Genre Confusion?

Jessianodel · Jul 31, 2010

So I always thought that I wrote YA, which for the most part I do.

But a novella I'm working on doesn't have any teenage characters, and is mostly kind of dark romance, except nothing really explicit.

Wow that's a horrible description. let me start over

The book is about Adam coming after Eve, hundreds of years after they're kicked out of Eden and Adam begged to be let back in. Eve believes Adam abandoned her so she left to work for Master (the Devil) and they fall in love. But Adam shows up and together they find out the secret of Heaven and Hell- that they are both pawns to trick mortals, so together they overthrow Heaven and Hell and reestablish them, with Adam and Eve in charge, but they still can't be together because Heaven and hell have to be kept separate.

Does that make more sense? Anyone so my question is, can i submit this as just romance, or is it complete YA? Or something else entirely?

Please Help!

virtue_summer · Jul 31, 2010

I wouldn't call it a romance unless it has a HEA (happily ever after ending) and it doesn't sound like it does. It can have romance/romantic elements in it but I think the definition of romance as a genre requires a HEA while YA requires teenagers/teen issues which you don't seem to have either. I'd call it fantasy.

Jessianodel · Jul 31, 2010

I didn't know they need HEA, because what about Romeo and Juliet? That's a romantic tragedy, and today would be put in the romance section right?

<so confused>

katiemac · Jul 31, 2010

Jessianodel said:
I didn't know they need HEA, because what about Romeo and Juliet? That's a romantic tragedy, and today would be put in the romance section right?

<so confused>

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy. I believe it's generally shelved in fiction with Shakespeare's other plays; possibly in classics if the stores has such a category.

I could see this as YA, but what you do with it and the tone will heavily determine the age. If someone else were describing it to me, I'd assume it was an adult novel.

Mr Flibble · Jul 31, 2010

Yeah Romance needs a HEA - otherwise it's 'with romantic elements' or a 'love story'. So Pirates of the Caribbean is a romance (will and Elizabeth get it on at the end), but Titanic is a drama with romantic elements, or a love story (because it's difficult to be happy about a frozen boy)....In fact classical film would say Casablanca is not romance as it's not a happy ending for Rick. It is a romantic tragedy. That makes it a 'love story' rather than 'romance'.

Jessianodel · Jul 31, 2010

Alright.....the book has a kind of more sophisticated tone, so i think it is more adult.
And It probably is fantasy.
Thanks guys!
Have a cookie bear :e2bear:

RJK · Aug 1, 2010

Romeo and Juliet has always been classified as a Tragedy as far as I can recall. Yours, although it has a tragic ending, is fantasy.

samanthalafantasie · Aug 14, 2010

Jessianodel said:
So I always thought that I wrote YA, which for the most part I do.

But a novella I'm working on doesn't have any teenage characters, and is mostly kind of dark romance, except nothing really explicit.

Wow that's a horrible description. let me start over

The book is about Adam coming after Eve, hundreds of years after they're kicked out of Eden and Adam begged to be let back in. Eve believes Adam abandoned her so she left to work for Master (the Devil) and they fall in love. But Adam shows up and together they find out the secret of Heaven and Hell- that they are both pawns to trick mortals, so together they overthrow Heaven and Hell and reestablish them, with Adam and Eve in charge, but they still can't be together because Heaven and hell have to be kept separate.

Does that make more sense? Anyone so my question is, can i submit this as just romance, or is it complete YA? Or something else entirely?

Please Help!

I'm having the same problem...I can't figure out where to put it and it runs along the similar lines as yours does...so, your guess is as good as mine. I was told mine runs more in the Fantasy section so I am going to start there and go. Lemme know what you find out or decide....thanks!

Genre Confusion?

Jessianodel

Blessed by the AW Gods

virtue_summer

Always learning

Jessianodel

Blessed by the AW Gods

katiemac

Five by Five

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

Jessianodel

Blessed by the AW Gods

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

samanthalafantasie