Okay, this was supposed to be a blog about something else, but I got into a discussion about target audiences with a friend and I wanted to open the discussion up a little.

First, the backstory is that one of the writing projects I'm working on is called "Destructive Criticism" and is a book that I'm writing in what will read as a rather unique, fast-pace narrative.  The other reason for the particular style is that I intend to post much of it right here, long before I ever actually publish it.

More importantly, however, this book--as I've mentioned before--is about two brothers who are about to hit it big with their respective internet shows.

So it'll be a unique story told in a unique way, essentially for the targetted audience of YOU.  And the other people in my YouTube community.

The question arises, however: am I handicapping myself by specifically targetting such a niche market?  Is it better to try and be more "mainstream"?

I look at everything else I've published and scratch my head.  It ranges from scriptbooks to a text-based thriller novel.  Mainstream my ass.  The most mainstream of my books is a short novel about paranormal investigators taking on vampires holed up in a library.

I didn't say it was mainstream, I said it was the MOST mainstream of my books.

Krumbine, it seems, is not much of a mainstream writer.

But maybe that's one of my problems?  I keep talking about needing to sell one more book to receive my first remission's check--would I have sold that book already if my material was more mainstream?

What do you think?

 


Comments

Angry Punk Bronx Kid link
05/01/2009 10:37am

I've never read your books (Although I do plan on buying caffeine in the near future) so I guess I'm not a credible source of an opinion... however I will say that when I read books I don't want them to be mainstream. I want it to be a unique experience and thrilling to boot.

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Denitson777 link
05/01/2009 1:46pm

main⋅stream:noun 1. the principal or dominant course, tendency, or trend: the mainstream of American culture.
2. a river having tributaries.

–adjective 3. belonging to or characteristic of a principal, dominant, or widely accepted group, movement, style, etc.: mainstream Republicans; a mainstream artist.
4. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of jazz falling historically between Dixieland and modern jazz; specifically, swing music. Compare traditional (def. 4).

–verb (used with object) 5. to send into the mainstream; cause to join the main force, group, etc.: to mainstream young people into the labor force.
6. to place (handicapped students) in regular school classes.

–verb (used without object) 7. to join or be placed in the mainstream.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Origin:
1660–70; main 1 + stream

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Denitson777 link
05/01/2009 2:17pm

Ok,There is nothing wrong with being mainstream,because a lot of artist were underground artist before they were part of the so called "mainstream"

You would be handicapping yourself if you create art(any art)thinking about what would please us(your following),Because in that moment my friend,you (krumbine) wouldnt be you anymore.

The first time I saw your channel that was the first thing that I noticed was,how different and sometimes weird your videos are,blogs puupets,vampires,Th,the narrator And the first thing I thought was this guy just dont give a fuck about anything,he just makes his videos for the sake of it.

The things is you really shouldnt really care about "mainstream" or "underground",if you develop some at it feels "mainstream" ,so be it,besides there is nothing wrong with trying to reach a bigger and different group of people,as long feel good about it,go for it.

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krumbine
05/01/2009 2:21pm

@Denitson: Good call. I think the mainstream ultimately is defined by the individuals who are not afraid to not pander to it now because this is the only way anything unique and original will ever be created.

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Denitson777 link
05/01/2009 2:45pm

Now from a economic point of view,Artist need to eat and pay bills too you know,I dont see nothing wrong with trying to get some profit from your work,A lot of artist do that the release a work with a so called "mainstream feel" so the can get money to work on their more "underground" art.Art is money too and that mean business and Art and business go hand by hand, and a lot of people need to realize that.

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Denitson777 link
05/01/2009 2:58pm

Wow,youtube Is so glitchy today,I havent been able to watch your new video.

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Denitson777 link
05/01/2009 3:00pm

Im gonna have to download the video with third party software in order to watch it,I hope you dont sue me ;)

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krumbine
05/01/2009 3:00pm

It was doing that last night, too. Try CTRL+F5 to do complete reload of the page .... might work.

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krumbine
05/01/2009 3:01pm

You can download and save ALL the videos! (just link to me if you repost them ;)

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achigurh link
05/01/2009 7:04pm

KRUMBINE...write for yourself and not any audience.

if you love what you write, so will others.

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bell02
05/02/2009 2:09am

Lol, with the topic title it's like you already have an answer. People seem to spend their whole lives making it their sole job to determine what is mainstream and what isn't.

This is my thoughts, it may or may not be true, but things that go for the mainstream seem to always fail. Even with seemingly main stream things like Miley Cyrus and Grand Theft Auto had their target audiences (for Tweens and young adults, respectively), they just aren't "We have to get everyone", if you're lucky or have a good perspective on what people want, they will come and make it mainstream. So I think it's best to just do what you know and do what you like wither you think it's mainstream or not, and eventually that big fish may bite. (Also because I believe the more passion or appeal a person has in something, the more skilled they are with it (making it and otherwise)... It's probably no where near true, but I believe in it and apply it to at least myself)

I guess in the defense of finding mainstream, having knowledge on what sells to who is a good idea. What I mean is Young Adults buy a lot of video games, so making a video game series for them is a good idea. Tweens are just hitting that "What to be an Adult/Teen" stage, they are looking for fashion, music, and mature properties to get into. Hanna Montana gives them that "adult music" feeling (while keeping it kid-friendly.

They work. I guess my question is do people on Youtube read books? I guess it sounds silly, of course they probably do, but at the same point it is a website for watching movies not reading passages.

Still, I believe the main issue that is making things slow for you is probably Publicity... granted, you probably are the most famous non-partner on Youtube... I just think with publicity from either the one it video, or the partnership will boost you off... and you are already working on it so I guess in due time.

I also think the comic will help sell the Explorers of the Unknown book, people will want to find out about what happened before, they'll want to know more. I may be bias, but I think that could be the catalyst to boost off that property. (And in turn may boost off the rest)

(LOL, also, not that I want to toot anyone's horn or anything... I just honestly think it'll look real good and professional when all's said and done. Maybe that's not enough to make people want it... but I think people will want it, lol)

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novanine link
05/03/2009 6:49am

Mainstreamity is a sliding scale.

I agree with the peeps above. Just write what you write and let the works become either mainstream or not, on their own!

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