Should a new author stick to the same genre?

[Tim]

Hi Nathan,

I've finished and fully edited my first novel and its accompanying synopsis and query letter, and I've just begun the process of approaching agents. My question involves my next novel.

I've heard that it's much better for a new author to stick to one genre rather than write in many different genres. My first novel was a work of crime fiction, and since I enjoy writing in the genre, I have no problem sticking with it. The problem is I have a story idea that I'm absolutely enamored of and think it would make a wonderful novel, but it doesn't fit neatly within the crime fiction genre.

In some ways the novel I have in mind is not a radical departure from the crime genre in that it is a thriller wherein murder and political intrigue occur, but it also has supernatural elements that seem to distance it too much from a typical crime novel.

To put my question succinctly: is it a good idea for a new author to stick to writing in one genre or is it okay to venture out a bit?

Thanks for your input.

Tim

[Nathan Bransford]

Hi Tim, here are my thoughts on that: http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2007/12 ... pping.html

[Tim]

Hi Nathan,

Didn't know you'd written on it before, but that was dead-on point. Thanks.

Tim