But I think "derivative" would be the last word anyone would apply to your work. Ever.

Ah. But they have. I've been accused of being derivative of everyone from Neil to Poppy (lots with Poppy) to Nancy Collins (???) to Alan Moore to Kathe Koja. And I don't just mean people making comparisons, but actually accusing me of being derivative (in that negative sense; all art is derivative). It happens.