If you’re a reader or a writer online, chances are you know Natalia Sylvester, whose debut novel will be published in 2014 by New Harvest/Amazon Publishing. Natalia’s got the right idea (I think) when it comes to women’s fiction. It’s true we need a label for our work. The women’s fiction label enables us to not only find agents and editors and readers but like-minded writers, groups, critique partners. But the perception of women’s fiction in the press, in the marketplace, online, is something we can’t really control, unless as a group, we just continue to write good books.
Take Natalia’s challenge. Keep writing! And please welcome her to Women’s Fiction Writers!
Amy xo
Author Natalia Sylvester Says The Way To Support Women’s Fiction Is To Keep Writing It
I have a complex relationship with labels, names, and the things we call ourselves. When you’re in publishing, when you’re in the business of marketing books, labels are very important. Categorizing our novels helps give us direction about how to market them, how to make sure the right readers find them.
This is all great in theory, but the truth is that books are a lot like people: they’re complex, three-dimensional things, kind of like the characters we write. The labels we give them don’t define them; they define only a part of them, and hopefully once you get to know them you’ll find they’re so much more.
But there’s something special about calling a book women’s fiction, because like the characters in our novels and the people who often inspire them, women’s fiction is a multi-faceted, ever-changing thing. What defines women’s fiction, to me, is that it’s not easily defined. It’s not as simple as saying it’s fiction written by a woman (which it can be) or fiction told from a woman’s point of view (which it often, but not always, is) or fiction that’ll appeal to women (yes, but not exclusively).
This is a label that challenges each and every one of us, both as writers and readers. It’s not so much defined by what a story’s about as it is by a story’s approach. To me, women’s fiction can be about anything and anyone, but it’s written with a sensitivity for how change in our outward lives can create change in our inner lives.
I love what the term represents, but am often disappointed by how it’s interpreted and treated. The idea of a man not picking up a book they’d probably love, just for the simple reason that it seems marketed to women, implies that a woman’s experience is not as universal as a man’s. And what about readers (both male and female) who pass up women’s fiction because they’re looking for “bigger, more serious” books? Since when has the word “women” been synonymous with small and frivolous?
The answers are not as simple as pointing out biases in publishing or in labels; they’re seeped somewhere deep in our culture and how much value we place on women’s stories as a whole. Sometimes I wonder if women’s fiction had a different name, one completely unattached to gender, would it appeal to more readers? And if it did, if it needed that kind of makeover, why would the original name not be good enough?
The conversation is constantly unraveling and evolving. Thankfully, the voices are getting louder lately, discussing not just women’s fiction as a genre, but women authors, regardless of what they write. There are those who keep an eye on how women in literature are represented, and call it out when we’re not getting the equality we deserve. Others tell their shocking, but brave stories about experiences as a woman in publishing. Some remind us it’s okay to not take it all too seriously, and explore these truths open-mindedly through comedy. And of course, there are blogs like this one, which bring women’s fiction writers together as a community.
When I get overwhelmed thinking of what I can do for women’s fiction, I always come back to the same answer: keep writing. Encourage other writers to do the same. Support one another’s voices and embrace the diversity that exists among them. Mentor other writers without judgment over what they choose to write about. Start a writer’s group or book club. Invite both men and women. Challenge others to read outside of their comfort zone and discuss what women’s fiction means to them.
While we’re at it, I say we redefine our idea of a serious writer. A serious writer is one who takes their craft seriously (there’s no other prerequisite).
Natalia Sylvester is a Peruvian-born Miamian now living in Austin, Texas. Her debut novel, Chasing the Sun, about a frail marriage tested to the extreme by the wife’s kidnapping in 1990s Peru, is forthcoming from New Harvest/Amazon Publishing in Spring 2014. Visit her online at nataliasylvester.com, on Facebook, or on Twitter: @NataliaSylv.
“While we’re at it, I say we redefine our idea of a serious writer. A serious writer is one who takes their craft seriously (there’s no other prerequisite).” Amen, Natalia.
Excellent post. You and I share many of the same views. Best of luck with your work.
Thank you, Karen. And thank you to Amy for this great opportunity to discuss and meet other like-minded writers!
An interesting few minutes spent with Natalia Sylvester thanks to this post. I intend to quote her on my authors FB page, Stepheny Forgue Houghtlin, in admiration for her insights about women’s fiction and as a nod to her encouragement to keep writing.
I’m honored my post resonated, Stepheny! Thanks for sharing and helping spread the word. We really do have a wonderful community here.
