Subgenres–Helpful or a Hindrance?

[Larchness]

Hey all! I want your opinion on subgenres.

I recently found an article that lists a ton of subgenres for fantasy. Some are obvious, like the difference between portal fantasy vs fairytale is pretty clear. But when it comes to the smaller niches, I’m not so sure I either understand the difference between them, or the use of labelling stories under these small categories. I don’t even know if I can put my own WIP in a single subgenre. So I thought I’d come here and see what the fine folks at Kingdom Pen had to say.

As a side-note, the idea of “gaslamp” fantasy sounds so interesting, like I don’t even know what that would look like but now I’m super curious.

Questions:

-From looking at this list, what subgenre(s) does your story fall into?

-Do you start writing a story with a subgenre in mind, or does it evolve to fit into a subgenre?

-Do you find it useful to think about these kinds of categories?

Here’s the article: http://bestfantasybooks.com/fantasy-genre.php

[EpicAddie2]

@larchness This is a good question! Personally, I feel like trying to fit your story into a specific subgenre could be really difficult and limiting. My novel is historical fantasy — kinda. It breaks some of those “rules” because it actually takes place in a different world, but it’s based on America in the Victorian era. I didn’t necessarily start this story with the subgenre in mind but I knew it was historical fantasy because I’ve read in that subgenre before.

So in conclusion, I’d say these subgenres could be really helpful, but don’t let them limit your ideas and stories. It’s more important that your story is what you want it to be than for it to fit perfectly inside a subgenre. 🙂

INFJ ~ 4w5
aldarley.wordpress.com

[GodlyFantasy12]

@larchness

TBH didn’t read the article. But I would say that some Subgenres can be good but that article has way too many in my opinion!

I think u have to limit yourself to just a few, so Portal Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, etc.

But don’t feel like u have to fit into one. I mean, I feel they’re just there if u want them or for the readers sake, so they know what they’re getting into (and maybe agents, etc)

Because some may not like high fantasy but they like portal fantasy. So yea that’s my opinion.

#IfMarcelDiesIRiot
#ProtectMarcel
#ProtectSeb

[Linyang Zhang]

@larchness I remember looking at this before. It was very fun.

1. Mine is definitely series fantasy. Other genres that my other things might fall into would be low fantasy, urban fantasy, eastern fantasy…

2. I just write what feels familiar, so no, usually. Sometimes, though, I might say, “I really want write an eastern or wuxia fantasy right now,” and go in that direction deliberately.

3. I find it helpful. Usually when people say “fantasy” all everyone can think of is The Lord of the Rings when in reality, there’s so much more than that. However, as the others have said, don’t let it limit you to one subgenre.

Lately, it's been on my brain
Would you mind letting me know
If hours don't turn into days

[R.M. Archer]

I think subgenres are most useful as tools rather than labels. A huge list like that might be helpful for opening up possibilities you hadn’t considered before (like gaslamp fantasy), for example. Or you could try to identify subgenres that your book falls into once it’s finished and use that information for marketing purposes. If you’re careful not to let expectations overwhelm your story, you might even be able to go in as you’re writing and find out what sorts of genre expectations your story’s sub-genres carry with them and use those as inspiration as you work, either using them directly to strengthen your story or working to subvert those expectations in a way that’s new and fits better with the story you want to tell. But, like others have said, it’s not beneficial to tie your story too closely to a single sub-genre at the expense of the story you’re aiming to tell.

Speculative fiction author. Mythology nerd. Singer. Worldbuilding enthusiast.

[Larchness]

@epicaddie2 You know I can’t say I’ve ever read any historical fantasy, at least not that I remember. But that’s really cool, especially because at the moment the medieval aesthetic is so heavily drawn upon. I’d love to read something that’s based more on a victorian-era style. What specifically makes your setting victorian, like is it the technology, society, style, etc?

@godlyfantasy12 Yep it’s a lot for sure! And a lot of them overlap too, which makes it even harder to decide which your story is. As far as readers go, it can be a blessing and a curse. As a reader, I know I like to know what I’m getting into. But sometimes I’ll limit myself too much and refuse to read anything of a certain genre, even if it might end up having a lot of similarities with something I like. As for publishing, it’s more political/strategic than anything. Maybe your book is the next big thing, but it might be passed over if it’s labelled as an unpopular genre.

[Larchness]

@devastate-lasting That’s interesting about series fantasy, because just from reading the description I wouldn’t really call it a “genre,” more like a…structure? Like any genre can have the same structure as a series fantasy, right? What about your story makes it so?

I’m the same way for coming up with the ideas. I remember at one point years ago I thought to myself–“I want to write a steampunk story,” just because I was obsessed with the aesthetic. My current WIP evolved so much over time to include elements of my upbringing, things that were familiar to me, which I added in to the existing story.

@r-m-archer I like that about using genres to subvert expectations. People begin to expect a certain thing over time with different genres, so stories start to be predictable. Sometimes people take this to the opposite extreme though, and constantly try to do the unexpected, and as a reader I just get whiplash trying to keep up with the twists and turns. But then again, some writers have established that as their thing, and it can work so well in the right context. Terry Pratchett for instance. I don’t think there’s a single predictable thing about his books, because he plays with your expectations. I also couldn’t tell you what genre his books are because they don’t seem to fit into any genre (maybe satire?)

[Linyang Zhang]

@larchness My fantasy saga consists of thirteen series that are interconnected, so I think it fits pretty nicely XD

Lately, it's been on my brain
Would you mind letting me know
If hours don't turn into days

[Larchness]

@devastate-lasting Wow that’s amazing! Kudos to you for keeping at such a huge project like that!

[Linyang Zhang]

@larchness Ah thank you! It’s taking a really long time but I’ll be glad to finish it one day!

Lately, it's been on my brain
Would you mind letting me know
If hours don't turn into days

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