So what genre is your book and how would you describe it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In simplistic terms, a genre is the category or style of a book – for example, romance, crime<\/a> or horror. It comes from the French word, for \u2018type.\u2019 In essence, it describes the type<\/em> of story being told. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many book genres, ranging from dystopian to horror (more on that soon) but two of the most popular book genres, in terms of sales figures right now, are romance and crime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bestselling names in the romance genre include authors such as Danielle Steele and Sophie Kinsella, whilst for crime, authors such as Ian Rankin and Martina Cole reign supreme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Romance has an enduring, escapist appeal and has seen a huge variety of its authors and titles consistently topping the bestseller<\/a> charts for a number of years. The tales of love overcoming adversity, sometimes whilst in sun-soaked climates, set in sprawling castles or with a good dose of humour, continue to enchant and enthral readers of all ages and from a wide demographic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But, to make things more complicated, there are also subgenres within each genre. As my Cartland vs E. L. James example shows above, just because there\u2019s a lot of kissing in two different books doesn\u2019t mean the reader is going to get the same kind of romance<\/a> in both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, when looking at genre, it\u2019s important to also consider subgenres. In romance, the subgenres are plenty \u2013 often crossing over into other genres: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The list goes on\u2026and, much like love itself, there\u2019s something for everyone<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But readers, and authors, don\u2019t always stick to enjoying just one genre. As I\u2019m an author of romantic comedies, you won\u2019t be surprised to learn that romance is my favourite genre, but I am in no way adverse to any others. I have just finished reading The Affair<\/em> by Hilary Boyd, an often dark thriller about a married woman having an affair, who then finds that her ex-lover begins to stalk her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As most writers know, reading across all genres helps hone your craft enormously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In recent times, crime and thriller novels have seen a huge resurgence in popularity. Perhaps due to the odd times we are living in, it is the appeal of good triumphing over evil and justice prevailing, which explains why so many readers are keen to lose themselves amongst their pages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cosy crime, described as a gentler form of the crime genre, has also seen a massive rise in readership in recent times. Authors like Richard Osman and M.C Beaton are hugely popular in this book category. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s look at some more crime and thriller subgenres: <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are frequent debates as to how many different book genres exist. During my research for this article, I read claims that there were approximately thirty-five varying book genres, whilst other articles insisted there were around fifty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I have therefore pulled together a book genre list (excluding subgenres) which I consider to be the most prominent ones \u2013 with some details as to how they may be defined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Categorised by works including elements of magic<\/a> or the supernatural. This can encompass high fantasy<\/a>, like Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings<\/em> and George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones<\/em>, or magical children\u2019s books, like Rowling’s Harry Potter<\/em>. But it also includes steamy novels like the fae-filled series A Court of Thorns and Roses<\/em> by Sarah J. Maas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sci-fi stands for \u2018science fiction<\/a>,\u2019 meaning it looks at outer worlds<\/a> with a heavy leaning towards space, technology and science. Think aliens, time-travel or exploration to other planets. This includes anything from Star Wars<\/em> to Ernest Cline’s Ready, Player One<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This can encompass all the above \u2013 basically anything with a twist of magic \u2013 but can also include fabulism and magical realism. That\u2019s to say stories based in our world (past or present) with a hint of magic. Think Chocolat<\/em> by Joanne Harris, or The Once and Future Witches<\/em> by Alix E. Harrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you say \u2018horror book\u2019 most people think of Stephen King \u2013 for good reason. Horror is known for its frightening, often graphic, elements and paranormal elements. Anything from The Shining<\/em> to The Invisible Man<\/em> by H. G. Wells. A subgenre of this is Gothic books, such as the classics Rebecca<\/em> by Daphne du Maurier and Bront\u00eb’s Wuthering Heights<\/em> \u2013 think eerie and spooky, more than blood, guts and monsters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fiction that includes a mysterious occurrence and a gripping plot to be solved. This can include a good old-fashioned Agatha Christie \u2018whodunnit\u2019, or bestselling novels like Flynn’s Gone Girl<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stories that incorporate a crime being committed and illustrate the protagonist\u2019s struggle to solve it. Think Lee Child, P. D. James, and Martina Cole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Books defined by a time period from the past. Fictional stories based in a historical setting<\/a> such as the Bridgerton<\/em> series by Julia Quinn or Gabaldon’s romantic Outlander<\/em> novels set in eighteenth century Scotland. Or many of the books by Tracey Chevalier or Philippa Gregory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A step up from Mystery, more edge-of-your-seat stuff, this fiction is often charged with lots of excitement. For example, a life-or-death scenario, huge stakes, cliff-hangers and action. Think of all of Dan Brown\u2019s books, or modern classics such as Hawkins’ Girl on the Train<\/em> or Larsson’s The<\/em> Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fiction focusing on the American Frontier. Genre usually set in latter 19th<\/sup> and early 20th<\/sup> century, centred around the lives of cowboys and gunfighters. Although more modern stories, such as Proulx’s Brokeback Mountain (as the tale of two cowboys falling in love set against the backdrop of bigotry and judgement) was a huge hit when it won the National Magazine Award for Fiction in 1998, and then went on to become a Hollywood blockbuster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Romantic relationships are at the heart of this genre (if you\u2019ll pardon the pun!) Stories may follow various tropes including star-crossed lovers<\/a>, love triangles, unlikely lovers, and soulmates. As we saw earlier, it can reflect anything from Me Before You <\/em>by Jojo Moyes to Jackie Collins’ works. