Genre's...???

[blackpearl609]

My novel is near-complete. It is a fantasy of course, but I think it might just fall into a few other genre's too. I could really use some advice on exactly what I have written.

It is based on a vague medievil english village lifestyle; clothing, living conditions, "scratching a living off the land" etc. (though it is set in no specific age or location).

The villagers are unable to leave their borders for fear of the "horrors of the outside world," though the horrors are unconfirmed.

Magical kingdoms afar, great battles, dragons, sorcerers and quests for precious things play a pivotal role in the story, though not in literal form; they are realised by certain villagers and graphic glimpses into such things are stumbled upon, but at no point does anyone in the story actually visit such places or experience the battles or wizardry etc.

The story centres around an out-of-character murder in the tranquil village. The investigation process reveals things far greater than the simple lives the villagers have only ever known. One man embarks to out the (very, very magical) truth behind why the village is secluded from the "outside world" and to clear an innocent man's name at the same time and condem the true vilain.

In short, it is very magical and "fantasy-charged" but at the same time, the fantasy often takes a back seat as the focus is leans on the village's simplicity and the shock and effects of the murder itself. The unveiling of the truth which keeps the village a secret from the outside world is extremely magical, and is the whole reason for the story. But it is not a full-on, quest across-country, though great valley's, over oceans, dragon-slaying, flying-horse type epic.

Imagine if you will, that Bilbo Baggins was murdered on his 111th birthday, the old Gaffer was accused and Frodo sent Sam off to Mordor while he stayed in the saftey of the Shire to try and clear the old Gaffer's name... while watching Sam's entire quest unfold via Pilantir.

Have I got a fantasy, a fantasy/mystery, fantasy/thriller, fantasy/something else...??? Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Telcontar]

Well, if the story itself is about the murder mystery, you're probably better off leading with that genre. This is pure conjecture, but I imagine that fans of murder mysteries are more likely to enjoy a murder mystery with an atypical fantasy setting than fantasy readers are willing to accept a fantasy setting featuring a murder mystery, if you know what I mean.

I have read atypical fantasy stories (mysteries, thrillers, crime dramas, etc) but the thing that most of them shared was they were set in established and popular worlds, and already had a reader base interested in that world.

To sum-up and re-state: your "real" audience might be mystery readers, not fantasy readers, and I'd advise tagging this as a "murder mystery with a fantasy flavor" or something of that sort.

 

[Steerpike]

In one sense, there is no reason to obsess over this. If you get a publisher, they'll decide what genre they want to market it under. From what you said, I don't see any chance it would land anywhere but "Fantasy." Beyond that, it doesn't matter whether it is a murder mystery, thriller, &c. It will be called Fantasy and so you should submit to editors and agents who handle fantasy.

@Telcontar - I understand what you're saying, but honestly I think if something like this went to an agent or editor who handles mysteries or crime thrillers they'd wonder what the author was thinking by sending it to them. Unless they also handle fantasy stories, in which case they will likely view this first and foremost as a fantasy.

 

[Telcontar]

Indeed you are correct, Steerpike. I was thinking what he might want to do should have control over it, perhaps if self-publishing. As you say, if he get a publisher they will be deciding on the genre anyway.

Furthermore, blackpearl, if you do get a publisher I would not be all that surprised if they asked you to emphasize one or the other aspect of the story so it fits more squarely within a single genre.

 

[Claire]

Despite the fantastical elements being somewhat apart from the story itself, it does ring of "fantasy" to me. It takes place in a different world - despite similarities to medieval England, it isn't intended to take place there historically speaking. So you're talking, an "otherworld" story. To me, that makes it fantasy. The fact that it isn't your typical sword and sorcery, boy goes on a quest to save the world, simply means what you have is something (hopefully!) original within the fantasy genre.

 

[ThinkerX]

Down through the decades, I have read no few mystery, historical, and even contemporary works that freely borrowed large fantasy and SF elements, sometimes even in a critical to the plot capacity.

Likewise, I have also read quite a few so called 'fantasy' and 'SF' books that were actually political/social diatribes, religious arguments, or some other 'message' work. Usually these were set on another planet or some fantasy realm because that let the author clear all of the competing 'real world' political and religious 'underbrush' away from his 'message'. (For some reason, there were several libertarian themed works of this sort floating around a few years ago).

 

[The Dark One]

Whatever the genre, I quite like the sound of it. Seems fairly original to me, although others more widely read in fantasy might disagree.

 

[gavintonks]

Depends if it is period and a recreation of an era, I do not believe it can be so vague as having no this or that or time or place that is just too iffy.
As the author you are allowing the story to dictate, the first question you will be asked is who is your target market.Stories are written for readers so what is the story that will grab their attention.
There are 1 million books published and they all want buying readers, if you do not determine up front what will appeal to them and how the book fits with what they want to hear and read, I think you will have a problem
it is up to you the author to craft a story that entertains and part of that job is to remove questionable data so that the story is yours and people recognize it as such, you can only do this by owning and being specific about the when, where and how - in my opinion
good luck with your story

 

[blackpearl609]

Brilliant responses there, each one. Thanks very much