So, the moment has arrived where J.K. Rowling has released the cover and excerpt of her new book (and made it available for pre-order of course…at 17.99 for the ebook *cough, cough*).
Here is a glimpse of the cover and blurb:
When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock.
Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.
Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils…Pagford is not what it first seems.
And the empty seat left by Barry on the town’s council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?
While many are posting about how over-priced this ebook is, I’m more upset that Rowling has switched genres (fantasy to black comedy). Although the description sounds intriguing and I have no doubt that Rowling will make each character memorable and deep, this deviation has really let me down.
I LOVED the Harry Potter series—like stood-in-line-at-midnight-for-the-next-book loved—and I was hoping her next book would evoke the same feeling of wonder and sentimentality of the Potter series.
This made me realize something important. I always thought that I would try different genres. I didn’t want to be limited to one. I love historical/reincarnation fantasy, but so many ideas have fired up my creativity and I wanted to explore them. I thought if my readers enjoyed my voice and style that they would come along for the ride, exploring different genres with me. All that changed with reading Rowling’s new excerpt. My heart sunk when I saw that it was a black comedy, reminding me of a plot for new tv series. I know she is a great writer, but I don’t want to read about this sort of world. I want to read her fantasy.
It hit me—I don’t want to do this to my readers. My readers’ most frequent compliment is that they enjoy the historic immersion and little known details in my books. How can I switch to young adult paranormal or a paranormal thriller and think that these fans wouldn’t be surprised and let down? They would be hoping that I bring them what they enjoyed from the books they know.
This has altered my plans and convinced me of writing a historic fiction piece to follow my series. This is a better match with what my readers might expect from me. I can probably venture into other genres later, but while my readership is still young and growing, I don’t want to alienate them at the end of my series.
What about you? How do you feel about Rowling switching genres? Do you think it’s important to slowly evolve your genre?
I choke over propagation of electronic books! 😉 No, like the letter I wrote yesterday; can’t mould creativity or career around what we think people wish. Joanne did make a huge turn. Paranormal or mystery from mystical history isn’t far for you. A blog I’ve planned is on being in LOVE with stand-alones! Dorothy Gilman is famous for “Mrs. Pollifax”; in fact running 1966-2000. Haven’t read a one. I gobbled “A Nun In The Closet”, “The Tightrope Walker”, and very rare YA “The Maze In The Heart Of The Castle”!
Holly Lisle is supposedly a fantasy writer. Wouldn’t know. Her ghost story blew me away. ‘The usual fans’ rebuffed her mysteries but she wouldn’t have me without “Night Echoes”. There’s Phyllis A. Whitney, famous for mystery. I roll my eyes at YA but finding a few of hers, I say they’re even better! I often prefer deviations and I count. 🙂
http://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/dorothy-gilman-immune/ http://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/phyllis-a-whitney-like-wind/
Some more amazing authors to try out and that sounds like a wonderful blog post, Carolyn. I am very excited to attempt to write a stand-alone next. Series are a wonderful way of breaking into a market and gaining a following, but there is something so fantastic about stand-alones. I think deviations are fine too, but if a following has fallen in love with an element that you are going to change with the genre (fantasy is much different than black comedy) then you might lose some fans. The historic influence is very strong in my reincarnation fantasy series and I would lose all that if I switched to a modern paranormal. I think for the next few books I’ll be focusing on historic tales, but I will slowly add in different elements to transition to a modern story in the future.
Great examples of authors deviating from their genre! Thanks so much for sharing, Carolyn! I’m going to go in search of some authors who have discuss this and do another post about it.
I was shocked when I read the synopsis. Wow, that is quite the genre switch.
Hmm what an interesting point to ponder. I see your point, Lauren, when you mentioned that readers could be disappointed in a paranormal romance when they are expecting, awaiting another amazingly epic historical fiction piece from you. 🙂
I think what you said about switching genres later in the game, when you have several books out there, has a lot of wisdom. But while your following is new, maybe sticking with a genre similar to reincarnation fantasy or history would be wise.
I face a similar choice as you, since I write in different genres. I think I might be okay, since most of my works are really subgenres of fantasy and adventure, but at the same time, I should be careful. Nothing would be worse than letting the readership down.
Great post! Lots to think about.
P.S. I feel your pain. A favourite author of mine, Ted Dekker, went from character driven, intoxicating fantasy/thrillers to more plot-driven crime/mystery novels.
Shocked, yes, that is probably a better word for my reaction than let down. I expected something similar to Harry Potter and was shocked to find a black comedy. It helps to pay attention to the positives that your reviewers leave for you. Listen to what they say they enjoyed about your writing. I think its critical to keep whatever that it constant because it is what will keep them coming back for more. If you can switch genres with that then that is great but if they say they like the historic details, well then you have to stay within that realm for some time until they start saying they love the paranormal elements-then you can switch it up a bit.
