New Year – New Mystery
2024 Brings in the Mystery
As a multi-genre author who has written everything from mystery, sci-fi, crime, and fantasy, I know my genre hopping can get confusing to my readers. But I started writing back when having a pen name was a closely guarded secret. Now if you want to write in another genre, people pop out a new pen name. Essentially they’re sub-branding themselves. I’m enthusiastic about the idea, but at this late stage where I’ve managed to write in all the genres I read as a young person I wonder if I should bother or if I should just do a periodic announcement to let people know where the boundary lines are. And that means that whenever I announce that I have a new book coming out I get a lot of readers asking…
Yes, but what kind of book is this… like mystery, romance, what? (insert side-eye)
However, since I haven’t had time to figure out what my pen names would be I guess I’ll just forge ahead with the name I’ve got and announce that I have a new mystery coming out! Eye Contact is a stand-alone, laugh-out-loud mystery set in Seattle. With a quirky cast of characters, including a ten-year-old big time wrestling fan, a few science nerds, and a couple of Chinese spies who REALLY dislike working with a guy who thinks he knows it all, this one should tickle a few funny bones.
EYE CONTACT: Lexi Byrne—UW grad student, brilliant researcher, and neurodivergent—is working on cutting edge research into bionic eye technology. But Lexi’s normal, safe, science-based life takes an abrupt left turn after her prototype is stolen. Lexi must fight her own limitations and lean on the strengths of her friends to stop a misogynistic, greedy thief and recover her work.
Join Lexi and her best friend Shea as they take on theft, spies, and dating.
RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024
GENRE: mystery-comedy
AVAILABLE: All-retailers – books2read.com/Maines-Eye-Contact
So will there be pen names?
Not unless I get a sudden burst of energy that would enable me to re-brand ALL of my books. I’m not saying never, but for now I think I’ll stick with just trying to be very clear about my genres and making the occasional announcement.
Oh, look an announcement…
Find a complete list here: bethanymaines.com/catalog/
GENRE: Murder & Crime
San Juan Island Murder Mysteries – Murder and laughs as Tish Yearly and her grandfather Tobias solve mysteries on their tiny Pacific Northwest Island home.
Steam level: kissing the boy next door, everything else is behind closed doors Available: All retailers
Shark Santoyo Crime Series – A very different mobster meets a very different teenager and together they take on the under world, the FBI, and the whatever else is standing in their way.
Steam level: Steamy, but we don’t get any nekkid action until book 3 Available: Amazon & Kindle Unlimited
The Christmas Carols – Crime meets romantic comedy in this trilogy of linked Christmas stories. Steam level: Kissing Available: Oh Holy Night & Winter Wonderland – Amazon & Kindle Unlimited, Blue Christmas – All Retailers OR FREE if you sign up for my newsletter
GENRE: Romantic Suspense
The Deveraux Legacy – Follow the lives of four cousins as they try to repair their broken family, find love and keep from getting killed. Steam level: There be nekkid schmexy times ahead! Available: All retailers
GENRE: Paranormal Romance
The Three Colors Trilogy – The Lucas Siblings want to change the world, they never expected to find their mates. Steam level: We’re naked by chapter 3 Available: Amazon & Kindle Unlimited
The Rejects Pack – A group of wolves rejected by their birth packs band together to solve a historical and archaeological mystery and maybe find true love along the way. Steam level: We’re making out by chapter 3 and nekkid as soon as the warlocks stop chasing us Available: Amazon & Kindle Unlimited
Maverick & Wild Waters – Stand-alones in the same Supernatural world. Steam level: naked, naked, naked Available: Amazon & Kindle Unlimited – Maverick, Wild Waters
***
Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of action-adventure and fantasy tales that focus on women who know when to apply lipstick and when to apply a foot to someone’s hind end. She participates in many activities including swearing, karate, art, and yelling at the news. She can usually be found chasing after her daughter, or glued to the computer working on her next novel (or screenplay). You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.
Your output in so many different genres is both tiring and exciting. It also gives your readers, following your name, an opportunity to safely sample different genres knowing they will get the quality of your writing they have come to rely on. Keep writing… and don’t worry about changing the brand.
Bethany, your new book sounds like a lot of fun! Remember, many readers read multiple genres. As long as you’re specific about which genre each book falls into, I don’t think you need worry. It may actually work to your advantage not to break your books up with different pen names. Readers who like books in one genre may be tempted to try a book in another genre they’ve never read because they like your writing.
I wish I could thumbs up everyone’s comment. I agree – readers DO read multiple genres!
I liked your post because my feeling is that as long as an author is clear about the genre, they will choose to read it if they want. As Lois said readers often enjoy various genres and what better way to buy books when they already like an author’s output in another genre.
Hey Bethany,
I am right with you re multiple genre, though I think you out do me. I decided against pen names. I am who I am and I do what I do. Congrats on the new novel, sounds terrific. LOL, I am also working on a suspense novel with spies and some humor. Hmm. Like minds?
The new book sounds fantastic, and that is quite a compendium of works you’ve produced. My head is spinning over which to read next—but spinning in a good way! Best wishes always.
Your wellspring of ideas is amazing, Bethany. Good luck on the Eye Contact!
I just could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I really loved the usual info an individual supply in your visitors Is gonna be back regularly to check up on new posts
Hello Neat post Theres an issue together with your site in internet explorer would check this IE still is the marketplace chief and a large element of other folks will leave out your magnificent writing due to this problem