Understanding Book Genres: Choosing the Right Category for Your Books

This blog will look into what are genres, their importance and common book genres of fiction and non-fiction that an author can write. Genres are a part of the querying process and if a book can get approval. Read further to know more

What are book genres?

Book genres are basic classifications that help to know what an author is reading and what kind of books are being published by authors. Genre knowledge and target audience is an important part of the book proposal and querying process, when contacting literary agents. Thus a genre is important. They also help writers to market their work. Genres also reveal the time and place when the book is set-in. For example, Gothic fiction rose, as people became fascinated with the supernatural. Genres reveal the society in which they were written for the first time.

Authors need to stick to one genre, or can mix genres?

Authors can write in different genres, or mix them. The best fantasy fiction books such as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, or Percy Jackson mix elements of fantasy, thrillers and adventure. Many authors write cross-genre books such as Jeffrey Archer and Stephen Fleming who blend thrillers with crime fiction, or mystery. Gothic romance books such as Frankenstein by Mary Shelley have combined elements of thrill, gothic fiction and romance to create a blend of supernatural fiction. 

Common Book Genres of Fiction 

Classics Fiction 

Classics are works of high quality and are quite enduring. They are associated with a historical period. Classics influence the literary landscape, and are a part of the literary universe. Example- Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Anna Karnenina and White Nights are classics. 

Literary Fiction

This kind of fiction focuses on the literary landscape and uses allegory, symbolism and stream of consciousness. It explores the condition of humans and focuses on society, life and the human experience. For example: To Kill the Mockingbird known for its evocative themes of racism and apathy of society towards AfroAmericans.

Historical Fiction 

It is written centering around the past and is based on actual historical events, people and places and combines elements of fiction and history. It is about the social, political and other conditions of the time period weaving a fictional story. It can bring the historical events to life and make the past relatable and connected. Example: The Casablanca is set in the period of World War I, War and Peace and The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas are examples of historical novels. 

Romance Fiction 

Romance is about the romantic relationships between characters. It involves emotional undertones and themes of romantic feelings. The best books of romance also could cross into many genres such as thrillers, or paranormal and could also be on family and friendship. Great romance novels also combine genres such as historical fiction and they could be romances, during wars and could show historical events. Romance novels center around relationships, emotions and the depth of romantic love. Dark romance novels delve into paranormal romance that could be beyond the grave and represent dark themes such as Captive in the Dark, Vicious and The Risk by S.T Abby.

Young Adult Fiction 

This is a genre based on young adults and teens, but readers are drawn to it across all ages. They are coming-of-age novels on growing up and transformation such as The Diary of A Young Girl which is an account of Ann Frank in the Secret Annexe. It is not a genre, but an age category that blends romance, science fiction and thrillers and books such as Court of Thorns, A Separate Peace and a Series of Unfortunate Events. 

Horror Fiction 

A book genre designed to draw fear and shock in readers. A flicker in the dark, an unknown voice can lead us into depths of darkness. Horror may include elements of thrill and suspense. Horror stories centre around the past, future, or unreal scenarios like a dark moorland, or a lake. Popular horror novels include stories such as the Dracula, IT and The Shining, Frankenstein, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Turn of the Screw 

Thriller Fiction 

Crime fiction and thriller stories could be spy thrillers, crime procedures and detective stories. Great thriller novels include the novels of Agatha Christie such as Clocks, The Haunting, Stories of Sherlock Holmes and so much more designed to get your inbuilt sleuth run wild. They could also be based on psychological underpinnings of a killer such as The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris, The Mystic River, The Housemaid’s Secret. 

Fantasy Fiction 

This is a genre centering around magical and mystical elements such as wands, magical objects and brave heroes. Examples of fantasy novels such as the Harry Potter Series, The Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings, The Narnia Series and The Witcher. 

Non-fiction Book Genres

Non-fiction books encompass a complete category with their own genres. They could be history books, science, dictionaries and encyclopedias and much more. 

History 

This is a genre of nonfiction centering around facts, or historical events such as the World War, or civilizations. Popular historical titles include Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond, The Epic Siege of World War I by Anna Reid. 

Summing up understanding book genres helps understand the target audience and the nuances of the publishing world. Embracing the world of genres and choosing the right category can help the author make the cut. It helps to create impactful books that resonate with readers.