tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post3176034581027194227..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Literary thrillersJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-89308689769254021722015-10-22T17:32:25.252-04:002015-10-22T17:32:25.252-04:00(lordy, had to delete twice because it connected t...(lordy, had to delete twice because it connected the wrong accounts)<br /><br />'ello, OP here. I'm not sure if it's procedure for the OP to actually comment on the answers but I gotta say THANK YOU SO MUCH you've given me a good boost of confidence put a lot of my doubts to rest! "It's sentences not story that makes a work literary or not." <- I've never thought of it that way before and I love that breakdown, it clicks really well with the way I write. Thank for the literary crime recs as well, I'll deeeeeeeeeefinitely have to be doing more reading there, I think I can say I've been reading only commercial crime now that I realise the distinction.<br /><br />I'm sorry for inspiring the literary debate here, eep. I understand where the negative opinions come from and hm pretentious or not I think I'm feeling now that I've been over-reaching trying to push that label. Anyway, after what's been said about crime agents looking for story first, and everyone else's perspectives about literary, I feel I'm much firmer in my direction now. And ha, I do have a story I promise. Let me get on that some more straight away!S--Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03982396247082448123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-31728673234116583072015-10-22T17:25:18.103-04:002015-10-22T17:25:18.103-04:00OMG! I'm cracking up reading all these comment...OMG! I'm cracking up reading all these comments - what group of creative, supportive and hysterical writers. Especially this one, "Colin, NO! No more recommending books! I've already lost the use of my legs." H! I understand. <br />I agree with most of what everyone is saying, write the story you want to write and worry about categories later. I wrote a literary thriller, but only knew that after my publisher told me and then put it in that category. I call it an accidental literary thriller. Either way, good luck. Mindy HalleckMindy Halleckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11885943408773948384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-52441507743045172462015-10-22T08:45:40.865-04:002015-10-22T08:45:40.865-04:00Somebody googled "Diane L Major" a lot y...Somebody googled "Diane L Major" a lot yesterday, including "Brother of Diane L Major" ...<br /><br />Just to clarify, since that came up here: I don't make it explicit at any point on the blog, and his real name has never appeared either. :) But a regular reader would have no trouble figuring out who he is.<br /><br />I'm reeeeeealllly squicky about my personally identifiable information online, and that of the people I know. DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20078698846204598272015-10-21T20:19:46.467-04:002015-10-21T20:19:46.467-04:00I just jumped back into this puddle. And, well, th...I just jumped back into this puddle. And, well, this belching toad has little to add to the literary hop-party of today, other than, this place and this group, is better than a plump bluebottle on the tip of this amphibian's tongue.<br /><br />You're right Colin, "it's good for life."Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59043186009773766272015-10-21T20:04:48.104-04:002015-10-21T20:04:48.104-04:00Hewing strictly to the question of whether "l...Hewing strictly to the question of whether "literary" will do anything for a query: my GENERAL instinct is that it does not. Genre is a necessary datum. Literary, I feel, would be an appropriate descriptor to include if you're querying someone who has said in an interview they're looking for literary thrillers, or whose bio blurb on their site includes literary in the list.<br /><br />Otherwise ... we've seen right here today the side-eye the term can induce. Right or wrong: if there's ANY risk of looking snobby or like you don't quite understand genre - or just if the term is not absolutely crucial to the fabric of the query - why would you want it in there? When in doubt, snip it out.<br /><br />BJ, we don't have the S on the end. But if anyone would like to give me $6M, I will build anything you like and better than before. (Just give me time to study a little). I should note that I generally DO NOT name my relatives online, even my brother, whose identity is not at all difficult to figure out if you're my stalker. But LeeLee is a nickname only. Since we're talking about a kid here, I just wanted to point that out. I get hives about personally identifiable info online, and most keenly where it comes to my nieces.DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91446841732639421732015-10-21T19:31:36.272-04:002015-10-21T19:31:36.272-04:00Glad to bring you back to Bouchercon, Colin (thoug...Glad to bring you back to Bouchercon, Colin (though sorry for derailing the topic). <br /><br />Colin's right, though. Janet and all her blog readers are good for everyone's life--inside and out of writing. <br /><br />Loving everyone's comments, especially Angie's toads.Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50139131168299918152015-10-21T18:12:23.499-04:002015-10-21T18:12:23.499-04:00Adele: I'm sorry, I hope you don't think I...Adele: I'm sorry, I hope you don't think I was attacking you for your opinions (I wasn't!). I'm just struggling to get my point across. There's a divide between readers of commercial and literary fiction that I think is unnecessary, mostly because it's so misunderstood. It's frustrating to me because there's a prejudice there that isn't seen anywhere else in fiction, and I don't think it's entirely warranted. Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05332570278984058081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70055779663940332132015-10-21T18:01:25.716-04:002015-10-21T18:01:25.716-04:00Thanks, BJ :)
To be clear, I'm not arguing wi...Thanks, BJ :)<br /><br />To be clear, I'm not arguing with anyone, and I have a lot of respect for the people in this community. I love that we can debate and share our opinions openly. To that end, it's frustrating for me to see people disregard an entire group of work based on preconceived notions--in my view, that's just as bad as the people who say literary fiction is "better." <br /><br />That's like saying I'm never going to watch anything on the History Channel because it's full of historians who are smug know-it-alls. First, that's a gross generalization. Second, that's not all the History Channel consists of. Cable channels like the Cartoon Network, the Food Channel, the Discovery Channel, etc are set up so that people looking for a specific type of programming (cartoons, food, science) can find it in one spot, but not all the shows are the same, and no one is going to like every single one.<br /><br />Similarly, categories are set up for books based on points of interest. Very generally speaking, if there's a love story, it's placed in the romance category; if there's a murder mystery, it's placed with the mysteries; if there are magical elements, the book's shelved with fantasy. This is all so people can gravitate towards the books they want to read. Literary fiction is one such category for people who want the focus to be less on the plot and more on an exploration of character and human nature. It's not better. It's not worse. It's just another point of interest so people can find the book they want to read. <br /><br />There are books within the literary fiction category I can't stand (Faulkner, I'm looking at you) and others I love. To discredit an entire category because of a label seems silly. To decide not to read it because of personal preference, on the other hand--ex. romance over mystery, fantasy over horror--is entirely valid.<br />Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05332570278984058081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91985423852978582582015-10-21T17:55:45.173-04:002015-10-21T17:55:45.173-04:00Totally off-topic, but I was reading the link Kare...Totally off-topic, but I was reading the link Karen posted above to <a href="http://allycarter.com/2012/07/a-letter-to-baby-author-me-circa-2004/" rel="nofollow">Ally Carter's "Letter to Baby Author Me"</a> and I just had to quote a line:<br /><br /><i>Some people might say that making friends with these people is going to be good for your career. It isn’t. Making friends with these people is good for your life.</i><br /><br />What this immediately made me think of was Bouchercon. Jimmy V's. That table. Terri, Patrick, Loretta, Donna, Barbara, Jim, and Janet. And then all you guys. Yes, I'm sure people would think, "Wow, with friends like that in publishing, how could you fail?" The answer: "Very easily." But that's not the point. I don't value these friends because they're good for my career. I value them, and that's all you guys too, because they're good for my life.<br /><br />OK... back to the topic. Whichever one was current, anyway... :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26131142155091631562015-10-21T17:38:51.694-04:002015-10-21T17:38:51.694-04:00Hmmm. I'm trying to be tactful here and it'...Hmmm. I'm trying to be tactful here and it's giving me a headache. Not my forte. <br /><br />I was disturbed by the questioner using the phrase "above the other thrillers." Also, I'm not sure being a "literary" writer is something you ascribe to yourself. It strikes me as something other people say about your writing. So, yeah, between those two things this writer does come across as sounding a wee bit pretentious. As others have said, concentrate on telling a good story. If that means taking out the "brooding," then take it out.<br /><br />Janet, really interesting definition of "literary" being in the sentences, not the story. I've never thought of it that way, but I'm not sure I completely agree. Of course, I've never tried to define it either. I'm hardly a literary scholar. Seems like it's both. Sentences and story.<br /><br />When I reviewed <a href="http://www.amazon.com/County-Line-Bill-Cameron-ebook/dp/B004TTHLPA/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" rel="nofollow">Bill Cameron's COUNTY LINE</a> [that's a link to the book at AMZ; go buy it], I really went back and forth about whether to say his writing was literary. It's noir, no doubt about that, but it's also the kind of writing that you just want to roll around in his words and hope some of it rubs off on you. Fantastic book. Ultimately, I decided not to mention its literary qualities. I was trying to get people to read it. I think I simply said he had an impressive command of the English language, or something similar.<br /><br />Oh! Since I have the page pulled up to link it, I can tell you exactly what I said: "I highly recommend COUNTY LINE to anyone who loves a darkly compelling story with flawed yet fascinating characters and appreciates a writer who demonstrates a commanding facility with language. Not to mention a deft hand with a dedication." I said a lot more than that, that was just how I wrapped it up. Definitely another one to add to those ever-growing TBR piles. *evil grin*<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-49499604248796269832015-10-21T17:38:21.529-04:002015-10-21T17:38:21.529-04:00Just to clarify: I did not intend to say that all ...Just to clarify: I did not intend to say that all literary novels are pretentious, narcissistic, and without plot. I said that was my opinion (ie, emotion rather than fact), which means that if you are going to get me to read your literary novel you have an uphill row to hoe. <br /><br />I regularly enjoy many authors whose books are said to be literary. If they had been advertised as such, and perhaps filed away in a special literary section of the bookstore, I would never have found them. <br /><br />What I intended to convey was: if that was my opinion then, certainly it may have been other people's opinion now. In fact I know many people who wince at the term literary, and even one writer who, when a reader said their writing was literary, said something along the lines of "You take that back". If I know people who hold these opinions, surely others do, too. That makes selling the novel just that little bit harder. I think most novelists, particularly first-timers, might not want to make it harder for their audience to find them. I also think literary is a description that is better bestowed than claimed.Adelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08790958029798438793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24396545534444047042015-10-21T16:15:11.336-04:002015-10-21T16:15:11.336-04:00That's cool, Angie. I just saw a difference of...That's cool, Angie. I just saw a difference of opinion - whether you two were arguing or not - and thought I'd just put out there that both of you were correct. :)<br /><br />Craig: It sounds like an exciting romp. And I think that an agent will see that, whatever genre you put on it. I look forward to seeing it published!BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-28566638472661508372015-10-21T15:40:53.926-04:002015-10-21T15:40:53.926-04:00If I go to the library or a bookstore I have a qua...If I go to the library or a bookstore I have a qualification for which book goes back when my arms are full. It contains the word Literary.<br /><br />For some reason I see those as books that the Literati, in their ivory towers, have approved as being LC(Literary Correct). I can see them crossing out lines in my works because they don't match the standards. You know, kind of like when southern person sees a Yankee use y'all in singular.<br /><br />B.J.: I think I have finally almost learned the technique of using a very wide brush. I might be able to stretch my query to cover where it becomes a thriller. It is thrilling before that too though. I write to entertain so tempo and pacing are big in my style. Of course, I have said that I have mastered the wide brush before.<br /><br />It is not that the mystery is solved as much as they kicked over enough rocks to find a big deal is already going down. Hence the reason the for the somewhat obscure reference near the beginning of the band of people leading all of the area's cop copters through Georgia with occasional bursts of AK-47 fire.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-28875973673157403752015-10-21T15:21:31.216-04:002015-10-21T15:21:31.216-04:00BJ, for the record. I posted my last comment and t...BJ, for the record. I posted my last comment and then when reloaded found Susan had already commented. angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43692375816133814102015-10-21T15:20:50.861-04:002015-10-21T15:20:50.861-04:00Angie - snort laughing at your description of how ...Angie - snort laughing at your description of how you sound - like "the first belch of a toad unearthed."<br /><br />The truth is we all sound like that out here to Ms. Janet's ears likely. Serenaded by toads is QOTKU. Oh my gosh. *wipes eyes*<br /><br />Anywho - I love my hard crime novel - if I can say that and not sound like a twit. I wish I could have the time to write more of that sort of book although, again, I came close to a nervous breakdown trying to get it "right." Whatever right felt like to me. <br /><br />However since the OTHER book sold, that is now the genre I need to focus on. Interestingly, at least for this conversation re: literary, it is considered upscale commercial women's fiction/Southern fiction per my editor. And so, upscale sounds less highbrow perhaps than literary but it means the same thing. (Unless QOTKU comes along and knocks me down with her dorsal fin, I'll think of it that way.)<br /><br />I love all writing if it's good. Literary, or not. I've had to have a dictionary for Cormac McCarthy's SUTREE and OUTER DARK. Those didn't set well with me because his words sometimes took me out. Yet he was able to pull me back in too. I loved the depravity and darkness of his writing - especially in CHILD OF GOD. And despite that depravity, he can make you laugh even though his characters live in a blighted, stricken world of poverty, or participate in horrendous acts.Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71437782244029687242015-10-21T14:37:13.030-04:002015-10-21T14:37:13.030-04:00I agree with both Susan and Angie.
I agree with ...I agree with both Susan and Angie. <br /><br />I agree with Susan that literature is a taste, and one's opinions of 'literary' is one's opinions. I agree that a person can enjoy literary works, and that some people don't enjoy those works.<br /><br />I agree with Angie that when people talk about literary as being 'better' than other styles, it bugs the crap out of me. 'Literary' isn't more intelligent, and isn't necessarily more intellectual. Not everyone who likes literary works is intelligent. Not everyone who doesn't like literary works is unintelligent. And 'literature' isn't just works written in a literary style. Literature is anything written and read.<br /><br />These are two different arguments going on here. Susan is arguing for literature as a 'taste'. Angie is arguing against 'literary snobs' who say literary is better. Susan is not saying literary is better, and is therefore not a literary snob. Therefore, these are two completely different arguments.<br /><br />But they both agree on one thing: Intelligent people can both like or not like literary works. Everyone has their reasons for liking or not liking such things. But that doesn't make them any less intelligent.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4965989905983718852015-10-21T14:35:08.637-04:002015-10-21T14:35:08.637-04:00Yes. Story. A trusted source told me that it's...Yes. Story. A trusted source told me that it's about STORYtelling, not StoryTELLING. <br /><br />And yes. Write the novel you want to write. <a href="http://allycarter.com/2012/07/a-letter-to-baby-author-me-circa-2004/" rel="nofollow">Ally Carter talks about this better than I ever could.</a><br /><br />And speaking of Catriona McPherson, I highly recommend her newest book,<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24586135-the-child-garden?from_search=true&search_version=service" rel="nofollow">THE CHILD GARDEN</a>, especially with a notebook in hand!Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86622180062993757732015-10-21T14:21:59.641-04:002015-10-21T14:21:59.641-04:00Yes, please don't describe your book as a mora...Yes, please don't describe your book as a morality tale. If so, Janet's going to need a bigger duvet (I'll bring cupcakes.)<br /><br />My book is straight up thriller. The undercurrent of loyalty, betrayal, and why even ask, you know you're going to back them, even if it kills you. Throw in an awkward love story between two people who talk a lot, overshare social media style, but hide their secret hearts. <br /><br />Now do you want to read about that or do you want unsolved murders, corrupt cops, high stakes dirty law, international smuggling, and a rogue motorcycle club?<br /><br />I can think of a very talented military sci-fi writer. No one will ever accuse him of being lyrical. In fact, his books drag when he tries to get all misty and allegorical. The emphasis is on hard-hitting forward-moving military-accurate action. Yet, in all of it is buried in the action is love, loyalty, duty, and the inner conflict of the warrior who has to balance violence with morality. Again, which, based on back cover text, would you want to pick up. <br /><br />Tell the story. The rest will follow. Terri<br /><br />Terri Lynn Coophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07290316565247120848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1407955670755651652015-10-21T14:05:09.838-04:002015-10-21T14:05:09.838-04:00I already said I'm a toad today so I won't...I already said I'm a toad today so I won't excuse myself for being one, typos and all. Oftentimes, IMO, me literary means I'll have to hold a dictionary in my other hand and reread every other paragraph. When the prose takes me out of the story it's fluff. I close the book and look for another. When my mum gave me <i>The Elegance Of The Hedgehog</i> and I thought I might die after the first five pages. Great voice but so painful.<br /><br />I didn't know literary crime was a genre but those are the books I like best. Good story, good prose. Of all Janet's authors Jeff Somers has seven examples of the Electric Church in the libraries of Paris. OK, they are in French. But they do have a big English collection. I think I'll go request some purchases, I know an insider. The American library of Paris doesn't list any of her clients. Hint, hint.<br /><br />E.M. nice header.<br /><br />Going on in Toad-mode. Literary gets on my nerves, the idea that only 'literary' has redeeming values to be analyzed, pul-ease. Pop culture is trash. Persepolis, the graphic novel, it's a friggin graphic novel. Disney or Pixar don't touch classical themes? <br /><br />I'll go back under my rock now.angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80547292250296096092015-10-21T14:03:53.985-04:002015-10-21T14:03:53.985-04:00Adele: I'm sorry that you had such a negative...Adele: I'm sorry that you had such a negative experience with the works your professors chose for you to read. I say this with the utmost respect because everyone is welcome to their opinion, but I think labeling all literary fiction as such is an unfair, sweeping generalization that discounts much of the fiction within that category. Having a preference is one thing because that's where personal taste and subjectivity come into play, but saying that all literary fiction is pretentious and narcissistic without a plot undermines the fact that someone does see a story in it and finds it not only interesting but valuable. <br /><br />Everyone has their own interests and preferences--I'm personally not a fan of Horror or Thrillers, preferring quieter books to high-concept, but that doesn't mean the books are bad. Clearly there's a huge market/fanbase, especially on this blog--just because I'm not the audience for it doesn't mean other people aren't. <br /><br />I'm not here to defend literary fiction or make anyone appreciate it. I'm just pointing out that it has its own purpose and reasons for classifications (and fanbase) just as much as Thrillers, Romance, Sci-Fi, etc. <br /><br />Now I can't shake the feeling that I belong on my own island somewhere. <br /><br />Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05332570278984058081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22533350714867968352015-10-21T13:29:19.767-04:002015-10-21T13:29:19.767-04:00Angie: I heard that the library episode was the mo...Angie: I heard that the library episode was the most popular episode ever shown on Twilight Zone. I think the guy just needs to wander around till he finds a blown up coke bottle... but you know me, I am always looking for a solution.<br /><br />Kelsey Hutton: definitely going to go find The Lie Tree.<br /><br />Lee Davis (Donnaeve): Go for it! BTW, I married Stephen King, does that count for anything? OK, not that one.S.D.Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05707682524268581476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29868825192988924862015-10-21T13:20:56.158-04:002015-10-21T13:20:56.158-04:00"I think the same goes for those that are cla..."I think the same goes for those that are classified as literary fiction--it's the expectation of a great story while exploring human nature and life's themes."<br /><br />Based on the literary fiction I was forced to read in university creative writing classes, I have the expectation of pretentious, narcissistic writing with no decipherable plot. That's a hard sentiment, but I wonder how many other readers think the same, and if that's the reason for the Shark's duvet-dive. <br /><br />I have found authors whose sentences I savour again and again, but any themes they have are wisely hidden. It is so much more fun if I discover a theme - maybe on the third or tenth read-through - rather than have it dished out and waved under my nose, as happens all too often with authors whose writing is consciously literary.Adelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08790958029798438793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56937385969125405372015-10-21T13:03:15.933-04:002015-10-21T13:03:15.933-04:00I wish I read BJ's comment before I posted my ...I wish I read BJ's comment before I posted my last comment. His explanation of literary helps. E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63054374213751385092015-10-21T12:59:50.601-04:002015-10-21T12:59:50.601-04:00Angie- I loved that episode of the Twilight Zone. ...Angie- I loved that episode of the Twilight Zone. It also horrified me. I do think of libraries as heaven (evil librarians aside), and I have worn glasses since the age of four. If they shattered, well...<br /><br />The literary classification does confuse me as it seems subjective. Cormac McCarthy won Pulitzer for The Road so definitely literary but also post apocalyptic, dystopian fiction. Lonesome Dove seems Western fiction to me but again Pulitizer Prize winner so literary. If ever anything was Southern fiction, it's Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. I think there is always a kind of genre apart from the literary bit, and irregardless, the author should employ all his best tools to paint his or her story and project voice as best suits the story. The literary bit will sort itself out in the end. I could be wrong, after all, I am still here in Carkoon. <br /><br />E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-41230265217044330942015-10-21T12:44:57.937-04:002015-10-21T12:44:57.937-04:00Thriller is a genre (or sub-genre, according to so...Thriller is a genre (or sub-genre, according to some).<br /><br />Literary is a style.<br /><br />OP said: "Am I just being pretentious and uppity in thinking that a few moral messages puts me above the other thrillers"<br /><br />I think what's pretentious here is the idea that a 'literary' thriller is somehow 'above' a commercial thriller.<br /><br />The 'literary-typical' elements OP mentions occur in commercial fiction, too. A lot. There are no 'literary-typical' elements. And that may be why OP is having problems deciding which way to go.<br /><br />I see the OP's question as dealing with more than just 'what genre is this?' OP is asking if it would be better to make it *more* one or the other. <br /><br />I don't think that's answerable without reading the novel. But you, OP, know your novel. What do you think? What do you like best about your novel? If there are parts you don't like, what are they, and why? Edit the book so it's the book *you* would buy if you found it on the shelf.<br /><br />As Janet said, 'literary crime' is definitely a thing. Since 'literary' is more style than genre, there's no reason you'd need to target an agent who reps 'both literary and crime'. And as Janet always says, query widely.<br /><br />EM: Last summer, at the conference in Calgary, there were a couple sessions on what's been termed 'SF noir' - and Philip K. Dick was one of the original masters they discussed. It's becoming a bit more common now. I guess Robert J. Sawyer has written one recently, too - he was on the panel.<br /><br />Also EM: 'Lee' is definitely the name to go with in any crime-related novel. However, in Fantasy, it's better to change your middle name to RR, a la George RR Martin or JRR Tolkein. (Julie Weathers has already been testing this one out...)<br /><br />Craig: Since thrillers are often considered a sub-genre of mystery, then you can call your work mystery, and it's still correct. If you get a full request, and the agent reads far enough to see that it gets exciting, do you really think they're going to care that you called it a mystery?<br /><br />A thought for Craig: If it becomes a thriller after the mystery is solved, you could add a line something along the lines of, "When Protag McTagg finds the answer, he has to prove it quick, or he'll be the next victim." Something interesting about what happens after the crime is solved. If the 'thrill' happens *before* the crime is solved, then it's still a mystery.<br /><br />Diane: LeeLee Major? Memorable. I seem to remember someone with a similar name, with only a single 'Lee'...BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.com