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Dec 1, 2023 · With that in mind, enjoy this list of 30 types of book genres with descriptions and an example (or two) for each. It’s not an exhaustive list; there are upwards of 40 genres — more if you count sub-genres and mixed genres. But it’s enough to help you identify your book’s genre.
- Fantasy. This book genre is characterized by elements of magic or the supernatural and is often inspired by mythology or folklore. In high fantasy — one that’s set in an entirely fictional world — these magical elements are at the forefront of the plot, as in Trudi Canavan’s Black Magician trilogy.
- Science Fiction. Though science fiction and fantasy are often considered two sides of the same (speculative fiction) coin, sci-fi is distinguished by its preoccupation with real or real-feeling science.
- Dystopian. A popular genre of science fiction, dystopian novels offer a bleak and frightening vision of the future. Authors writing dystopias imagine a grim society, often in the aftermath of a disaster, facing things like oppressive governments, Black Mirror-esque technology, and environmental ruin.
- Action & Adventure. If you’re writing adventure, then chances are your book follows the structure of the Hero’s Journey. Your protagonist has a very important goal to achieve, but they’re really going to have to go through the wringer first!
Fiction genres are much debated, but they're crucial to providing logical order to the storytelling arts. Here's a one-stop guide to help.
- Literary Fiction. Literary fiction novels are considered works with artistic value and literary merit. They often include political criticism, social commentary, and reflections on humanity.
- Mystery. Mystery novels, also called detective fiction, follow a detective solving a case from start to finish. They drop clues and slowly reveal information, turning the reader into a detective trying to solve the case, too.
- Thriller. Thriller novels are dark, mysterious, and suspenseful plot-driven stories. They very seldom include comedic elements, but what they lack in humor, they make up for in suspense.
- Horror. Horror novels are meant to scare, startle, shock, and even repulse readers. Generally focusing on themes of death, demons, evil spirits, and the afterlife, they prey on fears with scary beings like ghosts, vampires, werewolves, witches, and monsters.
Feb 3, 2023 · If you enjoy reading or have ever considered a career in creative writing, you may benefit from better understanding the different types of fiction genres for story writing. In this article, we discuss what fiction is in literature and explore nine types of fiction with examples of each.
Aug 9, 2021 · Genre fiction has a more mainstream, populist appeal. It traditionally comprises genres such as romance, mystery, thriller, horror, fantasy, and children’s books. Some genre writers straddle a line between genre-focused commercial fiction and the traditions of literary fiction.
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Discover 8 of the most popular fiction genres, include sci-fi, romance, and more, with examples of famous authors from each category. Readers Book Deals Newsletter