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fiction designed to arouse the reader with explicit sexual scenes and imagery. The Fifty Shades of Grey<\/em> trilogy was the highest grossing book series of the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Part of the science-fiction genre, dystopian novels usually describe a frightening aspect of the future, such as oppressive governments. Think Sweeney-Baird’s The End of Men<\/em>, Atwood’s The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/em>, and Mandel’s Station Eleven<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Literary fiction<\/a> concentrates on real-life issues and, unlike commercial fiction which is plot-driven, this form of storytelling is a lot more character-driven<\/a>. It also often has a more complicated or convoluted story structure, using a more complex vocabulary. Sally Rooney has had great acclaim in this genre with her books Conversations With Friends, Normal People, and Beautiful World, Where Are You.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a broad subject that includes everything from picture<\/a> and board books for very young children, through to Middle Grade<\/a> and Young Adult. Classic Middle Grade authors would include Roald Dahl, and more contemporary novels<\/a> would include Wonder<\/em> by R. J. Palacio, Sophie Anderson’s The House With Chicken Legs<\/em>, and The boy At The Back Of The Class<\/em> by Onjali Q. Ra\u00faf. These books are written predominantly for 9-12 year olds, and often cover important life lessons. You might ask yourself whether the question of book genre really matters. Surely it\u2019s the plot and characters that are important, not the category? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, genre does<\/em> matter as it acts like a building block to establish where your book will sit in the market<\/a> and what readership it\u2019s likely to attract. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By having an awareness of what genre your book is, you\u2019re able to carve out not only your own unique voice, but also an audience who enjoys reading that genre of novel. You are enabling your readers to identify your book as one which they will enjoy reading<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Being able to neatly categorise your book into a particular genre means you\u2019re creating a strong author brand<\/a> in a genre where other authors have already established themselves. You\u2019re creating a foundation for (hopefully) solid book sales and letting agents, editors<\/a>, booksellers, and readers know what to expect from your work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For a book to therefore become successful, the writer, reader and marketer must all possess the same vision and understanding of what the story is and how it\u2019s being told. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It also makes prudent sense to have identified what book genre your novel is, when the time comes for you to pitch to agents and publishers. Targeting the right publisher and agent for your work, via the genres they publish and represent, means that you will be giving yourself the best possible chance of achieving representation<\/a> and publication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I once read a great quote from an agent who said, \u2018Imagine yourself in a lift with the agent of your dreams. You have ten seconds to pitch your latest novel to them before they get out. How would you describe it to them?\u2019 This elevator hook<\/a> or pitch should draw in the agent, enticing them to ask for your manuscript. It would also, if it has done its job properly, give them an idea of where your book would sit alongside their current authors and in the market generally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance – sending your completed manuscript to an agent who represents science fiction, when you have penned a rollercoaster 110k word espionage tale, is a waste of not only your time, but also that of the agent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When someone is looking for a book, the first thing they do is head for the shelves categorised by genre. If the genre of your book isn\u2019t clear, and it\u2019s wrongly categorised, then it won\u2019t reach your ideal market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Establishing an author platform<\/a> in the book genre you write in means you stand a good chance of readers of that genre returning for more. It\u2019s therefore essential to create a certain anticipation in your prospective readership, so they know what they can expect from you. This is why authors often write in just one genre \u2013 and don\u2019t spread out into others without either waiting to become very established or writing under a number of pseudonyms<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To increase your novel\u2019s chances of success, you, as the author, together with your publisher, agent and marketing team, should have a certain expectation as to where your book will fit into the market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Where do you imagine your novel sitting on the shelf in a library or in a book store? Which other authors would it sit comfortably beside? Is it a heart-warming romantic comedy, in the vein of Jenny Colgan and Trisha Ashley, or a political thriller similar to that of Ken Follet and Jeffrey Archer? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Book genres often cause a degree of heated discussion amongst the writing, reading, publishing and agenting communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone, to a greater or lesser degree, has a different idea of what each genre represents. The question of what each genre should carry, can elicit strong feelings, not to mention very differing views. Even book covers in particular genres can cause much debate about their style and substance. How often have you read quotes on the cover of books which have said things like, \u2018For readers who love Maeve Binchy\u2019 or \u2018For fans of Stephen King?\u2019 This is a publisher communicating a book\u2019s genre to its readership. <\/p>\n\n\n\nRomance Subgenres<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Crime Subgenres<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Book Genre List<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fantasy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sci-Fi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Speculative Fiction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Horror<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mystery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Crime<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Historical<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Thriller<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Western<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Romance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Erotica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dystopian<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Literary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Children’s Fiction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Likewise, Young Adult<\/a> (for 13-18 year olds) is very varied in style, themes and content, and includes books such as Angie Thomas’ The Hate You Give<\/em>, Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games<\/em>, and They Both Die At the End by Adam Silvera.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/AdobeStock_457276434-1024x455.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhy Is Genre Important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Agents And Editors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Booksellers And Librarians<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your Readers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How To Identify The Genre Of Your Book<\/h2>\n\n\n\n