Tying myself in knots trying to work out the correct categorisation for my NiP which I'm hoping to have almost ready for submission by the end of August. This is a (really) compressed version of the plot:

Following her mother's death, the main character returns to the village she grew up in to confront a traumatic past and make a new life for herself and her teenage daughter. She has no idea that the legacy of an eighty year-old murder is going to take over their lives and threaten everyone they care about.

(No, I'm not going to use this in a query letter!)

The main character has a relationship with an old friend, who gradually undergoes a complete psychological collapse.

I understand it's going to be 'women's fiction' - but how would you break this down further? Or wouldn't you?

Any advice gratefully received.

I think I wouldn't, if it's problematic: it's very clear from your description what it's like. Any agent who's interested in looking at WF would think it came under her tastes, IYSWIM!

Best of luck with it.

Emma

I agree with Emma. I'd stick with Womens Fiction.

Well I want to read it, whatever genre it is!

Well I want to read it, whatever genre it is!

Dee, you are my hero

Thanks Naomi and Emma,

Just me over-thinking again. I was reading someone's guidance recently and they had split WF down into 'romantic suspense' and lots of other sub-divisions, so I wondered if WF was too broad a term.

(At least with two unsolved murders, a fatal car crash and an abduction, I can be fairly sure it's not chick-lit )