If your favorite author released a book in a genre you usually avoid like the plague, would you read it? Be honest. Would you sigh, clutch your pearls, and reluctantly one-click anyway? If you said yes, congratulations — you’re probably an author loyalist like me.
I’ve long accepted this as my reading identity. I am a proud, unashamed, slightly obsessed author loyalist, and honestly, it’s been a wild but rewarding ride.
Sure, I have my favorite genres — historical fiction, Christian fiction, romance (mostly miscommunication and second-chance tropes). However, here’s the truth: if one of my favorite authors suddenly decides to write a sci-fi, alien-dinosaur-political-thriller set in post-apocalyptic Mars, best believe I will be there. Pre-order. Hardcover. Signed. I’ll even pretend I understand the science. Because I am that loyal and also would be curious to see what my favorite author is up to this time.
Why I’m an Author Loyalist
It’s simple. For me, books are about voice and heart more than setting or storyline (although I love a good storyline). There are some authors who just get me. Their words wrap around my brain like a warm cup of tea on a cold, rainy day. Their characters feel like family (sometimes dysfunctional family, but still). And when I find someone like that? I stick with them — genre switch and all.
My bookshelf shows this loyalty as it is organized by authors and you will see over ten books by my two favorites, Philippa Gregory and Francine Rivers. Then there’s Abby Jimenez, Kerry Fisher, Rosemary Okafor, Ali Hazelwood, Colleen Hoover, Elizabeth Chadwick, etc. Take Abby Jimenez, for example (yes, I’m name-dropping because this is a safe space). She could write a self-help book for alpacas and I would read every page. Why? Because her storytelling hits something deep in me. Her mix of humor, heartache, and hope is unmatched. So no matter where she takes me — bakery romances, summer flings, surprise emotional gut punches — I’m there. Ready.
But Genre Isn’t Irrelevant…
I get it. Some people are genre loyalists for a reason. Genres are like comfort food. Fantasy readers want dragons and magic. Thriller fans need suspense and unreliable narrators. Romance stans (hello, my people) want the swoony moments and happily-ever-afters. Genre gives us structure. Predictability. It sets the vibe.
And while I have my genre preferences, I absolutely do. Try giving me a hardcore horror novel and I’ll hide it under my mattress but if one of my fave authors is experimenting in that genre? I’ll put on my brave face and go along for the ride — eyes half-closed, blanket over my head, but still flipping pages.
The Best of Both Worlds
Honestly, the magic happens when your favorite author writes in your favorite genre. That’s the sweet spot. That’s when I my excitement peaks, cancel plans, and dive in like it’s the last book I’ll ever read.
But if I had to choose — author or genre — I’m rolling with my authors all the way.
Are You Like Me?
So tell me — are you an author loyalist too? Do you have that one writer you’d follow into the literary unknown, even if they start writing cookbooks written in pirate slang? (Because same.)
Or are you more of a genre loyalist — where you know what you love and stay in your well-read lane, thank you very much?
Either way, no judgment here. But if you see me clutching a time-traveling paranormal mystery next week, just know… one of my faves wrote it.
Let’s chat in the comments! Who’s an author you’d follow across genres without hesitation?
Also, genre loyalists, which genre will you read no matter who writes it.
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