No, despite the picture, I do not meant cow branding. Building your author brand. Have any of you thought of this?
I'd never really considered it before, mostly because I'm as yet unagented, so the thought of building my brand seemed like a far-off thing.
So why am I thinking about it now? Well, I'm currently querying a YA time-travel. I'm revising a Women's Fic. And my WIP is YA UF.
One of these is not like the other...
I love my Women's Fic manuscript Sway. It's undergoing major- and very difficult- revisions, but I really think it's got something. By the time I have it query-ready, I think it will be time to shelve Daze for good (sob sob sob) if it's not successful out there. But I really don't see any more Women's Fic for me in the future. I mean, I could... but my WIP and also a SNI I've taken notes on are both YA. I keep getting this nagging feeling that I shouldn't worry so much about Sway right now and work on my WIP instead. Except that Sway is closer to being ready, and I do love the story.
This may not be something I really need to worry about. One of the great things about having an agent is that they know more about this stuff and can give the right advice. Yet I still have these doubts that I'm pulling the wrong move somehow.
Ha, or maybe I just worry too much?! What do you think? I'd love to hear thoughts on this, especially from those who write in multiple genres.
I know some authors who write in completely different genres will use a pen name. So you could use your real name for your "regular" books, and use a pen name for the women's fiction. Not sure that makes much sense in this case, though, since you say you don't plan to write more women's fiction. The authors that do this seem to write prolifically in both of their chosen genres, so it's a way to create two separate but strong personal brands.
ReplyDeleteAs I'm also (as yet) unagented, I don't really know any answer beyond that. An agent would definitely have all the answers, though. You just need to make sure that you query agents who represent all of the genres you have written/plan to write.
I was having the same worries myself. I've written some YA manuscripts and soon I'll be writing inspirational romance. I read on Kristin Lamb's blog recently (social media diva) that it doesn't matter. You should have only one blog, and it doesn't matter if you write in several different genres. The one exception might be if you write picture books and porn--you might consider a pen name and a separate blog. Google her and read her article. The post was the post before her current one, I believe.
ReplyDeleteWhat is YA UF?
Young Adult Urban Fantasy.
DeleteThanks, I'll check out her post.
Oh no! (Sorry, I've been creepily blog stalking you since I saw the query for Daze and Knights on Mother.Write and I really want to read it! Would you ever consider self-publishing it?) Gah, shelving things is the worst.
ReplyDeleteHa, thanks. I'm not shelving yet... and I really don't want to- I love that thing!
DeleteI don't think it matters. I can think of dozens of authors who jump between genres. Just because you get published doesn't mean you're stuck in that genre but when you get an offer from an agent be sure to talk to them about your other projects. You want an agent that's going to represent you and every project you believe in, not just the current story you're sharing with them. There's my 2 cents :-)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your queries!
i've thought about this a little bit because I don't want to get stuck in just one avenue. I enjoy writing YA paranormal romance, but right now i'm working on a contemporary romance. I think Meg Cabot is a great example of genre bending author, she has so many different types of books out there.
ReplyDeleteHIstorical is my thing, and I can't imagine jumping ship in order to write another genre. (I love history too much!) In the writing world, an author can do both, but they have to be established in one genre in order for the other to work. Making a name for yourself is the first big step, so focus on one thing at a time.
ReplyDeleteI've written in two different genres. I think it's important if you did write erotica and children's book you would need a different name for each. I think it's okay to try your hand at a few. You might find one you like best or two. :)
ReplyDelete