Annie Neugebauer

My third pick for The A.N. 10 is another popular favorite: “What Is Literary Fiction?” This post is the way that many people originally find my blog. (You wouldn’t believe how many people google the phrase “what is literary fiction?”!)

I wrote this one sort of framed as defending literary fiction, because I hear a lot of my commercial fiction writer friends dismiss it entirely. But then I went on to write its counterpoint, “What Is Commercial Fiction?“, because the literati are no less judgmental. And then I went on to write “The Differences Between Commercial and Literary Fiction” because I really just want everyone to get along.

Alas, when it comes to books and genres, I fear folks may never join hands and sing kumbaya. Until that fateful day, it’s fun to share my take on what makes things what. For those of us who just want to understand the labeling system and make sense of why certain books get called certain things, my What Is Genre series has become a really cool ongoing discussion.

The lit-fic post is linked below, if you’d like to join that discussion yourself; everyone is welcome! And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog to get the next 7 “A.N. 10” highlights in your email! (Put annie@annieneugebauer.com in your approved senders list to make sure my blogs don’t get lost in spam.)

What Is Literary Fiction?

Pssst, before I tell you today’s A.N. 10 pick, I wanted to let you know that there’s a new album up at The Decorative Writer! My good friend (and amazing author) Lisa Bubert is sharing her swoon-worthy attic office with us! It has the best wall color, a hilarious kitten, and lots of great personal touches. Go check out her amazing writing space! And thanks to Lisa for letting us snoop in her gorgeous room!

Okay, back to our regularly scheduled programming. My second pick for The A.N. 10 is one that never gained the big popularity of some of my other choices, but it’s a personal favorite: “Unpack the Poem: ‘Inland’ by Edna St. Vincent Millay.” It’s a favorite because I got to know a poem I already loved on a crazy deep level, it was so much fun to write, and I’m still very proud of how it turned out.

True fact: it also shows what an enormous scholastic dork I am, because no one made me (or even asked me) to do a deep literary analysis of this poem. What can I say? I miss school.

But don’t worry, college-weary friends; this one requires nothing on your part but an interest in good literature and an eye to seeing it picked apart. Bonus: you’re welcome to judge my interpretations and conclusions as much as you want, and no one will give you any homework. 😉

Bonus bonus: I recorded a reading of the poem, too, so if nothing else I hope you’ll go listen to a truly gorgeous piece of work (the poem, not my reading). Poetry is meant to be heard!

The full post is below. And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog to get the next 8 “A.N. 10” highlights in your email! (Put annie@annieneugebauer.com in your approved senders list to make sure my blogs don’t get lost in spam.)

Unpack the Poem: “Inland” by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Hi everyone! It’s time for my first pick for The A.N. 10! I say first, but these aren’t in any kind of count “down” or “up” order; it’s just ten total posts I feel are worth resharing.

“What Is Speculative Fiction?” is the most popular blog on my site, though—excluding pages and my The Organized Writer documents. It’s received the most comments, the most shares, the most searches, and the most attention. I’ve had agents, professors, editors, and authors ask me if they can use it to help explain speculative fiction to writers and readers. A few years ago, I finally got around to updating the graphics, too, because so many people kept coming back to it.

I’m absolutely thrilled with how much it’s helped clarify an often-foggy concept for people! It’s a great example of how we sometimes underestimate the value of what we know; I totally took for granted that my understanding of this genre was universal. Clearly not! How cool to be able to share my knowledge in a way that people seem to click with. I hope you enjoy it too!

The post link is below; click through to read it and join the comments. And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog to get the next 9 “A.N. 10” highlights in your email over the coming months! (Put annie@annieneugebauer.com in your approved senders list to make sure my blogs don’t get lost in spam.)

What Is Speculative Fiction?