The Para Normals discussion

My books and short stories are off the beaten path, and I tend to read books that also stray from mainstream horror/paranormal. I write and read "quiet horror" and that's a very small sub-genre. Creatively, as a writer, I think it's good to be different but marketing/promoting a book that doesn't fit neatly in the publisher's world as they dictate is a huge challenge.

Debra wrote: "

Sarah's Shadows gets great reviews, and publishers call it detailed, interesting, and entertaining, but it is too different for them! It gets 5 star reviews an..."
Hi Debra,
You may have some luck with the smaller publishers, who are more willing to sign up multi-genre stories and their authors.

I've been told that readers are now yearning for that very thing, but the big publishers are unwilling to take the risk.

Debra wrote: "

Sarah's Shadows gets great reviews, and publishers call it detailed, interesting, and entertaining, but it is too different for them! It gets 5 star reviews an..."

Delighted you have set this group up Debra.

I think traditional publishers will have to change their outlook because sales statistics are the true test of the appeal of a book's subject matter to the public. Only a few years back I was told that romance and crime didn't go together and that seems to have changed judging by some of the books being published... The only way to go is forward!

Debra wrote: "Paula, so true. How to market it in a sentence or two is the hardest! Especially when combining a couple genre's. Post your links Paula, so people can find you."

Debra, shall we post our links to our books in the General Discussion thread or do you want to start a specific thread for book or blog links?

Here's an interesting discussion online at Writer UnBoxed about publishing. Therese, the blogger, is asking "If you had the opportunity to talk directly to folks in publishing, and be heard, what would you want to say? What works in traditional publishing today? What’s fractured or broken or lost? And most importantly, if something isn’t working, what might be done to fix it?"

http://writerunboxed.com/2014/04/01/d...

Okay so my books are a bit different too, I'll definitely read the books posted by the others members. Also, one of my books is available free over the weekend on Amazon. Reviews will be appreciated!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJYO7N4

Just thought I'd put this out there. I've come across an odd category called "visionary fiction" or "metaphysical fiction." My novels, The Dazzling Darkness or Night Sea Journey, A Tale of the Supernatural may or may not fit into it, but I'm investigating to see what this subgenre is. Might be worth a look-see.

http://visionaryfictionalliance.wordp...

Forgive me M.S., but I don't get your comment. Who are the Pleiadians? Visionary Fiction does deal with spirituality. Are you referring to them as aliens? Just asking here.

Thank you. And their message is what exactly?

This Visionary Fiction site seems to be focused on enlightenment of the spirit. It's not religious in the traditional sense, which is why I'm not sure my book would fit their category. My books have a very liberal Christian element (not "Christian fiction" at all by that standard). And I'm thinking The Dazzling Darkness does not fit but it does have enlightenment through a quartz crystal skull. Night Sea Journey has a rebel Catholic priest who defies the authorities so that again goes beyond Christian traditions.

Cyma wrote: "Okay so my books are a bit different too, I'll definitely read the books posted by the others members. Also, one of my books is available free over the weekend on Amazon. Reviews will be appreciate..."

Welcome aboard Cyma and best of luck with your book!

Not sure if anyone is interested in a Ghost/Paranormal Romance. My book, Wanted:One Ghost is just that, a little history, mystery, suspense, ghostly characters, metaphysics and a bit of spiciness.

Contact me at my author site if you are interested. The sequel, Distilled Spirits will be out Dec. 15.Loni Lynne

That's fantastic. Congratulations. Mary