If I remember correctly, I believe the genre 'Fantasy' is intended to mean high fantasy, with elves, dwarves, orcs, dragons, honest politicians and other mythical creatures in the mix.
What would be the best genre for a story set in the modern world but involving a secret society of magicians whose prime objective is to live without being detected by the oblivious non-magicians, particularly the authorities?
AJ
That's known as Urban Fantasy. See Jim Butcher, The Dresden Files novels for the prime example.
That's known as Urban Fantasy.
I'm afraid that's not helpful. SOL doesn't have an 'Urban Fantasy' genre in its selection list.
AJ
What would be the best genre for a story set in the modern world but involving a secret society of magicians...
Are you thinking of the actual genres or the story type tags?
In the dead tree world that would be marketed as either paranormal or urban fantasy (think high fantasy or sword and sorcery (Conan) but in a modern rather than medieval setting).
SOL does not currently have either as a choice for genre, but there is a tag for paranormal.
Are you thinking of the actual genres or the story type tags?
I'm thinking of the genre for posting on SOL.
AJ
I'm thinking of the genre for posting on SOL.
Out of that list I would consider Supernatural.
Out of that list I would consider Supernatural.
I was looking at the list of 'Story Types' in the 'by tag' definitions. 'Supernatural' isn't there. But it is there as a genre in the 'Category Search' facility. It seems to be a very recent addition with only three stories, two related succubus stories and one demon story.
I used advanced search for stories containing 'magician' in their description. The principal genre, used by more than half, was 'Fantasy'. However, none of them appeared to be set in the world as we know it.
AJ
I was looking at the list of 'Story Types' in the 'by tag' definitions.
And it doesn't define the genres.
I wouldn't be bothered by someone using the Fantasy tag or genre to cover urban fantasy/contemporary fantasy.
What annoys me is when it gets used for sexual fantasies with no magic/supernatural/paranormal elements. And the fantasy tag has been used like that.
According to Wikipedia "High Fantasy" which includes what you write of, is a sub-genre of "Fantasy" which has magic or other supernatural elements as a plot, theme, or setting, though "fantasy" only partly works for your story as it takes place in the modern world.
Found this just before I posted...
"Contemporary Fantasy"...might work as your genre
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_fantasy
SunSeeker
I think we should petition Laz to add an Urban Fantasy Tag.
There are some very good (and other quality) stories that are more "Urban Fantasy" than traditional "Fantasy" stories; although some can, and do use the Fantasy Tag (appropriately).
{On a site with many pornographic and other stories with significant, or mostly, sexual focus; I can understand why some people might feel that "Fantasy" implies sexual fantasies. However, they should actually read the Tag Descriptions before using them.}
Browsing this thread, I thought about several stories on SoL that could benefit from having an Urban Fantasy Tag.
Two of the better "Urban Fantasy" stories on SoL are by Charly Young: The Keeper, and a sequel The Keeper and the Dragons.
https://storiesonline.net/s/24462/keeper/i
also:
https://storiesonline.net/s/68696/akkadian-statuette/i
This one uses the Mind Control Tag (appropriately, but I think that Urban Fantasy is a better fit; since most Mind Control stories on SoL are for sexual purposes; Not this story): https://storiesonline.net/s/61824/alterist/i
This story is labeled Fan Fiction: https://storiesonline.net/s/52875/the-human-element
This story is labeled Romance by the author: https://storiesonline.net/s/12753/silver-bell-shifter-wolf-junction
Since "Urban Fantasy" is one of the most popular "sub-genres" (seemingly of several types of stories, mostly Fantasy, and Romance, as well as Fan Fiction; having an Urban Fantasy Tag would be beneficial for the site, and helping readers find such stories.
I think we should petition Laz to add an Urban Fantasy Tag.
I will second this motion.
I think we should petition Laz to add an Urban Fantasy Tag.
I'm not sure that helps me choose a genre.
AJ
I am confronted with the same dilemma. I use the Science Fiction tag although the tag does not neatly fit many of my stories. Urban Fiction in my experience is often filled with dead tree titles such as Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere" or China Mieville's "Perdido Street Station" where the grit of the city street are palpable across the pages.