Apparently there is a Facebook quiz to determine just about everything else, but none to help me put my book in a nice little slot.
I'm writing a synopsis and I need to state my genre in the opening line. Now, I know that I either write in chick-lit or contemporary women's fiction. But I'm not sure which one my book falls into. And Google is being no help at all.
My book is written in a light-hearted, irreverent register. That kind of points to chick-lit. But there's quite a dark event in the book. Does that point to contemporary women's fiction?
Does anyone know what the differences are between the two? I don't care which genre my book falls into, just don't want to get it wrong on my cover letters.
Sorry, I don't know the difference. Talli Roland writes chick lit - maybe she can help.
ReplyDeleteWikipedia defines chick-lit like this:
ReplyDelete"Chick lit is genre fiction within women's fiction which addresses issues of modern women often humorously and lightheartedly."
So, I'd say you're book is probably chick-lit. Or, at least, it'd be safe to query it as such.
I think yours sounds a lot like chick-lit. However, I have read in several articles that chick-lit as a genre is dying out. (I can't seem to find the original ones, but Google gave me this and this (which is back in the 2006).)
ReplyDeleteI think books with chick-lit characteristics still sell, but I'd be wary of labelling it "chick-lit." However, please don't take my words on it, since I write primarily YA and know very little about this. If you do decide to label it "chick-lit," do research a bit more into it to see if the genre is still called that now. :)
I think it depends on your target audience. Chick-lit tends to make people think of teenage girls, or more mature women looking for a relaxing escape into more simple literature... So I'd be careful about pigeon-holing yourself into that category if you think your book is also applicable to more philosophical readers.
ReplyDeleteI in no way have any idea what the technical definition of these two genres are, but from a consumer perspective that's what I think when I see a "chick-lit" category.
I agree that you should think about the target audience. I've honestly not really heard of "chick-lit", but contemporary women's literature just sounds more professional to me. Other than that, from what I've found, there's not a big difference between the two. Sorry if that doesn't help.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone. I think I'll go with women's contemporary fiction, it seems like a better fit.
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
I agree with Emy. I went to three different conferences in 2007 - 2009 and word was the term "chick-lit" was a no-no. What I don't know is whether it has or will come back around. Best to play it safe.
ReplyDelete