Join us today with Julie Kenner/ J.K. Beck and her thoughts on Writing In Multiple Genres

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Kenner (aka J. Kenner and J.K. Beck). She has published over forty novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres. Praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations,” J.K. is also a two-time RITA finalist, the winner of Romantic Times‘ Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Contemporary Paranormal of 2001, the winner of the Reviewers International Organization’s award for best romantic suspense of 2004 and best paranormal of 2005, and the winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award for best mainstream book of 2005. She writes a range of stories including sexy and quirky romances, young adult novels, chick lit suspense and paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, is in development as a feature film with 1492 Pictures. Her current book, Release Me by J. Kenner, is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller and has sold to over a dozen territories/sub-rights. Julie lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and several cats.

 Switching Hats: Writing In Multiple Genres

I’ve been a published author for going on thirteen years now (wow! time flies!) and during that decade-and-change, I’ve written across a lot of genres. My current book, Release Me (written as J. Kenner), is a hot and steamy and deeply emotional erotic romance.

I've also written sensual, dark paranormal romances (my Shadow Keepers series as J.K. Beck), lighter paranormal romances (my series of superhero romances) and paranormal mommy lit that has everything in the bedroom behind closed doors (my Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series as Julie Kenner).

On top of that, I've written young adult, chick lit suspense, and sexy contemporaries for Harlequin, and a slew of novellas and short stories.

In other words, I've written all over the board. And people often ask me if it's hard to switch between the genres. After all, there's a big difference between an erotic romance and the trials and tribulations of a suburban mom schlepping her kids to school and play dates (and hunting demons on the side).
Or is there?

As far as I'm concerned, there's really not. Because at the end of the day the story is about the characters and their journey. The character might be a vampire, and his journey might involve overcoming the guilt associated with having to kill to survive. Or the character might be a mom who is having to deal with juggling a job and keeping her family intact. Or with a dead husband who turns up in the body of another man--after she's happily remarried. Or it might be about a billionaire with a dangerous past and a woman who turned to cutting to fight her own battles, and they connect emotionally and sexually.

Because a story is ultimately about the characters and the journey they take, genre-bouncing doesn't mean as much. If that journey--i.e., if the lessons the characters learn and the emotional growth they experience come during the course of running for their lives or running their households, then so be it. But in erotica, those emotional moments are often centered around sex--but just because the sex is scorching doesn't mean that the emotional journey is any less (or any more) compelling!

I think that's why I like writing (and reading) in so many different genres. There are so many exciting ways to follow a character on their journey ... and no matter what the genre, I love taking the ride!

How about you? Do you have a particular genre that is your favorite?

J. Kenner is the pen name of USA Today bestselling author Julie Kenner (who also writes as J.K. Beck). Release Me, an erotic romance that went on sale January 1 in the U.S. and the U.K., and in over a dozen other countries later in 2013. And now it is a USA Today and New York Times bestseller!  


You can hang out with J.K., learn more about Release Me and her other novels, or just poke around and see what catches your eye at her website, 
www.jkenner.com, and also at her J. Kenner Facebook page, www.facebook.com/jkennerbooks and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/juliekenner

He was the one man I couldn't avoid. And the one man I couldn't resist.

Damien Stark could have his way with any woman. He was sexy, confident, and commanding: Anything he wanted, he got. And what he wanted was me.

Our attraction was unmistakable, almost beyond control, but as much as I ached to be his, I feared the pressures of his demands. Submitting to Damien meant I had to bare the darkest truth about my past-and risk breaking us apart.

But Damien was haunted, too. And as our passion came to obsess us both, his secrets threatened to destroy him-and us-forever.

Click HERE for Shonna's Review

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