Writing is rarely a straight path. As authors, we often find ourselves drawn to different types of stories, different voices, different worlds. Some of us stick to our lanes—romance writers who build their careers on love stories, thriller authors who keep readers on the edge of their seats. But what about those of us who can’t—or won’t—choose just one genre?

I’ve found that being a multi-genre writer is both a blessing and a curse. One day I’m crafting a cozy mystery, the next I’m deep in the trenches of a science fiction epic. It’s exciting, but it comes with its own set of challenges that single-genre authors don’t face.

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: building a readership. When you write in multiple genres, you’re essentially starting fresh with each new book. Your romance readers might not follow you into your horror novel. Your middle-grade fans probably won’t pick up your adult thriller. This means you’re constantly working to establish yourself in new markets, which can feel like pushing a boulder uphill.

Then there’s the marketing challenge. Traditional publishing wisdom says to build your brand around a specific genre. Readers should know exactly what they’re getting when they pick up one of your books. When you write across genres, this becomes… complicated. Your author platform needs to be flexible enough to accommodate different types of work while still maintaining a coherent identity.

But here’s the thing about writing across genres: it makes you a better writer. Each genre has its own rules, its own rhythms, its own expectations. Romance teaches you about character development and emotional resonance. Mystery hones your plotting skills. Literary fiction pushes you to elevate your prose. When you work in multiple genres, you’re constantly learning new techniques that you can apply across your entire body of work.

It also keeps you fresh. Writer’s block in your fantasy novel? Switch to that contemporary romance you’ve been plotting. Tired of writing dark thrillers? Try your hand at a humorous essay. The ability to shift between projects can be creatively rejuvenating.

So how do you take those first steps into a new genre? Start by reading extensively in your target genre. Understand its conventions, its reader expectations, its current trends. Join writing groups focused on that genre. Find beta readers who regularly read in that space—their feedback will be invaluable.

Consider using a pen name for your genre experiments. This isn’t about hiding; it’s about being considerate to your readers. If they pick up a book expecting your usual romantic comedy and get a dark psychological thriller instead, they might feel misled. A pen name allows you to build separate readerships while protecting your existing brand.

Most importantly, give yourself permission to be bad at first. Every genre has its own learning curve. Your first attempt at science fiction might not be as polished as your tenth historical romance. That’s okay. You’re learning a new language, in a way, and fluency takes time.

Being a multi-genre writer isn’t the easiest path. But for those of us who can’t imagine limiting ourselves to one type of story, it’s the only path that makes sense. Our creativity doesn’t know genre boundaries—why should our writing?