Your Definitive Guide to Novel Genres

Determining your book’s genre can be tricky - but knowing how to categorize and label your book is crucial if you want it to reach the right literary agents and readers. In this video, I’m going to break down the various genre terms and categories used in the publishing industry and provide a clear framework for determining the genre of your book.
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MORE WRITING AND PUBLISHING ADVICE:
Most Popular Book Genres for 2024: • Most Popular Book Genr...
Fiction Genres Explained | Literary vs. Commercial vs. Upmarket Fiction: • Fiction Genres Explain...
3 Popular Genres Publishers (Still) Love: • 3 Popular Genres Publi...
HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR BOOK’S GENRE:
01:37 - Age category
03:49 - Setting
04:36 - Prose style
07:34 - Most common fiction genres
10:23 - Your genre template
ABOUT ME:
My name is Alyssa Matesic, and I’m a professional book editor with nearly a decade of book publishing and editorial experience. Throughout my career, I’ve held editorial roles across both sides of the publishing industry: Big Five publishing houses and literary agencies. The goal of this channel is to help writers throughout the book writing journey-whether you're working on your manuscript or you're looking for publishing advice.
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[@wilshade]

Alyssa. The reference to "1976" as historical fiction was brutal. B-R-U-T-A-L. That means "Saturday Night Fever" & "Grease" are historical fiction. Not even my first Social Security check was that brutal.

[@MelanieNLee]

I can dig it. Are you familiar with the American Girl historical fiction dolls? For me, the first shock was their releasing of Julie, a historical doll from--hold onto your hats--1974! The second happened this past year: twin girls whose historical period is Y2K! Many years ago, I read of a father discussing the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey with his 12-year-old son. The father referred to it as a modern film. The son replied, "Dad, that movie came out in 1968!"

[@beescheeseandwineplease889]

😂

[@markunger1098]

Things like All The President’s Men would count as historical fiction. So too, the final moon landings, The Northern Ireland Troubles or even the making of films like Grease, Saturday Night Fever or Star Wars. Jaws in particular as it was the first cinematic blockbuster due to the way it was distributed.

[@Lorna-JWB]

I needed this video so much. I spend much of my should-be-writing time trying to figure out my genre.

[@Vvvvvvvvvssssssssssssss]

please make one for non fiction as well!!!

[@ghostchick5275]

I am glad you separated mystery and thriller. They always get rammed together and that is annoying.

[@amandabarrows6066]

I agree!!!

[@mjbosc]

Thanks Alyssa. Insightful and informative as always. I would love to hear your thoughts on non-fiction genres as well.

[@StevenMathews-tz8to]

Worthwhile discussion. Heel these coming. Currently working on a SciFi Romance.

[@notalltheories]

Super close to self-publishing my book which I now know is a "new adult upmarket fantasy" Great video and perfect timing!

[@larssjostrom6565]

A video about non-fiction genres would be interesting.

[@y.t1670]

The more I watch your videos, the more eager I am to read a book from you 😆 I mean, why not? You could write a guide book on book publishing 😆

[@TheEccentricRaven]

Great overview. I especially like the explanation on the differences between Literary and Upmarket fiction. My WIP is YA Dystopia. One tip I would give to writers is be sure to research and read the genre and subgenre you're writing. I've seen many writers on social media believe that their book is non-categorizable or can't be put in any genre, when doing a little search on Google or Goodreads would reveal there's actually already a lot of books in their subgenre, both traditionally published and self-published.

[@Gene1969]

Automotive. I'm doing a collection of short stories that all revolve around owners' life moment while owning a pickup truck or yearning to own one. Most books do the cliche of the moments of building or restoring the pickup but not the experiences that happen during the rest of that friendship.

[@brandonparsons5412]

Ive been working on a Sci-fi/Fantasy novel for a year and a half at this point(years in the think tank). It’s sort of a blend of many genres but weaves together very well in the context of this universe! Hopefully you get a chance to see it one day as your videos have been extremely helpful throughout my writing process.

[@AF-tv6uf]

The Brandon Parsons Project as opposed to the Alan Parsons Project? :)

[@marcomagiolo]

Amazing video. Thanks And your newsletter is very very good too. It is worth every cent

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Thank you so much - so glad you find it helpful!

