The only superhero series that I enjoy that is breaking the top 100, filled with all the tropes I wish to see from is:
My main reason for loving Action Figures:
A Run Down of the Whole thing.
The tone is generally lighter than a lot of YA books out there now. While there is drama and conflict, and some later stories deal with darker issues, I try to keep the series fun, upbeat, and optimistic.
A very simple statement but accurate to what I what nowadays.
As for the Amazon Tag Issue:
- Urban Paranormal gets thrown in because Magic Powers
- Harems get thrown in because the paint on the surface is Astro City meets Tenchi Muyo, with some of these books. Or the Anita setup of many guys vs one lady.
- If fact, if there is a super soldier premise, it gets thrown into the Superhero tag by default, even if its more akin to military sci fi. OR a Ghost in the Shell type.
- Cyberpunk books get thrown in because it can enhance the user to a superhero aspect.
- Writing to market has flooded the underfed genre tags with things that don't directly reflect that genre. I get wanting to make writing full time. I do but its a double edged sword. We readers have a very hard time finding what we want because its buried under all the competition to get an orange tag.
- Some writers do pay for the extra sponsorship to get the extra airtime but its for the wrong genre. This makes it harder to find things you are really looking for. Could it also be mis-tagging on the writer's part? Sure. But its a hurdle nonetheless.
- LIT RPG often gets thrown in there because you are taking on a different Identity. Or the game gives you Saints Row 4 level virtual Powers. But to me, Lit RPG should be its own genre onto itself.
- What also might contribute, a fair amount of indies don't put the books into a series tab on amazon. Makes it harder to see if you have a sequel.
- If it has demi-gods like the Percy Jackson series, it usually gets shoved in also. Even if that world has no traditional in spandex/capes setups.
When it comes to movies, Marvel style does dominate, The Boys type of shows are everywhere. Grim-dark seems to be the top contender. Are people really that enamored of the World going to Shit? We see all that crap on the news because that's what media wants us to latch onto. Get addicted to the drama of "HUMANITY SUCKS!"
Wonder if most of this can be tracked back to patient zero: Watchmen. At least on the superhero side. Things like Game of Thrones probably made grim status more popular then Black Company ever did. Even though I think Black Company is much muuuuuuuuuch better written.
While I was making this entry, I found a whole other series, what else can a writer do in order to pinpoint their reading base and hook them in?
Some of the basics I can think of:
- Have a cover relevant to what your book is about. Not just a generic cover. I think that's why so many of these out of genre books are catching people's eyes too.
- Don't take forever like GRRM to release books. Pre-write all that you can first. Then release your series in great swaths. So us readers can see you are dedicated to finishing the story before we die. Or you die. That's what's got people worried about Martin I think.
- If you are doing writing as a job to get living expenses, try to balance passion with what you are interested in, It shows if you are phoning it in.
Series Bloat:
Mr. Weber and Mr. Anderle are pretty guilty of this. GRRM too. IMHO.
Sometimes less is more. Eventually a story has to reach a natural stop point. By no means does this say, "OH! Don't make side stories." That's what anthologies or side series are for. But sometimes I feel when something hits it big, the temptation to milk it beyond its ability does shine through.
So far, I believe Galaxy's Edge and Aeon 14, have jumped away from this pitfall. Esp since they are open to co-writers to help develop other aspects of that universe. Plus, since people wanted to see where Honor Harrington ended up, the side series books kinda got in the way for a while.
So I've decided with my books, Ill finish the main sequence first then work on side stories. Because the setting I made is pretty robust. In my biased opinion. :P
- A fair amount of the Harem stuff seems to have series bloat. Some go on for 7-12 books when they really only need 3-5 or so. Hmmm, what was patient zero for this, my best guess:
What ends up making these books more popular? Is the reader base really that big or under fed? To the point that there's a very real over-saturation.
Since so much genre blending is happening, maybe it would be better to state what the primary genre is for the book.
What also might play into harem stuff: (My opinion)
- Bioware Syndrome. IE: Getting attached to more then one LI for a series. But this also occurs in shows, comics, books, other games.
- Who will the Protag choose.
- A way to make more drama happen.
- Tension between characters is accentuated. Not only with the MC but with the whole cast.
- What the reader is ultimately jonesing for.
So this is why he's not on amazon. Trademark wars. Oh boy. It's not like I'm gonna go in and say I own Superhero Space Opera. Its a term to describe the main themes. Jesus. He really went whole hog on his website too, plastering the book covers over everything.
MSE vs Everything.
I think Nick Cole and Anspach have a good idea going, to fund stuff while writing in-between seasons. But that requires consideration and knowing your core fan base.
Get started here. Join the Legion today!
So much to learn, I'm glad the silver lining of DMR books gave me the idea to start this blog. Its a good way to Marshall one's thoughts. But back to Superhero Prose for a bit. I guess part of it is the actual established fanbase for these kinds of books.
Most of us are probably:
- In our late 20s or older. Most are likely 35+
- Already a part of a smaller subset of fans that love comic books but also love books.
- Most seem to prefer the grit of old style Marvel over old style DC when it comes to the prose format. So the pie is already sliced thin.
- It doesn't help that most of the superhero prose writers only finish one book or two. Then they leave the readers hanging. I love to buy out 4-5 books in a series in one go if I can.
- Most of the super hero prose books that hit over 40,000 copies or more have a very dystopic bent to them. Which seems to be the trend. Is there a way to change this trend? To go against the river.
- Some only do anthologies. So they never get to have expansive world building.
- This is why I try my hardest to unearth what series I can. The algorithm can only do so much.
Guess this kinda showcases while people will love to go see things like the Incredibles it wont nessessarily translate to more comic or book sales. A pity. I want more capes. Just like Honor said, "Let's be about it."
So from the looks of it, the current trend pretty much indicates that most desire the Punisher over Superman. Maybe even if its a little thing, with enough effort maybe Optimism can win out again. Because that's what Superman does. Hope is eternal.
Even if my series only sells say....300 copies, I'd still consider that a success. Because I love superheros and I want to share that with people. I might have to Clark Kent at my regular job for quite a while but I can always say without any hesitation, I am Superman levels of exited about writing this series.
More Links to things I love: (I will always promote New Olympus Saga, always!)
New Olympus Saga
One Last Echo
DMR Books
Silver Empire
White Knight/Black Valentine
Action Figures
Unlikely Hero
Kid Sensation
Cosmic Girl
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