Am I writing science fiction?

[Astro Pen]

I was preparing to send the novel off to agents and priming myself by reading up on the net.
Oh lord, I came across this pertinent question on Jericho writers
"Are you really writing science fiction?"

UK Literary Agents For Science Fiction | Jericho Writers

Our comprehensive list of UK agents for science fiction is so useful you can spend more time creating and less time agent hunting.

jerichowriters.com

Have I written a sci-fi or is it a techno thriller? (Implying different agents)
Analysis paralysis has just set in, because I think it is somewhere in the middle!
How do you deal with that condition? I can't be the only one.
Ideally I need someone in the business to read it and give me the appropriate lapel badge.
Is 'speculative fiction' a potential catch all for crossovers?

 

[RBKelly]

To be honest, I think I'd play it safe and only submit to agents who take SFF. I think it might be a hard sell convincing an agent who doesn't take SF that the SF isn't SF enough to qualify as SF.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I once submitted to an agent who queried my ‘made up’ term xenocide for the killing of an alien species. I decided he wasn’t the agent for my post alien invasion tale ....

 

[HareBrain]

I once submitted to an agent who queried my ‘made up’ term xenocide for the killing of an alien species

What business does such a clod have getting involved with creative writing?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

What business does such a clod have getting involved with creative writing?

I have no idea. No one stopped me quickly enough

 

[Dan Jones]

I was preparing to send the novel off to agents and priming myself by reading up on the net.
Oh lord, I came across this pertinent question on Jericho writers
"Are you really writing science fiction?"

UK Literary Agents For Science Fiction | Jericho Writers

Our comprehensive list of UK agents for science fiction is so useful you can spend more time creating and less time agent hunting.

jerichowriters.com

Have I written a sci-fi or is it a techno thriller? (Implying different agents)
Analysis paralysis has just set in, because I think it is somewhere in the middle!
How do you deal with that condition? I can't be the only one.
Ideally I need someone in the business to read it and give me the appropriate lapel badge.
Is 'speculative fiction' a potential catch all for crossovers?

Some agents do specifically state they like crossover stuff, and I tend to gravitate towards them as all of my novels have been crossover in some sense.

My first was a tech thriller, like yours, but the publisher was a straight-up SFF publisher, encompassing all of the subgenres. My instinct would be to target anybody who specialises in SF, but do take the time to read the agent profiles on the websites as some will specifically want tech noir or other sub genres. Such agents are rare but useful.

 

[JohnM]

I can understand the "I'll do it my way" thinking but if so, why bother with any agents? Really. Do make up your mind. If 100% creative freedom is desired then just self-publish.

Agents are not 'yes men' and neither are editors. They both need to have a knowledge of what sells, of what is marketable. A friend of mine tried his hand and after two or three agent rejections, just turned around and self published. This all occurred in a one month period. Patience is a good thing. Agents exist so publishers don't have to hire someone to work in-house. Of course, everyone wants to see their work published but there is no guarantee. And looking for an agent can be a bit like house hunting. So you find an agent and get a contract, then what? I would advise finding a copyright attorney to read it before signing. Such contracts usually include language that the average person has not encountered before.

 

[Astro Pen]

Cross wires much?
And pretty please. Don't put words in my mouth.

 

[Valtharius]

I've got a similar problem. I've been writing this novel that sure feels like a fantasy book. It's got most of the major elements: set in an allegorical distant past, titanic conflict between good and evil, wise old men offering direction to the heroes, ancient prophecies that drive the plot, et cetera. The only thing missing is magic (mostly). So what do I call this thing?

 

[JohnM]

Cross wires much?
And pretty please. Don't put words in my mouth.

I would never do such a thing. I used an example of someone I know to illustrate a point I was making. Sometimes writers, who I have dealt with for 40 years, do not know or understand what's going on on the other side of the fence, so to speak.