What Genre is My Book? Unraveling the Famous Question.

Suppose you are an author or are thinking about becoming one, and someone asks if you write mysteries. You would explain that you actually write science fiction. However, you’re not writing about aliens or people living in space. Instead, your work falls under the category of a mad scientist who experiments on human beings, similar to the story of Frankenstein.

People can get confused about how to find a book genre, which is why we are here to share some helpful insights and clarify questions such as, “How do I find out the genre of a book?” So, let us get started.

What is a Book Genre?

A book genre is directed towards a specific category of literature, determining what an author writes and how it is written. A book genre simply describes the tone, content, format, style, and literary technique.

When the question arises, “What genre is your book, and how would you describe that genre?” This simply means that your book’s category and style could fall under horror, romance, or sci-fi. The word genre itself originates from the French word that translates to “kind of.” In this context, when the word genre is used, it is meant to describe the type or the kind of story that is being told or written.

There are several book genres, ranging from dystopian horror to romance or even psychological thrillers. Book genres lie on a continuously growing spectrum, which means that they change and expand with new ideas, concepts, and kinds of story narratives.

Bestselling names in the crime and mystery category are Agatha Cristie and John Grisham, whereas for horror, authors such as Stephen King.

Mystery and crime go hand in hand, and readers who love this genre love thinking, guessing what will happen next, and thinking outside the box. The twists and trunks of events are the process of discovering who the culprit is and whether they were framed or not. It is certainly a rush of adrenaline right there! Certain genres can mix and match with one another, while there may be a sole focus on one. For example, Sydney Sheldon is an author whose genre is focused on crime and thriller. While that is the main genre for his novels, his work can include romance. That does not mean that he is an author who writes romantic stories.

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Book Genre Types and Subgenres

If you are an author or are very fond of reading, you may have noticed that not one book sticks to a single genre. That would make the book slightly boring, or to be honest, quite boring. You need to add a little bit of other kinds of genres in, making sure that it does not take over or consume your novels or books’ actual purpose. For example, if your book is about a zombie apocalypse, you would not fill your book with too much mystery or romance; that would be sidetracking. A little bit of romance at one point in the novel to keep your readers engaged makes sense. Still, continuous romantic moments where your novel should focus on zombies and the protagonist hiding or saving himself should not be sidetracked.

Here, we will look at a few popular genres and their subcategories or subgenres.

Crime

Crime fiction grasps the reader’s attention with suspenseful investigations to pursue justice. A central crime, such as fraud or murder, kicks off the story, followed by an immediate investigation. This investigation is often carried out by an amateur or a professional detective who, at the end of the day, unravels the crime. The subgenres or themes that can be involved are justice, possibly of a short romance, thrill, and suspense.

Crime does not necessarily have to be murder or theft but can also include stalking. If you have read You by Caroline Kepnes, its main genre is thriller, but it does include a subcategory of slime since murder and investigation are involved.

Crime Subgenre

Classic Mysteries
Thriller Crime
Psychological Thriller
Suspense
Classic Detective
Police Procedural

Romance

Some people enjoy classical romance stories, but why not take them up a notch and make them more complicated for readers? Some may not like that, but most do. One thing is certain: those who get too involved and wish for things to end up better in that romantic novel just show how engrossed they were in the first place!

Romance is all about emotions, and mixing it up with different subgenres, such as thrillers, fantasy, and psychological romance, adds that extra craziness that many readers love. Not every story has to end with the protagonist finding the love of their life, nor does it have to end with the protagonist killing themselves in order to save their significant other.

Not everything has to be happily ever after.

Okay, that can be a bit dark, but the plot twists and major turn of events in a romantic novel are what keep readers engaged in your novel. We have read about romantic fantasies, for example, The Vampire Diaries by L. J. Smith or The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, which combine a mix of fantasy, adventure, and romance.

Romance novels have to have obstacles. Either the female lead is dying, or the male protagonist has to be a criminal (with some good intentions, according to them). The concept for this genre is that it is very diverse and goes well with other subgenres. Whether a traditional happy ending or a bittersweet resolution, romance explores the depths of human emotions, making readers have a strong connection with the characters.

Not all romance novels have to be dark and twisted; they can also lean towards reality. For example, Love Rosie (Where Rainbows End) by Cecelia Ahern is a romance novel that includes a realistic (or not) turn of events where two best friends were destined to be together. The novel also includes comedy, which can be considered a romantic comedy subgenre.

Romance Subgenre

Romantic comedy
Paranormal Romance
Fantasy Romance
Christian Romance
Young adult Romance
New adult Romance
Historical Romance
Regency Romance
Contemporary Romance
Erotic Romance
Romantic suspense

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Horror

The graphic details, suspense, dreadful monsters, and the powers they can possess are not for the faint of heart. While people may think that horror books are less scary than their movie adaptations, well, maybe some can be worse if your imagination is strong enough. One of the best examples that can be given to horror novel writers is Stephen King. He has written some of the most intense horror novels, which have also become famous movie adaptations such as The Shining, IT, and Pet Sematary.

Such intense horror stories plunge into the depths of one’s darkest fears. The fear of the unknown, bodily harm and horror taps into these prima anxieties to evoke dread and unease. If a horror book does that to you, it is successful. It is highly unlikely for horror novels to have a subgenre of romance. Even if they do, they will be very short.

Horror Subgenre

Horror Mysteries
Gore
Analog Horror
Post-apocalyptic Horror
Body Horror
Christman Horror
Science Fiction Horror
Religious Horror
Survival Horror
Psychological Horror

Comedy

Light-hearted, joyful, tummy tickling, and with a bit of a twist. Comedy is the universal language for laughter. They can include witty dialogues, adult humor, and funny situations to brighten your mood. You can always add slight twists or turns of events that can make the readers feel a deeper connection. Comedy writers are equipped with techniques to make their readers laugh. Several kinds of comedy subgenres go well together; the most famous is romantic comedy. For example, Love Rosie by Cecelia Ahern includes a major turn of events and classic comedy. Satire uses humor to poke fun at society while complete parodies playfully imitate other genres for comic effect.

Comedy can go with a wide range of subgenres, and when they are written in the right tone and style, the reading process is all the more fun. Satire comes in various ways. Some can be sarcastic, while others can be dead serious but do not really mean anything. For example, there is a book called Meow by Sam Austen. This book literally has no purpose but to keep cat lovers entertained. While there is no meaning, this still comes under the comedy category.

Comedy Subgenre

Slapstick Comedy
Romantic Comedy
Tragic Comedy
Dark Comedy
Screwball Comedy
Epistolary Comedy

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Book Genre List

Since the list of genres and subgenres is vast, it can be a bit confusing, adding to several debates about how many different book genres actually exist. The answer is that you can even make up your own subgenre as long as it makes sense. While the example given for the Meow book by Sam Austen really does not make sense, its purpose is to keep cat lovers entertained.

Here is a list pulled together for a book genre list, which can be seen as the most prominent one in the writing and book-creating industry.

SciFi

When you think of the sci-fi genre, which means science fiction, you will instantly think of aliens, planets, galaxies, and time travel. But as we mentioned before, sci-fi can also be about crazy scientists, unusual dimensions, and futuristic explorations.

Fantasy

When the word fantasy comes to mind, you think about supernatural elements, magical elements, witchcraft, or some sort of extra sixth-sense power. Fantasy mixes well with several subgenres, making it diverse. Some popular fantasy novel examples are Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones.

Mystery

This genre dives into captivating mysteries that demand answers. It encompasses classic whodunits in the vein of Agatha Christie, as well as contemporary mysteries like Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, known for their intricate plots and gripping suspense.

Horror

When you mention “horror book,” most people immediately think of Stephen King, and for good reason. Horror is characterized by its scary, often graphic, and supernatural elements. It can range from novels like The Shining to The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells. A subgenre of horror is the Gothic books, which include classics like Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. These books are more eerie and spooky, focusing less on blood, guts, and monsters.

Historical

Books often transport readers to a specific time and place in history. For example, the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn and Gabaldon’s romantic Outlander novels are set in historical periods, such as eighteenth-century Scotland. Similarly, the books by Tracey Chevalier and Philippa Gregory also bring historical settings to life through fictional stories.

Dystopian

Dystopian novels, a subgenre of science fiction, paint chilling portraits of the future, often under the thumb of oppressive governments. Examples include Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven.

Children’s Fiction

We cannot forget about fiction books for children. They, too, enjoy reading books that allow them to escape from reality for a bit. Depending on the age group, you can add colorful illustrations or black-and-white hand-drawn ones. The best example of children’s preteen fiction stories is Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It is fun, relatable, and imaginative for kids to read. Magic Tree House #17 Tonight on the Titanic is also another great read for kids. It combines mystery and fiction perfectly.

