genrefusing

Genrefusing is a term used in contemporary criticism and creative discourse to describe a stance or practice that resists confining a work to a single genre or rigid genre taxonomy. Proponents argue that genre labels can obscure a work's aims and limit its audience by enforcing expectations rather than inviting inquiry. Genrefusing encompasses both critical analysis that interrogates genre boundaries and creative projects that deliberately blend or subvert established conventions.

Etymology and usage: The word combines "genre" with "refusing" and has appeared in academic articles, blog criticism, and festival catalogs in the 2010s and 2020s. It is often discussed as a descriptive phenomenon—a tendency observed in certain novels, films, video games, and other media—rather than a formal movement with an explicit manifesto.

Practically, genrefusing can take many forms: cross-genre storytelling that fuses fantasy, mystery, and science fiction; non-linear or metafictional narratives that call attention to themselves as genre products; marketing strategies that avoid or challenge genre classifications; and critical writing that treats genre as a spectrum rather than discrete boxes. In practice, these works attract audiences seeking novelty, and can complicate distribution through streaming and independent publishing channels.

Reception and critique: Supporters view genrefusing as a liberating approach that expands creative possibilities and challenges commercial constraints. Critics argue that it can be vague, self-indulgent, or impractical for audiences seeking clear expectations. Some note that the term can function as a marketing buzzword rather than a substantive analytical category.