Pitching a "Cross-Genre" Work

Submission protocol, query etiquette, and strategies that work
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Seadhlinn
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Pitching a "Cross-Genre" Work

Post by Seadhlinn » December 10th, 2009, 6:14 pm

My current project is a novel which combines several disparate genres-- historical, metafiction/postmodernism, and satire/humor. Although it's a WIP, I've already had trouble "pitching" the book when I attempt to explain it to writing groups or other people who might help me with revision.

Any experiences or suggestions for how to pitch a multi-genre piece?


(Thanks in advance for your help!)

Dakota388
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Re: Pitching a "Cross-Genre" Work

Post by Dakota388 » December 10th, 2009, 6:23 pm

I think you have to pick one and go with it. What is the main plot of your book? Look at other books that have similar stories and go from there. My book is clearly a fantasy, with a decent romance element between the two main characters yet If you bought it thinking I was selling a romance, you would be highly disappointed. My main character has some superheroey (look at that, I made up a word) elements but I'd be careful not to call it superhero.
Let me add that if there is humor/satire, you can show that in your query while writing for a different genre.
Hope this helps.
"The Light of Epertase"-A fantasy novel coming August 1st from Rhemalda Publishing

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Nathan Bransford
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Re: Pitching a "Cross-Genre" Work

Post by Nathan Bransford » December 10th, 2009, 6:44 pm

This is actually also being discussed in another forum: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52

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Nathan Bransford
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Re: Pitching a "Cross-Genre" Work

Post by Nathan Bransford » December 10th, 2009, 6:45 pm

But with any novel that blends genre, it's usually primarily one. And as I said in the other thread, when in doubt just go with whatever section of the bookstore it will be stocked in.

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