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Scifi and Fantasy Forum: Writer's Discussion: Questions :
Type-casting Authors?
Type-casting Authors?
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Posted By:  Magus Sep 25, 2004 - 08:14 pm |       | Do you think that some authors are unfairly typcast? That people will only perceive them in one genre? I have seen authors unfairly type-cast in the past.
The first and most boldly obvious example that comes to mind is Stephen King. He has done almost every possable genre imaginable. He's done plenty of fantasy, science fiction, drama, non-fiction and has even gone as far as making his own genres (post-apacolyptic western sci-fi epic fantasy). And yet people constantly refer to him as "The King of Horror", possably the genre he writes least of. His works are very thrilling and have a sort of macabre edge to them. They are very character motivated as well. But none of these justify his type-cast.
Do you know of any other authors who, despite a broad range of works, are seemingly in a similar state of being unfairly type-cast into a certain genre?
Do you disagree with me entirely?
I'd like to hear your thoughts.
I would LOVE to be typecast... it means that enough people have read my work that they associate my name with an entire genre.
ONLY perceive them in one genre? Right now, I am perceived in zero genres... and that makes me sad, although it probably has to do with the fact that I have not been published yet... and that probably has something to do with the fact that I have not submitted a manuscript to a publisher yet.... and that boils down to the fact that I haven't finished my first book yet.
I'm getting there! get off my back, already!
You know, if you tell everyone to get oof your back, you'll never get anywhere. I had to get on my own back (yes, I can defy the laws of physics) to get my first two books finished. I am now in the process of doing this amazing feat for the second time in order to get my new book published. I've gotten past the "afraid to send it in" stage, but I'm not yet past the "collecting vast quantities of rejection letters" stage.
Oh yeah, and I totally agree with you that it would be awesome to be typecast. If many of my stories get published, I probably will be typecast. People will call me "the guy who writes post-apocalyptic stuff and always has dismal endings." Or they might just call me wierd. Either way, it would be cool.
Well, that's enough about me, I guess I better get on topic. Crichton seems to be typecast as a medical writer. That's about it for me.
| Posted By: Magus Oct 13, 2004 - 04:52 pm | | Really? Both of you want to be typecast? I thought that more people wouldn't, wanting to transcend the labelling of specific genres. But I can definately see where you'd like it.
Wow, Gnollslayer, I had no idea that you were a twice-published author! Good job! What are their titles? Could you describe what your books are about?
I think that if you are typecast as an author then anything you write that differentiates from your "given" genre would be improperly assumed to be in your given genre. This could make breaking into new genres very difficult, I'd think.
I'd love it also. (For fantasy!) If I wanted to write other things I could use a pen name. Easy as that. 
well, my thoughts are that it's better to be typecast than to not be cast at all, I guess.
Like Neurolanis said, if that is your only issue, you could always use a pen name if you wanted to branch out to other areas.
| Posted By: Magus Oct 14, 2004 - 12:06 pm | | I guess. I'd just like the freedom to publish whatever I'd like under my true name.
I see your point, but I personally feel that is an extremely small price to pay for what is, in effect, an honorific association from the public.
I think typecasting is a bigger issue for actors than for writers. At least the writer has the ability to change their name, and a great many have no problems doing that, but an actor would have a harder time changing their face.
| Posted By: Magus Oct 14, 2004 - 03:46 pm | | I agree. It is a much bigger problem for actors then for authors. But it is also a problem that effects authors.
I would love to be associated with a genre or a theme or a style. I view association as a possative thing rather then a negative. It shows a prowess within a certain catagory.
I view typecasting, however; as a title with negative overtones. It makes it sound more like you are stuck or unable to break from a certain style or genre, unable to write anything different.
No, no, I'm not published. Sorry if I made that impression. I have written two books. I've submitted them, but have not been accepted... yet. It's only a matter of time, though (I hope).
| Posted By: Magus Oct 15, 2004 - 03:49 am | | Oh, good luck on that, though. What are they about, just out of curiousity.
The first book has a fairly complete description in your post on the stories that started us out.
My second book is about dinosaurs. It's a sci-fi/fantasy mix that I'm really proud of. If you want to read it, I could e-mail it to you. Just contact me at the following address:
alaskamatt17@hotmail.com
| Posted By: Magus Oct 15, 2004 - 08:13 pm | | O.K.
Thanks. I'll look again at the one you posted. I'll contact you when I'm able to about the second. But I won't be able to all of this weekend, unfortunately.
Cool, thanks. I've let two other people read, and they gave me two completely different opinions, so it'll help to have another person's input. The fact that you're a fellow writer makes it that much better.
| Posted By: Magus Oct 16, 2004 - 03:39 am | | 
I'd be happy to. And since marching band is basically over, exempting our final competition, I'll have a whole lot more time on my hands, over ten hours a week, not counting competitions or football games. I'll try and do it then.
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