Category question

[TarnishedPenny]

Digging through my files, I’ve stumbled on a very dark tale set in a thoroughly dystopian world. A young actress is, each week, hunted as prey for the TV audience. It’s gritty and graphic and, while she’s a wildly popular star who’s getting very rich off it, it’s a pretty horrible experience.

My question is WRT category. It would definitely fit in SciFi but I’ve also been considering Erotic Horror. The thing with that last is that there’s nothing paranormal about it. There’s a strong ‘consensual non-consent’ element as well, like a reality show with fangs.

Thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Carnevil9]

Horror doesn't require paranormal elements, just scary stuff. Look at movies like Psycho and Play Misty For Me.

 

[SimonDoom]

I agree Erotic Horror does not require anything paranormal. It sounds like erotic horror to me, based on the limited information available.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Point accepted re paranormal. That is so.

 

[SimonDoom]

TP, if I were you the only additional thing I would think about is whether the story contains some additional element that would justify it being put in another category that's more popular. Both Sci Fi and Erotic Horror have , most of the time, limited traffic. If there were no such other plausible categories, I would put it in Erotic Horror, based on what you've said, unless the story plays up Sci Fi elements.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Robots, anti-grav drones, instantaneous healing - I’d originally planned it as SF but it slipped its leash. But, yes, I’m leaning towards EH.

Thanks, all.

 

[ElectricBlue]

The darkness you describe would probably run better in Erotic Horror than Sci Fi and Fantasy. So what if the readership is smaller? (EB thinks of a challenge to set Simon.)

Just don't do what I did in one chapter of my EH shaggy dog story - spring a GM incest surprise on your readers. Even those EH guys can go all sooky la la over that. That chapter still holds pride of place as my lowest ever score! Oddly, over time, it's slowly run up higher, not lower, but there you are. Don't do your dad in the ass, and your story will run just fine .

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Thanks, EB

 

[MillieDynamite]

I'd vote for erotic horror. I like erotic horror. The story reeks of erotic horror. Not a foul, malodorous reek like old meat, but the sexy erotic redolence, reek like fresh pussy or red perfume.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

So, did you just happen to watch Running Man while you were writing this?

 

[TarnishedPenny]

MD, I will confess you’ve made me think. Scent is, some say, strongest, longest-lasting and most overwhelming sense.

If this story has an odour, I’d honestly say that it would be hot iron.

I'd vote for erotic horror. I like erotic horror. The story reeks of erotic horror. Not a foul, malodorous reek like old meat, but the sexy erotic redolence, reek like fresh pussy or red perfume