Anyone who reads my books, or my blog, will have realized that I have little patience with genre labels.
To me, “genre” implies constraints, rules you have to follow in order to satisfy the readers' expectations. I believe readers need to be more adventurous, that genre labels have the tendency to encourage a certain narrowness of focus. And I've always enjoyed stretching the rules.
When I wrote my first three novels, I considered them to be erotica. I really knew nothing about romance and its sub-genres. However, now they’re being marketed as erotic romance, since all three have happy endings focusing on a committed relationship. At the same time, they don't really fit what I now understand is the traditional romance model, in that they include sexual interactions between secondary characters and between the hero/heroine and individuals who are not their eventual partners.
So what?
Personally I'm a great lover of variety. I have no problem whatsoever with a book that mixes heterosexual, gay and lesbian relationships. I've written contemporary, science fiction, paranormal, historical, interracial, multicultural, steam punk, BDSM, voyeurism, menage, gay, lesbian, suspense, mystery, even a bit of humor. I refuse to be labeled.
I think this attitude probably hurts my sales. Many readers are more cautious than I am. I guess I can understand a reluctance to spend money on a book that's different from what you've read before – but don't readers get bored?
Anyway, I'm sorry, but I'm not about to pick a genre. It's just not going to happen. But I've hit upon a possible solution to the problem of satisfying readers. Rajasthani Moon includes elements of seven different sub-genres: steam punk, shape shifter, BDSM, ménage, Bollywood, Rubenesque and multicultural. I figure that there's something for everyone!
I began writing this book as a lark, with the deliberate intention of incorporating elements of as many genres as possible. Once I'd created Cecily, Pratan and Amir, they took on a life of their own. The book flowed much more quickly than many I've written, perhaps because I'd thrown all constraints to the winds. The result is – um – can I say a bit over the top? – but I personally think it's great fun.
And now you can hold this multi-genre opus in your hot little hands! I’ve just brought out a paperback version on Amazon, which I at least find quite thrilling. Get your copy here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8CDFSZ5
You’ll find other links here: https://www.lisabetsarai.com/rajasthanimoonbook.html
2 comments:
This was the first book of yours that I read, and it convinced me that I needed to read as much of your work as possible! I'm an adventurous reader, as much as you're an adventurous writer, and I love to follow you where-ever your muse takes you. Hope more readers will join us on your journey!
Labelling books in specific genres can be daunting. I agree with you that a book shouldn’t have to conform to one or two genre labels. Sometimes books don’t fit without leaking into other genres. For me, writing and reading this type of book is more captivating than staying between the lines. Cheers to you! Congrats on the paperback format!
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