Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion

I'm not sure if here is where I should ask but I'm doing my edits on my book and I'm finding a huge problem in the readers expecting it to be a paranormal romance rather then an urban fantasy.

Do any of you have any ideas how to I can show that to the reader or do I just have to let people read it and those who wanted it to be a romance let them be disappointed?
Thanks, Kimi

I would add an author's note stating that explicitly. Something on order of "I hope you all enjoy my new urban fantasy."

When the book is published, you can shelf it appropriately on Goodreads. Even if you don't like to rate and/or review your books, shelving it under "my books" and "urban fantasy" shouldn't be misinterpreted.

Sometimes the greatest indicator of a books contents is the cover. If it's urban fantasy, make sure the cover is darker, and not all light and romance-y, if that makes sense.

You could consider adding a subtitle. Something super basic like: (an urban fantasy)

Ditto! The cover is key! Urban Fantasy covers tend to have the main character on them looking tough yet sometimes sexy and depict them on a journey or mission.

Paranormal romances often look a lot closer to romance novels.

UF Example:
Halfway to the grave by Jeaniene Frost - Strong cover character

PR Example: any Black Dagger Brotherhood book! Lol

Although, UF usually do have s romance aspect.

Covers are ideal, but authors don't always have complete control over their covers.

mlady_rebecca wrote: "Covers are ideal, but authors don't always have complete control over their covers."

I thought maybe she was an indie, in which case she would. My bad.

I came here to comment that covers have a huge impact on what the reader expects to be in the book.

Another suggestion would be to take a look at several PNR blurbs and several UF blurbs. Determine how they differ from each other, what keywords UF uses that PNR doesn't and vice versa. Base your UF blurb on existing blurbs that convey your intended genre well.

(Using your own plot points, of course.)

All grew points. I am an indie author and the cover is done. It's a strong looking but slightly sexy female characters (she has to be due to her job)

Thanks for the comments guys.

That was great not grew lol

I learned something :) I'm looking into buying a cover for my book and this is really helpful!

You pose an interesting question!!! I often find myself reading books that I expect to be UF and am disappointed by PNR instead. Like some previous posters said, the cover helps a lot. Dark covers with an abstract image (as opposed to a model couple) appeal most to me.

You pose an interesting question!!! I often find myself reading books that I expect to be UF and am disappointed by PNR instead. Like some previous posters said, the cover helps a lot. Dark covers with an abstract image (as opposed to a model couple) appeal most to me.

I have to say that with digital books the cover doesn't do much for me. Unless I see a shirtless man with a woman hanging off of him. Then I know it is romance and not usually what I am looking for. It really should be about the discription/blurb or whatever you call it. Just make sure the marketing matches that material.

Danielle wrote: "I have to say that with digital books the cover doesn't do much for me. Unless I see a shirtless man with a woman hanging off of him. Then I know it is romance and not usually what I am looking f..."

I recently had an experience of something with a light romance-ish cover, Christmas title, and vague blurb by a writer that normally writes rock romance. I thought, "oh a fun holiday read." Instead I got homeless youth, dealing with step parent sexual abuse. I blame that cover, and title more for the mislead, than the vague blurb. I think having an ereader has relaxed my standards, as far rejecting books with ugly covers goes. At the same time there are some unconscious visual clues the publishing industry has created because of the constant image reuse. We have come to expect cute smiling couples in sweet romance, serious couple on sexier ones, art shot of an image on the new Fifty Shades-a-like, non-smiling woman holding a weapon, tattoo optional for UF, etc. I think sometimes covers not matching certain criteria we've come to expect for books we are shopping for, keeps us from even being interested enough to even bother reading the blurb.

I think the blurb resolves the problem here, and the cover leads to it. If there's no romance subplot or it's not the main part of the book, don't mention it in the description. I've been thinking over the same thing before I published my book, and though the romance part is important there, I didn't want people to think it's a PNR book. (They'd be awfully disappointed once they'd get to all the beheading/black humor haha.) When I announced the book on my tumblr, I mentioned that it's an urban fantasy/action book with elements of drama, and no one complained yet that they were misled.
I agree with those who said that avoiding romantic pictures when choosing a cover would help; actually, even if I'm looking for a romance book, a hot couple on the cover would repel me. I want to see something deeper than that.

Alexandra wrote: "I think the blurb resolves the problem here, and the cover leads to it. If there's no romance subplot or it's not the main part of the book, don't mention it in the description. I've been thinking ..."

Your cover is beautiful, BTW, Alexandra. no question it's UF/action!

Isabel wrote: "Your cover is beautiful, BTW, Alexandra. no question it's UF/action! "
Thank you so much, Isabel! I was worrying about it, and I wish I could just buy it from a professional, but I had no idea what I wanted) lucky I can draw a little bit.

Make sure you always define it as Urban Fantasy. Like when you're tagging it online and stuff.

The title, make sure it doesn't sound like a romance.

Cover. I think as long as you stir clear of couples on them you should be good. Or other romance associated things.