Choosing Your Genre-- or Does it Choose You?

 A very special present came in October and I'm excited to share it with you. Crooked Lines: A Single Mom's Jewish Journey won the Firebird Award in the Parenting/Family Category.

One of the interesting things about the Firebird Award (and there are many) is that they give you a spot on Speak Up Talk Radio, to share tips with other authors. You can hear my quick tips on how authors might choose a genre (and how the genre really chooses us) at https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-boombangomgwow-podcast

I'm also pasting the text here in case you're not in the mood to listen. :)

Author Tips Podcast 

Hi, everyone, I’m Jenna Zark, author of Crooked Lines: A Single Mom’s Jewish Journey. Today I want to talk about how to figure out which genre your book belongs to. When I started writing my first book some years ago I thought the only thing I would know how to do was fiction. I never thought about writing anything that connected to my spiritual journey or life.

Then someone in my community started a blog about Jewish life and asked if I wanted to participate. I didn’t know if I would have anything to contribute, but found to my surprise that I did, and that people were reading it and commenting much more than they had with my previous fiction.

If you have something to say, no matter whether it’s via fiction or a biographical nonfiction story, or anything else for that matter—think about why you want to write first, and the genre will choose you before you finish your book. Every story is really suited to its own genre, and books are really about sharing what’s most important to you.

In my own case, I wanted to let people know how I got through some really tough times by learning about the holidays and rituals in my heritage. That meant I needed to explore those holidays and rituals from a non-fiction standpoint. If I wanted to create characters, I would have moved to fiction—but the focus of my book was holidays and how they affected me personally.

So if you have a story to tell, pay attention to it and figure out what you want to say first. Then look at the possibilities—and let the genre find you. To learn more about my book, visit jennazark.com and go to the Crooked Lines page. Thanks for listening today!

*****

More on the Firebird Awards:

October 21, 2022

Speak Up Talk Radio announced the winners of the recent FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS contest. 

One of the winning entries was from Twin Cities author Jenna Zark, whose book Crooked Lines: A Single Mom’s Jewish Journey won in the Parenting/Family category.

Authors and publishers from around the world submitted their work to the International Firebird Book Awards. Two judges from a select panel of 25 judges read each book in its entirety, and independently score each entry. All judges commit to a set of standardized criteria that evaluates the quality of the writing as well as production aspects. Only entries with the highest of scores are awarded the coveted Firebird.

Patricia J. Rullo, founder of the Firebird Book Awards, says, “the Firebird Book Awards adds a charitable twist that allows the author’s entry fee to be tax-deductible. In return, we personally make and send handmade fun and colorful pillowcases to women and children in homeless shelters via Enchanted Makeovers, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. I

n this way, authors get notoriety for their work while helping to transform homeless shelters into bright and happy homes. It is a rewarding venture for everyone.”Pat adds, “this quarter we also sent many large boxes of children’s books to the shelters. The children appreciate falling asleep on our pretty pillowcases while reading happy bedtime stories.”

The Firebird Book Award judging panel grew again this quarter and includes a diverse group who represent a cross section of ages, cultural heritage, race, religion, gender, and experience.  At Speak Up Talk Radio, our mission is to offer authors and others a welcome place to promote themselves and their books via book awards,  podcast awards, radio interviews, audiobook production, voiceover marketing tools, and podcasting services, including our BOOMBANGOHMYGOSHWOW podcast where authors share short but helpful tips with fellow authors.”

The Firebird Book Awards run quarterly contests so authors can receive recognition on a timely basis. Authors from all genres, mainstream, independent, and self-published are welcome. For additional winning authors, titles, and entry information:

https://www.speakuptalkradio.com