Knowing your Book's Genre

In our second episode of the Story Savvy series, we cover self-editing tips for authors, including how to know your genre, recognize different book genres, and avoid common genre mistakes. Rebecca, developmental editor, founder, and host of Hart Bound Editing [http://hartboundediting.com], joins forces with Agnes Wolfe, host and founder of Authors' Alcove [http://authorsalcove.com] in this second episode of the 52-week Story Savvy series, offering practical advice to help authors improve their manuscripts and meet reader expectations.
In this episode, Agnes Wolfe, an aspiring author, asks important questions about choosing the right book genre and how understanding genre affects story structure, tone, and audience engagement. The conversation covers tips on avoiding genre mistakes to avoid and ensuring your story lands with the right readers.
Rebecca’s Recommended Resources:
Story Grid Clover - Download this guide to help you identify your genre: https://storygrid.com/books/story-grid-genre-five-leaf-clover/
Amazon Best Seller List - Amazon’s list of genres and subgenres will help you pinpoint your manuscript’s genre and subgenre as well as see comparable books already listed in each category: https://www.amazon.com/best-sellers-books-Amazon/zgbs/books/ref=zg_bs_unv_books_1_86_1
Developmental Editing Services - Ready for the next step? Rebecca gives expert feedback on your manuscript: https//hartboundediting.com
Have questions about self-editing your work? Place them in the comments, and we will be sure to answer them in future episodes!

Questions Covered in This Episode
[00:00] Intro
[01:04] Why is it Important to Know Your Genre?
[01:55] What is Genre
[03:42] What is a Subgenre
[04:57] Is There a List of Genres
[07:03] What are the Conventions of Fantasy
[08:08] Can my Book Fall Under Several Different Genres
[09:27] How Can I Check that I Made the Right Genre Choice
[10:12] What Happens if We Label Our Book the Wrong Genre
[13:01] Does Genre Always Matter?
[14:13] What Are the Expectations for All Fantasy Books