Last month I touched on the importance of identifying your ideal reader for your work in progress. The simple truth is that not every reader will want to read your book… and that’s exactly how it should be.
The readers most likely to pick up your novel are the ones who already love books like yours. Getting them there, though, isn’t guaranteed, unfortunately. Interest can disappear at dozens of points along the way — the title, the cover, the jacket copy, the first page… If the reader makes it past those early impressions, then your story may finally get a chance.
Which brings me to genre.
Genre is a Promise to the Reader
Once you have a clearer sense of what your story’s really about, genre decisions tend to get easier. And that’s so important to understand. Genre isn’t just a marketing label. Rather, it’s a signal to the reader who picks up your book with certain expectations you need to deliver on (or have a very good reason not to).
- Agents need to know how to pitch your book.
- Editors need to know how to position it.
- Booksellers need to know where to shelve it.
- And readers need to know what they’re signing up for.
Even if you’re planning to self-publish, genre still matters. Online retailers require categories, keywords, and comparison. Your book will be found — on a physical shelf or online — based on how you define it.
If you tell me you’re writing a mystery with a paranormal element to it, I come in expecting clues, tension, and a puzzle to solve, plus something a little unusual. A romantic suspense sets a completely different tone and promise. Could those overlap? Absolutely. But the balance matters, and readers note when it’s off.
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Clues Are Everywhere
Most writers start with at least a vague sense of genre. Some like to figure things out as they write (hello “pantsers”). Others meticulously outline before drafting, like Jeffrey Deaver. And many fall somewhere in between (me!).
A few tells:
- If a dead body shows up early, chances are high you’re writing a mystery or suspense.
- If the story centers on emotional connection and a potential love interest, a romance plot (or a strong romantic sub-plot) is in play.
- If your character heads to work and their car takes off toward the moon, we’re in science fiction territory.
Each genre carries different promises for the reader — expectations about pacing, stakes, and payoff. And it’s your job as the story creator to make sure you meet those reader expectations.
Knowing your genre is one of the most powerful ways to respect your ideal reader and keep them turning the page.
What Genre Are You Working In?
If you’re uncertain about your genre, you’re not alone. This is a common sticking point.
Talking it through with a writing critique group, beta readers, or even a book coach (hi!) can help you step back, look at the story you’ve actually written, and clarify how genre, reader expectations, and structure are working together (or not). Sometimes, a few strategic tweaks are all that’s needed to bring things back into alignment.
This is one of the things we dig into in my Clarity in the Shadows service. If you’d like support sorting through those questions and sharpening the promise your story is making to readers, I’d love to help.
Photo by Intricate Explorer on Unsplash.
Hi, I’m Rebecca Davis, Author Accelerator certified book coach, mystery lover, and former research administrator. I traded grant proposals for plot twists and now I get to help writers find their way through the maze of story and structure. I live on the South Carolina coast, and believe every story needs both a map and a little mystery. Explore Coaching Services →