The Oxford dictionary says that dystopia is: an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one. The opposite of Utopia.
That sounds like a perfect place to set a novel. And it seems lots of other people agree too. I’ve been reading blog posts and reports for a couple of years now about how agents and publishers are sick of getting dystopian novels landing on their desks. Since The Hunger Games, we’ve gone dystopia crazy.
I hate to burst that bubble, guys, but we’ve been dystopia crazy for years. Think The Time Machine (it’s in there, honest), think Nineteen Eighty-Four, think Oryx and Crake and The Handmaid’s Tale.
We’ve always loved dysptopia. And from what people tell me whenever I mention that I’ve written a dystopian novel, we’re still hungry for more. Of all the upcoming books I’ve publicised, Runners is the one that has caused the most excitement. Yet the niggling doubt is still there that nobody will be interested when the book comes out. What if the blogs and reports are right? What if we’ve all moved on to magical flying monkeys or vampiric were-donkeys? Then I guess I’ll just climb back into my box and spend my days reading it to myself. I can at least pretend that I made it to the party, right?
Like Harry Hill says (it’s an English thing, stick with me) there’s only one way to find out…
Sharon Sant 
Dystopia is too dark for me. Says the girl who kills people! I do however love your writing style and voice so am excited about the release of Runners. Funny how an authors voice can change everything like that 🙂
I love that you think it’s too dark! It’s Chick lit compared to your stories!
Ha! Perception is a funny thing 🙂
i agree; we’ve been crazy for dystopia for awhile; although Oryx & Crake and Handmade’s Tale are not that old! HG Wells, in my book, is pretty old. Good luck with the challenge!
I agree that Oryx and Crake isn’t that old. It’s just pre-hunger games, which was kinda what I meant 🙂 Maybe they weren’t the best examples! And thank you!
Dystopias interest me… though I far prefer Fantasy. I do appreciate the recent hype of The Hunger Games as it now means that when I mention the word “dystopia” to my friends I don’t get blank stares. 🙂
My favorite dystopian novel by far is “The Giver.”
Yes, it’s always great to avoid blank stares! Thank you for dropping by 🙂
I prefer a dystopian world in fiction than a utopian one! Haters by Dave Moody is my favourite dystopian story, I love how you can make connections with the breaking down of society and relationships. The end of the world does not seem that fictitious when you really think about it.
It really doesn’t! I think that’s why we connect with those worlds, sometimes there seems such a fine line between those and the world we currently inhabit.
Dystopia have been popular for a long time, I agree. I find it fascinating to look at the worst that can happen from choices people are threatening to make or are making now.
I agree, it’s a fascinating and also scary idea! I think that is what makes dystopia so compelling.
Vampire were-donkeys? You must write this story immediately! 🙂 I admit that I’m not a big fan of Dystopian novels – they’re too dreary for me. I prefer my murder and mayhem to be in the contemporary world.
Best of luck with the A to Z challenge,
Jocelyn
Each to their own 🙂 And thanks!
I know exactly the blog you need: Mel Sherratt, Writer of Murder and Mayhem!