Defining Chick-Lit

Warning: The opinions expressed in this blog may not reflect the views held by the publishing community at large. Thank goodness!

What is chick-lit? Great question. The way I see it is any book (literature) that is enjoyed by chicks (the female kind, not the poultry kind). So, to answer Natasha's question, sure Jane Austen qualifies. Maybe more so in her day, but plenty of us chicks (read: cool women) enjoy reading Ms. Austen even today.

The "industry" (and boy do I use that term loosely) may define chick-lit in very different ways. When the genre first appeared on the scene (think Bridget Jones' Diary), it typically included a single gal living in the city, addicted to shopping and fashion, booze and sex, and generally being a ditz. Luckily for us, the genre has evolved to include any book with a female protag, as long as she has a bit of spunk. Voice is the primary thing that defines the genre these days. If the tone of the novel is witty, I tend to classify it as chick-lit (and read it!).

With the expansion of the genre into Mom-lit, YA-lit, Chick Thrill, Paranormal-lit, Lady-lit, etc, there is something for women of any age and stage in life to enjoy. Smart, funny characters that reflect smart, funny readers.