Science Fiction Romance is a tough sell. I think I knew that before I started marketing, but now it's been reinforced. Agents seem focused on fantasy, fantasy, fantasy. Now, I love a good fantasy as much as the next person, but it would seem that, eventually, readers would tire of all those vampires, demons and werewolves and start craving something a little more...uh, technologically enhanced?
Think it's just me? No, I know that's not true.
The point of this post (and I do have one) is that occasionally, as I comb through websites hoping to glean tidbits on agent's interests and book sales, I stumble across a kindred soul--a fellow Sci Fi Rom writer or fan.
And occasionally, they find me first.
Such is the case with The Galaxy Express, a gorgeous blog that, like this one, promotes Sci Fi Rom (Science Fiction Romance, Romantic Science Fiction, Futuristic Romance and Speculative Romance). There are also tons of terrific links, including a list of SciFiRom authors by the decade where they came to prominence. I'm sure it took Heather a lot of time and effort to compile this comprehensive list, and it's a wonderful thing.
Check it out here: http://thegalaxyexpress.blogspot.com/
Another I found is the Science Fiction Romance Fan blog now listed under the My Favorite Martians links. I was delighted to see Spacefreighters already included in her link list. Yeah, we Sci Fi Rom lovers have to stick together. I think we need to network...or a network...or something along those lines. Maybe we should hire a lobbyist. Oh wait. That's politics. Nope, don't wanna go there.
Hi, Laurie! You have my undying thanks for such an eloquent post about TGE. I’m honored by your kind reciprocation.
ReplyDeleteI think that SFR is a tough sell the way SF has always been a tough sell. Niche market issue. It seems to thrive and yet not thrive at the same time.
Even Hollywood seems confused about SF/SFR. Either it churns out the mega-blockbusters or the Roger Corman slapdashery (qualifier: I’m also a Roger Corman fan!). Films like Firefly are an exception. Imho.
I like to daydream about SFR stories that I read and watch. I like to talk about them. So do many other people, and that’s why I created TGE. I hoped that by adding my voice to the mix the battle cry can grow louder.
There’s a lot of great stuff on the shelves, but why can’t there be more? We’re voracious readers and like you said, we’d be thrilled with the same variety available in the paranormal genre.
That’s not too much to ask, is it? Lol!
At any rate, let’s keep talking and buying the books—the agents and editors will come around.
Hi Heather. Thanks for stopping by to comment. As I mentioned in my post, I'm very impressed with your blog, and, of course, it's purpose. :)
ReplyDeleteI think two of the best ways we can build our subgenre are 1) network, and 2) support authors like Susan Grant and Linnea Sinclair (et al), as well as debut authors. Buy their books, write reveiws, discuss the stories, and let the readers know the books are out there.
Oh, yeah, the Galaxy Express is great. The links are awesome! Thanks for the new blog link. I'll go check it out.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm suprised that SFR is shunned in favor of FR. I mean, there's a lot of FR, so wouldn't readers want something with a bit of a different spin?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you guys found each other!
Thanks, Angela. Personally, I think it's all about overcoming assumptions. Before, people believed Science Fiction was a genre for geeks and intellects, and women weren't interested in physics, science, and possible futures. That's simply not true. I cut my teeth on SciFi as a teenager when I joined the Science Fiction Book Club, as a lot of my friends did. Later, I got hooked on Romance. It was a natural for me to combine the two into stories with cool technology, futuristic settings, and emotional conflict where love is the greatest "Force" in the universe. It's Science Fiction with a "focus on the characters, not the contraptions." [My trademark phrase.] :)
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very exciting time for SciFiRom writers.
Laurie, Heather just e-mailed me and told me about your two blogs. I have been reading and they are great. I am 3/4 of the way through my Science Fiction Romance manuscript and it is wonderful to know that there are others out there in space who LOVE the same thing that I do. Come visit me. My blog is no where as sophisticated as yours and Heather's, but I am having fun.
ReplyDeleteFrances
Writing Science Fiction Romance
Real Love in a Real Future
http://frances-writes.blogspot.com/
Frances, I'm there! Thanks so much for your post.
ReplyDelete