Genre Confusion

Hey Readers,

When I first started writing, I thought genre would be easy. Romance, right?

Not so easy. Some editors suggested I’d need to refine that. Well, ok. Spicy romance, right?

Then some editors said spicy romance is not really a genre, and that romance with explicit sex probably falls into erotica. Hmmm, erotica, really? So, I read some erotica. OMG. I’m not writing that. There must be a middle ground, so I kept looking.

And, discovered that Goodreads puts all romance with explicit sex into erotic romance. Well, ok. That’s where I seem to be right now.

But, as I check my daily Bookbub erotic romance selections, I’m constantly amazed at the breadth of the genre. Fifty Shades of Grey really changed the landscape. Domination, S&M, vampires, fantasy, paranormal, Sci-Fi, young adult, historical, contemporary, and spiritual romance. Wow, lots going on in the genre. And, what is the dividing line between erotic romance and erotica? Or, are they one and the same?

I once went into an adult toy store and was studying some mind-boggling gear. A sales associate walked up, saw my bewilderment, and said, “You’d be surprised what folks are doing out there.” I chuckled, and wandered away. Yup, whatever floats your boat.

So, right now, officially I’m in erotic romance. Well, I guess. I still think its spicy romance. I’d love to hear what you think?

Cheers,

Kris