As a writer (or author) knowing the different volume genres is vital to your overall knowledge every bit a professional, and for your book's success. Picking the right volume genre matters immensely on your journey to go a bestseller.

Not only is labeling your genre correctly of import but…

Not doing so can result in low book sales, negative book reviews on Amazon, and unsatisfied readers overall.

Overall, people want to know what they are in for when they accept a hazard with buying your book.

Remember at that place are literally 3.iv million books on Amazon. Y'all'll need to be in the right categories in social club to attain people equally they search—& those categories come from your book'south genre.

When you're writing a book, the genre yous write in is super important because it will dictate the different literary elements within your book.

Knowing Your Book Genre is Important

When condign an author, it's of import to know the differences in genres so you're well informed about what you lot're writing.

Obviously, your audience may alter from genre to genre.

Not only that, but the "rules" for writing also vary depending on which genre you write in, which means yous'll have to empathize them in order to become it right.

Those "rules" also often include how long your book is, pregnant how many words and pages it will exist.

This varies per genre based on audition and manufacture standards.

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How many book genres are in that location?

There are more book genres than you might call back. In this weblog post, nosotros'll cover 24 of them, however, there are upwards of 40 genres and even more if you count sub-genres for books.

For example, y'all can have a book that's a dystopian fantasy novel.

Dystopian and fantasy tin can be genres on their own but if you have a dystopian story that involves magic, your book volition then take 2 genres.

This is also important to keep in heed when you have subplots within a novel that might fall into a split up genre.

You'll see this well-nigh often with romantic subplots in broader genres like fantasy or sci-fi.

What are the popular book genres?

There are such a big number of genres that we can't embrace them all in this mail service, though nosotros volition cover 24 of them for yous.

That beingness said, existence familiar with the about common can help yous identify which your book volition fall nether.

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These are the most popular volume genres:

  • Fantasy
  • Sci-Fi
  • Mystery
  • Thriller
  • Romance
  • Westerns
  • Dystopian
  • Contemporary

Permit's go into more detail with these and nonfiction book genres as well.

Book Genres: 24+ Genres for Writing (With Guides)

If you're looking to acuminate your noesis equally an author or are just trying to find which genre your book fits in specifically (perhaps to make up one's mind which Amazon categories to go afterward), we've got you covered.

Here are 22 book genres, both fiction and nonfiction, to aid y'all empathise which is which and how you should characterization your novel.

#1 – Fantasy

Fantasy encompasses a huge part of the book world. Information technology's ane of the most pop book genres out there—a personal favorite of mine to read and write.

Fantasy is a genre that'southward identified past the use of magic within it.

Overall, fantasy is the genre of possibility. You can write in a petty magic, similar Jenna Moreci'south The Savior's Champion or you tin write a volume where magic is the forefront of the plot, similar with J.G. Rowling'south Harry Potter.

To take this a step further, let'southward look at the dissimilar categories within this genre that has more than specific characteristics.

Immature Adult Fantasy Genre:

Young developed is typically meant for readers between the ages of thirteen-17. However, adults relish this category of writing just as much as teens.

One thing to continue in heed when writing young adult fantasy is that the themes and letters within the literature volition often circumduct around teen-anile problems, like coming of age and exploration of identity.

Average word count for this volume genre: sixty,000 – ninety,000 words

Developed Fantasy Genre:

When you lot recollect of developed fantasy, think Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings versus Harry Potter or Children of Blood and Bone.

The main plots or themes in adult fantasy will probable revolve effectually more grown issues like the difference betwixt correct and wrong, death, adult relationships, and more than.

Average word count for this book genre: lxx,000 – 110,000

Epic Fantasy Genre:

An epic fantasy novel is characterizes by the overall lengthy and grandiose nature of its plot, characters, setting, or theme.

Books that tend to call into this book genre are Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings, like we mentioned higher up. Nigh frequently, epic fantasies will also autumn under fantasy adventures.

Boilerplate word count for this book genre: 100,000 – 200,000 +

Tips for Writing in the Fantasy Genre

  • Focus on edifice a really rich world that feels existent, fifty-fifty if the readers know it's not technically real
  • Create rule systems for your magic, always. You never want to have magic that has no limits or no costs, as that volition leave room for too many plotholes
  • Write the fantasy book YOU want to read—forget about anybody else and focus on the things you find interesting in your plot, characters, and scenes
  • Create fantasy creatures to requite your world a breath of fresh air—either from existing ones or make up your own

#ii – Adventure

Writing a novel in the adventure category will crave a trip, journeying, or quest of some kind as the overall plot.

