Tag: Literature

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

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

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?

What Does Bob Dylan’s Nobel Peace Prize Mean for Other Songwriters?

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

brown and black cut away acoustic guitar
Photo by Jessica Lewis on Pexels.com

Since Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature last week, there’s been a debate among literary artists whether songwriters should be considered for such a high honor. After all, critics say, the prize is for the best works of literature, not songwriting.

Jodi Picoult, author of several novels including My Sister’s Keeper, tweeted “I’m happy for Bob Dylan, but #ButDoesThisMeanICanWinaGrammy?” Critics argue that giving the award to a songwriter weakens the meaningfulness of the award, according to the New York Times.

Meanwhile, other best-selling authors such as Joyce Carol Oates and Stephen King praised the move.

That begs the question: can song lyrics be considered poetry or literature in the same vein as, say, T.S. Eliot? Yes, when those lyrics can stand alone without music, say supporters.

Clearly, Dylan’s body of work falls into that category, like this section from Mr. Tambourine Man. (“Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind/Down the foggy ruins of time/Far past the frozen leaves/The haunted frightened trees/Out to the windy bench/Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow). Certainly, Dylan’s lyrics in protest songs like “The Times They Are A-Changin” and “Blowin’ in the Wind” have struck a chord with the American public.

By naming Bob Dylan the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, does that open the door for other songwriters to be considered for this honor? If Dylan can receive the Nobel Peace Prize, why not Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Arlo Guthrie or Joan Baez?

Perhaps it is time for the Swedish Academy, which awards the Nobel Peace Prize every year, to begin awarding a prize for the arts, to honor the best works in theater, dance, art and music. What a radical idea, almost as radical as Bob Dylan himself.