Excellent! I love this especially: “This is a label that challenges each and every one of us, both as writers and readers. It’s not so much defined by what a story’s about as it is by a story’s approach. To me, women’s fiction can be about anything and anyone, but it’s written with a sensitivity for how change in our outward lives can create change in our inner lives.”
Brilliant post, Natalia!
Great piece, Natalia! I totally agree! And I’m so looking forward to reading CHASING THE SUN.
Thank you so much, Andrea! You must be so excited—just 5 days till THE REPEAT YEAR is out!
What an excellent post and analysis, Natalia! “I always come back to the same answer: keep writing.” YES!
Fabulous post, Natalia. Yes, I agree that books ARE a lot like people: they’re complex, three-dimensional things… And I agree wholeheartedly with your definition of women’s fiction: “women’s fiction is written with a sensitivity for how change in our outward lives can create change in our inner lives.” YES! This may be THE best definition I’ve ever seen. So thoughtful and so on target. Thanks, Natalia.
I’m so glad you think so, Melissa. It wasn’t until I wrote this that I realized I was struggling to come up with a definition that I was satisfied with, and I had to really stop and think about what Women’s Fiction means to me.
Woah, friend! This post is powerful! My favorite line: “Since when has the word ‘women’ been synonymous with small and frivolous?” This post resonated with me, because I also do not like The Outcast to simply be coined “Amish fiction.” There is so much more to it than that, and to us women writers. . . .
Exactly! I know exactly what you mean, Jolina. I often feel that way about Chasing the Sun, because it can be classified as so many things: Latino lit, literary, women’s fiction. My hope is that these labels will help it reach a broader audience, so that readers can then define it for themselves. And the same goes for The Outcast.
Regardless of how you classify Chasing the Sun, I know so many who can’t wait to read it. Myself included!!! So excited for you!
Thoughtful post, Natalia! There’s so much discussion lately, concerning how to label a novel. The lines are changing, and broadening, which can only be a good thing, in the long run.
Your description of Women’s fic reminds me of the definition of literary writing, to a degree; the issue of the characters being changed by the events of the story.
That’s interesting, Cynthia! I guess that makes sense, because so much of the Women’s Fiction I read is also very literary.
> And what about readers (both male and female) who pass up women’s fiction because they’re looking for “bigger, more serious” books? Since when has the word “women” been synonymous with small and frivolous?
Amen. Amen. Amen.
I feel better to have gotten that off my chest. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves!
Hooray for this post, Natalia! I despise labels. The minute we are defining something, we’re separating and cultivating an ‘us vs. them’ attitude. I only semi-believe they are a necessary evil (mostly I just hate them and wish they were not a part of the book business in any way). I I love how you question the implication that a woman’s experience is not as universal as a man’s. Seriously, what’s up with that?
Yes, it’s one of the things that I feel is at the core of the problem. It seems women are perfectly okay with reading books about male or female protagonists, but I’ve read that men tend to stick with male protagonists. Why is it that women can relate to a man’s experience, but not the other way around?
Have I mentioned lately how much I adore Natalia Sylvester and her writing? Well, I do! And this post is the perfect example why. You always do such a great job of digging down to the heart of a topic, Natalia, and offering up such thoughtful perspectives. Thanks for bringing your unique brand of insight to the subject of women’s fiction. And thanks, Amy Sue, for hosting her. Looking forward to more great things from you both!
You just made my day, Jessica! Thank you so much for the kind words and for always being so supportive.
Well said! I love how you get down to the point without belaboring the point. We write and we take our craft seriously.
PS: I got a thrill at the title! “Author, Natalia Sylvester…” That calls for a margarita!
Thank you! I love how you boil it down to that: “we write and we take our craft seriously.” Exactly.
P.S. It’s IS such a thrill–I get butterflies in my stomach seeing my name next to “author”! One day, Lori, one day, many margaritas and sock glides will be had by all 😉
Lovely post. I think women writers are taken more seriously these days than ever before in our history. I’ve been reading mostly the classics and write a blog on short stories and always looking for women fiction writers to feature, but men dominated the 18th- and 19th-century literary world, especially in horror/supernatural. I look at someone like Mary Shelley. She “rattled the cage” by writing Frankenstein, writing in an exclusive male horror genre. What courage! I’d like to mention that when I do feature women writers on my tales of terror blog, I get an increase in hits. Probably more women readers are responding. But there is clearly a surge going on now compared to our history.
That’s really wonderful to hear, Paula, and so true about Mary Shelley! So many people don’t realize how many barriers she broke writing Frankenstein—and she was only 18!