Your boilerplate gamble novel often focuses on both the character'south physical journey every bit well as the journey they become through as a person throughout the novel.

Average discussion count for this book genre: 90,000 – 130,000

Epic Adventure Genre:

As stated above for an epic fantasy, whatsoever genre that'southward "ballsy" is characterized by the magnitude of the plot, graphic symbol, or themes themselves.

An example of an epic chance novel is Moby Dick, which stands at almost 190,000 words and 720 pages long.

Boilerplate word count for this book genre: 120,000 – 200,000

#3 – Romance

Romance authors have one specific goal when it comes to their books: to make you autumn in love with the characters merely equally much every bit the characters fall in love with each other.

In this book genre, the romance is the center bespeak of the plot. The unabridged novel moves around the relationship, though other plot points may be present.

A classic instance of a romance novel is The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks.

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When used every bit a sub plot:

Romance can as well exist used a subplot in many novels, and is, in fact, used quite often every bit a complementary chemical element in books.

When romance is used as a sub plot, the main plot does non have to do with the relationship but rather, is something completely different. The romance simply adds to the plot in order to increase conflict or intrigue.

Average word count for this book genre: lxx,000 – 100,000

Tips for Writing in the Romance Book Genre:

  • Never romanticize abuse (significant, if there is a toxic element in the relationship, never make this seen appealing or "good")
  • Write healthy, consensual, plumbing equipment romances by developing both character to piece of work well together
  • Avoid these mutual mistakes when writing romance

#iv – Contemporary

This book genre is among the most popular, though most writers aren't certain of what this category even is.

The gimmicky book genre is merely books written in the electric current time period with well-nigh of the parts of the novel revolving around common bug in a character'due south life.

But really, this genre is really more of the absenteeism of a genre. You may have heard this genre lumped in with others, like Contemporary Fantasy or Contemporary Romance.

The term is used to tell readers that this book takes place in current times, though it might comprehend other genres likewise.

Average word count for this book genre: 60,000 – ninety,000

Tips for Writing in the Gimmicky Book Genre:

  • Create a realistic and widely-experience disharmonize in order to describe readers in
  • Create a sympathetic character readers volition experience bad for
  • Up the stakes by introducing an element, character, or conflict completely out of left field to stupor readers
contemporary genre

#5 – Dystopian

This is a newer book genre that'due south really been picking up popularity within the concluding 5 to ten years.

Though many stories of this nature have been published prior, the term "dystopian" was recently coined to draw a book genre in which the current authorities or gild has been destroyed and the volume centers effectually the aftermath.

Writing Dystopian fiction can give you a ton of freedom in how you develop society while lowering the worldbuilding you lot'd have to do for a fantasy or sci-fi novel.

The dystopian genre can likewise be used as a secondary genre label in order to clarify the contents of the book, much like with gimmicky.

For example, y'all tin can have a Dystopian Fantasy novel besides as a Dystopian Scientific discipline Fiction novel.

Here are some examples of dystopian novels:

  • The Hunger Games
  • Young World
  • Handmaid'due south Tale

Boilerplate word count for this volume genre: lx,000 – 110,000

Tips for Writing in the Dystopian Book Genre:

  • Learn what types of dystopian books have been done earlier (this genre blew up in recent years and is on the verge of becoming vampire-esque in the novel globe, aka, overdone)
  • Mix this with another genre, like horror or mystery to add a something new
  • Become more than creative with the reason for the collapse of social club before your book happened as disease and/or zombies is far overdone
Dystopia defined

#6 – Mystery

We've all heard of the mystery book genres. Information technology'south an extremely popular genre, and for a skillful reason.

This book genre is defined by the plot focusing on solving a mystery, almost often with the mystery impacting the main character to the point where they're the ones involved in solving it.

Many other genres can accept mysteries within them (in fact, most do), only what makes a book specific to this genre is the fact that the mystery is the main plot and point of the book.

Boilerplate word count for this book genre: threescore,000 – xc,000

Tips for Writing in the Mystery Book Genre:

  • Outline your story thoroughly if y'all want to stupor your readers with the twist equally planning allows you lot to provide foreshadowing that makes sense
  • Know your ending before planning out the residuum of the story
  • Make sure your primary character is really, actually interesting (the reason mystery novels work well is because of the protagonist, not always just the mystery)
mystery book genre

#7 – Horror

Horror novels are characterized by the fact that the principal plot revolves around something scary and terrifying.

