Upmarket speculative fiction is my style and I really hope I can find success. Writers like Octavia Butler, Ted Chiang, Thomas Ligotti, Italo Calvino, Denis Johnson, Ursula K Le Guin, Samuel Delany, and Phillip K Dick are all writers who I think encapsulate upmarket fiction. Even Hunter S Thompson for his gonzo style being just so unique and Mark Twain for his stories that had a lot of adventure but also a lot of subtext.
Are upmarket and high concept fiction related? I don't think they're the same thing, since upmarket is in between commercial and literary, whereas high concept doesn't have to be literary and can be an "x meets y" type of mix, or something entirely new. Another thing to keep in mind if you have trouble grasping your story's genre is that some subgenres differ a lot from the umbrella term they are categorized under. For example, if you're writing a slow-paced, character-focused thriller, you may be confused about your genre, because thrillers are often fast-paced and plot-focused. But some thriller subgenres are slower and more focused on character while retaining the suspense, dark themes and oppressive atmosphere typical of a thriller. You may be writing a psychological thriller, a domestic thriller, or a Gothic thriller.
They're actually not! High concept refers to a book whose concept is bizarre or flashy, the concept alone is the selling point. A movie like Inception is a great example. On the other hand, a low concept book might focus more on the characters/emotions. A lot of high concept is sci fi/fantasy, but it doesn't have to be.
@@Reedsy Thanks! I was pretty sure they were completely different things, but I just wanted to check because both seem to be mentioned a lot when people are uncertain of their genre.
I still don't know how to classify my books. They are all more concerned with characters and their interactions and less about plot, though the main characters do have a goal. They also contain a bit of something that is not quite magical realism, but I don't know what to call it.
I feel like it’s not an author’s position to classify their own work as “upmarket.” It would be too easy for every mediocre narcissist to classify their releases as “upmarket” out of a desire to feel smart.
Books? Of course I have read a books. My favorite genre happens to be Literature, thank you very much.
Upmarket speculative fiction is my style and I really hope I can find success. Writers like Octavia Butler, Ted Chiang, Thomas Ligotti, Italo Calvino, Denis Johnson, Ursula K Le Guin, Samuel Delany, and Phillip K Dick are all writers who I think encapsulate upmarket fiction. Even Hunter S Thompson for his gonzo style being just so unique and Mark Twain for his stories that had a lot of adventure but also a lot of subtext.
UPMARKET FICTION just released through Barnes & Noble -
R. Harlan Smith's "Outpatient"
Paperback
Reedsy found a prize when they hired you. :)
Simp
Thank you for assessing this topic.
Not much, what's upmarket fiction with you?
I love your videos and blog! Do you have a more extensive list of upmarket fiction you can share? Thanks!
R. Harlan Smith's OUTPATIENT.
Not much, what’s up with you?
Are upmarket and high concept fiction related? I don't think they're the same thing, since upmarket is in between commercial and literary, whereas high concept doesn't have to be literary and can be an "x meets y" type of mix, or something entirely new.
Another thing to keep in mind if you have trouble grasping your story's genre is that some subgenres differ a lot from the umbrella term they are categorized under. For example, if you're writing a slow-paced, character-focused thriller, you may be confused about your genre, because thrillers are often fast-paced and plot-focused. But some thriller subgenres are slower and more focused on character while retaining the suspense, dark themes and oppressive atmosphere typical of a thriller. You may be writing a psychological thriller, a domestic thriller, or a Gothic thriller.
They're actually not! High concept refers to a book whose concept is bizarre or flashy, the concept alone is the selling point. A movie like Inception is a great example. On the other hand, a low concept book might focus more on the characters/emotions. A lot of high concept is sci fi/fantasy, but it doesn't have to be.
@@Reedsy Thanks! I was pretty sure they were completely different things, but I just wanted to check because both seem to be mentioned a lot when people are uncertain of their genre.
I still don't know how to classify my books. They are all more concerned with characters and their interactions and less about plot, though the main characters do have a goal. They also contain a bit of something that is not quite magical realism, but I don't know what to call it.
Would a reader be able to easily discern what the main theme of your book was on their first try?
Thank you!
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Me: seriously
Also me:
Im FIRST
I love your videos thanks for them
And you actually are
I feel like it’s not an author’s position to classify their own work as “upmarket.” It would be too easy for every mediocre narcissist to classify their releases as “upmarket” out of a desire to feel smart.
I have completed a book that can be called upmarket. Will be publishing soon.