04 May 2008

What's Hot in Genre Fiction?

There's been an interesting discussion on the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer's loop, responding the the question: "What's hot in Genre Fiction?"

Here's what Carol Berg, high fantasy author extraordinaire and Electric Spec interviewee had to say about it:

"In fantasy, urban fantasy (contemporary world with "extras" like
vampires, werewolves, and so forth) is still hot, despite frequent
reports of "vampire fatigue." My editor says that they can put a new
author in urban fantasy and the books will still be snapped up. Times
are tougher for new authors in traditional/heroic/epic fantasy, and yet
two of the most acclaimed new authors in fantasy are traditional fantasy
writers - Naomi Novik, who already has a Peter Jackson movie deal for
Temeraire, and Patrick Rothfuss."

Rothfuss has one book out, called The Name of the Wind. I read it when it first came out and I thought it was excellent. I know a lot of non-genre readers who loved the book as well. I'll have to head to the library and pick up a Novik book now.

3 comments:

Jen said...

I have felt completely bored with the vampire books out and have been drawn to "alternative" fantasy fiction more and more - but sometimes the classic variety still draws me in. Rothfuss' "Name of the Wind" is not one I'd heard of - will be checking it out.
~butterflynymph of http://womenfantasybooks.blogspot.com/

lesleylsmith said...

I only just got into urban fantasy this year, so I still love it! :)

ssas said...

Thank you, yes, I'm bored with vampires and werewolves as well. (No offense to some of my extremely successful vampire writer friends!) But urban fantasy is still hot, and I'd love to see more of it at Espec.

betsy