Comments on: What is Urban Fantasy? Writing the Urban Fantasy Genre

By: Sean Glatch

Sean Glatch — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 20:52:34 +0000

Hi Darla,

Thank you very much for this! I’ve included those thoughts in this article. I hadn’t heard of those N. K. Jemisin novels, but love this opportunity to further celebrate her work. I didn’t realize Charles de Lint was so celebrated in the urban fantasy world, so your note is really useful for my understanding of the genre, too. Thanks again for this!

By: Darla R. Hitchcock

Darla R. Hitchcock — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 01:03:12 +0000

Nice article. I plan on providing my Intro. to Lit. students this link.
A couple of things, though:
An article on urban fantasy without a mention of Charles de Lint, widely considered to be one of the founders of this genre (hell, he could even be considered a progenitor)? That’s kind of like talking about Gothic Horror without mentioning Mary Shelley or Bram Stoker.
Also, I’d like to mention N.K. Jemisin and “The City We Became” and “The World we Make” (Great Cities books #1 and #2), two urban fantasy offerings without the slightest tinge of YA.
Thanks for a convenient way to help my students understand a bit about genre.

Darla R. Hitchcock

By: Sean Glatch

Sean Glatch — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 14:10:41 +0000

In reply to Thomas P. Tiernan.

Hi Thomas,

First, let me just say that I love the premise of your novel, it sounds fresh and entertaining, and I love what possibilities present themselves in terms of borrowing from different genres and tropes. I hope to see this in print someday!

The elements you mentioned are definitely urban fantasy, but the work as a whole would not be considered urban fantasy–it sounds like some major events take place in rural settings, and the story isn’t consistently impacted by an urban landscape.

Genre titles are, first and foremost, marketing tools. When it comes time to publication, your novel would likely be categorized as fantasy, though book marketers will have a keener sense than I do on what genre label will sell your novel. Nonetheless, don’t worry too much about your work being “definable,” that’s a question to ask during the stages of revision and querying.

Wishing you the best of luck on your novel!

Warmest,
Sean

By: Thomas P. Tiernan

Thomas P. Tiernan — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:29:21 +0000

I’m having trouble fitting my latest WIP into a comfortable genre. The title is THE CURIOUS JOURNEY OF EMILY BRECK. Emily dies 7 times in the course of the book. Each of her deaths take place in a different town, and all are tied to a different genre. Without giving away any spoilers, she encounters witchcraft, ghosts, homicidal farmers, MIB and several cryptids, all of which cause her demise.
My question is concerning Urban Fantasy. While there are monsters and magic, they aren’t everywhere, waiting to pounce on people. It’s just Emily’s bad luck to run into them, and her curiosity.
Can I consider this work Urban Fantasy with regard to these elements?

By: Bob Woods

Bob Woods — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 22:08:12 +0000

In reply to Sean Glatch.

I’m in what I think is my final rewrite…I appreciate your vote of confidence!

Regards,

Bob

By: Sean Glatch

Sean Glatch — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 19:48:43 +0000

In reply to Bob Woods.

Hi Bob,

I’m delighted to hear this article made your day–your comment has made mine! Please write an adult urban fantasy screenplay, and please keep us updated on its success. 🙂

By: Bob Woods

Bob Woods — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 19:03:58 +0000

Hi Sean,

When I saw the title of your article in the email subject line and then read the article…I wanted to jump up and yell…HURRAY!

Your article was great, but let me explain the “yell”. I’m writing a screenplay and have submitted it several times for a critique from script readers under the genre’ Adult Urban Fantasy. Each time the reader said the genre’ is too far out and should be changed to fantasy drama or something else just as basic. I disagreed with them and thought I was alone in this opinion.

I’d like to give you a little description of my story to give you some context. It’s set in Chicago and uses the various settings in the city along with mysterious elements with some religion mixed in. One reader suggested I use Supernatural/Mystery as my genre’. I like yours better.

Again, great article and you have made my day!

Bob Woods