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The Obscurity of the Label: Women’s Fiction, Episode 25
Description
In 2022, Publisher’s Marketplace announced its decision to retire the term “Women’s Fiction” as a genre because they “aim not to presume or define a book’s audience, or categorize books, by gender.” In this episode, we’ll take a look at the effects of their decision, its implications and the status of “Women’s Fiction” as a genre today.
SHOW NOTES:
Women’s Fiction Writers Association definition of Women’s Fiction: “layered stories in which the plot is driven by the main character’s emotional journey.”
How we define Women’s Fiction as writers
Criticism of “Women’s Fiction”:
“Arbitrary” “Sexist” “Limited” “Perpetuates stereotypes” “Too Broad”
Gender stereotyping
Marginalizing women
The problem with retiring “Women’s Fiction”
Genre Characteristics:
Audience
Issues
Authors
Exceptions:
Men writing women’s fiction
Women writing women’s fiction with male protagonists
Genre Label Confusion/Misconceptions:
Writing Style: Commercial, upmarket, literary
Commercial: plot-driven, fast paced, trope-based
Literary: slowed-pace, character-driven, elevated prose, depth of characterization, layered themes and motifs
Upmarket: contains elements of both
Timeframe: Historical, Contemporary, or a blend
Target Audience: children, YA, adult..
Type: paranormal, dystopian, western, romance…
Where does Women’s Fiction fit?
SOURCES & LINKS:
Women’s Fiction Writers Association
Publishers Marketplace
“Embracing the Women’s Fiction Genre Label” By Orly Konig, the founding president of WFWA
“Genre and Gender: Grappling With the Awkward Question of ‘Women’s’ Fiction,” Writer Unboxed, by Barbara Linn Probst
“What Do We Really Mean By ‘Women’s Fiction’?” Lit Hub, by Rachel Howard
“Genre Guide: Women’s Fiction, Upmarket, Romance, Literary…?” by Lidija Hilje
Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.
Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com
Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/
Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com
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