by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed.D. @khutch0767

Sitting in my administrative office several years ago, I’d finished a series of articles for an educational publication. Though I was satisfied the pieces were factual, well-researched, and would be published, I was bored.

I stared at my extensive bookshelf and longed to share poems, sci-fi, and suspenseful stories. Those were the types of works I read when I had downtime. But I doubted I could write them.

Besides, I’d constantly been told I shouldn’t venture into other genres—especially if I wanted to be taken seriously as an academic author.

A decade later, I defied the naysayers and began delving into poetry and various types of fiction.

Recently, I released my debut thriller.

If You Want to Write It—Do It: We have the power to write in new genres, and no one can stop us from doing so except ourselves. If it’s something we’re interested in, I highly recommend we pursue it.

I have a few suggestions that may help increase our chances of success.

Get familiar with the nuances and rules of the new field.

We should have a clear understanding of the conventions of the genre to allow us to justify our choices. Specific rules can’t be breached. For instance, if we write a rom-com and kill off one of the lovers at the end, readers might not understand it as a rom-com. Most genres have unwritten rules or guidelines that successful books in that genre usually follow. We should follow what works and ignore what doesn’t. But we should ensure we know the rules we’re breaking or adhering to.

Read extensively in the field we want to write in.

To avoid potential issues in the future, it’s best not to write speculative fiction if we’ve never read one before or horror if we’re too terrified to open it. To gain a comprehensive understanding, read recent and classic releases, books that have won industry awards, and those that follow the current trends. Ask friends who enjoy reading in the genre for their top picks and read bestsellers. It is also recommended that we investigate books that critics rate highly.

Think about using a pseudonym (or not).

I decided to use my real name when I crossed over into poetry and fiction. I figured I didn’t have much to lose because I wasn’t a well-known name (although that could change). However, this is a personal choice and will be one of the most significant decisions we make regarding publishing. This is true whether we self-publish or go through the traditional publishing route.

Get help.

If we’re serious about publishing our work, consider seeking the assistance of a professional editor or beta reader who specializes in our genre. That person can provide valuable feedback that can help improve our writing and make our work stand out in a crowded field. They can identify areas where our writing can be improved, highlight plot or character development inconsistencies, and suggest ways to make it more engaging for readers.

When choosing an editor or beta reader, find someone with experience working with the genre. This will ensure they’re familiar with the conventions and trends unique to our genre and can provide feedback tailored to our specific needs. Such a person will also be able to provide constructive criticism and will work to develop our writing skills and achieve our goals as writers.

We should never let fear, stigma, or culture dictate what we decide to write. If we approach writing different genres with confidence and the proper practices, we can pursue our passions and create the pieces we’ve always dreamed of. With the correct mindset and strategy, success as a writer is well within our reach. Working with professional editors and beta readers can also be excellent investments in our writing careers. Refining our writing skills can increase our chances of success in publishing, even outside our genre.

Author, speaker, educational consultant, and editor–Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed. D. has had her hand in leadership for many years. She loves speaking to groups and delivering messages with a quick wit and real-life stories. Katherine is a freelance writer/content editor, a content editor/writing coach for Iron Stream Media, and a sensitivity reader for Sensitivity Between the Lines. She is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers), and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards, including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022). She was a finalist in the Genesis Contest ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers/Romantic Suspense 2022). She is a finalist for the Claymore Award 2022 (Thriller Division) for the best-unpublished manuscript. She is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the board of the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 and is an art instructor and virtual exhibition specialist for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine is the host of the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel and prequel to her first general market thriller novel, “A Fifth of the Story.”