Poll

Harry Potter is the best in my mind.
Spiderwick came close behind.
I've never read eragon.
And I only like the first twilight book.

So yay for Harry Potter!!!!!1

I think it would be great to have a folder dedicated to UF. While there are alot of overlaps between the UF & PNR genre, there are a few things in UF that are always present. There have been a few series I went into thinking it would be straight PNR & was disappointed when I found otherwise & vice versa. Some readers like the HEA present in PNR & may not be open to a storyline that's not completely focused on the romance aspect. I for one enjoy both genres for many different reasons & have gotten better at telling the difference between the two before reading but people new to both genres may not.

I voted no, but not for the reason listed in the poll. I'm actually one of the people who prefers UF to paranormal romance in the way that LethalLovely described; I'm not as much into the series where each book had a HEA, I prefer more of a continuing story. But I also participate in a UF group, a SciFi and Fantasy group, etc. So for me, this group is where I get ideas for books or discuss books with paranormal elements and romance, just like the title states. I like seeing what everyone is talking about, sometimes I find books I'd never have tried otherwise. If the discussions were separated more I might not notice some great books or discussions.

I think a separate folder for strictly UF would be helpful as I often confuse UF and PNR. For the series/books that encompass both UF & PNR, perhaps a separate folder for them as well?

I think it would be nice to have a strictly UF folder. I read both UF and PNR, but I have different expectations of both types. If I go into a UF expecting a PNR I usually end up really angry about unmet expectations. I would find the separate folder helpful in differentiating the two.

I say yes because I still don't know they difference between the two.
I care and then I don't care, but still, I think it would be nice to see which books are which.

I am really not sure how I feel about this. Lately, it seems to me that things that were previously PNR have become UF - and the writing of the books that have made that switch has changed as well. And I don't like it. If I had wanted to read a UF series, I would have picked up a book #1 that was considered UF. When I start a PNR series, I'm not a fan of that series making a switch after a number of books. I like both, but it seems that because of some of the cross over and the switches, I am not sure where I would put certain books/series. As a result, I like the idea of being able to find UF vs PNR, but I don't think it would be very easy to actually draw the distinction in a lot of cases.

I changed my mind three times, but having looked at the folders, and seen that there is a separate folder for Fantasy, it probably does make sense to have an Urban Fantasy folder.

Otherwise, how do Urban Fantasy lovers know whether to look in Fantasy or in Paranormal?

I think its a good idea to separate them. A romance and a fantasy have very different elements to their main plots. Often I hear people complaining at a book wasn't about the vampires and was about the romance. I often reply, "That's because it was a romance novel." I politely leave out the "Duh" Hehehe. UF often is confused with PNR, because the stories share several commonalities, but they are distinctly different.

Kimberly wrote: "I say yes because I still don't know they difference between the two.
I care and then I don't care, but still, I think it would be nice to see which books are which."

I agree with Kim

Kristen wrote: "I am really not sure how I feel about this. Lately, it seems to me that things that were previously PNR have become UF - and the writing of the books that have made that switch has changed as well..."

That's true, some series have started switching tracks in the middle. I find that so irritating! If you really want to separate UF and PNR you're going to run into a problem with those ones.

I would like to see it seprated also. There is some big differences between UF and PNR. I myself like to stay with the PRN becuase I know there will be a HEA that you dont find in most UF.

I really have no strong opinion one way or another. There is plenty of overflow between the two genres and often the lines are blurred.

There are so many similarities between the two types of genre that it would often be difficult, IMO, to determine to which category some books would belong. I understand the desire to separate, since most UF does not necessarily have a HEA with each book. Also aren't many UF about paranormal beings? Perhaps that could be the distinguishing factor. Paranormal with a HEA in each book goes in this category and non-HEA paranormal/UF goes in the other category. JMHO.

It doesn't matter for me...either way. I often get both UF and PNR mixed up so I'll just go with the flow.

