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BDA PUBLISHING
Because every good story deserves a chance.

What Even is Genre, Really? And Why We Should Stop Caring (But Not Really)

Let’s chat about something that always pops up when we talk books: genre. You know, those handy little labels that supposedly tell you what’s what. Like, “Oh, this is a fantasy novel, so there will be dragons,” or “This is a romance, so I expect at least one passionate kiss.” But what happens when we mix things up? What if we throw a bunch of genres into a blender and hit “pulse”?

Let’s Talk Genre Mash-Ups

Have you ever thought, “You know what this zombie apocalypse needs? A Western gunslinger. Oh, and a love story, obviously.” Well, that’s a real thing! Meet the Zombie-Western-Romance, where the undead roam the frontier, and in between dodging brain-hungry zombies, a soldier falls for the town’s mysterious outcast. Sounds insane, right? But somehow it works. Reads like Revenants and movies like Bone Tomahawk blend Western grit with horror, while other mash-ups are just waiting to happen (Zombie-Cowboy love triangle, anyone?).

What’s the Deal with Genre, Anyway?

Here’s the thing—genres help guide us to books we think we’ll like. If you’re a romance fan, you know what you’re getting. Same with thrillers, sci-fi, or horror. But sometimes sticking to the rules gets boring. The best stories often break away from the mold. Think of it like this: when you’re cooking, following a recipe is good. But throwing in some unexpected ingredients? That’s where the magic happens.

Ever heard of Cowboy Bebop? That show throws space opera, Western, and noir into one big pot and stirs it up with jazz. And guess what? It’s brilliant. Or how about Perdido Street Station by China Miéville? It’s a mash-up of steampunk, horror, and political drama that leaves you asking, “What even is this?” It’s genre-breaking goodness, and it sticks with you because it refuses to play by the rules.

So, Why Do Mash-Ups Matter?

The beauty of mash-ups is that they push the boundaries. They let authors mix and match elements and create something totally fresh. It’s like Frankenstein’s monster but way less creepy (most of the time). Take The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix—it’s horror, but also kinda suburban satire. Or Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, where Jane Austen meets the undead in the most ridiculous, but somehow perfect, way.

Mash-ups remind us that storytelling is about more than just fitting into a neat little box. It’s about being creative, weird, and seeing what happens when you throw pirates, ninjas, and time travel into the mix.

Time for a Hot Take

Genres were made to be broken. I said it. Hardcore fans of certain genres might disagree—like, no way am I putting a romance subplot in my serious sci-fi! But here’s the thing: when you start blending genres, you get stories that stick with you. Maybe that means adding a bit of romance to your space adventure or throwing some horror into your detective noir.

Let’s not forget the recent controversy with The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay. Is it horror? Apocalypse fiction? A home invasion thriller? It’s all three—and it made readers squirm because it doesn’t sit comfortably in any one genre. That’s exactly why it’s brilliant. It makes you think, which is exactly what genre mash-ups are supposed to do.

In Conclusion: Let the Genres Run Wild

So, what is genre really? A roadmap? A marketing tool? A comfort zone? Sure, maybe. But the real fun happens when we throw out the map and just let the story go wherever it needs to. Zombie-Western-Romance? I say do it. I did! Steampunk-Murder-Mystery with a dash of Lovecraftian horror? Why the heck not?

At the end of the day, genres are guidelines, not hard rules. So the next time you’re reading or writing, maybe throw a few genres in the blender and see what comes out. The weirder, the better.

~ Mel C Bell

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