Breaking into Sci-Fi versus Fantasy

[Tristann_Good]

Coragem I honestly think that it will be up to what you write in the end. If you have written both sci-fi and fantasy and aren't sure what to put out there first, I would say go with your instincts. You know what out of your own work will be best for breaking through!

[Triceratops]

Originally Posted by Carro

It is the sci-fi I like the most so was wondering if there was a higher proportion of female readers on space opera as compared to hard sf.

Speaking just for myself and having written and published SF and Fantasy, but just recently space opera, I can attest to the fact that my sales rank and numbers are far greater with a female audience with the space opera setting. In fact, that is the only sub-genre my publisher will take, but I seemed to have reached far more readers of both genders, simply because I made it much more accessible to both. I do have some hard SF material in the storyline, but it is easily presented and explained, as it pertains to present-day science.

chris

[Nerds_feather]

Originally Posted by iansales

Don't write to market. By the time you've finished your magnum opus that's supposed to plug that gap you've spotted, the market has moved on. Write the best sf (or fantasy) novel you can. That's all you can do.

i think that's great advice, for a number of reasons.

one of those reasons is that something written "for market" will inevitably come off as insincere, whereas something written "from the heart and soul" will come off as authentic.

[Triceratops]

Fortunately, in SF, the plots and concepts have a great diversity and are less subject to trends and copycats. I admit to being an ambulance chaser, but it's only in the other genres. I jumped on the paranormal romance genre, for instance. Unless we're talking about vamps or werewolves in space. But it's true that what's hot today can dissolve or cool in a matter of a few years or even less.

chris

[INed]

It is the most favorite world's mislead to frame something. Literature is not the exception.
Wanna be heard - you gotta learn how to scream.
That's my point, that's what I'm doing with my book.
^.^

[Triceratops]

Originally Posted by INed

It is the most favorite world's mislead to frame something. Literature is not the exception.
Wanna be heard - you gotta learn how to scream.
That's my point, that's what I'm doing with my book.
^.^

Ha! True. But sometimes our screaming voice is drowned in the calamitous roar of the crowd. Frankly, I'm hoarse.

chris

[kaufmannp]

Originally Posted by Triceratops

Ha! True. But sometimes our screaming voice is drowned in the calamitous roar of the crowd. Frankly, I'm hoarse.

chris

It's all in the context though, isn't it? If you scream for ice cream, nobody listens.

When you scream "fire!!"...

Things can get dramatic