[@shelisadaniel6718]

Thank you so much! I now know I have written a contemporary, adult (new adult), upmarket women's novel. ❤

[@maggiepfob]

Thank you SO MUCH for this, Alyssa! It really does break it down in a way that makes it clear to me, instead of having to fiddle with all those micro-subgenres, which change every day anyway. That helps to narrow down the list of potential agents, anyway! After that, for the finer divisions, the only real key is to read the agent's bio and wish list.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@Manav_Yz]

Yesterday i was searching for the the same topic and you came with this beautiful explanation video. Thanks 😊

[@joyterry3018]

Thank you so much! This video helped me to understand how to market my manuscript more accurately 🎉

[@csb78nm]

The genre doesn't exclude the possibility of romance/relationships, just that in non-romance genres it is not the overarching theme. In keeping with the amazing breakdown, just stating the perhaps not-so-obvious obvious.

[@samp4050]

This is so well times for me, since I've been plotting my second novel and was wondering which genre it would fit. I think sci fi, as it has an unusual setting and plot. Thanks again Alyssa for your helpful information as always. ❤

[@nicholasbrady3185]

Great video!! I'm currently working on a YA Contemporary Thriller called "Deadly Blood Ties".

[@LianaBuzea]

Adult. Historical. Fiction. ✌🏻✨ Thank you for the super informative video! I'm completely new to this thing

[@dear_prudence]

Alyssa, thanks a lot. I think I've pinned it down to Adult Southern Gothic/Horror with historical elements LOL... a mouthful, surely.

[@stephengrimes5480]

Thanks Alyssa for all the info you provide. I'm working on an "Upmarket Fiction" for adults with some elements of Historical, Women's, and Romance. It covers the years 1963 -'80, both in and out of the 50-year dividing point you mention here. I haven't completed the first draft nor the "blueprint" as per Cron's "Story Genius." I would like to cover the beginning years ('63-'67), some key parts of the middle ('67 -'79) and the intense denouement (May '79 - Nov '80) equally in depth, but trying to stay under 90,000 words, I'm probably going to concentrate much more on "showing" the end more and "telling" the earlier periods. I have two, co-equal, "alpha" protagonists - a female and a male. I have only seen the term "Women's" defined at Good Reads site, and they say that it is a "tag" (which they separate from "genre") and that it means, basically, that it is a book that can be easily marketed to women. They leave the other qualifications pretty much open. And, as to "Romance" - the two protagonists meet, Halloween '64 and young love develops right away and she rejects him New Year's Eve '66-'67. They unexpectedly meet again in another city on May 1st '79. Novel ends Nov '80. So, although I've been working on my query with help from my writers' group and feel I've come a long way with it, realizing some elements may change somewhat in finishing the manuscript. Yet, I think this query development effort has benefitted my clarification of my premise, and so has been worthwhile. I am leaning heavily toward "Upmarket" plus whichever of the other 3 genres a particular agent is looking for. And if they are open to all, then will choose "Upmarket Women's." Thanks again. I may well avail myself of your services for assessment, hopefully before the end of Spring...

[@pramjam64]

My novel is a historical, philosophical thriller. A number of writing colleagues have asked, "Who's your audience?" I have no idea, but I continue to write.

[@JustClaude13]

For the current NaNo Camp I'm doing a contemporary adult romance, because my main project will be delving into romance next time and I need the practice before I do the real one. I expect the practice novel to be unreadable trash, but maybe I'll get a feel for what I need to learn to write a good book.

[@beabea3121]

Thank you darlin..I wasn't sure exactly what category mine fell in. Appreciate your advice!😊

[@IlseMulAuthor]

Thank you for the overview 😀 My book series is adult fantasy 😀

[@t0dd000]

And folks, literary books can (and often do) have elements of commercial genres. Example: The Road by Cormac McCarthy won the Pulitzer. It's apocalyptic and speculative (sci fi without diverging far from reality), but it's generally labeled literary and literary alone. Another one of his novels, No Country for Old Men, is also literary, whereas the film which very closely adapted his book is labeled a thriller.

[@janetgandolfo]

Excellent video

[@giovannijacobs4496]

I love these videos!

[@BudsCartoon]

My protag is a female starts at 17 and the story is essentially a flashback(17-early 20s) as she's presently 34 facing a jury for murder. But NO young adult should read it, less they want to get a peek into real life in the 1870s. (it's not for the faint of heart) Historical fiction(based on real characters and events), romance, true crime, etc... Throw it in whatever genre you want.

[@GoofyTV2]

Hi Alyssa!! Thank you so much for this detailed explanation of genres. I was hoping you could provide more context or nuance on the difference between science fiction, fantasy, and “speculative” fiction. I am writing a novel that I feel could safely be considered science fiction but wondering if speculative would be a better descriptor. I notice some agents say they are open to speculative fiction but not necessarily sci-fi and/or fantasy.

[@melvindodson6827]

you're great ❤❤❤

[@Keepitkind7]

I've heard of "twentieth-century historical fiction" as well

[@nitasu987]

I like to describe my book as a Steampunk-adjacent Military Murder Mystery Coming-of-age story... which I know, is a LOT. To me it fits in the weird litle NA bubble in between YA and Adult, but realistically it'd lean a little closer to Adult. Excited to self-publish it this month!

[@mateaukalua4426]

Good luck my friend. I know a Military science fiction author whose a best seller.

[@lizgonzalez491]

It helped a little.

[@Josh-et4ki]

Would you call the following book upmarket or literary fiction?: - More plot driven than character driven - Emphasis on strong writing/language over readability. Would not be considered “accessible writing” - semi-closed ending - mix of niche and universal themes - relatively slow pacing compared to commercial fiction

[@InvestigatingDavidCrowley]

Thank you for this video! I've been struggling forever trying to decide which genre to list. Thanks to you, I can now confidently state my novel is a contemporary thriller literary fiction. That is probably backwards, isn't it? lol

[@georgiapayne2945]

I'm almost ready to publish my debut ya dark fantasy novel

[@marcelolage1395]

It's pretty weird that the genre Women's Fiction even exists. There are plenty of books of kinds of genres with a female protagonist. It would be like saying "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" Men's Fiction / Sci-Fi

[@andrewmurray7052]

Hi I love your channel. Im also a morning writer I get up at 5:30 am but I usually write at 6 or 7 am. Ive a question when a chapter you write is too long do you divided it in half or do you cut things done or leave it be?

[@mateaukalua4426]

A video that's not discouraging y'all better like this! 😂

[@suburbangorilla5515]

Could I request a quick explanation of "speculative fiction"?

[@carmenthompson9803]

My genre is between romance abstinence and Christian the age Brackett is 14 to 28

[@MelanieNLee]

Hi, Alyssa! For sometime now, I've been listening to you, Abbie Emmons (whom I can easily confuse with you), Jenna Moreci, Brandon McNulty, and sometimes the people at Film Courage. Currently, I'm finishing a manuscript, a religious devotional as political satire. A fictional main character and his family, neighbors, and co-workers run through a series of moral dilemmas that are then explored scripturally and spiritually. The main themes are justice, social responsibility, and moral character. I suppose this book falls under the nonfiction genre of religion/spirituality, although it could also be classified as humor (if it is funny). I sometimes wonder, though, if I'm creating a novel in disguise, although it doesn't have a linear plot. I recently took an online course exploring the various steps of publishing, and I drafted my first query letter, to which the facilitator gave feedback. If my main character needs an inciting incident, what is it? Turning 30? Probing questions from his girlfriend? Growing hatred toward a rival co-worker? Does his mother die? Gaining a new apartment and a cat? Anyway, Alyssa, yes, please create a video addressing nonfiction genres. Please also address works that cross genres. Please also provide examples of the various genres. Thank you.

[@aa5utube]

Hi Alyssa, That was so helpful! Can Thriller be used in conjuntion with Action-Adventure? My story has the protaganist facing grave danger and there's action in it as well. Thanks.

