I hate pigeon-holing books into categories, but it seems to be a necessary evil. I like crime fiction as a genre better than mystery, thriller, etc. It's nice and general, and it doesn't restrict the writer. I had a lot of trouble categorizing my own books. Urban Fantasy is too often associated with Romance, which my books are not. I came up with Noir Urban Fantasy Detective Fiction, but I don't think I'd ever be able to sell that to an agent. Good thing I'm self-published!
Having read A Troll Walks Into a Bar (I need to read the others,lol!), I understand your struggle. Your stories are in a genre all by themselves. Funny how publishers want originality and high concept and then are in a terrible hurry to stick all that in a narrow little box!
As you know, I'm also troubled with the genre question. I like the term crime fiction, but it doesn't always fit either. And what is noir anyway? I've heard a theory that every story can be seen through a noir lens (or in other words, is a noir.)
I'd kinda like to find Rum Punch in the food and drink section. I often think my genre is Beer-Fiction.
I hate pigeon-holing books into categories, but it seems to be a necessary evil. I like crime fiction as a genre better than mystery, thriller, etc. It's nice and general, and it doesn't restrict the writer. I had a lot of trouble categorizing my own books. Urban Fantasy is too often associated with Romance, which my books are not. I came up with Noir Urban Fantasy Detective Fiction, but I don't think I'd ever be able to sell that to an agent. Good thing I'm self-published!
Having read A Troll Walks Into a Bar (I need to read the others,lol!), I understand your struggle. Your stories are in a genre all by themselves. Funny how publishers want originality and high concept and then are in a terrible hurry to stick all that in a narrow little box!
"Octopus Bride" ;) love a good mural... Did NOT see that coming any more than Queenie did...
Ah, so that's what it's called! You always learn something on Substack, lol. Thanks for reading Queenie, one of my first flash attempts...
Great stuff Martine
Thanks for giving it a read!
I loved this, Martine! I struggle with the genre-thing too. My books always seem to be a mismash and are hard to categorize. ;)
Thank you for reading, Anne. It's so much fun to mix up things.
As you know, I'm also troubled with the genre question. I like the term crime fiction, but it doesn't always fit either. And what is noir anyway? I've heard a theory that every story can be seen through a noir lens (or in other words, is a noir.)
I'd kinda like to find Rum Punch in the food and drink section. I often think my genre is Beer-Fiction.