Genre... still not sure where my novel fits

Troyen · 07-20-2012, 06:38 PM

Reading the tread about what the difference is with mainstream, contemporary or literary was very helpful. But I am still not sure where my book fits in. I am hoping someone here can help me. My novel involves the issue of child abuse, but it is ultimately a story about the MC's process of healing from the scars of her past while helping a young girl to face hers. At the moment the best comparison I can think of is that it is a little like a Pat Conroy novel. I hope someone can help me.

ryanswofford · 08-10-2012, 07:35 AM

That would be a literary novel, moreso than a contemporary novel. It sounds like a few great titles I've read! Good luck.

tanyadavies · 09-29-2012, 10:59 AM

I'm currently querying a book dealing with similar issues and class mine as literary but that is as much to do with the style /feel of my writing - I think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troyen

Reading the tread about what the difference is with mainstream, contemporary or literary was very helpful.

I'd be interested to get direction to this thread if you are able. Thanks and best of luck.

owlish · 11-18-2012, 09:26 PM

Going to third the "literary" genre.

gettingby · 11-18-2012, 11:22 PM

I don't think anyone can just say it is literary without seeing your work. Well, I guess some people have here. But, really, does it matter?

gingerwoman · 11-20-2012, 01:43 AM

I matters when pitching to an agent or editor. And whether it is literary or "mainstream fiction" or possibly "women's fiction" depends on the tone of the writing. Ask yourself this...how much do you concentrate on making the writing "beautiful" and being philosophical and deep. If you do those things then it is probably literary. (If you've done them very well) If on the other hand you have concentrated more on plot and story telling and drama then it is more commercial. Since your characters are female you could pitch it as women's fiction and there are plenty of agents around looking for more women's fiction.

gettingby · 11-20-2012, 10:32 PM

I have to disagree. I don't think it matters when querying an agent or publisher. Let them make the call as to what they want to market it as. I never specified when I was sending out my novel and no one ever said is it mainstream or contemporary or literary? We must know.

jeffo20 · 11-22-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gettingby

I have to disagree. I don't think it matters when querying an agent or publisher. Let them make the call as to what they want to market it as. I never specified when I was sending out my novel and no one ever said is it mainstream or contemporary or literary? We must know.

And just out of curiosity, what were the results of those queries? Not trying to pick a fight or anything, I'm honestly curious if you've gotten good response or not (for all I know, you're a mega-bestseller). Anyway, one of the biggest complaints I've seen agents gripe about in interviews is receiving queries for genres they don't represent. If you don't know your own genre, how are you going to pick the right agents to query?

gettingby · 11-26-2012, 08:44 PM

Most literary agents represent both literary and mainstream works. Genre really only comes into play if you are actually talking about genre works like science fiction. But that's not what we are talking about here in a literary-mainstream thread.

JimHeskett · 02-25-2013, 06:55 PM

is the focus on plot, or on character? that's the main distinction

07-20-2012, 06:38 PM	#1
Troyen practical experience, FTW Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 176	Genre... still not sure where my novel fits Reading the tread about what the difference is with mainstream, contemporary or literary was very helpful. But I am still not sure where my book fits in. I am hoping someone here can help me. My novel involves the issue of child abuse, but it is ultimately a story about the MC's process of healing from the scars of her past while helping a young girl to face hers. At the moment the best comparison I can think of is that it is a little like a Pat Conroy novel. I hope someone can help me.

11-18-2012, 09:26 PM	#4
owlish Moon Safari Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: The Great White Epileptic Posts: 55	Going to third the "literary" genre. __________________ Boot Hill: 7,500/120,000 Blog\| deviantART

11-20-2012, 01:43 AM	#6
gingerwoman practical experience, FTW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 637	I matters when pitching to an agent or editor. And whether it is literary or "mainstream fiction" or possibly "women's fiction" depends on the tone of the writing. Ask yourself this...how much do you concentrate on making the writing "beautiful" and being philosophical and deep. If you do those things then it is probably literary. (If you've done them very well) If on the other hand you have concentrated more on plot and story telling and drama then it is more commercial. Since your characters are female you could pitch it as women's fiction and there are plenty of agents around looking for more women's fiction. __________________ Super HOT Paranormal Menage for your kindle or other reader from Samhain Publishing. http://store.samhainpublishing.com/w...nd-p-7081.html To find actively acquiring publishers and agents visit my blog http://lisawhitefern.wordpress.com/

02-25-2013, 06:55 PM	#10
JimHeskett Just one more draft to perfection Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Colorado Posts: 71	is the focus on plot, or on character? that's the main distinction __________________ @JimHeskett www.jimheskett.com

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08-10-2012, 07:35 AM	#2
ryanswofford figuring it all out Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 78	That would be a literary novel, moreso than a contemporary novel. It sounds like a few great titles I've read! Good luck.

11-18-2012, 11:22 PM	#5
gettingby practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,175	I don't think anyone can just say it is literary without seeing your work. Well, I guess some people have here. But, really, does it matter?

11-20-2012, 10:32 PM	#7
gettingby practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,175	I have to disagree. I don't think it matters when querying an agent or publisher. Let them make the call as to what they want to market it as. I never specified when I was sending out my novel and no one ever said is it mainstream or contemporary or literary? We must know.

11-26-2012, 08:44 PM	#9
gettingby practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,175	Most literary agents represent both literary and mainstream works. Genre really only comes into play if you are actually talking about genre works like science fiction. But that's not what we are talking about here in a literary-mainstream thread.