- Posted on 22nd Apr 12.
- In Uncategorized.
- By Walter.
- 12 responses.
So a little while ago I posted about fantasy being stuck in a rut in terms of races/character archetypes, etc. That post spawned some pretty cool conversations here and over on FB. While a few people did chime in with their opinions about writers “doing it to themselves”, I was a little surprised by the number of writers and readers who pointed the accusing finger at the publishing industry.
The main point was that publishers were just too afraid to go with anything “fantasy” that fell too far outside the mold of what those publishers knew they could sell. I have to agree with that thought, though there are some unconventional fantasy stories that spring to mind (Tad Williams, for example, or Patrick Rothfuss himself).
How afraid are those publishers to go with anything that falls outside their self-imposed lines of acceptability? It certainly makes sense from a business perspective, but is it fear keeping the Big 6 from going that route more often (some unconventional fantasies do slip through), or is it a sound marketing decision based on research? Are they crippling growth and expansion in the genre or are they giving fans “what they want” ? Are they telling readers what they SHOULD want?
Feel free to chime in with your thoughts here – I’d love to hear from other fantasy authors, as well as readers (perhaps especially readers!).
If you’re interested in breaking out of the mold, here are some of my favorite authors who don’t fall into the tried and true fantasy mold of elves, dwarves, humans and dragons battling to defeat the evil mage/king. Some are current, some are older and some are indie:
- Tad Williams
- Fritz Leiber
- Roger Zelanzy
- Michael Moorecock
- Shawn Wickersheim (Indie author of The Penitent Assassin, which can be found here)
- Thea Atkinson (Indie author; her first ever YA fantasy Water Witch can be found here)
- Patrick Rothfuss (of course, lol)
- Lawrence Watt-Evans
- Robert E. Howard
- Karl Edward Wagner
I would tend to agree that there is a bit of a tendency toward a rut. But, it comes down to world building. Whether it be physical or social readers have come to expect a depth that is no longer being delivered…with exceptions.
I heartily agree, Bill.
I find that Brandon Sanderson often explores new territory in Epic Fantasy.
Thanks for sharing, Darin! I really need to read some of Sanderson’s stuff. I have one or two of his on my TBR pile and have heard good things.
Ha! The very idea that somewhere at the top echelon of a publishing house sitting in a leather swivel chair in a room with a view resides the marketing director, who reads ‘edge’ Fantasy fascinates me. But I think not.
I don’t read a vast amount of “fantasy” like the Dragon Lance stuff so I’m limited on my authors in that field. My top 3 picks that are pure fantasy writers..Patrick Rothfuss (which you already know about) David Gemmell, and Karen Miller. and then there’s 2 that write other stuff besides fantasy that I think need to be put in here. Simon Green with his “Deathstalker” series and Andy Remic with his “clockwork vampire” trilogy.
Love Gemmell’s stuff, but don’t know Karen Miller (yay, more new reading for me!). Really enjoy Simon Green too, but need to check out Remic. Thanks for the recommends, sir!
I know I might grab some crap for this since he’s “all popular” now But the one thing that attracted me to George RR Martin was the way he handled the story. There is very little magic, no races really except human (There are but they are forgotten or very few) and the story felt more about the politics and characters than about some over reaching goal. That and he has no problem taking the lives of main characters appealed to me.
Love me some GRRM! And I dig his approach too.
I agree with most of your comments and the responses but the books I write buck the trend of fierce dragons having to be ‘mastered’ – I think, and hope!! Mt fav characters in George R.R. Martin are Tyrion and Dani who aren’t usually picked out as top choices. David Gemmell is also a favourite.
Thanks for stopping by, Eileen. I have to agree with at least Tyrion – he’s my favorite character in Martin’s books, though Snow is up there as well. Not really a fan of Dani, myself though. Your work sounds quite interesting! Will have to check out your books
Hi Walter, The reason I think I like Dani is because she starts as nothing – completely at the mercy of her brother and any other man but she grows – not especially likably but at least instead of going under, she finds she can stand up for herself. (I’d quite like Cersei to get dropped down a very deep hole in the ground!!)
My books have sold well in paperback and only just gone into ebook format (on Smashwords). Getting the formatting right was a headache! I could have rewritten the first book in the series but decided to leave it, warts and all, but hopefully people seem to have gone on to the rest which I think are better. But then, we all try to make the next one better don’t we??!!:)