Comments on: Marketing the Fuzzy-Genre Manuscript

by: Suzanne

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 03:47:45 +0000

Thank you…your tip about PM was very valuable as I am going through the query process myself right now and had been relying on Agent Query.

Good luck with your queries and please keep us updated on your progress or feedback as you go along, it’s very useful!

Thanks,
suz.

by: Stephanie Leary

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:32:54 +0000

…part family saga/ women’s fiction, part paranormal, part mystery…

Diana Gabaldon.

by: Therese Walsh

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:57:37 +0000

Thanks for the offer, Eric. I actually think I’m good to go on the pitch…though that wasn’t easy either. What Blake said about irony helped, but I also had to be very careful to nail the right tone. Even though there are paranormal elements to my story, it’s mostly an emotional journey; the hook had to reflect that. But I really do appreciate the offer!

Thanks, Richard, Thea, Kath and Therese, for the well wishes!

by: Therese Fowler

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:05:58 +0000

Great solution!

I agree that PM is a fabulous resource. I agree, too, that more differentiation would be useful.

Good luck with the commercial fiction strategy. I hope it pays off soon and well.

by: Kathleen Bolton

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:42:03 +0000

Richard Mabry, LOL. If Austen were writing today, she’d be labeled chick-lit.

It’s a shame that a unique book that pushes boundaries has a hard time finding a marketing niche. But hang in….all the best books defy boundaries.

by: Richard Mabry

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:10:02 +0000

I can hear it now. “No, Mr. Twain, I’m afraid we can’t consider your story. It’s not really a historical, not romance, not a typical adventure, and…. Well, it just doesn’t fit into any of our categories. Where would the bookstore display it?”

Teri, here’s hoping your uniqueness pays off.

by: theamcginnis

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:09:13 +0000

Maybe pick the category your ms. most ‘fits’ into. how about woman’s fiction with a touch of paranormal elements? believe in your ‘voice’

by: theamcginnis

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:08:27 +0000

Maybe pick the category your ms. ‘fits’ into. how about woman’s fiction with a touch of paranormal elements? believe in your ‘voice’

by: Eric

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:02:01 +0000

Therese, I’m not so big on genre as maybe Blake Snyder is, but I do agree with that approach.

I’d be less concerned about whether my story fell into “Mystery” or “Western,” but I would be concerned about the types of themes explored in the story and try to come up with a good elevator pitch based off the plot + themes.

If you want, I’ll read your story and come up with some thoughts on identifying the hook/pitch.

BTW, unique is good. Unique is marketable. Original is the danger territory — originality is a myth. And often just an excuse to pursue your own subjective eccentricities while denying the responsibility to market them.