Frequently, y'all can find that Horror and Thriller describe the aforementioned volume, though nosotros'll touch more on why thrillers are not always horror novels in the side by side section.

Boilerplate discussion count for this book genre: 60,000 – xc,000

Tips for Writing in the Horror Book Genre:

  • Do what your readers least expect past setting up a scenario in which they can approximate the result, and then exercise something completely dissimilar
  • Utilise strong verbs and the rule of "bear witness don't tell" to entreatment to the senses in social club to achieve a physiological response in readers
  • When thinking of your "horror" elements, add together something real or common to them in club to make them more horrifying. An example is to have a serial murderer who is a huge fan of the local loftier schoolhouse baseball game team—and attends the games regularly

#8 – Thriller

If you lot're writing a thriller novel, the volume will focus around a high suspense and activeness-packed plot.

This book genre most ofttimes deals with danger and dread instead, with high emotional bear on involving fear.

Here are some examples of popular thriller novels:

  • The Daughter With The Dragon Tattoo
  • The Woman in Cabin x
  • The Shining
  • It

Average discussion count for this volume genre: 60,000 – 110,000

Tips for Writing in the Thriller Book Genre:

  • Utilize the literary device of juxtaposition in order to increase the tension in those "thrilling" moments
  • Whenever y'all have a moment of high tension, add in a personal conflict to up the stakes in a non-physical way
  • Continuously ask yourself how you can increase the stakes in a realistic way that fits with your story idea
reader expectations

#9 – Paranormal

Paranormal books are characterized past including paranormal activity, like ghosts, clairvoyance, mediums, demons, vampires, and more.

The difference between fantasy and paranormal is the elements within. Paranormal doesn't typically have magic like witches or fantasy-specific beings like unicorns, mermaids, and more.

But the paranormal book genre includes a current or real-life setting and is not often prepare in some other earth, similar fantasy sometimes can be.

Yet, keep in mind that you can have a paranormal fantasy novel if your book covers both types of aberrant occurrences.

Average word count for this volume genre: 60,000 – xc,000

Tips for Writing in the Paranormal Book Genre:

  • Opt for paranormal beings from different cultures
  • Create your ain paranormal beings for a culture or religion of your own creation
  • Use some of the writing tips for thriller novels in guild to up the tension with your paranormal story

#x – Historical Fiction

This book genre is exactly as it sounds: a fictional story that takes place in the past.

Usually, historical fiction centers around known events or issues that take place in a time significantly prior to the present.

Boilerplate word count for this book genre: 60,000 – 90,000

Tips for Writing in the Historical Fiction Book Genre:

  • Be certain to avoid the common excuse of "in that location weren't many people of color" when writing historical fiction from whatever time period and any location. This is a cop-out and the earth was just as diverse so as it is now
  • Enquiry your book and its details for complete accuracy. Any skid-upwards in facts can pull a reader out of your volume
  • Add together in personal and emotional conflicts that make sense for the time period but are still relevant problems today and so readers tin can connect to your volume better

#eleven – Science Fiction

Sci-fi is among the most popular book genre there is. With motion-picture show adaptations like Star Wars and Hitchhiker'southward Guide to the Galaxy, this genre has exploded and is arable in the book world.

Science fiction novels are those that take place in a futuristic society with advanced engineering science and occasionally otherworldly beings.

This is some other genre that tin add to another, like with Sci-Fi Fantasy, which would include a futuristic world with advanced applied science and some sort of fantastical beingness or magic.

The word count for this novel genre can exist extensive depending on the storyline.

Average give-and-take count for this book genre: 60,000 – 90,000

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Tips for Writing in the Science Fiction Volume Genre:

  • Create new technology that works with and/or confronting your protagonist'south agenda
  • Develop slang when writing dialogue that's advisable for the time you're writing in (and avoid using electric current-day slang that volition likely be outdated for your world/era)
  • Similar other genres that are non set in a realistic fourth dimension and world, make sure to add internal conflicts that we notwithstanding struggle with in our current lives in order to appeal to readers more
scifi book genre

#12 – Memoir

On to the nonfiction writing portion of these book genres and start up is memoirs.

When writing a memoir, you're essentially telling the reader about the most defining moments in your life that have led y'all to where you lot are and who y'all are today.

Memoirs differ from autobiographies in the sense that an autobiography is more of a timeline of your life, events, and accomplishments whereas a memoir is more of a collection of the most significant moments, pulled together past a theme or message you wish to share with readers.

