Between Sci-Fi and Horror; how to shop such a story?

RemusShepherd · Apr 17, 2012

I wrote a science fiction novel...or so I thought.

But one of my crit group calls it 'horror', since it has Lovecraftian monsters and two scenes that are shocking (but not too bloody, I think.)

And my alpha reader/girlfriend mentioned that it could be 'fantasy', considering there are Norse gods and a valkyrie running around.

Of course I believe that it's sci-fi, since I explained those monsters and valkyries as scientifically as I could.

So where does this novel fit? More importantly, how should I shop it around?

Polenth · Apr 17, 2012

The horror market is quite limited, so I wouldn't query something as horror just because it has some horrific elements. It makes more sense to query using the most popular category it fits into.

MJNL · Apr 17, 2012

I say go with your gut. If you're querying agents you shouldn't have too many issues in the sci-fi/fantasy range, as those who rep one often rep both. So even if the agent disagrees with you, you'll probably be ok. You just want to indicate the tone clearly--if it's dark, it's dark, but that doesn't necessarily equate horror.

Or just go with the old 'speculitive' umbrella and throw it around until something sticks.

meowzbark · Apr 17, 2012

Dark fantasy, perhaps.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_fantasy

Rhoda Nightingale · Apr 18, 2012

Could it be urban fantasy?

RemusShepherd · Apr 18, 2012

Rhoda Nightingale said:
Could it be urban fantasy?

Well, I was aiming at 'urban sci-fi'. Unfortunately that isn't a recognized marketing category. Urban fantasy might be the right one to aim for, but I didn't know if horror elements were welcome in that category. Thanks, though, it's something to think about.

Rhoda Nightingale · Apr 18, 2012

If it's sci-fi with horror elements, you can probably get away with just calling it sci-fi. Any fantastical creatures though, no matter how realistically and plausibly you describe them, will probably push it into "fantasy."

I understand it's a fairly wide umbrella. A lot of my stuff, even though I call it "horror" or "dark fantasy" to myself, probably fits under there as well.

Spectral Aggressor · Apr 22, 2012

Maybe you can just puppet it around as a middle ground between science fiction or horror? Perhaps "horror as interpreted through the lens of science fiction"?

Rhoda Nightingale · Apr 22, 2012

^Accurate though that might be, it will almost certainly drive agents bonkers. Even if you're fudging facts somewhat, my understanding is that it's better to pick a genre and pitch it as that.

Spectral Aggressor · Apr 23, 2012

Possibly just as bonkers-inducing, but how about "it will appeal to both sci-fi and horror fans"?

Mutive · Apr 24, 2012

Horror doesn't seem to sell tremendously well, from what I've heard. A friend who wrote Lovecraftian horror was told by an agent to try to market it as a "dark fantasy thriller". (Although I don't think he's started querying it yet.)

Lord Hierarch · Apr 25, 2012

I have a question, and the thread question is sort of similar to what I have in mind. Can I use elements of Lovecraft's characters in my story, names and events and all?

veschke · Apr 27, 2012

Lord Hierarch said:
I have a question, and the thread question is sort of similar to what I have in mind. Can I use elements of Lovecraft's characters in my story, names and events and all?

A search for "is Lovecraft in the public domain" returned an ambiguous answer:

http://askville.amazon.com/Lovecraf...ited-States/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=1776484

I would err on the side of caution, or at the very least do a lot of research first.

Once! · Apr 27, 2012

You think that's hard. I've written a zombie-fantasy comedy with elements of political satire and romance.

I think I might just give it away for free...

danrupe · May 15, 2012

@RemusShepherd -- did you ever get a resolution or make any progress on this?

JJLindsell · May 24, 2012

Sell it as sci-fi. Your query and synopsis will reveal the other elements.

Between Sci-Fi and Horror; how to shop such a story?

RemusShepherd

Polenth

Mushroom

MJNL

A Little Lost

meowzbark

Rhoda Nightingale

Vampire Junkie

RemusShepherd

Rhoda Nightingale

Vampire Junkie

Spectral Aggressor

Supremacy Through Intransigence

Rhoda Nightingale

Vampire Junkie

Spectral Aggressor

Supremacy Through Intransigence

Mutive

Blissfully Clueless

Lord Hierarch

veschke

Tortoise

Once!

Still confused by shoelaces

danrupe

Think think think...

JJLindsell

KBO