Meaning: Jean Auel, an American writer, is best known for her Earth's Children series, which includes the popular novel "The Clan of the Cave Bear." The quote provided by Auel reflects her perspective on the categorization and placement of her books in bookstores. Auel's assertion that she considers her books to be "mainstream" indicates her belief that they appeal to a broad audience and should be easily accessible to readers in conventional bookstores.

Auel's Earth's Children series is set in prehistoric Europe and follows the adventures of Ayla, a young Cro-Magnon woman. The series is known for its detailed portrayal of prehistoric life and its exploration of themes such as survival, adaptation, and the clash of cultures. Auel's meticulous research and vivid storytelling have garnered a dedicated readership and critical acclaim for her work.

The quote suggests that Auel believes her books should be readily available to the majority of readers who are interested in mainstream fiction. By positioning her work as mainstream, Auel likely aims to emphasize its broad appeal and relevance to a wide audience. This positioning also implies that her books are not niche or specialized, but rather accessible and relatable to a large and diverse readership.

In the context of bookstores, Auel's statement may reflect her desire for her books to be prominently displayed and easily found by readers. By characterizing her work as mainstream, she may hope to ensure that her novels are stocked in popular sections of bookstores, where they are more likely to attract the attention of a wide range of readers. This positioning could contribute to increased visibility and sales for her books, as they would be placed in areas frequented by a larger number of bookstore patrons.

Auel's assertion about the mainstream nature of her books also speaks to her understanding of reader preferences and market trends. By categorizing her work as mainstream, she may be aligning it with the types of books that are typically in high demand and widely promoted by publishers and retailers. This positioning could serve to underscore the commercial viability of her novels and their potential to resonate with a broad readership.

Moreover, Auel's perspective on the mainstream positioning of her books may reflect her intention to distance her work from more specialized or narrowly defined genres. By emphasizing the mainstream appeal of her novels, she may seek to communicate that they are not confined to a specific niche or limited to readers with particular interests. This positioning could help Auel reach a larger audience and dispel any misconceptions about the scope and accessibility of her storytelling.

In summary, Jean Auel's statement about her books being mainstream underscores her belief in the broad appeal and accessibility of her work. It reflects her desire for her novels to be readily available to a diverse readership and positioned prominently in bookstores. By positioning her books as mainstream, Auel seeks to align them with popular reader preferences and emphasize their potential to resonate with a wide audience. This perspective highlights Auel's understanding of market dynamics and her commitment to reaching a broad base of readers with her compelling storytelling.