Genre Mashing Or Genre Reinvention?

In the last few years, there have been lots of Science Fiction and Fantasy publications that also fit into subgenres, or subcategories, created by the blending of established genres. For example, we now have historical fantasy, scientific fantasy, steampunk, space opera, urban fantasy, and the emerging suburban fantasy (which places magic and mythology in rural areas among middle class humans). There don’t seem to be many “straightforward” speculative fiction releases lately.

Some readers find these crossovers and combinations a little daunting; honestly, so do some writers. How do we know for sure what we’re writing or reading? Is it enough anymore to say, “My fantasy novel” when describing our work?

And are all these “mashups”, well…necessary?

Expanding the content and topics we explore in our preferred genre sounds great to most writers, and to many readers. Does every additional element really require its own subcategory?

My views on this topic are kind of cut and dry: I don’t actually see a purpose in calling a novel “the latest steampunk-space-opera-dystopian-fairytale-retelling-cyborg-romance”. It takes up too much room on the cover. And it can make things a bit too complicated for our audience. How about we stick to “a sci-fi twist on the classic fairytale”? Behind that simple sentence can be a wonderfully deep and intricate plot awaiting discovery.

I look at it not so much as “genre mashup” as “genre reinvention.”

One of the best things about writing speculative fiction is getting to bend the rules – our characters can travel to far-flung corners of the galaxy in the 23^rd century, or back in time to a land where dragons and unicorns exist and chivalry is not dead. Taking a leap into the realm of exploring an actual mortal colony on Neptune, or what would happen if dragons turned up in Seattle tomorrow, feels to me a pretty natural extension of what sci-fi and fantasy authors already do.

No reason to qualify or quantify it further.

The only major complaint I’ve had with being a SFF reader and writer for most of my life is the somewhat restrictive natures of the genres. Sci-fi tended to be limited to the future, outer space, and aliens. Fantasy was either King Arthur and Lord of the Rings, or ghosts, gouls, vampires and werewolves. The thing I like about authors consciously, deliberately expanding the genres – or, reinventing them – is that now we have so much more to choose from, to enjoy, to mull over during and after reading. As an author, I’ve been very inspired by fellow word-crafters who aren’t satisfied with sticking to the “same old, same old.”

Broadening our horizons – while still keeping to a few words of description on book covers – can make a big difference in how our products are marketed, too. When we’re in a mixed group and admit to writing speculative fiction, there’s usually at least one dismissive, eye-rolling response. Unfortunately, too many readers still associate the genres of sci-fi and fantasy with writers who have their heads in the clouds and refuse to accept reality. In 2019, it seems that we can increase our audience by trumpeting the other aspects of our work first. For my own fantasy series, I also stress to potential readers that my plots contain strong, healthy family dynamics, loyalty to friends or a shared cause, forging new connections, and forgiving well-intentioned but bad decisions made by loved ones. Oh, yeah, there are fairies and shapeshifters, too.

It’s a personal preference, but I don’t want to be seen as “just a fantasy author.” I want to be recognized as an author who writes poignant, humorous, entertaining stories…that happen to fall into the wider genre of fantasy.

If I happen to re-invent the broader classifications while I’m at it…well, that does make me happy.

Self-published author and blogger Daley Downing is also a stay at home parent, autistic adult, ballet teacher, and cat lover. She spends her days writing the YA fantasy series “The Order of the Twelve Tribes,” and wrangling special needs children.