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When it comes to main categories of fiction, everyone has an opinion on what qualifies as a genre. Here is a general overview of what many consider to be the primary types of fiction.

When authors pitch fiction ideas to an agent or publishing company, they often want to pick a specific fiction genre to give readers an idea of what to expect. A genre is a category of literature characterized by a specific style and content.

The main purpose of a genre is to develop an unspoken contract between the writer and reader — to signify some of what the reader can expect. When a person opens a romance, for example, they are expecting a book that is primarily about one or more relationships between potential lovers.

While a genre is considered an overarching category, subgenres within those categories also exist. A subgenre adds the minor details; in the example of a romance, the author might add a fantastical element, making it a “romantasy,” or the story may lead with humor, like in a romantic comedy.

Style, meanwhile, is the manner in which the story of a specific genre is told. While genre is mostly about the audience’s expectations, style reflects a writer’s unique voice.

While opinions vary and there isn’t a definitive guide to literary genres, there are generally several different fiction genres readers can agree on: literary fiction, historical fiction, mystery, romance, science fiction, fantasy and horror.��

This category of novels prioritizes depth and character development over plot. Authors may focus on the quality of the prose and symbolism, often centering the book around one or more characters’ journeys.

Literary fiction writers often play with format, such as incorporating flashbacks or nonsequential memories to show how the characters are processing trauma and life experiences. They might use parallel plots that share a common narrative, rather than relying on one overarching plot throughline.��

In historical fiction, the setting is what sets the novel apart. Stories take place in real-world locations and time periods, which requires the authors to spend extensive time researching culture, architecture and language to ensure it is true to its time.

Historical fiction writers typically use one of three approaches:

• Real events with fictional characters – often using a major historical event as a backdrop
• Real historical figures and fictional events – imagining real figures in potentially fictional circumstances
• Real events and real characters – observing a historical event with a narrative lens

The mystery fiction genre revolves around a crime or puzzle that has to be solved. It often involves detective work and a suspenseful narrative that may culminate in a surprise ending.

Traditional mysteries commonly have three acts:

• The setup – A crime occurs and the reader meets the protagonist — either a detective or a civilian who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
• The investigation – This person gathers evidence, some of which turns out to be red herrings (things that divert attention from the real issue).
• The reveal – All the pieces fall into place, often with a twist.

One of the biggest distinguishing factors of a romance is that it almost always has a happy ending. The two main characters meet and encounter obstacles, but they eventually overcome their differences and live happily ever after — or at least happily for now.

The main narrative structure often involves:

• A “meet-cute”
• The falling-in-love period
• A midpoint shift in the characters’ dynamic
• The dark moment or crisis
• A grand gesture
• The resolution, which includes a promised happily ever after

Most sci-fi stories feature one or more of these elements:

• Time travel – manipulating the timeline or exploring parallel universes
• Space exploration – traveling among the planets and stars, colonization and encountering extraterrestrial life
• Advanced technology and artificial intelligence – hyper-advanced computers and sentient machines
• Social commentary – warning society about worrying trends and potential for dystopia

Science fiction is sometimes considered part of a broader category, speculative fiction, which also includes fantasy and horror.

While sci-fi and fantasy are sometimes considered similar (and can sometimes even overlap), sci-fi relies on speculative science and space exploration, while fantasy often involves magic and the unexplained. It features fantastical elements that are outside the known universe.

Fantasy stories are often set in a completely different world, such as The Lord of the Rings, or in the modern world with hidden magical elements, such as Harry Potter. They may even borrow from ancient mythologies or folklore.

Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and Pottermore Publishing and Stage Theatrical Rights © J.K. Rowling. All rights reserved.

Lord of the Rings is a copyright of Middle-earth Enterprises LLC. All rights reserved.

Horror books may use a three-act structure to evoke fear and strip characters of their safety:

• Act 1: Setup and disruption – People are living their lives in a normal, seemingly safe world when something that happens that disrupts the status quo.
• Act 2: Investigation and escalation – The main characters notice a pattern and begin to worry. Some of them may try to discover what’s going on before there is an “all-is-lost” moment.
• Act 3: Climax and resolution – The protagonist experiences a sudden burst of courage to confront the threat.

While this genre’s formula may vary, thrillers may consist of the three C’s:

• A contract – the stakes of a fraught situation
• A clock – there is some sort of deadline that requires the heroes to race against time
• A crucible – an inescapable situation

While some people group thrillers with mysteries, their narrative structure tends to be the opposite. While mysteries might start with a crime and work backward to learn what happened in the past, thrillers can focus on the present, driving the reader forward to discover what will happen next.

There are dozens of subgenres under each of the above categories, including, but not limited to:

• Historical fiction: Biographical fiction, alternative history, historical fantasy, historical romance, historical mystery or thriller
• Mystery: Cozy mystery, police procedural, hardboiled, historical mystery
• Romance: Romantasy, historical romance, paranormal romance, LGBTQ+ romance
• Science fiction: Cyberpunk, space opera, dystopian, time travel, alternative history, climate fiction
• Fantasy: Urban fantasy, epic fantasy, political fantasy, magical realism, portal fantasy, grimdark
• Horror: Psychological horror, supernatural horror, slasher, sci-fi horror, comedy horror
• Thriller: Legal thriller, psychological thriller, supernatural thriller, sci-fi thriller, spy thriller 

Many of the subgenres combine two or more of the main fiction genres. Some authors do this so they can entice a wider group of readers, while others may just want to experiment with a mash-up of genres.

Fiction genres act as the architectural blueprint for a particular narrative, dictating the character types, plot devices and setting. They may also determine the pacing of the novel. For example, a thriller may use short sentences to heighten tension while fantasy may have more descriptive, flowery language.

Character types are also a huge part of genre writing. For example, mystery and crime novels may be more concerned with the plot than they are with the characters, while literary fiction and romances rely heavily on the characters’ internal feelings and desires.

Plot devices may also vary widely depending on the fiction type. While there are universal tools such as a MacGuffin, or an object characters chase, there are also genre-specific plot devices, such as:

• Time loops in science fiction
• Fated prophecies in fantasy
• Love triangles in romance
• Red herrings and misdirection in mysteries

One important aspect about writing a story in a specific type of fiction is understanding what that genre is all about. That often starts with reading books in that specific genre. If the writer isn’t sure what genre theirs is, it helps to ask the following questions:

• What is the central question the story asks?
• Will any of the characters fall in love? If they do, is that the central theme of the story, or just a side plot?
• Should readers be laughing out loud during the story, or does the writer want them crying by the end?
• Who is the ideal reader?

If the writer plans to mix genres, they want to make sure they are subverting expectations rather than confusing them. Every genre element should act as an amplifier, not a distraction from the original story.

Many writers send parts of their novel to , asking them focused questions about whether they felt confused, bored or invigorated by certain parts of the story. This can help them step outside their box to focus more on their reader.

Writing is typically a process that requires many revisions before it becomes the final product. Budding writers should take their time, performing the necessary research so their novel becomes something that others want to read.

Exposure to written works in different genres may help aspiring writers discover a particular genre they wish to study further. Aspiring writers can explore fiction genres and their narrative structures through online classes. �鶹��ý offers liberal arts programs, including a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Contact an admissions representative for more information.��