Bad idea Quote by Kelley Armstrong
““Singling out “women’s fiction” for genre derision never fails to piss me off. Somehow worse when women do it. Case in pt: Editor says crowd-sourcing editorial for romance & erotica not bad idea b/c “no great artistry at stake” Yes, genre fiction not high art. But it’s a craft we take seriously, writing for love of storytelling, not writing whatever sells.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast “Women in Fantasy” 2022
Women’s fiction is often dismissed as low art, especially by women, despite being a serious craft focused on storytelling.
In simple terms: Women’s fiction is undervalued even by its own creators.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect all genres as legitimate art forms.
Themes
genre bias
gender
literary criticism
craft
storytelling
Mood
frustrated
defiant
Type
critical
reflective
When to use this quote
- publishing decisions
- author self‑esteem
- reader expectations
- marketing strategies
Key Concepts
feminist critique
genre theory
artistic value
Questions to Reflect On
- How does dismissing a genre affect its writers?
- What can readers do to elevate under‑appreciated genres?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that market demand justifies genre hierarchies, which can limit creative freedom.
