Writing Outside Your Usual Genre: Pros & Cons to Consider

by Nick Bailey @ReedsyHQ

Every writer has that moment when they wonder: what would happen if I tried something completely different? Whether it’s Stephen King’s pivot to alternate history with 11/22/63, or Cormac McCarthy’s excursion into post-apocalyptic sci-fi with The Road, “out-of-genre” books have been making waves for decades — and it can be tempting to try the same tactics yourself.

Of course, that’s all well and good for bestselling authors who can afford to take bold swings. But what about less established writers? A fledgling author has plenty to gain from exploring uncharted literary territory, but it doesn’t come without risk.

In that vein, this article will consider the pros and cons of writing outside your usual genre. Let’s start off with a positive, shall we?

Pro: You’ll gain access to new narrative tools

Don’t believe the old adage — an old dog can learn new tricks. By stepping outside your usual wheelhouse, you’ll pick up new narrative tools you can apply to your go-to genre as well. This tactic can even help pull you out of writer’s block at its most crippling!

Say you’re a romance writer whose love stories have lost that special spark. Instead of forcing a relationship that isn’t working, why not step away from the will-they-won’t-they and try an adrenaline-pumping thriller?

Parts of the genre will feel familiar: character-driven storytelling, riveting tension, and intense emotional stakes are all staples of both romance and thriller novels. But the slow, lackadaisical pace of most romance stories won’t fly in a high-octane thriller — so you’ll need to tighten up the pacing to keep readers engaged. Then once you return to romance, you’ll know how to keep the energy up even during “quieter” moments.

The romance-to-thriller pipeline is just one example of how you might expand your writing repertoire. A foray into fantasy, for instance, will teach you the art of immersive worldbuilding; likewise, you’ll gain valuable research skills by diving into the world of historical fiction. No matter the genre, there’s always something new (yet also widely applicable) to learn.

Con: Your instincts may not serve you

Unfortunately, old habits die hard. If you‘ve spent years developing your skills in one genre, your carefully honed intuition might be “off the mark” in other genres.

Imagine you’re a seasoned YA veteran looking to venture into the mystery genre. A few chapters in, you might be tempted to show off your protagonist’s detective skills with an extended internal monologue, allowing them to mull over the case in excruciating detail. Inner monologues have served you well in YA, after all — they’re great for slowing down the pace and giving your protagonist time to reflect after a tense or dramatic scene.

However, what works in the character-focused world of YA doesn’t always translate to a more plot-centric, Agatha-Christie style whodunnit. The allure here lies in the mystery itself, not the mystery solver! Devoting page time to developing your dashing detective might seem like the right call here, but in reality, it will stifle your story’s forward momentum.

Pro: You can diversify your audience

Aside from the opportunity to refine your craft, there’s also a commercial benefit to writing outside your genre: you get to diversify your audience. Instead of competing solely within your regular market, you can tap into new streams of revenue — if you’re a sci-fi specialist who loves creating new worlds, for example, there’s a whole legion of fantasy fans waiting for you.

Keep in mind that most readers won’t exclusively stick to a single niche. There are plenty of voracious bookworms willing to devour multiple genres — and many readers, once they find an author they love, will read everything they’ve written regardless of genre. By diversifying your portfolio, you’ll be in a position to capture a wider range of readers time and time again.

Developing your writing chops can also provide a layer of protection against the fickle tide of publishing-market forces. If contemporary romance sales take a nosedive, but cozy mysteries are surging in popularity, an author who’s established in both can switch their marketing focus accordingly!

Con: You risk brand confusion

There is a downside to presenting your audience with a book outside your usual genre: brand confusion. If you’re known for writing lighthearted cozy fantasy, then releasing a macabre supernatural horror will leave your regular readers perplexed at best, alienated at worst. (That said — never fudge the marketing on your book to portray it as another, not-totally-reflective genre! This can only lead to readers feeling deceived and disappointed by its contents.)

In any case, if you want to avoid diluting your brand, consider using a separate pen name for certain books. You’d be far from the first; take romance extraordinaire Nora Roberts, for example. She released several novels under the pseudonym “J.D. Robb” to create distance between her typical romances and her ventures into mystery.

You can even tailor this fresh persona around your new genre — a name like “Nebula Vonn” screams sci-fi, for example, while “Frances Holloway” carries the sophisticated air of a distinguished historical fiction novelist. 

Whether or not you use a pseudonym is entirely up to you — but if you’re feeling unsure, think about just how far away this new book is from your original genre. If you want to make a move from horror to thriller, there’s enough crossover appeal that you won’t risk alienating your audience if you keep it all under the same pen name. Shifting from horror to, say, YA would be a much tougher sell.

Remember, nothing is lost in the pursuit of experience. You don’t necessarily have to write a full-length novel outside your usual genre — it could just be something you experiment with in your spare time, or a fun side project for you to share with your loyal Substack subscribers.

Whatever approach you take, I commend you for accepting the challenge. After all, if you never step outside your comfort zone, you’ll never know what you’re capable of creating. Good luck!

Nick Bailey writes about anything and everything in the realm of writing and self-publishing for Reedsy, a publishing platform that connects authors with editors, designers, and marketers to help them publish a book. Aside from reading, Nick enjoys hiking, electronic music, and filling up his personal cookbook with new recipes.