The Rise and Rise of Multiple Genres - Part 2
An interview with InkWell Management New York.
Last week I introduced the idea of multiple genres in your story. As this is a very current and important issue in storytelling right now, let’s take the several genres in literature (and TV) concept further and chat about it with an international literary agent. Remember, this is one of the first questions we will ask you at the Art of Writing creative writing retreat. What is your genre? Because this is the first question agents and publishers will ask you. With deep writing, thinking, tutoring and a degree of interesting self-examination, you will discover your genre. Then hone your genre.
Catherine Drayton, is InkWell Management New York’s Australia affiliate, working with authors across the globe, selling their work into various territories. Catherine represents a wide range of fiction for both adults and children as well as some non-fiction on subjects that intrigue her. Her bestselling and award-winning clients include Markus Zusak (The Book Thief, The Messenger), Beth Hoffman, John Flanagan, Becca Fitzpatrick, Gavriel Savit, Cath Crowley and Karen Foxlee. Many of Catherine’s clients are published in multiple territories and sold for film. She particularly loves working with debut authors and is looking for writing that is memorable and enduring.
Lisa: Are you seeing any particular genres that are more popular than others right now in Australia? And overseas if you think that's pertinent?
Catherine: I think smart women’s fiction is perennially in fashion but it needs an extra element - a crime, an interesting setting or sub-culture. Good crime is always in vogue, but the field is pretty crowded now. I recently sold Black River, by Matthew Spencer to Sourcebooks in the US – it’s crime set on the Paramatta River. Historical fiction based on true events travels well. Anything where the author’s personal experience mirrors their story is popular for example This is Not a Story About Benedict Cumberbatch, by Tabitha Carvan sold at auction in Australia to HarperCollins and then was picked up by Putnam in the US. Julia Baird’s Phosphorescence was a smash hit last year.
Lisa: Do you see particular publishers looking for those genres?
Catherine: Each publisher has genres they are good at, but most Australian publishers will take on a broad range of genres. They are careful not to acquire a novel that would compete with an existing author.
Lisa: What kind of international sales of Australian content are you seeing? In view of the Aussie-Jane Harper-type-DRY success etc.
Catherine: Women’s fiction like Sally Hepworth, Liane Moriarty, Kelly Rimmer – Hannah Richell’s novel The Search Party sold widely. I’ve had great success with quirky, heartfelt stories like How to Be Remembered, by Michael Thompson. I think people want to feel good and there’s a pushback against anything too dark.
Notes from Lisa:
In honour of the Brisbane 9-12 Art of Writing, this blog purposefully digs deeper into what’s selling in Australia. But because I live and write in Italy, as well as run creative writing retreats in Europe with a vast range of global citizens, we are talking to Catherine because of her international representation.
The genre you chose to write has to be able to sustain you in every way. It’s not just about ‘this book’ but your next books. Your genre is a big decision because changing genres is very, very difficult once you have a group of loyal readers.
In Genre Part 4 we will chat with a writer who ‘crossed over’ from romance, historical romance to ultimately, crime. The switch was gruelling in regard to agent representation. This is a fascinating discussion so please keep your eye out for the blog Genre Part 4.
To backstory this blog:
I recently chatted with a group of successful writers who talked about how the best books nowadays (meaning the biggest sellers) are a mix of genres. Crime worked into romance. Historical worked into horror and romance. How television now has the most incredible writers who weave all sorts of genres into story. Think Game of Thrones = action, romance, thriller, suspense, adventure, fantasy. Think Breaking Bad = dark comedy, suspense, crime, thriller, drama. Think The Handmaid’s Tale = science fiction, dystopian, tragedy. TV is really mixing up the genres.
Note: Genre is a particular type of literature that is considered a ‘class’ because it has special characteristics.
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2023 Art of Writing Dates
NOW FULL - Thursday, February 9th to Sunday, February 12th, 2023, Brisbane, Australia
Sunday, May 7th to Thursday, May 11th, 2023, Florence
Sunday, June 4th to Thursday, June 8th, 2023, Florence
Sunday, June 25th to Thursday, June 29th The Next Draft, for finished manuscripts.
Sunday July 9th to Thursday, July 13th, 2023, Florence
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If you’d like to share any comments or thoughts, I’d be happy to hear from you. Email me directly at lisacliffordwriter@gmail.com.
