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The Steve Laube Agency

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Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Genre

Genre

Literary Fiction, Who Says?

By Bob Hostetleron July 2, 2025
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As a big shot literary agent, I review scads of book pitches every week, for both fiction and nonfiction projects. And frequently included in the mix is a pitch or two for a piece of “literary fiction.”

What’s that, you say? I’m glad you asked, and I wish I knew.

It’s not that I’m not smart. I can be, especially if the subject is 1970s rock. It’s just that, well, it’s not much of a thing on the submission end of the writing-for-publication process.

I mean, sure, if you possess an MFA in Creative Writing from OxYaleVard, maybe literary fiction is your genre. Then again, maybe not. Generally speaking (which often means, “I have no proof”), literary fiction is a kind of writing that pursues character depth, thematic complexity (e.g., symbolism and stuff), and elevated craft over entertainment value, plot, and genre conventions. You know, like The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner or The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald—stuff that gets taught in school (and doesn’t use words like stuff and phrases like you know). And yes, I know there are college courses on “Harry Potter and the Age of Illusion” and even “Harry Potter Studies” at various institutions of higher learning, but just go with me here.

Popular fiction, by contrast, is intended to entertain and appeal to a broad audience, not only people who smoke pipes and use such words as “indubitably.” It focuses on plot-driven stories and accessible language, often adhering to genre conventions—such as mystery, romance, or fantasy. The goal is primarily not to impress and spark deep thought but rather engagement and enjoyment, often with more relatable characters and page-turning techniques.

All of which, more or less, is beside the point. Because when it comes to pitching a Christian book today, it’s never in your interest (in my humble but 100% accurate opinion) to present it as “literary fiction.” For the record, of the many (dozens? scores? smores?) proposals I’ve received for “literary fiction,” none deserved the designation, in my estimation.

Even more to the point, in Christian publishing, at least, there is no “literary fiction” genre. The best of the best Christian novels (most of them by my clients, if you must know) do reflect qualities that might earn such a label … but the label is best supplied by publishers, critics, and readers, not by the authors. As one literary classic says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought” (Romans 12:3 NIV).

So, long story short, it’s not a science … and it’s a moving target (mixed metaphors notwithstanding). Genre fiction sometimes earns such acclaim that it comes to be regarded as “literary fiction,” while much “literary” stuff is virtually unreadable, self-important drivel. It is best, as Jesus said, sort of, to take the lowest position and let your readers move you up to a seat of honor.

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Category: Genre

Five Reasons to Read Christian Romance Novels to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 9, 2023
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Since Valentine’s Day is near, we have plenty of time to read romance novels before the big hearts, flowers, and candy day arrives! Here are some excellent reasons to read terrific Christian romance novels before and after February 14: Christian romance novels emphasize the couple’s relationship with the Lord. Many secular stories never reveal the characters’ spiritual lives. Readers can reach the …

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Category: Genre, The Writing Life

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 …

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Category: Craft, Genre

Writing in Multiple Genres, Okay? Not Okay?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 17, 2020
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The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ In a recent Q & A, Steve Laube talked about how writers will pitch different projects to him in the same meeting:  a novel, a nonfiction, a devotional, etc.  He said that writers need to decide “what they want to be when they grow up.”  I’d like some clarity on why writing in different genres is discouraged.  As ideas come to …

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Category: Agents, Genre, Pitching, Platform, Your Questions Answered Series

Should You Write Short Stories First?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 20, 2020
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The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ What are your thoughts on writing some short stories before you jump into your first novel? I don’t recommend writing short stories before jumping into your first novel IF your goal is to be a novelist. Writing where you don’t want your success to be is akin to the dieter craving a chocolate candy bar but eating a container of yogurt instead. I’ve …

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Category: Branding, Career, Craft, Creativity, Genre, Your Questions Answered Series

What’s in a Name?

By Bob Hostetleron July 22, 2020
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Years ago I was reading a book by Louis L’Amour, a favorite author of mine. I don’t remember which book it was (I haven’t yet read them all, but I’ve read many of them), but I do recall being confused throughout. Why? I’m so glad you asked. Because three of the main characters had similar names, names that all started with the letter T. Something like, Taggart, Taylor, and Trevayne. I was …

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Category: Craft, Creativity, Genre, Writing Craft

How Do I Pick the Right Genre for My Book?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 16, 2020
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The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ I’d love to learn more about the system behind categorizing books, specifically fiction. I want to write a book that fits well in a category and make sure a book I’ve already written fits into a definite category, but I feel like I’m missing a lot of specifics. Also, I’ve learned from this blog that it’s important to …

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Category: Book Proposals, Book Review, Genre, Your Questions Answered Series

Saving the World, One Romance at a Time

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 27, 2020
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Often I will receive submissions of novels tying in an element of mystery and suspense with romance. Writers targeting the romantic suspense market will find difficulty in placing this type of story. Why? Because romantic suspense readers have certain expectations that won't be met with a mere element of mystery and intrigue.

In my experience trying to sell and market romantic suspense, I have …

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Category: Genre, Get Published, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Tamela, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Pitching, Proposals, Tamela, Trends

To Romance or Not to Romance

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 14, 2019
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According to St. Teresa of Avila’s biography, the battle over romance novels has been going on at least since the 1500s:

Teresa's father was rigidly honest and pious, but he may have carried his strictness to extremes. Teresa's mother loved romance novels but because her husband objected to these fanciful books, she hid the books from him. This put Teresa in the middle -- especially since she …

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Category: Genre, Romance, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Ideas, Romance, Tamela, Trends, Writing Craft

Romance Writing: Is Your Couple Compatible?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 11, 2019
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Recently, my husband and I watched an old movie focusing on a romance. The couple devoted their time to fighting with each other over issues, both major and minor. The heroine complained to her friends about the love affair. My husband and I agreed that this couple was not compatible. They had no business marrying. But! Sigh! He was veddy, veddy rich. She married up! So surely all will be well! …

Read moreRomance Writing: Is Your Couple Compatible?
Category: Book Proposals, Genre, Writing Craft
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