Welcome to this week’s blog hop. Today the topic is:
Have you experienced or witnessed genre shaming, where readers/authors degrade a genre? If so, how do you deal with it?
People all have different preferences when it comes to reading genres, and as an author I too prefer to write (and also read) in certain genres. I’m a realist, and enjoy writing about real-life situations. If there’s a true story or a fantasy novel to choose from for my bedtime reading, it’s a cert that I’ll pick the former.
However, that doesn’t mean that fantasy stories are not entertaining. They are, for those who prefer to read them over say, women’s fiction, crime, thrillers or romance novels. Readers and authors should not denigrate those genres they dislike, but unfortunately some of them do. An author who has taken time and trouble to create a novel of any genre should feel proud of their work. They need to know that somewhere on this earth are readers who will appreciate their efforts.
Any genre shaming where readers openly trash a novel just because they dislike the genre should be reported. Other than that it’s best to ignore the rantings of the ignorant, and to also ignore trolls on Goodreads who trash a book they probably haven’t even read just for the sake of it. They wait for a comment from the author to continue their tirade, but please … don’t give them the satisfaction.
Fortunately I’ve never experienced genre shaming (and believe me, I do write about unusual subjects!), but I know some authors who have. It’s not pleasant, but it’s best for them to think along the lines of genres being subjective and to feel buoyed by the thought that there’s no right and no wrong when it comes to reading matter.
Have you witnessed genre shaming? If so, please add your blog to this one using the blue button below, or just leave a comment. Thanks.
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Stevie Turner 
It’s like ordering a pizza with anchovies on it when you don’t like anchovies, then complaining that the pizza wasn’t any good.
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Indeed.
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Trolls are tempting, but it’s like wrestling with a pig — you can’t win and after a while, you realize the pig likes it.
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Lol! Absolutely. They glorify in shooting authors down.
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Don’t feed the trolls is one of my favorite sayings. I enjoy all kinds of genres, and there are pros and cons to each one. But really, if the story is good, I’m too caught up in it to worry about anything else.
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Yes, never answer any of their comments.
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Trolls are everywhere. But yes, genre shaming deserves another category of its own and definitely should be reported x
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Yes. x
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Trolls are the worst and their words can cut deep even though they speak lies.
Glad you haven’t had to deal with this.
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Fortunately I haven’t although I know many authors have. I’ve had a few one star reviews, but then again so do other writers. I just keep writing what I want to and enjoy it!
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Trolls are a PITA, but never discount a criticism, even it comes from out in the weeds. Assess it, THEN discount it. Because out of he mouths of trolls may come a gem we need to see.
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Very true.
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I will say unapologetically that poorly executed clones should be shamed. That’s from someone who cloned Stravinsky to Yes for demos. Otherwise, read and write and listen to what you want. If you can’t say anything nice about someone, sit by me. I’ll get a short story out of it.
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I bet you would too!
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I honestly thought that by mixing genres, I would increase my potential readership. Instead, I just seem to have put them all off even trying the novels.
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Richard – I can’t speak to your Steampunk (read one, though) because that’s a niche. Your Andora stuff lives somewhere between cozy and danger Barbie and the only thing I can say about them is, for what they are, they’re slow. I shamelessly read all of Laura Levine’s bumbling female amateur detective because she’s funny. For reference, by the time you’ve described a motel room her character has already fought with her wardrobe, cracked wise with a neighbor and had her car stolen by a con man. I’ve said it many times – if you had a content editor (not a punctuation Nazi) with a sharp knife you’d be rich.
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Indeed you have, Phil and my later work has benefitted from your advice (which I appreciate). However, it takes time to revisit and work on all of my older titles.
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I’ve written in a few different genres, as being stuck in just one genre could be a tad boring.
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I don’t care for ‘Cosy’ mysteries, or Barbara Cartland-style romance novels. But I would never think of ‘shaming’ any genre. I say well done to anyone for publishing a book and selling copies, whatever the genre.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Indeed. We all have our favourite genres, and what is one person’s meat is another person’s poison.
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks Michael for the re-blog!
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Reblogged this on anitadawesauthor.com.
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Thanks for re-blogging, Anita.
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I really don’t like this new trend, where some people make trouble just for the fun of it. It is so cruel. I was brought up with this maxim, if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all…
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Me too. I think it is awful.
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Yes, I’ve tried to live by that motto too. It makes for a happier life.
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I think so, Stevie…
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Anyone else experiencing one star reviews on Amazon with no comments? If you don’t like my books for whatever reason, I’d rather know why instead of the reviewer hiding behind an anonymous account.
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Yes I think we all get them from time to time. I think it might be a new thing that readers can now leave ratings only?
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There is something going on for sure. I have been with WP for a long time and this does happen from time to time. Probably more tinkering!
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I was thinking of Amazon rather than WP. I’m sure readers were previously not able to just leave ratings with no review? I may be wrong though?
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The moreI try to figure it out, the worse it gets!
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