tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post7305192102976315192..comments2024-03-18T01:49:03.153-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Where do You Shelve Your Book?Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-25941991622192101622015-07-07T11:42:03.629-06:002015-07-07T11:42:03.629-06:00As mentioned by Terry, being an indie writer knock...As mentioned by Terry, being an indie writer knocks down the genre walls, but I'm not sure where that puts my books. One person suggested mainstream as a place to start, but that seems a bit like a generic cop-out. Women's fiction? Another possibility, but I sure hate to exclude what I hope will be a lot of male readers. Back to mainstream, and that really doesn't tell a prospective reader anything, does it? Hopefully, the blurbs on the back of the books and the descriptions on Amazon, etc., will bring some clarity to that muddy water. Excellent post, Heidi. It nails a major problem many of us face as indie writers.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-41115754476242176012015-07-07T06:32:24.354-06:002015-07-07T06:32:24.354-06:00Had to laugh at the response when you pitched your...Had to laugh at the response when you pitched your idea, Heidi. I went through a similar experience early on when I was writing what didn't fit into a niche. It is easier to categorize most of my books as they are police procedural mysteries. The one that is hard to label is Boxes for Beds. It is not set far enough back in history to call it an historical mystery, but it is not contemporary. It is also not a strict police procedural like my other mysteries. It is always fun to play these labeling games. LOLMaryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-31216078101700956482015-07-06T15:45:29.246-06:002015-07-06T15:45:29.246-06:00My agent keeps smacking me down because I call my ...My agent keeps smacking me down because I call my books mysteries. They have a strong mystery or suspense element, but they don't follow the cookie-cutter mode of genre writing. She pitches the books a women's fiction, which I thinks means I haven't a clue where it will be shelved. My publisher goes with suspense, women's fiction and a few others. I go where my readers are...Betsy Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06871010122475160477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-3304176973688344982015-07-06T14:43:35.986-06:002015-07-06T14:43:35.986-06:00LOL, Thanks, Christopher. Guess that's not a g...LOL, Thanks, Christopher. Guess that's not a good recommendation for editors is it? Oh well, like you say, we are all human.Heidiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593338979995203659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-39430472421783993672015-07-06T10:35:20.262-06:002015-07-06T10:35:20.262-06:00It's tough one, Heidi ... trying to pigeon-hol...It's tough one, Heidi ... trying to pigeon-hole our work ... but it appears folks just gots to know what it is about before they plunk down their money ... I get that. BTW I (the world's worst proofreader) spotted a typo in todays post ... no shame, BRP, even Tiger Woods shanks a shot now and then.Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-72534942172081465652015-07-06T07:51:56.447-06:002015-07-06T07:51:56.447-06:00That is indeed the conundrum. Write something new,...That is indeed the conundrum. Write something new, but what would you compare it to for marketing purposes? :) I sometimes wonder if I chose the wrong BISAC codes. It is YA, but it is more alternative history and thriller than fantasy, myth, and lore. And adults enjoy it as much as teens. Still, until they do away with book shelves entirely, it does have to go somewhere. Preferably at the front of the store as soon as someone walks in, but publishers pay extra for that privilege.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-6722271635305225072015-07-06T06:44:24.717-06:002015-07-06T06:44:24.717-06:00Moving from traditional to indie helps with the re...Moving from traditional to indie helps with the restrictions of genre. I write the books I want to read, and although I do fulfill reader expectations for the overarching genres (romance or mystery), I don't worry too much about those pigeonholes. When I upload a book, I deal with the choices each distribution channel offers. And a couple of years ago, Amazon added a bunch of new sub-genres, which gave my romantic suspense books a huge boost, because they determined the books were 'action adventure romance' and I was now swimming in a much smaller pool.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.com