[@soccerguy325]

I'm surprised about the age range for YA - is 18 really the oldest it can go? If characters are between 19-21 or 24 does that not count as YA anymore?

[@bretthyberger7047]

Hi, Alyssa! Great content, as always! I have written a speculative mystery trilogy, and I would love to get your take on the term 'speculative'. The definition I have seen is 'a real setting, either contemporary or historical, that has elements of fantasy, sci-fi, horror, etc.' Is this definition correct? What do you look for in a speculative novel? Also, I've had some issues with the age of my readers. I wrote my books for my teenage sons, both of which enjoy reading them. The plot centers around people trying to live normal lives while coping with 'powers' which have the potential to hurt those around them. I take some inspiration from the comic books I read as a kid, although it's not a 'superhero'-esque story. No tights involved. But, even though my original readers are my sons, I have been told from other writers that my novel is not YA. They tell me the plot reads like a YA novel, but my protagonist is an adult, and most of the characters are adult; therefore, it's an adult novel. Can a YA novel have an adult protagonist?

[@lilacmist04]

Great video! I'm writing a ghost story, but its has more gothic romance elements than horror. Would that be under the fantasy category? Thanks!

[@darkephoenix1209]

Thank you! (Adult historical fiction fantasy)

[@boyboss3322]

I am a bit confused, my book is what I described as literary fiction because I read it focuses on the human experience. It's about two autistic adult children who tries to find out who of their parents cheated to give them such blue eyes (none of the parents have blue eyes) and also who it could be. It delve into magic realism where the house pets can telepathically talk.

[@Kentuckycelt]

Great video. My WIP is YA urban fantasy. Werewolves are my main characters. Protagonist is a 16 year old who shifts, but doesn't realize what happened after the 2nd shift she is introduced to a mentor who explains what's happening. No one in her family appears to be a werewolf. So was she adopted, switched or Illegitimate? So she navigates her uncaring mother her over protective father her younger brother who she can't stand while hiding what she is to find out WHO she is. ( in the end the mentore is the antagonist her "uncaring" mother saves her, we find out where her supernatural origins come from. And... a plot twist or two.

[@Karl.Zimmerman]

So, a question about "upmarket fiction." I often hear the term being used to describe something that combines aspects of literary fiction with commercial genres like thriller, romance, historical fiction, etc. Can a sci-fi or fantasy book ever be considered upmarket? Or do you have to present it as commercial fiction even if it's character based and thematically rich?

[@t0dd000]

My novel: adult speculative thriller. May be literary by the time I'm done with it.

[@larssjostrom6565]

I write historical fiction that currently has the form of historical thrillers with romantic elements, but I have drafted very grim dark historical action with anything but romantic sexual elements and have plans for historical action with a dark setting but brighter characters and romantic elements(I do not romanticize relationships with evil characters).

[@mateaukalua4426]

I am tired of seeing historical fiction where they focus on racism and sexism etc. It's the main focus on all these books.

[@larssjostrom6565]

It is not the main focus, I include the unhealthy sexual content for historical accuracy.

[@leebrandt8597]

Hi Alyssa, I'm having a hard time determining the genre of my novel. It contains around 5 elements of the Upmarket fiction, like quality writing tackling a commercial plot, universal themes, an attention-grabbing hook, etc. Yet, it also contains around 7 of the elements in commercial fiction. One area that makes my novel difficult for me to define is the plot vs character. You mention that in Upmarket fiction, the characters drive the narrative, while Commercial fiction is more plot driven. But what if my novel has a balance? Where both the characters and the plot are equally important, as opposed to one over the other? How would one classify this?

[@ElleryArden]

What about books that take place in a secondary world, but there are no magical elements (so not fantasy) and the society is not particularly advanced (so not sci fi)? As in - it’s just *different* from our world, but not explicitly worse (dystopian) or anything?

[@nyxcole9879]

Question: if I was setting my romantic thriller in 2013 would it still be contemporary? How should I handle that in a query? Thank you!

[@Reelunique]

What about a book that blurs the lines between Science Fiction and Fantasy?

[@y.t1670]

I’m interested to know if you have some insights on scientific research paper (conference, journal papers, etc.) publishing vs literature publishing. I’m familiar with publishing my research work at conferences. I know it is completely different from literature publishing. Just wondering if there’s any links.

