You’ve penned the perfect manuscript—Scarlet O’Hara meets Stephanie Plum. It’s a historical, zombie, coming-of-age, whodunit mystery set in Hoboken. Your work is so unique hoards will clamber for a signed first edition. That is, as soon as you can get it published, when you get it published, and if you can get anyone to notice it is available.
Which brings me to the topic: What genre is this? Picture yourself perusing the shelves of your local bookstore or scrolling a bookseller's website. How do you find your next read? Unfortunately, most readers discover their next read by looking at the established genre and sometimes a sub-genre category. The classification helps the publisher, agent, and bookseller understand where your work has the best advantage for discovery. Let's face it; every writer wants to be found.
Like most authors, I wanted to say my mystery was a one-off from the typical market fare. And, naturally, it was unique because I wrote it. But that would have been self-defeating as no one wants to sell a story that doesn't fit into a predetermined marketing category. Therefore, after research, I identified my novel as a "traditional mystery" in the vein of Agatha Christie and Sue Grafton. However, it wasn't until later that I discovered not all book outlets have such a classification.
I was elated, still am, at having my mystery, Gone Astray, published earlier this year. During the process of promoting my new release, reviewers labeled it a cozy, cozy animal mystery, police procedural, crime & detective, crime-adventure, and even suspense. I guess any one of these genre and sub-genre combinations works. The only thing consistent was that all reviewers and promoters labeled the genre as a mystery. I got that right, at least.
At first, I was pretty miffed at the ever-changing sub-genre, but in truth, I didn't care as long as my novel was read. Reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations will smooth out the label confusion. My advice is don’t invent a genre for your manuscript, instead pick an established genre where you can live comfortably.
According to an article written by MasterClass, Nov. 8, 2020, mystery and crime fiction often fall into four separate sub-genres, each with its own characteristics. I share their thoughts here.
Detective novels. These books are crime novels that center around a detective (professional, amateur, or retired) investigating a crime or solving a murder case. Detective novels generally start with a mysterious incident or death and unfold as the detective follows leads, investigates suspects, and ultimately solves the case.
Cozy mysteries. These are mysteries without sexual content, violence, or profanity and are usually sprinkled with humor and quirky characters. To solve the case, the detective or amateur crime solver often uses their intellect instead of law-enforcement procedures.
Police procedural. I’m sure you’ve got this one. These are mysteries featuring a protagonist who is a member of the police force. The reader walks the walk—talks the talk.
Caper stories. The inside story—mysteries told from the criminals' point of view rather than the law-enforcement officer trying to catch them. These stories take readers inside the crimes giving them full access to motives, tricks, and deceptions.
Yup, Gone Astray fits 1 & 3, and that is without considering Commander, the tabby, who is one of the characters and clearly points to sub-genre #2. It’s still a mystery!
Thanks for reading—and consider leaving a comment. Or read Gone Astray and write a review!
If you are interested in a longer list of genres and subgenres, Tonya Thompson wrote a fun blog listing 144 Genres and Subgenres for Fiction. Check it out.
“The nearest I have to a rule is a Post-it on the wall in front of my desk saying ‘Faire et se taire’ from Flaubert. Which I translate for myself as ‘Shut up and get on with it.’” — Helen Simpson
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