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Home » Archives for Bob Hostetler » Page 7

Bob Hostetler

What Makes Readers Cross Genres?

By Bob Hostetleron September 22, 2022
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Genre is important. For many reasons, it’s crucial for a writer to know the genre he or she is writing in and to know it well. In some cases, the devoted readers of a certain genre have defined expectations. For example, they may expect certain tropes and taboos to be observed (even if they’ve never thought about their expectations). After all, there are reasons readers prefer certain genres. And authors, editors, and agents think about genre all the time.

But recently a reader of this blog asked a genre question I’d never considered. Bill Bethel, commenting on my post about my favorite “writer movies,” said it made him wonder what qualities in a book might tempt readers away from their favorite genre.

Thanks, Bill. Now I wonder that too. I wasn’t sure what my answer would be, so I asked some of my wonderful friends (who also happen to be clients), “As a reader, what (if anything) about a book tempts you to read outside your favorite or usual genre?” Here’s what they said:

“Some of the most interesting people I know are curious. Promiscuously curious. Their many and varied inquiries span a broad range of topics and fields—which seldom limits their reading to one category or genre. These are the people that inspire me to read outside of my (normal) area of interest” (Kevin Brown, author of Designed for Good).

“If a trusted friend or colleague strongly recommends a particular book” (Andrea Jo Rodgers, author of At Heaven’s Edge).

“I’m intensely loyal to my favorite genres so it takes a full-on assault to make me read outside the lines. The most effective weapon? Enthusiastic reviews from like-minded friends” (Lori Hatcher, author of Refresh Your Faith: Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible).

“When a storyline resonated with an experience in my life or in the headlines” (Lori Stanley Roeleveld, co-author of Colorful Connections: 12 Questions about Race that Open Healthy Conversations).

“Something that challenged my thinking and helped me see something from another perspective” (Brenda Yoder, author of Fledge: Launching Your Kids Without Losing Your Mind).

“Author friends who write in different genres and recommendations from those I admire” (Crystal Storms, host of the Simplicity of Heart podcast).

“Outside my favorite genre of woodworking books and novels, I read books that help me learn a new task that I need to address or do something a little better. Those get my attention” (Austin Boyd, author of the Mars Hill Classified trilogy, Nobody’s Child, and H2O).

“What tempts me is the understanding that any well-written book outside my usual genre will introduce some fresh breezes into my stuffy writing style” (Rob Currie, author of Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel).

“I’ll pick up a brief book that’s way outside my usual subject matter. For example, Letters from an Astrophysicist by Neil deGrasse Tyson, or How to Tell a Joke by Cicero. I figure a hundred pages won’t cost me too much” (Lawrence W. Wilson, author of Promises & Prayers for Men).

“Characters! Interesting or unusual characters will prompt me to purchase a book outside my comfort zone” (Liz Shoaf, author of Texas Ranch Sabotage and Texas Ranch Refuge).

“I’m tempted by a library, Amazon, or Audible recommendation that piques my curiosity by offering a new take on something I have thought about in the past. Titles and subtitles carry a lot of power. The back of the book is the next place I’ll look before diving in” (Alan Ehler, author of How to Make Big Decisions Wisely).

“It usually takes the recommendation (AKA book-pushing), from a friend for me to read outside of my favorite genre” (Rebekah Millet, inspirational romance author).

“Book club gives me the chance to try new genres. We vote on a different genre for each month and then a book from that genre” (Leslie DeVooght, writing faith, love, and laughter at “In a Sea Shell” and Spark Flash Fiction).

“When my spouse won’t stop talking about it” (Rick Hamlin, author of Even Silence Is Praise).

“When the topic addresses an urgent or current event topic. They provide valuable insights into subjects of which I have limited knowledge” (Sharon Hoover, author of Mapping Church Missions).

What about you? What (if anything) about a book tempts you to read outside your favorite or usual genre? Let us all know in the comments.