Hm, well, on the one hand, I think it might be a good idea for more targeted discussion. On the other hand, that might as well be two groups and some discussions overlap both genres. Also, some people just can't make the distinction between the two genres (I've seen that again and again). So I would say make a separate UF folder, maybe for series and key topics like the kick-butt heroine, but keep a general folder for topics like "Vampires are cool", LOL. I don't envy you moving all those topics though. Let me know if you need any help. :)

I voted no--but I don't really have any strong feelings one way or the other. I think that there is a lot of cross-over in the 2 genres. Some books are very definately 1 or the other, but then with others its kind of "Um, where would you put this one?" since there are no really strong characteristics for one classification or the other.

And I have to agree with the people who talk about a series that switches formats in the middle of it. They will be confusing as to where to put them. I mean, is it (as a really sucky example) BDB #1-5 is PNR and #6 and above UF or what. Not that I've read any but the first 2 BDB's (again, I think they were the waste of a tree's death, but that's just me.) However, I have read plenty of complaints and comments from those who love them.
And I know that that isn't the only series to change pace.

I think there are really only a few series that switch genres mid-series or cannot be categorized though. It might even be interesting to have one topic for one such series in the PNR folder and one topic for the same series in the UF folder. One would be discussing the PNR elements and one the UF elements?

I think it would make things more organized too. It's a little frustrating to see something distinctly urban fantasy -say, Dark Swan- next to a strictly fantasy world, medieval-setting -not urban/contemporary/modern at all- romance like the CL Wilson series, just to give an example.

It's a good idea to keep these genres separate. A romance always has a HEA ending but urban fantasy doesn't have to follow that rule. Nor is the focus on the romantic relationship as in a PNR. So this is a good idea from my viewpoint.

I like well written pnr, though not that many of them.

I love UF. However, many of the books are in the middle and I like/love them.

If you seperate out the two I would probobly wander off cause I like reading here about the mix, leaning towards the pnr. Whereas when I really am looking for the stronger uf stuff I look to b&n and the uf threads for that.

I don't know if this has been said, but yes, they should be separate, because PR doesn't have to be urban (where as UF obviously does).

I don't have a preference because like most people, I can't tell the difference between UF and PNR. Maybe with a separate folder I will be able to differentiate between them.

Instead of making two seperate files can't we just add to each book listing some info, like UF, HEA and PNR. I find so much more stuff by having them together. Ones that i might never have read otherwise.

Vicky wrote: "Instead of making two seperate files can't we just add to each book listing some info, like UF, HEA and PNR. I find so much more stuff by having them together. Ones that i might never have read oth..."

Ooh, I like this idea better than separate folders! I would be more than happy with labels identifying whether it has a HEA or not.

new_user wrote: "Hm, well, on the one hand, I think it might be a good idea for more targeted discussion. On the other hand, that might as well be two groups and some discussions overlap both genres. Also, some peo..."

I agree with NU! :)

It doesn't really matter to me. I read them both, but alot overlap maybe you could leave them seperate for those that don't read both. I tend to lump anything para or supernatural together anyway.

I would say have it categorized by either author or series name in general. Don't really worry about UF or PNR.

I feel it will be helpful to have a separate folder as long as there is clear criteria of which UF series crossover because PNR is always PNR while UF can be some of anything. Also, most PNR is written by females while UF is a mix. I only make the observation because most of the books followed by this group are written by females.

for me personally i would like to have them separated. i'm new to the PNR and UF genres. i'm mostly interested in PNR so far and i'd like to keep them separate. it would totally make it easier to know which is which and also when i get interested into UF it'll all be in one spot.

I'm not much of a UF person but I LOVE LOVE LOVE my PNR so I think it'll be good to have them separate. :)

Well, I voted to keep them together, but let me qualify my vote... by separating them, you risk eliminating reads from ppl who are strictly looking for PNR. I have read some great love stories that were not classified as PNR, but rather UF. I very literally stumbled upon them, but when searching for a good read, I do not seek stories in UF as a rule. I think it is a fine line where many books could be justifiably classed in either genre. Tough question!!

