Chick Lit discussion

Hi everybody!
It seems, after speaking to a few authors and searching the net that chick lit is dead. What do you guys thinks about this? Do you feel that it's part of the past?

Well, depending how we define Chick Lit, I doubt very much it's "dead"...
But from a personal perspective, as I get older, I'm looking for a bit more substance in my reading. That might mean a more complex plot, an ending I can't predict, gritty issues, untidy solutions, or a protagonist with more on her mind than simply getting the guy. Nonetheless, stories with substance can still be told in a way that's fun to read. And I do believe, women need entertainment and escapism just as much as ever.

I agree with Pauline. I also have noticed that a lot of chick lit characteristics are now endemic in the cozy mystery genre-- most of which seem to have female protagonists. Might be a reflection of its being easier to continue one essentially chick lit story through several volumes than to start from scratch every book.

Jennifer, can you recommend a great cozy mystery to get me started in that genre? I did read one of the Number One Ladies Detective Agency novels, but that's all so far.

My favorites are Heather Webber (especially the Lucy Valentine series) who also writes as Heather Blake, Annette Blair's vintage clothing mysteries, and Cleo Coyle's coffeehouse series. If you like crafts, Amanda Lee and Elizabeth Lynn Casey both have good series out. Donna Andrews bird series is funny. Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series is hilarious!

Sorry it took so long for me to answer you-- I didn't see this until now!

Jennifer wrote: "My favorites are..."
Thanks so much! I will roam the aisles of my library and see what they have from these.

I found Carrots by Colleen Helme really good. It was also a free book on amazon.com. Not sure if it's still free though.

No! It's not dead! I highly recommend Is This All There Is? by Patricia Mann! It's so real and captivating, I couldn't put it down. If you want a glimpse inside the mind and heart of a wife, mother, and professor who is tempted to risk it all for a passionate fling with a former student, you must read this book! It doesn't glorify infidelity. In fact, it shows the devastation it causes, but it also reveals how easily it can happen, even to people who want to be decent and honest. This book not only addresses contemporary issues of marriage, parenting, and infidelity, it also delves into many other challenges women face today - struggles with food and body image, friendships, healing childhood wounds, and so much more!!! "Is This All There Is?

NOT dead at all! It's just evolved. Today's chick lit authors put more substance in their stories..no longer just about shoes and what not :)

The name has definitely changed though...you won't really see it much. Publishers are more likely to tag it as romantic comedy or light contemporary romance. It's a little harder to find these days, but the stories are out there and thriving! The humor we loved about chick lit is still there, but the main characters also deal with heavier more dramatic issues.

If you're ever interested, me and 4 other chick lit authors run a chat every Thursday night on Twitter, 8 PM EST. Use the hashtag #chicklitchat and follow us at https://twitter.com/ChickLitChatHQ. It;s tons of fun!!

Stephanie wrote: "NOT dead at all! It's just evolved...."
Thanks, Stephanie, I will try to stop by the Twitter chat.

I don't think it's dead, it's just not as spectacularly out there as it used to be, when Bridget Jones etc. created a phenomenon. That's how I see it. Now it is the era of YA paranormal romances and erotic fiction... but that doesn't mean good "plain" chick lit pieces aren't written and published :).
Also, it's harder and harder to write pieces which are exceptionally interesting or groundbreaking in this genre, most of the chick lit stuff I've read lately seems to be mediocre and something I've already read... but there ARE masterpieces which get recognition :).

Dorottya wrote: "I don't think it's dead, it's just not as spectacularly out there as it used to be, when Bridget Jones etc. created a phenomenon. That's how I see it. Now it is the era of YA paranormal romances an..."

You're so right. I think as well writers seem to find it difficult to continue the literary "fashion", by the time their book is finished no publishers might not want to touch it. Let's hope that now with the next Bridget Jones we'll get a new chance.

I do think after the few big books that came out like Bridget Jones, there were too many imitators and it got a bit boring. To me, chick lit is more than romance, it's got to be a funny story but have strong buddy elements.

Agreed. It's gotta have everything- it's gotta be funny, the main character has to have strong relationships with both friends and lovers, and there has to be drama that is more than just relationship woes.

Stephanie wrote: "Agreed. It's gotta have everything- it's gotta be funny, the main character has to have strong relationships with both friends and lovers, and there has to be drama that is more than just relations..."

Thanks for that. I'm trying to get a story together and the friendship thing didn't occur to me, at least not the importance of it.

I know this thread is a few months old now. But I agree. I don't think it's dead. I wouldn't necessarily say that it's always labelled as "Chick-Lit". Some prefer "Comedic Women's Fiction" from what I hear. In any case, I don't think it's dead. I just think the cycle of when it was the "It" genre (the of Bridget Jones, Something Borrowed, and etc.) has passed for a bit but it will probably come back again soon. It may already be back if you count some of the more erotic stories that have gotten popular recently.

I agree chick lot isn't dead because I still have many friends including myself who enjoy some fun times reading or re-reading these types of books. They my be a little erotic or overly romantic but still chick lot to me. :)

Definitely not dead! I love it. :)

It's actually more alive than ever! I know a lot of people who are loyal chick lit fans. And I also know many other who prefer other genres, yet they love Kinsella, or Ahern, or Giffin. So they may not be the biggest fans, but yes..they enjoy chick lit occasionally. Which brings me to the question of this thread - Nope it's not dead.:)

I absolutely agree that chick lit is not dead. And there are many numerous authors besides Kinsella, Giffin and Weiner who write it and write it well. All readers need to do is search "chick lit" in the Kindle store to find well-reviewed chick lit authors such as Cat Lavoie, Tracie Banister, Samantha Stroh Bailey, Rachel Shurig, Lindsey Kelk and many more. I think the challenges lesser known authors in the genre have is that most of our books are available online but not in actual book stores. I have read books by all of the authors above and they are fabulous. Chick lit lovers should really check them out - they are cheap too :)