The process of understanding book genres is important for the querying process. The knowledge of genres helps to connect with your readers and helps your book's categorisation.
What are Book Genres?
Genres are like flavours in the literary world. They help readers find books to satisfy their quest for reading. The genre could be romance, mystery, fantasy, horror, or anything which draws the reader. They also help market their book to the right audience. Each genre has its own potential gambit of readers.
Genres are not just personal preferences, or choices. They reveal time and the period of when the book was published. For instance, the rise of Gothic fiction in the 18th and 19th centuries was related to darkness, eerie settings and castles. Noteworthy examples include: The Room in the Dragon Volant and In the Glass Darkly Volume 2. The genres we love reveal things about the society in which they were written.
Do you need to write in one genre, or you can intermix with different genres?
There is absolutely nothing wrong in writing for multiple genres and intermixing them. It is called cross genre fiction such as a romantasy, example: A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Silver Flames and A Serpent and the Wings of the Night.
Types of Book Genres in Fiction
Classics are works of literature that are considered of high quality and are associated with a cultural period. They can be considered reminiscent of the period of the period. They had a significant influence on the period of the time. They are considered a part of literary education. Examples of Classics include Pride and Prejudice which was set in the Regency Age and Emily Bronte which is considered a Gothic romance.
Literary Fiction
This is an example of fiction characterised by its focus on literary merit, and it uses complex artistic techniques such as symbolism, allegory and literary devices. It is written to explore the human condition. It is much more character driven and is reminiscent of the exploration of themes. Examples include: To Kill the Mockingbird and The Kite Runner.
Historical Fiction
It is one of the most popular book genres with people who like to read fictional narratives based on historical events, people and places. It can be used to explore social, political and cultural conditions blended in a story, it is used to make the past relatable, easily accessible and some people can easily understand historical events. Examples of historical fiction books include The Nightingale and Memoirs of a Geisha.
Romance
Romance fiction books explore the romantic relationships between characters. It is about the elements of love, attraction in books. They may be a blend of romance and thrillers, or fantasy. Examples of romance novels include: The Happy Place and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Romance book genres have subplots of family, relationships and romantic undertones.
Young Adult
Young Adult literature focuses on adolescents and young adults. Young adult books focus on the triumphs and challenges of young adults as they navigate growing up include the themes of friendship, relationships, identity and self- discovery. It is not a genre, but a category including various themes of romance, science fiction, fantasy and more.
Horror
This is one of the most popular fiction book genres to elicit fear, shock and terror in the reader. It is reminiscent of supernatural theme works which have ghosts, monsters and demonic forces. It may have elements of suspense, thrill and gore.
Crime/ Thriller
It is focus on illegal activities around the scenes of the crime such as murder, espionage and money laundering. They can be spy mysteries, mysteries and police procedurals. Crime and thriller stories with a puzzle characterised by a sense of wonder and exploration.
Science Fiction
This is one of the most trending book genres with futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration and time travel. It explores the consequences of scientific, technological innovations.
This genre has been called the ''literature of ideas''. It includes complex concepts in a speculative manner.
Fantasy
This is a genre that allows readers to explore many worlds beyond the real world and to enter the imaginary world. It is the genre of strange mythical creatures, and of heroes in epic quests and to defeat powerful enemies.
Non-Fiction Genres
These are some of the genres of fiction, but there is a category of non- fiction and its many genres which is important for an author to understand.
Biography and Autobiography
This is a detailed account of a person's life which is written by another person. Examples include Biographies of Working Men which is a collection of biographical sketches which elucidate the stories of notable figures, and Daughter of Puritans.
Fiction and non-fiction are two pillars of literature to offer a unique way to see the world and for writers to categorise their writings. Fiction helps fuel imagination, empathy and creativity. It helps us reflect on the human condition through storytelling.
Summing up, genres form the landscape of reading and publishing and are very important to categorise and demarcate books.
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