I’m not sure exactly where I stand on this, except that I think you have to write the story you have in your head and in your heart. Especially early in the game, maybe you haven’t found your genre yet, so experimentation could be key to finding your true calling. As for Rowling, she did a wonderful service by creating a world of magic for young readers, and adults alike, but I would be a liar if I said this book doesn’t sound intriguing! Although, the price tag may keep me away for a bit. She was a wonderful mass media writer with the Harry Potter books, but I’d be interested to see what she does with The Casual Vacancy. I say, give it a chance, both as a reader, and as a writer. You never know!
Great point! As writers, whose to say what your best at when you’ve only written in one genre? People may like your historical, but the might love your paranormal. This is the reason why many authors have different pen names for their different genres. I used to wonder why authors would chose to start all a new with another genre when they already had a fan base but now it all makes sense. You don’t want to disappoint and alienate a following that has proven to enjoy one genre at the expense of experimenting with another. This is not only true for self-published authors but traditionally published as well. I am not saying that I won’t give The Casual Vacancy a try, and I’m sure what ever Rowling touches will turn to gold, but I’m just disappointed that she hasn’t taken us on another fantastical journey. I hope she will return to that one day.
Hi Lauren,
I feel your pain and shock. I, too, felt that way when I found out she wasn’t writing another fantasy. She’s an awesome writer, nonetheless, but hopefully she’ll write another fantasy in the future.
As a fairly new writer, I still don’t feel like I know what genres work for me. My first novel is a thriller from an adult’s perspective. And right now I’m working on a YA contemporary romance. And I have an idea for a YA thriller…So for now, I’ll just write the stories that want to be told and worry about switching genres later. I’ve seen some writers have some success with various genres. I don’t know how they do it. I wish it was a topic more writers talked about.
I’m so glad others have the same feeling. I think it’s a compliment actually that so many have fallen in love with her unique fantasy worlds that so many our sad that she isn’t taking us for another fantastical journey. I really do hope she writes another one in the future.
That is one of the great things about not publishing yet, you have so much time to explore what you do best. It’s another good thing to write in different genres and query to see what catches more attention. There are so many writers that have tackled different genres and still held onto their followings but it’s probably not a good idea to do it so soon after your first books. Staying within the thread of thrillers is probably a good idea and explore with the Adult vs YA facet, or stay within YA and explore the thriller vs romance. Maybe making gradual strides of change works as you evolve as a writer.
Great idea! I would love to see published writers discuss altering their genres and their fans’ reaction to it. I’ll have to see if I can find any articles and I’ll link it here:)
Exactly. Here’s hoping!
You’re right. I definitely don’t want to make a huge switch right away, if at all. I think I’m going to stick with YA overall. My first book MC actually has a teen daughter, and I’d love to explore her POV. The story was supposed to be from her POV anyway, but he kinda took over 🙂 But I think it’s smart to go in with some kind of strategy as far as genre.
I’m bummed too! Not that I want any author to have to be pigeon-holed into one genre forever, but J.K. Rowling did fantasy so amazing, so organically. I don’t even know if I have the heart to read her new black comedy.
It will be hard crackling that cover open for the first time. I expected to have Potter-withdraw with her next book, but this has just sent my whole system in shock. Maybe she has something else she’s planning on releasing soon (*fingers crossed*).
Ooops –I type to fast. Make that “amazingly.” LOL
There is a subtle underbelly to what may unfold from Rowlings that perhaps few can, as yet feel … the intangible influence she has had and will have on the inner world of each one she touches. What makes us `feel`resonates with the heart … not the physical heart but the `real` us.
Humanity is moving from head-thought to heart-feelings and few in recent years have nudged the collective heart awake more than Rowlings, regardless of the subject matter.
It is no accident that this has occurred and what tales may come from her fertile writings have far less importance than the gentle kiss upon the heart`s awakening she obviously has the gift to impart.
Thanks so much for stopping by. You have so eliqently summed up what is so fantastic about Rowling’s writing. My worry is that her amazing ability to “nudge the collective heart” won’t be explored when the definition of Black Comedy “is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor” (Wikipedia). I have no doubt that it will be a top shelf black comedy with her skill, but I don’t think it will have that same wonderful feeling she has perfected in the Potter series. But I will definitely give it a try once it’s out and report back 🙂
I understand your concern Lauren, yet the unconditioned ear of the heart hears in a far different way than the history laden ear of the mind.
Few yet consciously listen in this way, nevertheless, the ‘essence’ registers in that place-less location where true creativity and eternal virtues Live and remind us Who we Truly Are.
This is Rowlings subtle gift and will permeate ‘everything’ she shares with our rapidly shifting collective consciousness.