Many writers love to write in multiple genres, is that a good idea? Should they narrow it down? If so, how Many writers love writing in multiple genres, but that can confuse readers and hurt your marketing, especially early in your career. So how do you narrow it down? If someone is passionate about four genres, how do they choose which one to write in first?

Jim: That decision is critical. Before we talk about how to choose, let’s consider how agents, editors, and even readers react to multi-genre writing.

I’ve seen writers walk into an appointment with an editor or agent and say, “I’m working on a romance, a sci-fi thriller, and a suspense novel. What would you like?” The agent’s reaction is usually, “You don’t know who you are or what you want.”

It’s like walking into a bank asking for a loan to start a restaurant. They ask, “What kind of restaurant?” and you say, “Cajun. Or maybe Italian. Or maybe a French bistro. Or a burger joint.” The bank won’t invest because you don’t have a clear identity.

Thomas: It’s like going on a date and saying, “Who do you want me to be? Outgoing? Quiet? I can be whatever you want.” That doesn’t work.

Jim: Exactly. You need to decide who you are. What kind of “restaurant” are you passionate about running? Then stick to that in front of readers, editors, or agents.

How do actually I chose a genre?

Thomas: Okay, I’m convinced I need to pick one genre, even though I hate the restriction. What do I actually do to pick?

Jim: Start with your top three favorite genres. If you have story ideas for each, ask yourself, “If I could only write in one genre for the rest of my life, which would it be?” Once you answer that, you’re ready to present yourself to editors, agents, and readers.

Thomas: Shouldn’t you just pick the genre that makes the most money? Zombies are hot right now. Why not write zombie books?

Jim: People try that, but it doesn’t work. You might get through a few books, but if you never liked the genre to begin with, you’ll burn out. If you’re writing just for money, run the other way. Most of us aren’t going to get rich writing novels.

Thomas: The average panhandler makes more money in a week than most authors. So you can’t do this for the money.

Jim: You have to be passionate about the stories you’re telling. If you’re doing it for fame or fortune, pick something else. There are quicker and easier ways to get both.

Can you blend genres?

Thomas: Choosing a genre doesn’t mean abandoning all your other interests. You can still blend in elements from other genres. Romance can show up in sci-fi. A thriller element can add tension to a romance.

Jim: That’s a great point. Die Hard was one of the greatest romances of the ’80s.

It’s about John McClane’s love for his wife. That’s what drives the whole movie. Sure, it’s got action and terrorists, but the romantic thread holds it together.

Thomas: And that broadens its appeal. Superhero movies are discovering this too. They’re often funnier than comedies. Spider-Man is witty. The banter between Iron Man and Captain America adds depth. That humor and heart make the stories stronger.

Jim: And in Iron Man, there’s a romantic storyline with Pepper Potts that carries through all three films. You can include those elements in any genre.

What if you want to switch genres?

Thomas: Switching genres can be really difficult because you already have momentum in your original genre. Some authors find it easier to start over with a new name than to pivot their brand.

Jim: It’s much easier to switch genres if you’re indie. Traditional publishing makes it almost impossible. It’s like being a steakhouse and suddenly serving pizza without changing the name or decor. People walk in expecting steak and get confused.

Now, once you’re famous, like John Grisham, you can get away with it. But even he sold fewer copies of A Painted House than his legal thrillers.

What if you just can’t help yourself and have to write in a totally different genre?

Thomas: One option is to use a different tagline under your name to separate your work. Another is to use a pen name, which I don’t usually recommend. A third option is co-authoring, which I do recommend. Put your co-author’s name first and yours second. That way, you bring your skills without confusing your brand.

Jim: Having another author listed signals to readers that this book is different from your other books.

Thomas: And if the voice feels different, they’ll blame your co-author, not your genre shift.

Jim: I know someone doing this right now. She writes military suspense but wants to move into fantasy and speculative fiction. She’s using a variation of her name to make the difference clear. That’s another good approach.

Thomas: Ted Dekker has done this with co-authors, too. Pen names aren’t bad, but they’re a lot of work. You double your marketing efforts and split your results in half. It has to be worth it.

Jim: Here’s some good news. If you’re not yet published, you don’t need to decide your genre right away. If I were starting again and unsure of my genre, I’d put out a couple of books in different genres and see what sells. You don’t have to worry about your brand until people start recognizing you.

Thomas: That’s a huge advantage of being new. You can experiment and pivot easily. As you grow, expectations build, and it gets harder to change. Some authors use pen names just to escape those expectations.

Jim: JK Rowling did this. She wrote a book under a pen name that didn’t sell—until people found out it was her. Then it sold well, but still nowhere near Harry Potter numbers. It was a different genre and a different book.