So you've written literary fiction?

Literary Fiction

I know quite a few writers. A great many of these are busy writing their first book or hunting down an agent, having finished the first book.

When I'm talking to these writers about their work or the genre they are writing within, the phrase 'Literary' frequently pre-curses the book's description. For instance a romance, crime or teen novel suddenly becomes literary romance, literary crime or literary teen fiction.

I know one extremely talented writer who's crime novel is a few character tweaks shy of being a very marketable read. She's been told 'no' by several agents, with the prognosis being the plot isn't commercial enough.

Except it is very commercial, just not on the traditional publishing stage she craves. I've offered to independently publish for her - she wants to hold out for an agent. Openly acknowledging it is the validation of a commercial book contract she is seeking. Whenever I discuss the type of book she has written and the kind of agent she might attract, invariably the word 'literary' pops up quickly and often.

My friend's novel is about a jaded female detective, struggling with the break-up of her marriage, cyber-crime and some clever burglars. It is an extremely good read but as Wikipedia tells us, good writing isn't necessarily literary fiction.

Literary fiction tends to be more about the character's introspective experience, the focus on the inner journey over plot, the goal to create emotional involvement in the reader.

The term 'literary' invokes in our minds the great writers, so I can understand why people like to associate their writing with the word. Even more so if they are good at writing. But to write well does not presume literary content.

Branding is important. Is anyone ever impressed by a product that promises one thing and delivers something else? Can you imagine any literary agent would be?

If validation is the goal, I offer there's none better than a satisfied reader. If commercial validation is a must have, then make sure the pitch isn't misrepresenting the product.