Genre?

[Nina]

There are so many branches of fantasy that ultimately I am confused at what my novel is. I am trying to research agents, but this tends to be an issue.

The world is split into two, the Human World and the Mage World, divided by a Gate consisting of energy. There is no magic, no elves, unicorns, or other fantasy elements. The Mages use energy, from the five elements in the Elemental Stream. There are mage races ( Remanlist, Travler, Egaim) are made up. The humans have technology, which made their world the same as ours. The Mages don't have technology so they are further behind.

The book takes place in both worlds.

There is also a Sci-Fi element. The villains have found a way to create power using human technology to create Saden Infection.

The first book is about tearing down the gate and uniting the two worlds as they are meant to be.

I haven't read a fantasy like mine, though so science fiction comes closer.

Any help on what gene I am would be most appreciated. I want to find the right agent.

[AnyaHarker]

The best advice I can give is to think of where you would expect to find your book when you walk into your favourite bookstore. Someone once said they won't make a shelf in the store just for your book, so you have to think where it would most likely be found. If it feels more like fantasy, call it fantasy. If it feels more like sci-fi, it's sci-fi.

I'd say you'd want to keep things broad for right now to give yourself a wide net for agents -- and then do a lot of research into the agents to see if they like what you're sending them.

Genres aren't easy at all -- but ultimately your agent/editor will decide where best to place your novel. 

[Falen]

Sounds to me like Fantasy. I'd just go with that.

Have you read Heroe's Die? That has two worlds, where the one world has science and technology and they use their science to send actors into the other world with hidden cameras where they film "tv shows" as these actors live in this other world (which has magic). (omg...i totally forgot how much i love that book. I need to read it again)
That's just classified as fantasy.

[RalucaB]

If you have mages, that's a pretty clear mark of fantasy. However, there is a sub-genre called "fantasy science-fiction", so you could always go with that.

[Tabris]

If it's energy manipulation, you may want not to call them mages. Just a thought. 

Regardless, the energy manipulation is taking place with a paranormal ability rather than a tech device, which I believe puts it into the fantastic realm rather than SF.

[Tabris]

I don't care where you got the name from because 99 out of 100 people are going to see "mages" and think "magicians" and then think "fantasy."

You're the author and you're omnipotent -- change their name to something that's not already taken. 

[Falen]

hmm, looks like a post was deleted.
Yeah, mage to me conotates magic, but tevs. That would really only be an issue for me until you explained it was otherwise. Then i would accept that and move on. But that's just how i roll 

[Nina]

Magic is different in every book I read, the humans think the mages use magic but the mages have other ideas. Their abilities and limits are clearly defined during the MS so I think it will work.

[Tabris]

Don't call them mages in your query or back cover copy and it'll probably be okay. 

[ClaudeDancourt]

I'll go with Fantasy also. You can search Wiki for the definition of the genre, it helps :D

[Nina]

Thank you! I was just sooooo confused with different branches of fantasy. I had someone tell me it's urban fantasy, but since the Mage & Human world are opposites, I don't know if that would work.

[Elizafaith13]

If the story doesn't take place in our world, I'd consider it high fantasy.