A to Z Challenge asks bloggers to post every day except Sundays during the month of April on a thematic topic–nothing else. This year, I’ll be covering writing genres.
Today’s genre:
Upmarket
Definition
Fiction that blurs the line between commercial and literary
Tips
- It’s literary fiction with commercial potential.
- Tackle commercial themes in a fresh, well-constructed way.
- Include universal themes everyone can relate to.
- The aim should be thoughtful, accessible to real life.
- It should be appropriate for book club discussions.
- Women’s fiction often is included in this category.
- Think: Character-driven plots.
- Make sure the storyline appeals to mainstream fiction readers while the depth appeals to literary fiction readers.
Popular Books
- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
- Jodi Picoult’s books
- The Lovely Bones by Alice Siebold
- Michael Chabon’s books.
- The Passage by Justin Cronin
- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
- Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
- The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
- The Magus by John Fowles
Click for complete list of genres
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman
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The Magus is a memorable reading experience. I loved it. You make genre seem so un-stuffy. And less rigid than the way I have been trying to tackle it.
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It’s a lot more flexible than I’d originally thought. There are so many options!
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That’s an interesting genre description – Upmarket – a cross between commercial and literary, seems an odd mix. I read the lovely bones and am curious to know where commercialism fits in? 🙂
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I think it means with less of the heavy themes–the ‘important’ topics that make literary fiction writers see themselves as the pinnacle of writers. Genre writers, overall, appeal to the masses.
Which is exactly where I fit!
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Thanks for explaining Jacqui 🙂
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I love this genre, and Jodi Picoult is one of my favourites.
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I didn’t know I liked this genre until I researched it. It works nicely for my taste, too.
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Oh, good one, Jacqui. I’ve learned something new this morning!
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I ran into this at a conference. It has a nice sound to it, doesn’t it?
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So, writing to market? Finding what’s trending and writing to that?
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Yes, but with Important Themes, like equality or guilt or something like that.
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Your tip #8, 8.Make sure the storyline appeals to mainstream fiction readers while the depth appeals to literary fiction readers, had me thinking it would be a very difficult genre to attempt. Then I saw your list of books, including Water For Elephants, and realized that it worked quite well for many writers, talented authors all.
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I agree with everything you just wrote. Maybe Upmarket authors just write and that’s how it comes out. I don’t know anyone who sets out to write Upmarket, as you might decide to write Fan Fiction or Fantasy.
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Interesting. That may be what I’m being encouraged to write…sounds like it!
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It makes sense. Who wouldn’t like ‘important’ themes that are enjoyable to read?
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I think that’s what I aspire to write although whether I’ve succeeded is quite another matter
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You definitely write on universal themes, Peter, and the humorous nature of your voice makes them much more commercial than other lecturing pedantic approaches.
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I never thought of these books in this way, but I read more of this kind of fiction than any other as I normally read nonfiction. Thanks for this post.
http://sagecoveredhills.blogspot.com/2017/04/u-is-for-ursa-major.html
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I think this might appeal more to non-fiction readers. You get that sense of learning important topics in a more consumable way. I still haven’t worked my way through James Joyce.
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Glad to have upmarket defined. Had not heard this applied to fiction before.
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I heard it many times before seeking out the definition. It makes sense to me.
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I would never have thought the word upmarket would have this meaning in fiction. Another day another lesson learned!
Another day in Amble Bay!
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I didn’t get it either. It’s definitely not intuitive, but it walks the line between those thought-proving themes and something with mass-appeal.
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Okay, this is another one that I didn’t know the name of but read quite a lot. John Fowles, Jodi Picoult, Alice Siebold all very enjoyable reads. Another name that would be part of my ‘upmarket’ reading is Daphne du Maurier’s books – loved them as a teen, and still do.
Nilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
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Good choices, though I’m not familiar with John Fowles. I’ll have to Google his books.
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John Fowles was the guy who wrote The French Lieutenant’s Woman, that I think would be his most famous? Others include the Collector, and the Magus as listed by you.Mantissa, in total he’s written some 8-10 I think.
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I like these books, Jacqui, and must be a fan of the upmarket genre. I haven’t thought of it as a particular genre but I can see it’s distinctions.
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I dug into it when the name came up once too often at my last writer’s conference. Someone even asked the speaker what the heck ‘upmarket’ meant. He explained but it was with the attitude that of course, we understood. I didn’t!
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I have heard of Upmarket, but now I know enough to be conversant on it. I was just thinking overnight how I had not kept up with your A to Z and wanted to circle back. Up until now I had not fully read your Bio. No wonder you have so much knowledge on genres!
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I am curious by nature so I read a lot and Google incessantly. I end up with bits of this and that that I hope will find a home in a post somewhere!
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That’s a great way to build a solid knowledge base Jacqui.
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I don’t think I’ve ever been accused of being either commercial or literary in my writing.
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Poetry is definitely closer to literary. We-all who write in genres–thrillers, romance, that sort–are accused of being commercial. I’m fine with that.
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It’s not a genre I read a lot, but I can see the appeal. I admit to enjoying reading and writing genre fiction 🙂
The Ninja Librarian’s Favorite Characters
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I can see the appeal too, especially to publishers and agents.
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Thank you, Jacqui – I think this is what I write though another friend has told me it’s women’s commercial fiction. I’ve read most of the books on your list and would include Jaquelyn Mitchard in this genre.
Makes me think that writing genres spread out like water without walls.
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As usual, I’m amazed at how well-read you are, Shari. I too would put you in a literary genre. You always include important themes and threads that define the story.
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Never heard of this before. Thank you for educating me…
Plucking Of My Heartstrings
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It’s one of those you’ve probably heard of if you write it. I stumbled on it by accident. But I like it–it explains a lot.
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I’m glad you included this one. So many agents are looking for upmarket fiction it seems.
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That’s interesting. I think being thoughtful isn’t so difficult, but making it pallatable is challenging.
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I hadn’t heard of this one, but in reading your book list, I said ‘ooooh those books’ and it all made sense. 😀
Discarded Darlings – Jean Davis, Speculative Fiction Writer, A to Z: Editing Fiction
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It easily includes some really popular books because the themes resonate with us and the voice is easy to consume. Nice, hunh?
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I love this genre.
The commercial-literary blend is my cup of tea, both as a reader and a writer.
Writer In Transit
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I am jealous. You have a head start on me!
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I’d never heard of this genre, but then I read your list of books and discovered I’ve read many. I’ve always enjoyed Jodi Picoult’s books. Thanks, Jacqui!
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I’ve not read hers. I’m going to check them out.
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Hi Jacqui – this one had me floored … I was thinking coffee table picture books – and they don’t really fit the bill … ah well … onwards to W … cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/u-is-for-unicorn.html
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How funny, but I can see where you got that. I can imagine a particular unique coffee table book that would fit the definition, though.
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Which …??
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I don’t have a name. I’m thinking of a picture-intensive book focused on urban landscapes, glossy with few words
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Thanks so much for this definition. I often hear about upmarket, but I’ve never really understood what kind of fiction that is.
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir
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A lot of other themes could be included under this–even the kitchen sink one. Certainly not fan fiction or even my favorite, thrillers.
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I love your examples, some of which I’ve read. Anthony Doerr “All the Light we cannot See” and his ‘About Grace’ fall into this category as well as ‘The Light Between Oceans’ by M.L. Stedman comes to mind as well as Hermann Hesse’s ‘The Glass Bead Game’.
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Those sound perfect–and of course, Hermann Hesse might stand right next to the definition.
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