Literary

Literary fiction delves deeply into the complexities of human experience. Unlike plot-driven commercial fiction, it focuses on character development and the inner lives of its main characters. Literary works often feature intricate storylines and a richer vocabulary, demanding a more active role from the reader. Acclaimed author Sally Rooney exemplifies this genre with her introspective novels like “Conversations With Friends,” “Normal People,” and “Beautiful World, Where Are You.”

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Why is Genre Important?

You might wonder if genre really matters when it comes to writing a book or a novel. The answer is yes, it does. Genres are the main plots of your overall book. In order to write an organized and engaging book, your genre creates a sense of awareness of what you are able to carry out not only in your own voice but also towards the audience that enjoys reading that novel or a specific genre.

While adding subgenres to your main genre might sound confusing, every author does it. It changes a slight sense of direction and adds a little more pizzazz to your book. Suppose you are considering writing a book and wish to add other subgenres to your novel. In that case, you can always hire professional ghostwriters to deliver the kind of book and mixture of genres you wish to include in your next project.

In order for a book or novel to become successful, the reader, the writer, and the marketer must share the same vision and understanding of the story and how it is being told.

Editors and Agents

It adds up when you have an organized main genre present in your book. It makes it easier for editors to grasp the story of your novel or book. If you end up having too many sets of subgenres in your novel, it will be cluttered and difficult to understand. That means if a librarian were to classify your book in a specific aisle on one particular shelf, they would end up confused. Now, you definitely would not want that.

Before that step even comes true, you need to know how to make the perfect pitch for your novel, which also revolves around that specific genre and can include a small part of the subgenre as well. Targeting the publisher for the agent for your work through the genre gives them a clearer picture and understanding of where your novel is heading. That means that it is making sense.

The Readers

If your book’s genre has to make sense to the publishers and agents for your book, that means it has to make sense for your readers as well. Readers who are into classic crime and investigation novels, and you classify your genre that way, although there are way too many romantic moments, your readers would end up confused and lost with your book. The question would arise, “Am I reading a crime novel or a romantic one?”

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How to Determine the Genre of a Book?

To improve your novel’s success, you, as the writer or author of that book, along with your publishing agent, gathered with the right marketing team, will have to have a certain anticipation as to where your book will fit into the market. In order for that to work out, your marketing team or the company you work with will perform market research and figure out the keywords and specifications to know where your novel lies.

How to Determine the Genre of the Book I am Writing?

Here are a couple of useful tips and tricks in order for you to determine the genre of the book that you are writing:

Familiarize yourself with the book genre options available and keep them separate from one another. Then, see which subgenre matches the main genre you choose.
Read a lot of stories and watch many movies. See what genres and subgenres they have included in their novels or movies and what chimes with yours.
Put together a short list of possible genres that capture the essence of your book. And shortlist them to the best one.
Know what genre elements reflect your novel.
Think about the target audience and what genre and subgenre they would expect in your novel. For example, if your main genre is Romance and the subgenre is murder, your audience should be those interested in reading dark romance novels with major dark twists.
Concentrate on the most relevant genres and subgenres for your book. Select only one or two subgenres, no more than that.
When determining the genre for your book, you are not explaining it. Rather, you are aiming to advertise its aesthetic.

Once you have completed that and answered the questions above, you should be able to review your book and ensure that your writing style and tone match the overall genre and aesthetic of your book. This includes the characters and the plot.

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Now You Can Determine the Genre

If you are a beginner and all of this sounds new to you, this article should have certainly cleared some concepts and definitions about genre and how to determine the genre for your book. Perfecting the genre of your book is the most important factor when it comes to your writing journey.

However, do not bring yourself down if you are unable to achieve this; even the best writers and authors hire ghostwriters and eBook writing services, which can later be converted into PDFs that you can physically publish. The main gold here is that you have the perfect genre and novel in your hand. Book Creating offers a wide range of writing services that you can benefit from. We have a full team of ghostwriters who can help you understand more about your book’s genre and the best subgenre to use. If you have decided on the main plot or have a simple plan for what you wish to create, we can help you improve that further. We also offer book marketing services that can further help determine your book’s genre and subgenre to ensure that it researches the right audience.

FAQ’S

What determines a book’s genre?

A book’s genre is determined by its category. This means what an author writes and how they write it, including the tone, style, characters, and more.

How are book genres classified?

To know how a book’s genre is classified, you see whether it is fiction or nonfiction. This can depend on its content and context.

What is the hardest genre to write about?

Historical fiction is known to be the hardest genre to write about. It involves excessive research and detail, so it can be challenging. In order to write historical fiction, you will have to get your facts straight.