Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion

What are your definitions for:

1.) paranormal?
2.) fantasy?
3.) urban?

While there are many definitions for each of them, I'll just go with the first one that crosses my mind when I see it. (I also tried to keep it simple.)

Paranormal: Anything that involves super natural phenomena.

Fantasy: Stories that take place in a different world than ours.

Urban: Stories that takes place in our world but with creatures that are more of a myth or maybe taken from legend.

The usual categories for paranormal vs urban are:

Paranormal romance - there are supernatural critters, it's set in our world but with a difference, and the romance is the main driver of the plot.

Urban fantasy - as above, but the romance (although probably present) isn't the main plot.

I write urban fantasy, and sometimes I get caught out on this because people are expecting a paranormal romance and are disappointed that there isn't more of a focus on the relationships.

I guess if you're defining something as "paranormal", that could include urban fantasy, but I'd be wary of doing that because paranormal romance is more common and people would be even more likely to misunderstand.

Fantasy is a pretty broad church too - high fantasy (medieval, often with elves and magic) is the most common subtype, I think?

aahhh these sub-genres always trip me up

Cassandra wrote: "I write urban fantasy, and sometimes I get caught out on this because people are expecting a paranormal romance and are disappointed that there isn't more of a focus on the relationships.
..."

I hear you there. I often get the same comments about the romance.

Me, too, Fabi. That's why I'm asking.

I got an email this morning that confuses me more. A reader (nicely) said that my work is too romantic to be erotica. Say what? Erotica can't be romantic? LOL.

One of my fears is putting my books in the wrong category and pissing off readers. :)

Haha. This genre - identity crisis sums up my life right now. I'm feeling all of your pains. I wanted to stick to dark/paranormal/urban fantasy, but I threw in some racy scenes and all of a sudden I write erotica. Go figure.

I saw most readers, agents, publishers are looking for cross-genre work, so as long as you stick to your core intent, then the undertones (be it, romantic, erotic, paranormal, or otherwise) is merely a byproduct. I've adopted what one reviewer refered to my work as "dark fantasy with a twist" or as I prefer "romantic horror."

The struggle is real.

On the UF vs PNR thing, I read one article that emphasised the importance of a good cover to help distinguish between the various paranormal categories. I've been giving it a bit of thought, because I'm looking at self-publishing an UF later in the year (my current trilogy is out with a small press, so I haven't had to think about covers). Usually UF covers tend to emphasise the main character looking ready for action rather than ready for, um, "action". ;) At least, that's my observation.

Dany wrote: "What are your definitions for:

1.) paranormal?
2.) fantasy?
3.) urban?"

I don't have a definition! I class everything as fantasy, some things and paranormal, and a few others as urban!

1.) paranormal?

Anything which involves abilities or creatures not belonging to reality. E.g. an actual seer or mindreader is just as paranormal to me as a demon or mermaid.

2.) fantasy?

Anything taking place in a fantasy setting. This could even be our own, but twisted so it is different. E.g. a medieval setting with actual magic. Harry Potter.

3.) urban?

Anything in an urban, usually gritty setting of our actual world but with paranormal entities or abilities attached. Dresden Files. Buffy.

I write two sister series, one is UF, the other PNR.

The UF only has the female protagonist on the cover, and is obviously not a romance. She has romantic encounters with people, but the plot centers around supernatural bad guys doing bad things, and the good guys trying to stop them.

The sister PNR series will debut in six weeks, the cover will debut in the next couple of weeks, but it is obviously a romance, with hot guy and beautiful girl on the cover. This series allows some of the secondary characters in the UF to get their HEA.

And, to be clear on the genres, the UF is described as "Urban Fantasy with a side of BDSM."

Steelwhisper wrote: "1.) paranormal?

Anything which involves abilities or creatures not belonging to reality. E.g. an actual seer or mindreader is just as paranormal to me as a demon or mermaid.

2.) fantasy?

Anythin..."
This post court my attention because
I wish seer,s where paranormal to me but i know
Too many people that are seers, read tarots or crystal balls. And as for magic not being real,most of said persons class themselves as witches.

Steelwhisper wrote: "1.) paranormal?

Anything which involves abilities or creatures not belonging to reality. E.g. an actual seer or mindreader is just as paranormal to me as a demon or mermaid.

2.) fantasy?

Anythin..."
This post court my attention because
I wish seer,s where paranormal to me but i know
Too many people that are seers, read tarots or crystal balls. And as for magic not being real,most of said persons class themselves as witches.

Dany wrote: "What are your definitions for:

1.) paranormal?
2.) fantasy?
3.) urban?"

Paranormal: Stories that involve the occult and/or the supernatural. Ghosts, demons, vampires, werewolves, witchcraft.

Fantasy: Stories that involve mythical creatures and/or take place in other worlds.

Urban: Paranormal and fantasy stories that have contemporary real world and/or urban settings.

Dany wrote: "What are your definitions for:

1.) paranormal?
2.) fantasy?
3.) urban?"

Paranormal is anything that isn't human. Shifters, vamps, angels, etc.

Fantasy can be alternate worlds, universes, etc. It can be Earth but an Earth where everything you know to be true is turned on its ear.

Urban to me is a mix of fantasy, romance, and action/thriller genres. When I pick up an urban book, I want a strong female lead who kicks major ***. I also want the fantasy aspects, and romance is a big bonus.

G.G. wrote: "While there are many definitions for each of them, I'll just go with the first one that crosses my mind when I see it. (I also tried to keep it simple.)

Paranormal: Anything that involves super na..."

That's very helpful. Thanks. I got confused sometimes.

Paranormal - any fiction that involves super natural creatures or anything strange and out of the ordinary every day life.

Fantasy - If it takes place in a made up world, with unusual creatures or beings then it's fantasy.

Urban - Any type of story be it romance, thriller, fantasy etc. that takes place in an urban setting.

Genres were invented so bookstores could group types of books together. Publishing houses catered to this and introduced targeted marketing. Self-publishing allowed books that cross genres to see the light of day.

The PNR genre is an offshoot of the RWA, which dictates that anything called "romance" must have the romance as the central plot of the story. Dictatorial old biddies protecting their turf.

So, according to RWA and the big six publishing houses, PNR revolves around romance and UF doesn't.


That said, PNR can be historical, fantasy, futuristic, or contemporary. UF is almost always contemporary or near-contemporary. Fantasy is otherwhen.

This question stumps me as well.
Paranormal to me suggests ghosts and spirits.
Fantasy is a broad spectrum including things and places that aren't real.
Urban implies gritty, real-world city settings.
But that's just me. In the literary market, these labels get so crossed up and over it's difficult to determine where your work truly belongs.