! My goodness. What an ass she is, y'know?
ReplyDeleteMethinks someone did forget to sign out of his wench's account... lol
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha! :D
ReplyDeleteYeah, Sherri, SF with a romantic element goes right in the trunk. Just look at The Time Traveler's Wife! That didn't go anywhere!
ReplyDeleteWait...
Okay, but mixing SF and fantasy with a little romance thrown in, no one is buying that. I mean, be serious. Think about that Dark Tower series, no one read that!
Umm....
As for the genres, I love the image you gave me of the little signs in the bookstore reading "Thoughtful" and "Hip" etc. Too bad we can't have two genre's: "Read This!" and "Don't!"
Good post!
Hahaha! Love your idea for the two genres, Tony. Great comment.
ReplyDelete