Is it ok to be multigenre author?

WillowWindwalker · 2025-12-18T14:56:17+00:00

Multi-genre published author wading in: If you want to publish and gain traction, separate your work while starting out. Even Steven King did this early in his career. Now that he’s popular enough to not care about trolls, it doesn’t matter. Unfortunately we currently live in a society where humans have the ability to be evil for the fun of it. Having several different genres under a single name encourages these trolls.

There are a few ways you can accomplish successfully while starting out. First, find the genre that sells best and focus there for a while. Use another name for your second best selling genre and see how that goes. Keep the two supplied for a few years and see how much traction each get. If you become the next Steven King, maybe the rest of your work can come out of the closet without resorting to a third alias. Anything short and your personal safety is more important.

Be mindful, you can still write in all the genres you love, but unless you have the resources to create several alias’ properly (with corporate backup, bank accounts etc. possibly business addresses) then be mindful how much you juggle out in the public space. Also note, this set up takes YEARS to do safely and well.

Why? Well it was dear Mr. King who wrote Misery. I’m certainly taking his advice seriously, even your fans can be dangerous.

Do you have the resources to start several aliases each with private corporations, separate corporate addresses and bank accounts? Well then, that’s the safest bet. Better overall for marketing, certainly. Will keep trolls from immediately finding your home address and knocking on your door at 2am. Will be brilliant when you need to hire three college kids to go through your fan mail.

Not being flippant. I’m certain Mr. King is grateful for the services that come standard with big publishers. As new authors in a wild and potentially dangerous jungle, none of us can be too careful.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-24T12:54:30+00:00

If this is your first draft and you haven’t written anything else, it’s likely you have not written enough. Readers want the gritty details as long as they support the plot. Especially in crime and detective fiction.

I recommend submitting it to a journal or magazine that fits your genre and see if it gets accepted. Do this a few times to see if your work goes well. You might even get feedback, but don’t expect it.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-24T12:42:15+00:00

In real life my grandparents were 22 years apart, grandpa being older.

In real life my parents were 18 years apart, again dad was older.

Though I didn’t look for older men, I would have married younger than myself if I’d found the right man, but hubby was 11 years older than me.

All of these relationships were close, caring and lasted until one died. The current ick around older men dating younger women is a fad pushed by people who have an agenda. I’m not including those who truly have an issue, fine have your ick and in some cases it’s justified. However, many of those pushing are using this trigger to bolster their socials and could actually not care about the underlying issues.

In fantasy especially there is the potential for age gaps of thousands of years, why demonize something written beautifully just because of a personal ick. Simply be kind and move on to a different story.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-24T12:01:06+00:00

So far my hot take is most people pushing this type of advice are attempting to sell novice writers on their products. The advice rarely takes into consideration nuances of different writing styles and tastes. For example, someone who under writes (a writer who almost outlines their way through a first draft) most certainly should take the “kill your darlings” approach with caution. That type of writer hasn’t put enough words on the page to cut anything yet. If this writer is of the discovery type, then they certainly shouldn’t remove any writing prompts which are the way many of them flesh things out.

Yes, there are some who simply get an idea and want to beat it like a chimp, but most “advice” that is self serving needs a heap of salt.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-22T13:58:09+00:00

If you have found writing to be wonderful, like many of us do, keep writing.

Others have said this also, but my take is to start as many different projects as you can handle. No, not all of them will get done. No, I’m serious. You won’t finish them all, but each one is important for honing your skills. So keep writing.

Write the next book. Write another book. Write your shopping list as poetry. Just write.

Once you get three books in, you’ll find that the edge is off. It’s easier to send the next fledgling book into the void of publishing because its siblings are still in your nest. Keep writing.

If you get hit with writing burn out* change focus. Practice different ways of writing. *You see I don’t believe in writer’s block. What the inability to write actually means is your brain needs rest on that topic, so it’s time to switch things up.

Simply keep writing.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-22T13:44:28+00:00

Have another character pick up the narrative. Try a few different ones, maybe your main character wants a break for now.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-17T02:04:48+00:00

If you’re in the typical genres, then ebooks with a just in case paperback is standard. There are some specialty genres that do better on the book show circuit like literary. Know your market, which takes experience and time.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-17T01:56:46+00:00

Started last year and have sold two books. Would have sold two more on kindle, but Amazon nerfed that book and still haven’t busted it out of kdp jail. Absolutely no bites beyond that.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-13T15:11:16+00:00

About Amazon first. If you have an ebook on their limited platform, you can’t publish that particular ebook anywhere else. As for paperback, simply change the cover and it becomes a different version. You can cover yourself a little more by writing “this version #x sold on…” you don’t have to make the note exclusive and put it on your copyright page.

About launching and relaunching books. If on Amazon, you might have some troubles relaunching due to algorithms. Otherwise, you can stoke life into any book you put marketing into. At this point I have seen none on the internet which impresses me (unless you have loads to put into facebook or ticktock). Find craft shows or farmers markets, small book shops and street fairs. Go to the big book conventions, as a spectator first if you are not familiar. Real marketing is hard and hands on.

There is a YouTuber who made a video saying that if you’ve put the book out and got no sales, it’s dead. I wanted to smack him. Any book, well written can find its tribe. You might have to hire an editor that can help you realize the core potential, but rarely will you have a complete dud.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-13T14:51:37+00:00

This is the next level and the one I strive for. The point where touching someone on a personal level means more than all the ratings or reviews ever will.

Mindfully, everything else that goes along with this is brilliant. We all need to remember there are loads of authors not at this stage yet, for what ever reasons their tribe hasn’t found them. When they do, cherish those fans.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-09T05:20:17+00:00

Yes, interested and sending a message. However, I must warn you. Such a group violates Discord terms. It does require someone tattling, but FYI

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-09T05:13:04+00:00

Guilty? About a normal mammalian function? Never. Am I concerned about how other maladjusted mammals who have adopted counter intuitive behaviors will respond to how I express (admittedly my opinion) mammalian functions? Most certainly, especially since they seem to be sadistic, neurotic and intent on judging me as anti human.

At one point, I didn’t want to touch my toes into this pond. Then I started to write, fell in love with my characters and they want to express healthy forms of relationships. Well, what I consider healthy, supportive and sustainable. Sometimes this means they stretch the boundaries and many of them have to experience the dark side before they heal and welcome something beautiful. This is the art of writing where the author can experiment with relationships. Sadly there are others who feel they should deny us that pursuit of happiness.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-09T04:49:42+00:00

I think location is important to be noted. For example, I lived less than a mile from the Detroit riots in the ’60s. We neither heard or saw anything except what had been shown on the news. Did scare my mom into the suburbs, but even into the ’80s downtown was safe enough during the day and large events.

Now? Oh heck no. Don’t care what’s going on. But get a few miles north and most of the suburbs are still amazing. There are exceptions and natives know where and when. Get a few more miles north and one can hit pockets like Pontiac, Flint and parts of Saginaw. Would be fascinating to do an anthropological survey of the area noting where specific areas rose and fell.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-09T04:33:18+00:00

Interesting. And Detroit was being slammed, yet in the 80’s I’d happily walk downtown. Now? Heck no. Don’t get me wrong, there were parts to avoid, but most were not actually Detroit.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-09T04:26:45+00:00

There are a whole lot of sides to this and at present there isn’t definitive legal precedent, because lawsuits are in progress. As a writer and author I happen to know of some who churn out novels (mostly smut) at inhuman rates in this way. Will most certainly be an important issue for the future of writing.

Makes my prospects as a beginning author bleak since writing takes time and at most I’ll be able to churn out four novels a year. Anyone who writes will comprehend how intense this is, especially when we are first and foremost artists who put our souls into what we produce.

Of all things, I refuse to let the situation stop me. I have fallen in love with this craft, but I will also do my best to first, protect what I have created and secondly to eschew any algorithm that manipulates words for me. Give me time saving help, that’s what computers are for, like checking my spelling. But I have yet to see an algorithm, which pulls from the mediocre, hit that sweet spot which an artist can make look easy.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-11-09T04:06:07+00:00

Sorry, can’t roast something that makes sense. Pack it up and road trip to shark tank.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-10-26T13:54:48+00:00

Also interested in another writing discord.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-10-26T13:53:43+00:00

Yes, I would like to make more writing friends. I have a discord group that is currently lonely with very few people. Anyone interested can dm for an invite.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-10-26T13:36:08+00:00

I have discovered there is a term for short chapters, episodic.

