LAB TASK: Genre Brochure
Writing is a business. Books are published, not only because they're good for you, are beautifully written, or introduce you to human characters, events, and culture, but also because they sell. Publishers count on readers to consume books. It's all about the $, and less about the art. But it is also an art.
The first thing we should consider as writers is our reader. If we don't please our reader, we won't be able to sell a book. If we can't sell a book, we aren't going to be very successful writers, etc. It's a vicious circle. But before we continue, it's a really good idea to remember this golden rule of writing.
If you don't please your audience, you don't succeed.
So let's chat a bit about our potential audiences:
There are 3 general types of readers that a writer should be aware of:
Readers also become loyal to writers. Publishers count on this to occur. Publishers count on readers to consume books. The more you like a specific author's style and writing, the more likely you will continue to buy books by this author. It's all about the $, and less about the art. But it is also an art.
In today's writing market there are a variety of genres that writers tend to write. Knowing what readers expect from these genres will help you as a writer give your audience what it wants. So let's learn about these audiences and what they expect!
LAB TASK #2: Classroom Project: Genre Brochure
Finally, before you leave today, please complete the short survey regarding genre units for this course.
Writing is a business. Books are published, not only because they're good for you, are beautifully written, or introduce you to human characters, events, and culture, but also because they sell. Publishers count on readers to consume books. It's all about the $, and less about the art. But it is also an art.
The first thing we should consider as writers is our reader. If we don't please our reader, we won't be able to sell a book. If we can't sell a book, we aren't going to be very successful writers, etc. It's a vicious circle. But before we continue, it's a really good idea to remember this golden rule of writing.
If you don't please your audience, you don't succeed.
So let's chat a bit about our potential audiences:
AUDIENCE
There are 3 general types of readers that a writer should be aware of:
- Fantasists: readers who read to escape the tediousness of ordinary life, seeking new frontiers and imaginative fiction
- Realists: readers who read about contemporary life to learn about or reinforce personal experiences
- Pragmatists: readers who read for a specific purpose--from cooking to learning history or science
Readers also become loyal to writers. Publishers count on this to occur. Publishers count on readers to consume books. The more you like a specific author's style and writing, the more likely you will continue to buy books by this author. It's all about the $, and less about the art. But it is also an art.
In today's writing market there are a variety of genres that writers tend to write. Knowing what readers expect from these genres will help you as a writer give your audience what it wants. So let's learn about these audiences and what they expect!
- General fiction: chick lit, domestic drama, sports, vampire lit, LGBT, humor, war, urban/black or minority literature, literary (melange)
- Historical fiction: romance, detective thriller, adventure, family saga, drama, multi-volume, African-American/urban
- Romance: paranormal, historical, regency, horror/gothic, LGBT, inspirational, contemporary, African-American/urban
- Mysteries and Thrillers: detectives, cozy, Christian, noir, forensic, police procedural, courtroom/legal, LGBT, historical, thriller, ghost story/paranormal, horror, spy, action
- Science Fiction: soft, hard, apocalypse, cyberpunk, feminist, comic/humor, first contact, colonization, military, time travel, steampunk, space opera, dystopian, speculative
- Fantasy: heroic, Arthurian, dark, urban, alternate history, RPG, high, science fantasy, speculative, magical-realism, fable
- Autobiography & Memoir: boot strap, political, family, celebrity, travel, survival, extraordinary lives, confession/conversion, spiritual memoir, writer's memoir, new journalism
- Literary Fiction: any of the above, but with better writing quality, skill, and attention to craft
- Children's/Young Adult: any of the above, usually with more fantasy or realist elements
LAB TASK #2: Classroom Project: Genre Brochure
- Choose one of the genres in bold above--check the subcategories so that you know what you're getting into
- You will be expected to create a brochure for your chosen genre to promote the genre to a fantasist, realist, or pragmatist reader.
- Take a look at the questions bulleted below. You will want to be able to answer these questions in your brochure.
- In Microsoft Word, from the FILE menu, please select New From Template.
- Choose BROCHURE as a template. Select one you like. Create only a 6 panel brochure (not an 8 panel one or half page).
- Create a brochure about your chosen genre by following the steps below. Be creative. Play around with design and how you present the information in a clear and creative way. You may use graphics and lists to provide answers to these questions:
1. Describe this genre. What is it?NOTE: Brochures should not have too much text--they should use graphics and pictures to get information across. Big concepts (like subgenres) can be listed, as opposed to painstakingly explained. Write your notes in your journal (double dipping!) and organize your notes to select only the most important information about your chosen genre in the brochure! More tips on the way. The brochure project is not due yet.
2. Who is the target reader (a fantasist, a realist, a pragmatist, or what combination?)
3. What are some expectations a reader of this genre might expect?
4. What are some categories of this genre? AND what are the expectations a reader might expect from this genre?
5. Examples of some popular or famous books or films that fit this genre; and/or examples of authors who write in this type of genre.
Finally, before you leave today, please complete the short survey regarding genre units for this course.
HOMEWORK: None.
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