In 2022, Publisher’s Marketplace announced its decision to retire the term “Women’s Fiction” as a genre because they “aim not to presume or define a book’s audience, or categorize books, by gender.” In this episode, we’ll take a look at the effects of their decision, its implications and the status of “Women’s Fiction” as a genre today.

SHOW NOTES:

Women’s Fiction Writers Association definition of Women’s Fiction: “layered stories in which the plot is driven by the main character’s emotional journey.”

How we define Women’s Fiction as writers

Criticism of “Women’s Fiction”:

“Arbitrary” “Sexist” “Limited” “Perpetuates stereotypes” “Too Broad”

Gender stereotyping

Marginalizing women

The problem with retiring “Women’s Fiction”

Genre Characteristics:

Audience

Issues

Authors

Exceptions:

Men writing women’s fiction

Women writing women’s fiction with male protagonists

Genre Label Confusion/Misconceptions:

Writing Style: Commercial, upmarket, literary

Commercial: plot-driven, fast paced, trope-based

Literary: slowed-pace, character-driven, elevated prose, depth of characterization, layered themes and motifs

Upmarket: contains elements of both

Timeframe: Historical, Contemporary, or a blend

Target Audience: children, YA, adult..

Type: paranormal, dystopian, western, romance…

Where does Women’s Fiction fit?

SOURCES & LINKS:

Women’s Fiction Writers Association

Publishers Marketplace

“Embracing the Women’s Fiction Genre Label” By Orly Konig, the founding president of WFWA

“Genre and Gender: Grappling With the Awkward Question of ‘Women’s’ Fiction,” Writer Unboxed, by Barbara Linn Probst

“What Do We Really Mean By ‘Women’s Fiction’?” Lit Hub, by Rachel Howard

“Genre Guide: Women’s Fiction, Upmarket, Romance, Literary…?” by Lidija Hilje

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

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