WRITING ACROSS THE GENRES, a blessing or a curse - by Vijaya Schartz

I write romantic fiction across the board, from early medieval fantasy novels to contemporary romantic suspense, to paranormal and shape shifters, to futuristic romance and speculative science fiction. And while finding publishers for all these stories, I kept the same name. I didn’t want to divide my readership.

Besides, maintaining several identities like many of my author friends do, is time consuming and costly. I wanted to believe that my loyal readers would cross the genre lines and appreciate all my stories, whether the setting was contemporary, historical or futuristic.

Through all these genres, I found many common threads in my work: Lots of action, smart plots, great villains, strong heroines, guns, swords or blasters, and of course sizzling romance. I thought it would be enough to make my readers try something different. I was wrong.

Now that my new Curse of the Lost Isle medieval fantasy series started, I realize that, although many new readers flock to this series, they only buy these particular books. Similarly, few of my romantic science fiction fans are crossing the line. I still have to advertise my futuristic romance separately from my medieval series, have to maintain different blogs for each genre, etc.

I only have one official website and one Facebook fan page, and I still hope that it will help my readers discover my other books and warm up to a new genre. But it seems readers know what they like and are not eager to try anything unfamiliar, even when you offer a story for free.

I observed that the authors who limit themselves to a narrow niche, especially erotic romance, are more successful in their marketing efforts at reaching their specific audience. But I made my choice long ago, and I’m sticking to it.

In conclusion, writing across the genres might be considered as a curse, but for me it’s also a blessing. I would not want to write in the same particular genre or subgenre for the rest of my writing career. I like variety in life and on the page. So I’ll keep writing the stories of my heart and keep hoping that my readers will eventually learn to like all the facets of my imagination. Because despite the variety, I believe I found my personal style, and it is branded in everything I write.

Vijaya Schartz

Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick

http://www.vijayaschartz.com

Vijaya's books on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz

VIJAYA’S BIO:

Born in France, award-winning author Vijaya Schartz never conformed to anything and could never refuse a challenge. She likes action and exotic settings, in life and on the page. She traveled the world and claims to also travel through time, as she writes with the same ease about the future and the far away past. Her books collected many five star reviews and literary awards. She makes you believe you actually lived these extraordinary adventures among her characters. Her stories have been compared to Indiana Jones with sizzling romance. So, go ahead, dare to experience the magic, and she will keep you entranced, turning the pages until the last line.

Blurb CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE:

From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret... but if the Church ever suspects what they really are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake.