What Is a Hybrid Genre, and Should You Write One?

In a recent issue of Novel Suspects, the weekly newsletter from Simon & Schuster featuring mystery and thriller releases, a contributor wrote about a unique hybrid genre: mystery and humor. 

Who doesn’t like a little humor with their murder and mayhem, right?

At first glance, combining mystery and humor wouldn’t seem to work well together. But they can and they do, judging from the list of titles the writer included as examples, such as Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano and Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack. (That title alone makes me laugh out loud.).

That got me thinking about all the other hybrid genres I’ve come across in my reading. I was practically weaned on romantic suspense which has been around for decades, popularized by Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney. Their books evolved from gothic romance novels of the early 20th century.

Other hybrids have become popular, such as paranormal romance, historical mystery and romantasy, combining romance and fantasy.

Genre blending works by combining key elements, tropes and conventions that you’d find in each genre. Hybrids act as a gateway to new reading experiences. Readers who might not pick up a book in the fantasy genre might be inclined to read one when it’s combined with a little bit of romance. 

It’s become popular because hybrids cater to different reading tastes. It allows authors to experiment and explore complex themes, characters and world-building. Hybrids, because of their combined genres, can be promoted to wider audiences too, create more buzz and attract media attention. Once readers learn about these titles, word of mouth through social media is also possible. Here’s a great piece about hybrids at the Dabble blog.

So what blended genres are hitting the bookshelves these days?

• Science fiction and romance  (They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera)
  
• Cozy fantasy  (Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree)
  
• Historical horror (Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia)
  
• Humor and mystery  (Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano)
  
• Romantic fantasy (A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas)

I’m sure there are others I’ve missed. Do you have a favorite hybrid genre that you like to read? Is there one you’d like to see more of on bookstore shelves? Would you consider writing one?