[@chukaudedibia5505]

Mine is both a contemporary fiction and a literary fiction. Is it right to describe it as a contemporary literary fiction? Does any such genre exist?

[@5Gburn]

Two questions: What time period would you assign to a sci-fi novel set in the year 2700? and Where does "speculative fiction" fall in the grand scheme?

[@mateaukalua4426]

Those are great questions. I think anything past 2200 is definitely futuristic. That's far in the future.

[@lkbmadrodenthoarder911]

What genre would a ghost story fall into please? My novel isn’t horror and is set in the past!

[@larssjostrom6565]

I have to ask if you by mature themes means sexual content. Because that is a thing in YA fantasy that can be both explicit(like ACOTAR) and mentioned but happening outside of text(like the Ravenwood Saga).

[@robertcoyle1532]

I've seen the term 'speculative fiction' as a category given by some agents. Any Idea what this might cover?

[@momo_genX]

I know, I know. But satire doesn't sell, but it's the only thing I know how to write! Satire can be anything now, right? My friends say it satire will one day put me in jail.

[@boredowl5339]

Is gothic considered a seperate genre?

[@ladawnaroberts8350]

My book is a Middle grade, contemporary, mystery

[@t0dd000]

Interesting. I always lumped New Adult in with YA. I suppose you can split that hair the other direction.

[@custardflan]

My novel is biblical historical fiction. I'm shooting for end of year publish.

[@mateaukalua4426]

Now that's something I would be willing to read. Labyrinth of dark spirits was the only book in the WW2 ERA That I actually read. It focused on Spain and not Germany and Poland.

[@babavee100]

I haven't the faintest idea what genre my manuscript is. It details two years of life, when my husband and I, knowing nothing of the sea, bought a decreprit old boat with the intention of sailing the world. . Our adventures and near death experiences are real, and in that respect, it is non fiction. However, all by itself, It turned it into a sardonic comedy and I have embellished many of the experiences and characters so it is now, I suppose, semi - fictionaL A risible account of foolishness and its consequences. (We never managed to go anywhere in the end...btw) Perhaps you could tell me into what category It fits? There seems to be so little advice on comedy manuscripts. .

[@PreviouslyDelicious]

Is SF/F tragedy a thing?

[@StarlasAiko]

Sci-Fi and Fantasy belong in the section of Setting genre, alongside Historical, Alternative History, Speculative and Contemporary. All fiction falls into three types of genres: Audience Genre, Setting Genre and Plot Genre. I don't pay the Literary/Upmarket/Commercial category any mind. That distinction is really just pretentous. Lord of the Rings was just Fantasy and Dune just Sci-Fi until some snobs decided to put it on a pedestal while continuing to look down on the rest of "Genre Fiction" as something filthy and pedestrian.

[@cjpreach]

Adult, Commercial, Historical.

[@shakaowen]

Thanks! Two quick questions-Is the phrase “commercial sci fi” redundant? And is “upmarket sci fi” a thing?

[@Drudenfusz]

For a "definitive" guide to genre, the actual genre descriptions felt rather short and very superficial.

[@yardsalestanleyplayers24]

genre-blend anybody ? childrens stories for nap-time, based on an actual event. IE: what really happened at Roswell ? It was a balloon people' get over it ! naptime tale about balloons, It happens. Maybe best to view more of these Alyssa videos instead (Keeping the babysitters fending for themselves a while longer). So it's an adult story where the audience falls asleep anyway. Or change it all around to comedy where babysitter keeps daycare center wide awake? I'm confused. It's all about the audience . I'm all finished here.

[@shawnamelva583]

I completely disagree with compartmentalization of genre or defining a genre in a story. Life is not separated into genre. There coukd be romance, muder, adventure, and other genre during a period of time. We do not compatmentalize life, why compartmentalize a great story? Genre rules interfere with what could be one fantastic story. This is why I will self publish, break the rules, and inspire authors to think outside the box. Publishing still is a 1950s, stuffed shirt, dictatorship. Let's step into 2024, shall we?