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Category: Craft, Genre

8 Things Every Publishing Writer Needs

By Bob Hostetleron September 14, 2022
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If you were to apprentice as a plumber, there would be certain tools you’ll need, right? A wrench, perhaps. Pipe, maybe. In my case, wader boots. Similarly, a writer who aspires to a long and fruitful publishing career will need a few things, whether that person hopes and plans to become a novelist, columnist, or something else. And yes, yes, I know, some smart aleck in the blogosphere has already …

Read more8 Things Every Publishing Writer Needs
Category: Career, The Writing Life

10 Reasons Bob Doesn’t “Close” Submissions

By Bob Hostetleron September 1, 2022
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Some literary agents “close” submissions periodically. That is, they announce that they won’t accept or respond to “over-the-transom” queries or proposals for a set period (usually a month or two, sometimes a quarter). For you young whippersnappers who don’t know what “over-the-transom” (or “whippersnapper”) means, it’s a throwback to the days before air conditioning, when offices were vented and …

Read more10 Reasons Bob Doesn’t “Close” Submissions
Category: Book Proposals, Pitching, The Publishing Life

Against Laziness (A Writer’s Prayer)

By Bob Hostetleron August 24, 2022
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God, save me from laziness as a writer. Save me from the error of thinking my first draft is good enough. Save me from settling for second best. Save me from low standards, pedestrian thoughts, stale words, and pat answers. Grant me the grace to reread and rewrite with diligence and insight. Grant me the courage to invite and accept valuable and insightful critique from others. Grant me the …

Read moreAgainst Laziness (A Writer’s Prayer)
Category: Encouragement, Inspiration, Theology

You Can Be the Best

By Bob Hostetleron August 11, 2022
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I’m not the best. At anything, it seems. I flunked out of C Ball in Little League. I squeezed four years of high school into five. I’ve written a lot and even won a few awards, but many others are far better writers than I am. I strive for excellence in virtually everything I do; but as a writer, speaker, preacher, literary agent, and blogger, I fall short of “the best.” Maybe you can identify. …

Read moreYou Can Be the Best
Category: Encouragement, Inspiration, The Writing Life

Mysteries of the English Language

By Bob Hostetleron August 3, 2022
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I love the English language. It’s been very good to me. But it can be a booger too. For example, you know that a slim chance and a fat chance are the same, right? And a wise man and a wise guy don’t mean the same thing? It’s a crazy language. And those who must learn it as a second language face many strange twists and turns—as do those of us who try to speak and write with something resembling …

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Category: Humor, Language

My 10 Favorite Writer Movies

By Bob Hostetleron July 21, 2022
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I would rather read than watch a movie; but my wife, the lovely Robin, is a lover of movies. So I’ve seen more than a few. I lean toward comedy and away from fantasy. And far away from horror. And I especially enjoy an occasional movie about a writer or the writing life. So, since I know that some readers of this blog have nothing else to do with their time, I’d like to offer a Top Ten List of my …

Read moreMy 10 Favorite Writer Movies
Category: Inspiration, Personal, The Writing Life

Stop Procrastinating—Right Now!

By Bob Hostetleron July 13, 2022
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In my last post on this amazing blog (Steve Laube requires me to say that at regular intervals), I opined about seven consequences of procrastination. You may not have gotten around to reading it yet, but I promised in that post to follow up with some helpful tips or techniques for preventing procrastination. So, without further ado or delay, here are some ideas: Pray. Of course, right? But …

Read moreStop Procrastinating—Right Now!
Category: Career, Inspiration, The Writing Life

I’ve Put Off Writing This Blog Post Long Enough

By Bob Hostetleron June 30, 2022
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I wear many hats (so to speak) as an author, blogger, game writer, speaker, literary agent, and man-about-town. People sometimes ask me how I get it all done. Usually I answer with something self-effacing, such as, “I’m just awesome that way.” But when pressed, I’ll attribute whatever productivity I have to careful organizing, scheduling, and—most importantly—maniacally avoiding procrastination. …

Read moreI’ve Put Off Writing This Blog Post Long Enough
Category: Career, The Writing Life

4 Ways to Lose Me Quickly

By Bob Hostetleron June 22, 2022
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As a literary agent, I review a lot of book pitches. A lot. And, not to belabor the point, but a lot. Despite the overwhelming volume of submissions demanding my attention, I try to give each one a fair shake. Sure, if the recipient field of your email has a hundred email addresses in it, it makes it easier for me to say, “No thanks.” But, while that may be the quickest way to disinterest me, it …

Read more4 Ways to Lose Me Quickly
Category: Book Proposals, Common Questoins, Pitching
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