Average word count for this book genre: 45,000 – lxxx,000

#13 – Cookbook

You already know what a cookbook is.

Cookbooks are those featuring recipes and directions for making the dishes correctly. Not only that, merely many cookbooks features stories about why the dish was created and the inspiration behind it.

Average word count for this book genre: Cookbooks vary greatly and are more dependent on number of recipes instead of total words.

#14 – Art

This book genre encompasses several different types of books. However, all of them require the same thing: a focus on something art-related.

There are many means a book can qualify to exist in the art genre.

Here are a few means your book would exist a part of the art genre:

  • it covers art-facts
  • it teaches specific art methods
  • it discusses are in detail (art history)
  • fine art is a main focus of the book

Average word count for this book genre: 10,000 – lx,000

Art book

#15 – Cocky-assist / Personal Evolution

If you're writing a book aimed to help someone in their personal life, as well as lift them up to make positive alter, it's probable you lot're writing in the self-help or personal evolution book genre.

Essentially, if your book helps others have a better life by empowering them, it will autumn under this genre.

Keep in heed, this book genre is one that encompasses many other genres likewise. You tin take a health self-help volume in additional to a relationship self-help.

A verage word count for this book genre: 30,000 – 70,000

#sixteen – Development

The evolution volume genre is growing apace as the globe focuses on self-comeback equally a whole.

If you're writing in this genre, you lot'll probable write virtually specific struggles pertaining to grapheme and personal bug too equally overcoming these obstacles.

Average word count for this book genre: 30,000 – seventy,000

#17 – Motivational

This volume genre is on the rise significantly equally of late. If you write in this genre, your book volition heart effectually empowering people to do whatever it is they're struggling with.

Essentially, motivational books focus on problems that can prevent people from accomplishing their goals and dreams, and how to solve them.

Most often, motivational books tin be lumped in with other volume genres like health, fitness, business, and self-assist.

Average discussion count for this book genre: thirty,000 – lxx,000

#xviii – Health

The wellness book genre is vast and covers a wide diverseness of different topics.

Your volume volition fall under this wide genre if it features annihilation health-related. This can be topics ranging from fitness, holistic healing, to more complex medical topics and in-depth coverage of different wellness conditions.

Boilerplate word count for this book genre: thirty,000 – 70,000

#19 – History

Whatsoever volume covering historical facts of whatsoever kind would fall nether this category. And since this is nonfiction, they all have to exist accurate.

Many history books are much dissimilar than what you might accept read in school. In fact, at that place are several books only covering different events in history written in a more entertaining fashion versus a factional play-by-play textbook.

Those books still fall under this book category.

Average discussion count for this book genre: 30,000 – 70,000

#20 – Travel

Whether you're writing travel guides or an in-depth review of different travel destinations, this volume genre will cover all of them.

Your book would also fall under this genre if you're writing about travel-hacks or ways to travel for cheap or even costless.

Boilerplate discussion count for this book genre: 20,000 – l,000

#21 – Guide / How-to

In that location are so many guide books and how-tos out at that place that it's fairly easy to know if your book fits this genre.

The manner to know if your book falls in this genre is to think about the core purpose. Is your book written in order to show someone how to do something specific?

The biggest giveaway is in the volume championship. If your title features "how to…" then it's in this genre!

Average give-and-take count for this book genre: iii,000 – fifty,000

#22 – Families and Relationships

You lot tin can write a book virtually how to build a stronger familial foundation or a book about improving your relationship. Either way, those books would fall under this category.

Oftentimes, books in this genre will fall under a smaller, more than specified genre as well, like family bonding or romantic relationships or even fostering friendships.

The relationships genre is not to exist confused with the fiction romance genre.

Average give-and-take count for this book genre: 30,000 – 50,000

#23 – Humor

If you've ever read a joke volume or a book revolving around a humorous endeavor of some sort, it falls nether this book category.

Books in this genre are also often gag gifts or are meant to be facetious.

Boilerplate word count for this book genre: x,000 – 50,000

#24 – Children'south Books

While at that place are several genres of children'southward motion picture books, we wanted to touch on some details most them as a whole.

When writing a children's volume, it's of import to keep these details in heed. If you don't, y'all run the risk of writing a book that you like instead of one that a child would.

A children's book describes any volume written for an audience betwixt the ages of 0-8 years erstwhile.

Now, of course, children of older ages tin can enjoy this book but ultimately, you're shooting for those who can't read at all, or are relatively new to reading.

Average give-and-take count for this book genre: 300 – 1200 words.

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