If you are going to seperate them (which I think would be great),I think you would almost need three folders: 1. Paranormal 2. Urban Fantasy 3. Mix (for the ones that are too hard to call).

I think there should be separate folders. I read both and was looking for PNR the other day and kept running across nothing but UF, it was driving me nuts. UF has gotten so popular recently!

Beth wrote: "Well, I voted to keep them together, but let me qualify my vote... by separating them, you risk eliminating reads from ppl who are strictly looking for PNR. I have read some great love stories tha..."

I like this idea. Some are really hard to set apart, so the 'mix' might be a good one.

especially xconsidering urban fantasy doesn't always have romance in it.

Nancy wrote: "It's a good idea to keep these genres separate. A romance always has a HEA ending but urban fantasy doesn't have to follow that rule. Nor is the focus on the romantic relationship as in a PNR. So t..."

I voted to separate the two & do agree with Nancy. I can tell PNR & UF apart. I'm mostly a reader of PNR.

But, Vickie (msg #22) also has a good idea.
Diane (msg #31) also has a good idea {"If you are going to seperate them (which I think would be great),I think you would almost need three folders: 1. Paranormal 2. Urban Fantasy 3. Mix (for the ones that are too hard to call)."}

The 'mix' folder could include the UF books that do have an HEA ending (& for continuing books, ones that eventually end up [at the end of series:] with an HEA).

Lea Ellen {night owl in IL}
http://www.paranormalromanceguild.com

Since I don't even understand the difference I would say separate them at your own disposal. For my own personal folders I have anything paranormal, then one for anything fiction (non magical/paranormal). I do my own sorting.

I'm ok either way. I understand the difference and understand that there may be some overlap. So, I guess, you can say I don't have an opinion, so I shouldn't respond to the poll. :-)

I think it's a great idea, if you do it then that's where I'll look for what to read next if I'm feeling like UF or PNR.

Yes, because there is a difference and that we should acknowledge that difference by organizing it like so :D

Since I dont really know the difference between the two, i think it would be a good idea to seperate them but either way im sure i've read and loved books both in the Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy sections.

Thanks very much for all of the comments, everyone. :) I really appreciate your input. I'm traveling for the next day or so, so I'll keep the poll up and let everyone continue to share their opinions, then make a decision this weekend. Thanks again!

I voted no, but mostly because I think it'll get too confusing with series that switch or with books that are in a gray area between the 2. I mostly lurk, though, so I'm fine with either decision. I do like the idea of adding info about the category to the thread name.

I actually get pissed if there isn't a happy ending. The way I see it is reading for me is a sort of escape for me. There is enough tragic endings in real life. Let my escape from reality be a happy one.

I read mostly fiction too and prefer HEA's too. I get enough reality from my own life. I agree it is an escape.

I don't really have a strong opinion either way. I would think some stories would not fall neatly in one category or the other, so it might lead to overlap and confusion, but I'm not exactly well versed on the subject.

Chinablue_25 wrote: "I actually get pissed if there isn't a happy ending. The way I see it is reading for me is a sort of escape for me. There is enough tragic endings in real life. Let my escape from reality be a happy one."
---
Hello Chinablue - UF books do NOT end with an HEA the majority of the time. Most UF books are a series. At the very end of the series, there may [or may not:] be an HEA.

This is why it's a very good idea for the PNR & UF books to be separated.

Lea Ellen {night owl in IL}
Board Member of –
http://www.paranormalromanceguild.com

I voted yes but really still don't understand the difference - and after a discussion on here somewhere where not everyone seemed to even agree on the difference. Maybe if they were separate I'd figure out the difference although I doubt it would really matter to me.

Together is better! =)

Either way is fine by me. I agree there is a lot of overlap and I enjoy both so it's all good to me.