How to Select a Genre for a Romance Novel

According to Sheri McGregor, author of "Under One Roof" (September 2000), "The term 'romance' encompasses a wide variety of fiction with one thing in common: a central relationship which is crucial to the story. Choosing a genre within romance means knowing what type of romances are on the market, and where yours fits."

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer Desks
• Desk Chairs
• Desk Lamps
• Library Cards
• Laptop Computer

1. Read romances in different genres. Try to understand where the story you have to tell fits.

2. Write to a word count to fits a genre and category. Shorter works are called series romances; longer works are called single-title romances.

3. Coordinate length to genre. There are short 50,000- to 60,000-word sweet romances, ones of about the same length that are meant for a younger crowd and include sex, and very racy ones that run about 65,000 to 70,000 words.

4. Tailor a romantic suspense novel to fall into the 70,000- to 75,000-word range.

5. Think in terms of a single-title romance if you find your tale spinning out to 100,000 words and comprising mainstream elements.

6. Consider the elements of your story, theme and setting to determine your romance novel's subgenre - contemporary, historical or regency, inspirational, paranormal or time-travel, or suspense.

Tips & Warnings

• "Knowing what genre of romance your own manuscript fits into gives you an edge to get your work published," McGregor says.
• Read in the genre in which you plan to write. "The best tip I can give here is read," emphasizes McGregor. "Then check the Harlequin, Silhouette and Kensington publishing lines to see where your story might fit."
• "Sending a manuscript that is completely inappropriate spells amateur in a big way," McGregor says. "So, we're back to the following mantra: Know your market!"