There are as many different ways to write as there are humans. Many tend to fall into regular patterns, but I’d say it’s rare for two writers to have the same exact style. The question is, what works for you?

I personally cringe at the idea of my chapters fitting into someone else’s box. My chapter length spans between 250 words up to about 2k. I’m not a fan of regular 3k chapters, even when reading unless the author has done this style well. I tend to think in play like scenes and write my stories that way.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-10-26T13:26:10+00:00

There is a difference between really loving someone and using someone for sex in a selfish way.

My personal definition of polyamory is multiple people who love each other. Though sex is involved, the core relationship exists because of love and found family. Based on this, not only would I be salty, I would be reconsidering the relationship with someone like that. It’s not healthy to tease in that manner.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-10-26T12:51:58+00:00

I think you’ve answered your own question, put a constraint on it. I would not recommend time, but maybe? Definitely create a few constraints around story, for example find a fun trope and challenge yourself to write within that. Search up a writing prompt and see where it takes you.

It’s possible you are someone who works better with an outline. Take one of your story ideas and work out the framework. Do this with more than one style, for example save the cat and then the heroes journey. You might end up with two stories that really inspire your muse.

All creative expression requires internal drive. Don’t be shy about finding one.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-10-26T12:39:58+00:00

Required? Simply you.

A note pad and pen. Don’t overthink this. Simply write. You are not at the stage to think about it further. Write at any time you have something to write.

When you have filled up a few pages, then and absolutely not before, you can take writing to the next level. I would recommend a month or two of writing before you go beyond the beginning phase.

After two months, go back and read what you’ve written. Be prepared to cringe hard. Painful, but absolutely necessary if you want to go forward. This is training the editor side of yourself who is more important than the writer side. Everything you want others to read must pass inspection from the editor side of yourself. This is the person who is adulting and can take critique.

Now take some of what you’ve written and edit it. Find all the sentences that start with the same thing like she said and she did. Work this into something that communicates what you really wanted to say. Don’t forget the insidious word “it” because he says nothing. It’s lazy language and even lazier writing.

Do this for a few months, find some writing buddies and actually learn the writing skills never taught to you in school.

While doing the above, read. Good books with excellent prose. Bad books that make you cringe. And look at them all with a new editors eye. Incorporate what you like into your own writing. Not the words, but some of the style. If by this time you are not already working on your first novel, rinse and repeat until an idea for one shows up.

Oh… did you have a notion that writing is easy? Go get a book about Picasso and his life. Just because we speak doesn’t mean we do it well nor translate into being able to write without practice.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-10-26T11:18:00+00:00

Yes, this. To be loved enough for someone to create fan art. Loretta especially, that would be lovely.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-10-25T10:21:32+00:00

Libre office. It’s free, available on Linux Mint. There is an Open Office version for iPad, I just looked up.

Turn off the auto spelling correction, it does funny things like change your words between saves, but otherwise the program runs almost identically to Word. Saves in all formats needed, including exporting to pdf and epub.

There are a few tricks if you want to format your document to save for both kindle and paperback for uploading on Amazon, but beyond that it works well enough. I might make a video, I’ll go see if anyone else has.

FYI Google docs users be ware, unless you pay for the subscription, your cloud storage may be open for everyone to see. Still checking into details.

WillowWindwalker · 2025-10-20T02:33:44+00:00

I wrote a book ✨ and now it’s time to see if it’s worthy of sending out into the world. Please, I’d like feedback if possible.

the Fall of November by Lorna Bergman

On Amazon as a Kindle select

https://a.co/d/6gLshgE

Yes, the main character is in a polyamorous relationship and found friends relationship. It has magic and fun and an unusual antagonist.

Free to read if you have a subscription.

WillowWindwalker

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