I’ve only ever written in one particular genre. I have an audience built there, a decent backlist, and a few ideas for future books. But I just recently got an idea for a story in an entirely different genre—one that I don’t even know I’ll continue past this book. Do I write the new idea or stick with what I know?
Pestered by a Plot Bunny
Dearest Plot Bunny,
The temptation of an off-brand manuscript is exciting but risky, like swapping sleek style for avant-garde fashion on a whim. Do you take the plunge or stick to familiar fashions? Let’s review strategies to craft your author couture.
First, consider your devoted audience. Passion projects outside your audience’s expectations require extra strategy. Will a singular stylistic experiment dilute your hard-earned readership? Will fans of your signature look embrace radical style shifts? Genre pivots may leave loyalists feeling out of fashion.
Is your new genre outside of the broader interests of your current readership? If so, consider pen names to keep your brand distinct, like Nora Roberts separating J.D. Robb thrills from her Romance catalog or Anne Rice crediting her Sleeping Beauty Erotica series to the pseudonym A.N. Roquelaure, thereby keeping styles separate.
Growth requires expanding horizons, I hear you cry! I agree. As Emerson said, “All life is an experiment.” However, I urge you to listen carefully to your favorite writing auntie. Yes, it is important to follow your creative bliss, but from a business stance, I suggest you do so in moderation. Ease into new genres subtly, accessorizing with familiar elements. Infuse expected flavors to make surprises wearable. And above all, limit your vanity writing to time you can afford without losing momentum on the primary projects your fans crave. Find a sustainable work-life—or rather business head-creative muse—balance.
Balance is crucial. Sketch a career plan before you pivot patterns. Can your workroom handle multiple creative lines? Limit works-in-progress so you don’t lose focus. Remember, leaving signature styles untouched for too long risks fans seeking alternate providers of their much-loved staples.
As always, I suggest you track data to guide your decisions. Survey fans on their genre interests. Check sales metrics on your backlist stories. Where is reader demand trending? Lean into what sells while judiciously branching out. Beware drastic departures without a roadmap. Consider how, my dear one, after beloved satires like A Confederacy of Dunces, John Kennedy Toole tragically lost his voice attempting darker character studies. Maintain your unique creative compass.
With that warning ringing in your ears, if you do not want to have a separate pen name, set expectations by announcing your outlier endeavor as loud as you can. Subtitle new-genre stories to signpost your readers to the change, with something like “A Sci-Fi Story,” for example. Craft thoughtful messaging contextualizing how this new venture fits within your wider vision as an author. Ensure your covers are setting your readers up for the different tales inside. But above all, reassure your readers that you aren’t abandoning the genres and stories they love.
The next step, of course, is to create thoughtful social media and newsletter messages to announce your different direction. Even use your newsletter to put the call out for beta readers who may be there, lurking in the shadows. Above all, make change digestible.
So yes, my little fashionista, dress your spirit! But evolve strategically, not through blind impulse. Passion projects warrant extra caution to avoid derailing professional publishing plans. With mindful balancing, you can achieve enduring success! As Kafka said, “Don’t bend; don’t edit your soul according to fashion.” But evolve wisely, with an eye on your vision.
This look requires careful thought, darling one! Harmonize habits and adventurousness, and you’ll be a timeless couturier.
Happy writing,
Indie Annie
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