Ep. 133: Speculative Fiction / Fantasy 101 with Sarah Landis (Literary Agent)

Literary agent Sarah Landis joins me for a deep dive into the Speculative Fiction / Fantasy genre.  Sarah breaks down these terms, shares popular books in these genres, and discusses the trends she’s seeing in the publishing industry.  Also, Sarah shares both her book recommendations and her go-to books for those looking to dive into these genres! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Differentiating between genres: Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Climate Fiction. The genres that scare publishers and the toughest genre to define! The sub-genres of fantasy: High / Epic, Grounded, and Historical. How the term ‘Speculative’ is actually a broader umbrella term. The trends and performance in publishing for Speculative Fiction and Fantasy.  Why many fantasy books are written as a series. How the “Harry Potter” generation seems to be shaping both readers and authors. Sarah’s go-to recommendations for those new to these genres! Sarah’s Book Recommendations [30:31] Two OLD Books She Loves The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:56] The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:18] Two NEW Books She Loves Babel by R. F. Kuang | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:16] Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid | Amazon | Bookshop.org [38:12] One Book She Didn’t Love The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:58] One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About House of Cotton by Monica Brashears (April 4, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:33] Last 5-Star Book Sarah Read The Cloisters by Katy Hays | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:08] Other Books Mentioned The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood [5:59] Red Clocks by Leni Zumas [6:11] Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett [6:56] The Measure by Nikki Erlick [7:15] The One by John Marrs [7:33] The Passengers by John Marrs [7:38] The Road by Cormac McCarthy [9:25] Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel [9:51] Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam [10:01] After the Flood by Kassandra Montag [10:52] Wanderers by Chuck Wendig [11:45] Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn [12:19] A Game of Thrones by James R. R. Martin [12:52] The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien [12:54] The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern [13:13] The Magicians by Lev Grossman [13:15] The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman [13:22] Circe by Madeline Miller [16:00] Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead [16:31] One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez [17:00] The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab [18:58] Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo [19:04] The Midnight Library by Matt Haig [19:06] Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens [21:12] The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins [21:15] Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus [22:05] Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin [22:10] Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo [26:40] The Change by Kirsten Miller [27:24] The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman [28:52] The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley [29:18] Beauty by Robin McKinley [29:21] Spindle’s End by Robin McKinley [29:22] The Peripheral by William Gibson [30:16] In Five Years by Rebecca Serle [30:23] The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang [37:41] Yellowface by R. F. Kuang [37:49] The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake [40:15] Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton [47:09] Necessary People by Anna Pitoniak [47:19] Cover Story by Susan Rigetti [47:28] About Sarah Landis Website | Twitter | Instagram Sarah Landis represents a wide range of fiction from middle grade to adult. Sarah is particularly drawn to high-concept plots, big hooks, speculative fiction, twisty thrillers, novels with a strong emotional core, and sweeping fantasy. She is always on the lookout for new talent and narrative risk-takers. Her clients’ novels have received a variety of accolades, including Barnes and Noble book club selections and Reese’s Book Club, and have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists as well as international bestseller lists around the globe. Before joining Sterling Lord Literistic in 2017, Sarah worked as an editor for fifteen years, holding roles at G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Hyperion Books, HarperCollins Children’s Books, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. Sarah graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia.