How the Other Half Lives
Crossing genres and breaking typical boundaries can be one of the most difficult tasks for a writer. Having written books with mystery and romantic suspense, I believed it had become my settled ground for all future books, but I was wrong. The M/M romantic/suspense market is exploding like gangbuster grenades these days, and if you wish to be successful, you have to be exceedingly prolific and gain a degree of notoriety when other genres might be a little more forgiving. I have been working on a “traditional” thriller for over a year now, and I worry about the success that I can expect without the M/M aspect to push it forward. I decided to preview an exclusive glimpse of the newest book on The Novel Approach Reviews, even though it is not quite ready for a release date.
Mostly due to the copious amount of titles being publishing these days in gay romance/suspense, and a little due to me wanting to expand my market base, I decided to try something new. It will either become a form of emancipation or a dismal failure which will prove to be unsuccessful in the end. Nonetheless, here it goes. I wonder about other authors who decide to break the capitulating chains that bind them with their art, and wonder about those who decide to try their hand in other sub-genres when they hadn’t thought of trying such a broad stroke variance from their first published books. I look to writers like the great Rick R. Reed, who began writing romance novels and found even more wonderful success in the M/M horror genre, and I am a fan of others who began their writing careers in the mainstream market and then decided to dip a toe into the M/M waters…only to find them warm and inviting. Most remained in the M/M brand, regardless of their sexual identity, and it comes down to what stories you wish to tell, regardless of what you’d written before. Still, it can be daunting when you change genres and the question is always hanging ominously in the back of your brain, “What if I fail and this release somehow negates my reputation in my original field?”
So I have decided to see how the other half lives for my next book, and hope it all works out. I would love for other authors who’ve stumbled onto this post to add a comment on their own experiences with changing genres, or escaping one genre for want of another altogether. It would give me some optimism to know how others have done this, and what readers think as well. Would you cross categories to follow one of your favorite authors by buying a book you’d never normally buy just to support someone you may have followed over the years? Writers are artists and many are frequently insecure about their work. You have to stroke their egos gently and offer kind words of support just to quell their anxieties. We are a shallow group indeed. So please keep this in mind if you decide to offer any guidance or encouragements in the comment section below.
I would love to hear what you think.
“GRIP DONOVAN IS A MAN HUNTER EXTRODINAIRE”
Hired by a shadowy government agency he is asked to locate and expose the transactions of a high-profile gun runner.
Getting his target to face justice in international courts wasn’t going to be an easy OP, and his journey takes him racing across three continents.
…Ultimately it begs the question, what do you do with a dangerous man like Alastair Amann if you catch him?
Do you turn him into the authorities, cash your check and simply walk away, or do you squash him and his treasonous acts on and for all?
Donovan had much to consider since the consequences of not acting were already quite dire.
Releasing Soon
About the Author
Rodd lives in Dallas, TX and can be reached through his web presence at RODDCLARK.COM.
He enjoys the M/M Mystery, Romance and Thriller genres but has varied interests and enjoys many varied types of books. With a dark and distinctively disturbing voice he creates characters that are flawed yet intriguing; such as the M/C of Gabriel Church in his Romantic Fiction “Rubble and the Wreckage”, and carried to the newest chapter “Torn and Frayed”, as well as the third and final Gabriel Church Tale titled, “Ash and Cinders”.
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Rodd, I tiptoed into M/M from the mainstream and, as you say, found the waters warm and inviting.
Ironically, I now have several previously-published books either free or soon to be free from their contracts. Eight of the ten are either YA-adult crossover or M/F romance; two are (my very first) M/M.
I’m about to find out whether folks who like the way Erin O’Quinn write will also like the way she spins a fantasy or two…a teen-age hellion become wild young woman in the badass time of St. Patrick.
This current work of yours looks damn inviting. I think you’re not so much crossing genres as you’re opening up a bit from the murder/thriller to a wider field. Needless to say, I will buy and read it; and I wish you untold success!
Oh Erin, you are too kind. I’ve seen a few of your mainstream works popping up here and there, and I’m truly happy for you. Particularly in that you are freeing yourself of old contractual bonds. I may have to suffer that reality again myself since my latest publisher may be shuddering doors. This is why people tell me that self-pubbing is such a good idea now, and besides who enjoys putting their offspring’s fate in someone else’s hands? I was hoping this one would be different, that they might stick around and fulfill their obligations, but life is a lesson. Am I right? But getting back to your point, I do suppose in the end it’s all about the telling, and not the genre, or even the fans you’ve made. The hope is that you make new fans with the readers of books who might’ve never read your work before. It was a stretch for me though. I tried to write a few short horror stories once to include in a Halloween anthology, but didn’t realize how difficult that actually was; so special kudo’s to those other writers like R. Reed, A. Renfro, L. Thomas & others finding success in that arena. I didn’t stray as far as I imagined since the main antagonist in my newest is gay, though there is no romance or sex between men and it’s only a side thing or character aspect. But it did allow me to realize how much of a challenge it is to alter direction after you’d started the journey. Thanks for your input – and your support.