Why Did You Switch To A Different Genre?

A reader named Diane recently asked me a question I think about all the time: "Why did you switch to a different genre with The Daydreamer Detective?"

Great question, Diane. I often ask myself the same thing. Lol.

What the Experts Say

The prevailing wisdom in self-publishing circles is that you should stick to one genre and build your audience there. Genre-hopping, the experts say, confuses readers and splits your energy. They're not wrong. Building an audience is hard enough without asking readers to follow you across genre lines.

That's why I moved my cozy mysteries to a separate pen name — Steph Gennaro — so my readers in each genre can find exactly what they're looking for without confusion. My other books live under a different name, in a different genre, for a different audience. Two names, two brands, one writer.

Why I Made the Switch

I looked honestly at how my science fiction romance was doing. Not well. Making about $30 a month on a good month in 2017. I had to ask myself: even if I keep going, is this ever going to find its audience? The signs pointed toward no. So I had to think very carefully about where to take my career next.

I love writing mysteries. It's what I've always read. And I loved the cozy mystery genre because I'm an inherently upbeat writer who believes in happy endings — and cozy mysteries almost always end with justice and a sense of rightness in the world. It was a good fit.

I published my first Daydreamer Detective on March 31st, 2016. I haven't looked back.

Is It Working?

Publishing is a hard business and overnight success is not real for most of us. But I found the right path for me. I'm still at the beginning of this journey in some ways — still building my audience, still learning, still growing. But the thing I've truly learned is that I enjoy writing. Not just writing cozy mysteries, and not just writing science fiction. I love the craft itself. And I'll keep going until I have nothing left to give. Which I hope is when I'm 90 or more.

Thanks for asking, Diane!