Will the Proliferation of Fantasy Sequels Overwhelm Shelf Space? via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 9/8/09
Guest Op: The Case for Steampunk Romance via Dear Author: Romance Novel Reviews, Industry News, and Commentary by Guest Reviewer on 9/1/09
What is Steampunk?
Steampunk as a literary genre gained notice starting in the 1980s. A subgenre of science fiction and fantasy, it developed as a rebellious response to the science fiction that preceded it. Core elements of steampunk include:
Steam power
Alternate history settings (mostly Victorian/Edwardian era England)
SF/Fantasy elements
Devices that reflect the period but are ahead of their time (e.g., difference engines, airships, etc.)
In fact, the concept of inventions that debut far ahead of schedule represents one of the most fascinating aspects of the genre.
If you're old enough to remember the television show "The Wild, Wild West," think that, but funkier.
Showing posts with label genre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label genre. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Genre Talk
And boy has there been a lot of talk about Genre lately! Go Popular Fiction!
Paranormal
Why we love those rotting, hungry, putrid zombies
Little Women and Werewolves? via RA for All by Becky on 10/2/09
Romance
Die, Gothic, Die via Romancing the Blog Romance Authors and Readers Who Blog by Special Guest on 9/6/09 Despite the title, this author is really asking if the Gothic really is dead or ready for a comeback.
What is a gothic? Gothic romances involve a heroine, usually in reduced circumstances, who is called to live in an isolated location - most generally a mansion or something. The atmosphere is moody. The hero is difficult to identify until near the end. Two possible heros are introduced. But who is the hero and who is dangerous? A crime or even murder is often part of the story. The resolution of this bad-news incident reveals the solution and who is the actual hero.
Women's Fiction
The Appeal "Women's Fiction is that catch-all term that covers fiction focused on the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of contemporary women. It's difficult to call it a genre, because the story can blend with so many other genres — there can be mystery or suspense elements, it can take place in a different era, it can be funny, or sad, or often both.
...when a reader picks up a Women's Fiction novel, what she is really looking for is a sense of recognition.
Non-Fiction
A New Nonfiction Genre? They Could Have Just Asked Us via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Sarah Statz Cords on 9/16/09. This genre is called "Annualism" It's where an author chooses to do something for a year. For example, work through Julia Child's cookbook.
Paranormal
Why we love those rotting, hungry, putrid zombies
Little Women and Werewolves? via RA for All by Becky on 10/2/09
Memoir
Novelists take a break from fiction and are writing memoirs!
Historical Fiction
Cover Art Can Give Us Clues for the Reader And historical art seems to appeal mostly to the female reader! But does this writer include historical sea adventures and so forth in her observations? Or is that a separate genre?
Romance
Die, Gothic, Die via Romancing the Blog Romance Authors and Readers Who Blog by Special Guest on 9/6/09 Despite the title, this author is really asking if the Gothic really is dead or ready for a comeback.
What is a gothic? Gothic romances involve a heroine, usually in reduced circumstances, who is called to live in an isolated location - most generally a mansion or something. The atmosphere is moody. The hero is difficult to identify until near the end. Two possible heros are introduced. But who is the hero and who is dangerous? A crime or even murder is often part of the story. The resolution of this bad-news incident reveals the solution and who is the actual hero.
Women's Fiction
The Appeal "Women's Fiction is that catch-all term that covers fiction focused on the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of contemporary women. It's difficult to call it a genre, because the story can blend with so many other genres — there can be mystery or suspense elements, it can take place in a different era, it can be funny, or sad, or often both.
...when a reader picks up a Women's Fiction novel, what she is really looking for is a sense of recognition.
Non-Fiction
A New Nonfiction Genre? They Could Have Just Asked Us via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Sarah Statz Cords on 9/16/09. This genre is called "Annualism" It's where an author chooses to do something for a year. For example, work through Julia Child's cookbook.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Genre Talk
Romance via Library Journal - Genre Fiction on 4/14/09. Nice article about "Going Home" romances.
(title unknown) via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 4/12/09. Harlequin is the leader in romance.
Under the Radar: Rule Britannia! Fiction and Nonfiction for Anglophiles
via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Sarah Statz Cords on 4/19/09
Savoring Genre Fiction
via Library Journal - Collection Development on 4/14/09
Under the Radar: April Showers: Wild Weather Fiction and Nonfiction
via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Sarah Statz Cords on 4/12/09
'Bosoms' Unleashes Passion For Romance Novels
via NPR Topics: Authors on 4/11/09
(title unknown) via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 4/12/09. Harlequin is the leader in romance.
Under the Radar: Rule Britannia! Fiction and Nonfiction for Anglophiles
via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Sarah Statz Cords on 4/19/09
Savoring Genre Fiction
via Library Journal - Collection Development on 4/14/09
Under the Radar: April Showers: Wild Weather Fiction and Nonfiction
via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Sarah Statz Cords on 4/12/09
'Bosoms' Unleashes Passion For Romance Novels
via NPR Topics: Authors on 4/11/09
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Future of Reader's Advisory
Building on a Firm Foundation: Readers’ Advisory over the Next Twenty-Five Years
via RUSQ by angie on 3/29/09
Summary:
Format-based Readers’ Advisory: Instead of concentrating on just books or just fiction, we'll be integrating all kinds of formats from audio to dvd to youtube into our recommendations and searches.
Where is Genre Going? Fiction genres are blending and recombining. While knowledge of the basic genres is important, literary fiction is now very likely to include genre elements. "These writers all use elements usually associated with genre fiction in what otherwise would be considered “literary fiction.” The success of titles such Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife (which uses a very literary style to explore the consequences of time travel on a relationship) or Cormac McCarthy’s The Road (with its postapocalyptic setting) have exposed many readers to elements of genres they would not necessarily have tried otherwise. As genre definitions become increasingly blurry, readers’ advisors may be less able to rely on genre as a defining tool in the practice. At the same time, new genres or reading interests are continually developing"
RA for Non-English Speakers
via RUSQ by angie on 3/29/09
Summary:
Format-based Readers’ Advisory: Instead of concentrating on just books or just fiction, we'll be integrating all kinds of formats from audio to dvd to youtube into our recommendations and searches.
Where is Genre Going? Fiction genres are blending and recombining. While knowledge of the basic genres is important, literary fiction is now very likely to include genre elements. "These writers all use elements usually associated with genre fiction in what otherwise would be considered “literary fiction.” The success of titles such Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife (which uses a very literary style to explore the consequences of time travel on a relationship) or Cormac McCarthy’s The Road (with its postapocalyptic setting) have exposed many readers to elements of genres they would not necessarily have tried otherwise. As genre definitions become increasingly blurry, readers’ advisors may be less able to rely on genre as a defining tool in the practice. At the same time, new genres or reading interests are continually developing"
RA for Non-English Speakers
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