Genre Blending

Before I finished my first book, I had a list of all the top agents and publishers in the USA and the UK. The very thought of going Indie struck me as amateurish and pathetic, and it was going to be big time or bust. I had my synopsis ready, and my query letter. The more I learned about Indie publishing though, the more I fell in love with it, and by the time my first book was finished I had a totally different plan. I didn’t kick the option of traditional publishing to the kerb – I still haven’t done that. Even though I’ve never queried, I try never to say never, but I wanted to explore the amazing new world of anything goes first.

As an Indie writer you get to write about anything under the sun – satire – taboo – trigger inducing – revolting – weird – boring as watching paint dry – anything at all. I don’t want to read most of these things, but quite a lot of people do (alright – maybe not the paint drying), and with it being incredibly unlikely for some of these things being published traditionally, quite a lot of Indie “books” are making a lot of money this way. Who knew dinosaurs could get up to what they seem to get up to these days?

Apart from all that though, there is still a lot of new ground to be broken with genres and niches that traditional publications very likely wouldn’t take chances on, but with the very real possibility in the Indie world that they could take off with a bang. I fully intend to utilise my self-publishing freedom to mix things up with a couple of sets I have planned for the future. The thought of making up whole new genres is exciting in itself because I honestly believe that the real growth of the Indie market has only just begun, and isn’t going to implode under its own weight as a couple of people are prophesying. It’s going to be about brand new ideas and new ventures into the unknown, and maybe not so much the picking of genres and niches that rocketed unknown authors into the stratosphere a couple of years ago.

We’re going to have to think outside the box if we want to be noticed in amongst the millions, that in all probability in a couple of years will be billions of books out there. So maybe try mixing things up for your next story. You have nothing to lose. Think Fantasy Western, or Historical Weird, African Sci-Fi Paranormal Romance. Botanical Horror. Flower Fantasy. Why not? Anything goes in the world of Indie – try and imagine the never before done, and you could very well hit on the next big thing.

2014-06-18 09.16.17.jpg1.jpg2.jpg1.jpg2

Author: jorobinson176

South African writer.

25 thoughts on “Genre Blending”

  2. Great post Jo. Rules, rules… I never liked rules that didn’t make sense to me.
    Granted, people want to know “what it’s like” before they take precious time from their lives to read — so do I. So I say something like “If you liked ___, then take a look at my book. I think you’ll like it too.”
    > But limiting a story to a single genre… well, for a lot of stories that just does not come naturally to the story. So here’s to genre blending and thinking outside the box. Somebody please throw away that worn out box. 😀 Huge hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. I enjoyed your new refreshing approach and attitude. Indeed what will we see in the future. Thank you for sharing your positive outlook with us.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Ooh – The Pride, Prejudice and Zombies. You’ve just got me interested enough to go buy my first zombie book. I actually watched Warm Bodies or something like that name a while ago, and quite liked it – I could be on the turn zombie wise. I haven’t read Firefly yet, but now I’m interested in that too. Seems to work this genre bending. On me at any rate. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks Noelle! These days I think that there’s so much entertainment out there that people could easily get hooked on something totally new as far as books go. It will take a bit of thought too. I haven’t figured out what to call my new genre yet. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks! Me too. I’ve read some amazing reasons for rejections of some hugely famous books, but in the end being different is what got them to bestseller status. We have some great things coming in our Indie world I think.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. Fellow writers who mix genres (either within their works or between works) are invited to explore and join my new Fusion Fiction blog: http://wp.me/P5dJqx-5

    If you’ve already published in mixed genres, this is where you can promote your Fusion Fiction – free! There are submission rules to keep things orderly (if something isn’t clear, please bring it to my attention, and I’ll do my best to fix it), but most cross-genre fiction qualifies. I’m hoping to bring together the many authors whose works fuse genres, so we can help each other make our unique Art known.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. How long will you have to wait John? I saw another blogger reveal the cover he got from his publisher, but said that the book will only be published at the end of the year. I think my head would blow off in anticipation. Can you not self-publish some shorts or something in the meantime?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Pingback: Lit World Interview Week In Review Feb. 2-6. |

Leave a comment