Comments on: A Rose By Any Other Name: Has Genre Become Irrelevant?

By: The Publicity Paradox | Booksquare

The Publicity Paradox | Booksquare — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:36:33 +0000

[…] we welcome back author Pam Jenoff, who wrote a great article for Booksquare called “A Rose By Any Other Name: Has Genre Become Irrelevant?”. Today, Pam explores publicity challenges facing authors, including shifts in world of literary […]

By: Dianne

Dianne — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:26:52 +0000

A gripping story, I loved it and look forward to the next. Only one point confused me – on page 317 of my copy it reads “With Alek dead and a number of other fighters, including Marek, arrested and imprisioned, the resistance is in tatters and it is nearly impossible to get information.” Later though Krysia is saying she will go to Marek for help. Did he escape? Will we find out what happened in the next book? or is it just a mistake as a result of all those rewrites?

By: Sherry Smyth

Sherry Smyth — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 14:20:35 +0000

Having read and loved “The Kommandant’s Girl”, I would say this book should be classified in “no” genre. Romance? Hardly. It was a story about life, choices, decisions, challenge, strength. Hard decisions and the realization that at a young age we think we know ourselves and the world ~ where we “fit”, who we really are. It isn’t until we are put to the test in some of the worst crises we could imagine that we discover we change all the time, our philosophy can’ t be written in stone and sacrifice, putting others first is often the best way to live a life. Romance? Not a chance.

By: Pam Jenoff

Pam Jenoff — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:12:46 +0000

Kathy-

I’m glad you liked the book. See my post above regarding the next book, a continuation. Best of luck with your writing!

By: Kathy Golitko White

Kathy Golitko White — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:36:34 +0000

I have also written a book that is historical fiction but is also romantic. It is about a Slovak Immigrant in 1910 – 15. Agents have said that it does not fit the Romance Genre but it may be too “Feminine” for Historical Fiction. An editor says it’s most likely Women’s Fiction. I hope to get it published in the next year.

I want to say that I read your book last spring and still cannot get your characters and the story out of my mind. The “humane” picture of the Kommandant made it so much more believable. No matter how many times we are shown the brutality that the Nazis were responsible for, they (at least some of them) were still humans. To make the Kommandant vulnerable opened the story so much. I have recommended your book to everyone! Are you writing another? I hope so!

By: Pam Jenoff

Pam Jenoff — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:09:08 +0000

Hi Rosemary-

Thanks so much for you kind message about my book – I am so honored that you read and enjoyed it. The next book, The Diplomat’s Wife, continues the story of Emma’s best friend Marta into the post-war period and we will find out what happens to Emma and everyone else. It will be out in early 2008 and if you sign up for the mailing list at http://www.pamjenoff.com I can let you know when it is released. Thanks again!

By: Rosemary Tiwari

Rosemary Tiwari — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:45:05 +0000

Pam,

Regardless of which designation the booksellers prefer, in my opinion The Kommandant’s Girl was the best read of my summer in both historical fiction as well as romance. Your knowledge of the time period makes this an excellent novel and so believeable. I want to know what happens next in the lives of the characters . . . will there be more?

thanks so much!

By: Pam Jenoff

Pam Jenoff — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:02:44 +0000

Have been very much enjoying the discussion these past few days. KathyF – was laughing at your pasta comment. I practically subsisted on pasta and jarred pesto when I was at Cambridge. Was amazed at the Tescos phenomenon with respect to books, it was a huge contributor to our UK success. Deborah S- Mira has been a wonderful publisher and they have a wide variety of books, but I know a lot of authors struggle with the Mira/romance issue. Judith – are you a writer? Feel free to email me if you ever want to discuss. All best, Pam

By: Judith F

Judith F — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:59:20 +0000

I have seen your book on the stands, but don’t remember which category. When I go to a big bookstore I cruise all over the store. It’s better than a candy store 🙂
Congratulations on your success!!
I’m excited for you.
MIRA publishing your book is wonderful. When I have time I do read MIRA’s books always finding I enjoy them. I thought HQN was more straight romance. I prefer MIRA for the variety. To me your book was in a good place.
This genre crossing business is so confusing.
You are where I want to be, so I guess I’d better get busy. 🙂
Enjoy

By: KathyF

KathyF — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:19:02 +0000

I saw this book the other day (was it at Tesco?) and have to admit I gave it a pass. It looked like a depressing war novel, and my life is depressing enough for now. (Mom died, daughter leaving for college, empty nest, etc.) But now I’m going to look for it again, all because of the romantic fiction label you’ve just attached to it.

I’m with Kassia, I need to know there’s a promise of a payoff at the end. Books shelved under “literature” don’t have any promise at all attached to them, whether it’s good or bad or most often, somewhere in between.

Plus I need some more pasta.