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Is contemporary fantasy a common genre?
Steph King
Posted: Tuesday, July 5, 2011 10:19 AM
Joined: 4/29/2011
Posts: 2


Having used the book country map (love it!) to pin the genre of my WIP down to contemporary fantasy, that was the genre I put down when I did a query workshop recently.

However, one of the feedback comments I got was: So, urban fantasy? Like xxx author?

I am wondering from that, how widely known/accepted contemporary fantasy is as a genre. Is it safer to describe a contemporary fantasy as urban fantasy despite its rural setting and lack of noir elements/female kickassitude?


Robert C Roman
Posted: Wednesday, July 6, 2011 6:21 PM
Joined: 3/12/2011
Posts: 376


It might be easier to market, but you might get backlash.

Then again, I have seen a small press publisher put out a "Rural Fantasy" anthology recently, and it's doing well, so...
stephmcgee
Posted: Thursday, July 7, 2011 3:34 AM
Joined: 3/13/2011
Posts: 244


If you're doubting whether it's contemporary or urban, I think it's safer to err on the side of contemporary. One of the biggest identifiers that I've encountered is that in urban, the city is as much a character as the actual characters. Sure there are other elements, but yeah.