I read quite a few blogs. Not every day, but I do keep quite a running list in my bookmarks. Today, I happened upon a very useful post on the Ellora’s Cave editor blog, Redlines and Deadlines.

Over the last few days they have been discussing genre, mainly paranormal and urban fantasy. This morning I found their Q & A about urban fantasy to be very interesting. Take a gander.

Since I’m currently writing a few erotic books and one mainstream book with paranormal/fantasy type elements, I was very interested to see where my books fit into these two genres according to Redlines & Deadlines.

ASSASSIN - Half-werewolves and full-blooded werewolves in and around the Seattle area. Most definitely urban fantasy. 

ICY HOT - Shapeshifters in a modern ice station in the arctic. According to the editor blog post, urban fantasy.

WITCHES TRILOGY - Three witch sisters with sexy powers are given a challenge and find true love. Paranormal?

It’s so confusing! Since ASSASSIN is more from the ‘human’ perspective, I think that one is truly urban fantasy…and it takes place in a metropolitan area. Although ICY HOT takes place far from the civilized world, it is still about shapeshifters in human society…which sounds like urban fantasy.

I believe when it comes to erotic writing, these lines are blurred more. In mainstream urban fantasy, there seems to be less emphasis on romance and more emphasis on action. Think of the movie Underworld or Blade. It also involves fantasy-type creatures like werewolves, elves, vampires, etc. Paranormal is more about things like magic, witches, ESP, angels/demons, telekinesis, tarot cards, curses, etc. and can have a heavy emphasis on romance.

Anyone want to weigh in on this?

Kris