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October 3, 2021 By Anne R. Allen 63 Comments

What is Upmarket Fiction? And Book Club Fiction? Are They New Genres?

What is Upmarket Fiction? And Book Club Fiction? Are They New Genres?

By Anne R. Allen Most writers have probably heard of “Upmarket fiction.” But you may have questions about it. Like, when should you use the term? And how do you figure out if your novel fits in the category? Is it considered a genre, like Romance or Mystery? And is it the same as “Book […]

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Filed Under: The Publishing Business, The Writing Life, Writing Craft Tagged With: Anne R. Allen, fiction categories, Genre guidelines, The Lady of the Lakewood Diner, Upmarket fiction

November 13, 2016 By Anne R. Allen 44 Comments

What Genre is Your Novel? And is it YA, MG, New Adult or Adult?

What Genre is Your Novel? And is it YA, MG, New Adult or Adult?

Novel genre isn’t always obvious, even to the author. While we’re writing, (especially during NaNoWriMo) we just let the inspiration pull us along. But there comes a point where we have to decide where our work fits in the great bookish ecosystem – its genre and the age of its audience. Writing coach and novelist […]

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Filed Under: The Publishing Business, Writing Craft Tagged With: Genre guidelines, know your genre, Literary genres, Nail Your Novel, novel categories, Roz Morris, Writing tips

May 25, 2014 By Ruth Harris 107 Comments

Know Your Genre: Tips and Secrets from the Experts for Writing Bestselling Genre Fiction

Know Your Genre: Tips and Secrets from the Experts for Writing Bestselling Genre Fiction

by Ruth Harris Romance with a side of horror? Happens in real life—oy!—but not such a hot idea in fiction. Cozy mystery with a soupçon of blood and gore?  Only if you want readers coming after you with shoulder-fired missiles. Sci-fi in a gauzy, vintage-y mood? Not unless you want to find an IED in […]

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Filed Under: E-Books and Technology for Writers, Self-Publishing, Social Media and Marketing For Writers, The Publishing Business Tagged With: A Kiss at Kihali, Genre guidelines, How to write a bestselling novel, Jami Gold, know your genre, Literary genres, Margot Kinberg, Ruth Harris

May 1, 2011 By Anne R. Allen 61 Comments

Want to be a Successful Author? 10 Things English Majors Have to Unlearn

Want to be a Successful Author? 10 Things English Majors Have to Unlearn

by Anne R. Allen   One of my favorite moments in film happens in Star Trek IV, when the Enterprise crew find themselves back the 20th century. Kirk refers to “the complete works of Jacqueline Susann, the novels of Harold Robbins,” and Spock replies, “Ah… The giants!” Funny bit. But the thing is—they were giants. Not great writers, but […]

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Filed Under: The Publishing Business, The Writing Life, Writing Craft Tagged With: Anne R. Allen, Genre guidelines, how to be a successful author, Literary genres, Star Trek IV

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Anne R. AllenAnne R. Allen writes funny mysteries and how-to-books for writers. She also writes poetry and short stories on occasion. She’s a contributor to Writer’s Digest and the Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market.

Her bestselling Camilla Randall Mystery Series features perennially down-on-her-luck former socialite Camilla Randall—who is a magnet for murder, mayhem and Mr. Wrong, but always solves the mystery in her quirky, but oh-so-polite way.

Ruth Harris NYT best selling authorRuth is a million-copy New York Times bestselling author, Romantic Times award winner, former Big 5 editor, publisher, and news junkie.

Her emotional, entertaining women’s fiction and critically praised novels have sold millions of copies in hard cover, paperback and ebook editions, been translated into 19 languages, sold in 30 countries, and were prominent selections of leading book clubs including the Literary Guild and the Book Of The Month Club.

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