So why do I write in this genre?

A friend asked me about introducing magic into her biotech fantasy world. Here is my response.

Yes, magic can be introduced hot and heavy or light and creamy, it's your world.

The problem with sci fi is that it comes in 5 sub genres--and nobody or very few cross the line into the others. They like this type, but strongly dislike that type. That's why sci fi rarely takes over the top ten list all over the world of publishing like a juicy romance can. (Jim Butcher and Harrison being the exception, not the rule.)

This was the last break down I saw or remember: Hard core Sci-fi (where yours is now and I clump military sci fi in here), Fantasy--whole new worlds created often with magic overtone, but light on tech, heavy on magical quests through mythical lands--yours could fit here too, Urban Fantasy--HP, Jim Butcher where the magical exist among us and we mundanes don't see it or the society is just now learning about those things, Paranormal Romance--romance with vamps, shape shifters, ghost love stories etc, and finally something called Steam Punk sci fi--which I've never read, nor probably care to read.

HC-SF upchuck with PR; PR upchucks with HC-SF, UF folks can usually handle light into HC-SF, F, PR depending on their inclination and sex. (Yes male and female numbers are widely different in %s in those various 5 sub genres.) Fantasy folk break down by sex and by interest--Fantasy involving war vs Fantasy involving lighter topics and within that subgenre never the twain shall mix.

With your imagination, I don't know why you'd want to throw in magic. You've got a lot going on already and with your bio tech approach that is sci fi magic at its best you can create any 'magic' you wish. Tossing in straight magic might overwhelm and confuse the reader, especially HC-SF fans. Sci fi calls for a suspension of belief the same way that theater does. Your audience member agrees to set aside the real world and enter this as if it were the real world. Suddenly changing your world to include magic is tossing a new ingredient to be accepted. Does that make sense? One other thing, you've chosen a male protagonist. ... that tilts your future readers to the science end not the magic end. HP being the rare exception.