My Favorite Genres

are full of nouns

Ahoy friends!

It must be the hint of Spring in the air here in New York, but lately I’ve been feeling somewhat good about things. OK not <gestures at the whole world> things, but books. I’m reading good books! People are writing good books! I’m thinking of good books to come!

I was in said good mood when this meme was going around Bluesky this week, wherein users were describing their favorite genres in the least Official Genre TM terms possible. Mine were, along with fellow agent Laura Zats’ (who happens to be opening to queries this week folks!!!):

You might be reading this and thinking: Kate, oh no something is broken in space! is not a genre and you would be correct. You will not find these genres on signs above the shelves at B&N or in drop down menus on Query Manager. You will not find them listed as such on Manuscript Wishlist or literary agents’ or publishers’ websites. And that’s ok.

They are useful examples of how readers think about genre and how they think about the books they like in that genre. Thinking about how you’d play along with this posting game can help you figure out how to talk to readers¹ about your own work better. How you can pitch it better. This exercise can help you wade through, and usually avoid entirely, the pitching trap of too many genres stacked on top of each other and/or using too many abstractions to talk about your book. I’ll explain.

How would it read if I said my favorite genres were?:

1. Books about hope, love, and second chances

2. Historical Upmarket Women’s Fiction Paranormal Romance Fantasy with Recipes