Happy Insecure Writer’s Support Group, everyone! I missed last month’s post. I think I need to set myself a calendar reminder just so I stop forgetting. *sigh*
It’s been a strong couple months of editing, adding, shifting, and cutting. Apparently my main relationship needs some work, so I’ve been tweaking things, trying to help the development along. I even added a chapter and moved the declaration of love to later. Hopefully it helps. I won’t know for another month and a half, when a couple of Critique Circle partners reach that point in the story.
At the moment, I’m trying to figure out my market. I’ve always called this series epic fantasy, because it’s a 5-book overarching plot with multiple POVs and world-ending dilemmas. But it’s also portal/isekai fantasy, romantic (not romantasy), and a strong slant toward humor. The truth is, I don’t have clear lanes. Maybe people who like Dungeon Crawler Carl might like my humor and the adapting to a new world. Maybe people who like T Kingfisher’s paladin romance series might like it. Of course, those don’t really qualify as epic fantasy, but would readers of Sanderson enjoy my non-serious style? Probably not.
I am debating if I want to try my hand at Royal Road. I have a full book written, so I could use RR as another source of readers. Isekai is among the popular genres, though my book doesn’t count as LitRPG, so I am at a disadvantage there. But I think my work might find some interested parties, and perhaps get some more beta-reads prior to release on sales channels. I’m not aiming for traditional publishing, so I’m not worried about the whole “already published” concern that comes with that.
IWSG Question of the Month – Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.) or do they hit from all over the place?
Most of my story ideas have been with me so long that I no longer know where they originated. Though, I will admit heavy influence from my anime days, back when I was 15.
Do you know your market? Have you ever tried Royal Road? Have you been forgetful like me?
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I have faith that you’ll find your target audience.
Our readers are out there somewhere. You’ll find them, and they’ll find you, no worries! 🙂
I still don’t know who my readers are, but I keep publishing books. Probably doesn’t help that I keep changing genres. 😛
I like fantasy that doesn’t take itself seriously. I can’t read “serious” fantasy anymore, it’s just… yeah. At the same time I wasn’t a big fan of Dungeon Crawler Carl (though that was obviously just me, considering it’s current popularity). There are better LitRPG books out there, especially if you want to delve into Manga.
I love genre benders, but it sounds in line with Hitchikers Guide. If that’s the case, go with it. It sounds like it could be a really fun series.
I still don’t know who I’m writing most of my books for. I guess weirdos like me 😛
Losing track of where stories come from is not uncommon. I have to write down those “inspirational” moments if I want to keep them in my head. Like Crystal said, “genre benders” are exciting.
I definitely don’t know my market. People who like reading about overly sarcastic human disasters doing incredibly dumb things? 😀
I’ve heard of Royal Road, but I don’t really know anything about it. I’m pretty sure a local author acquaintance of mine has been playing around with it, though.
Oh, anime! That could be an amazing source of inspiration.
I never knew about Royal Road before. Now, after your post, I googled it. I think I want to explore it.
Finding the right genre is difficult. I never knew mine was space opera until I began submitting it.
Royal Road has a lot of RPG – I like it!
I’ve never heard of Royal Road!
Not all books fit neatly into the current categories. Have you thought of making up your own? Just as a way to explain it rather than for marketing purposes.
Hi, Loni. I write for me. Maybe that’s why I’m not a best-selling author. 😂. Good luck for you as you look for your market!
Finding our readers. I have trouble with this as well. All the luck with this, Loni. Stay strong!
Yay for anime as inspiration! I may attempt a Fairy Tail inspired story someday because I LOVE the magical guild world.
I have not heard of Royal Road. Mine was clear cut urban fantasy. I do have others that mill around in different places. Sometimes it’s about hitting the more specialized niche to hone in your readers. The bigger umbrellas, books get lost. And as long as it hits all the marks, your good.
And you can always move markets afterwards… 😉
I struggle with knowing my market, and my books are definitely genre-benders because those are the books I enjoy most. Books that follow strict genre conventions often feel flat to me. I may enjoy them in the moment, but they don’t stick with me. I try to write the kind of book I love to read, but then I struggle to find comps, let alone an agent.
I hope you’re able to find the right audience for yours.