Nathan Bransford - The Forums

After checking out a few agency websites I've come across something interesting. They'll say they go for urban fantasy or epic or both. Are those the only two sub genres of fantasy? I write fantasy that is definitely not urban, but I wouldn't call it epic either. How do you define epic fantasy and are there any sub genres besides those two?

There are tons of sub-genres. My advice would be not to get too hung up on the applicable sub-genre, or sub-sub-genre, but instead to look at the largest genre specification an agent uses and then take a look at the types of books the agent represents in that arena and see if yours seems to fit. It doesn't have to match, but you should be able to tell if there seems to be a fit.

The only exception to this would be if an agent is specifically looking for something, such as a YA paranormal Steampunk with a male lead. If your story fits that, then call it that. :)

Thanks!

My quick & dirty judgment tip would be the real world. If your fantasy involves the real world in one way or another, let it fall under urban. If not, call it epic/high fantasy.