October 27

Genre Definitions

Fiction Categories:

Anthology

In genre fiction anthology is used to categorize collections of shorter works such as short stories and short novels, usually collected into a single volume for publication by Publisher. Source: Wiki

Debut Novel

A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are often the author’s first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry. Wikipedia

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting. Source: Goodreads

Historical Fiction

Historical fiction presents a story set in the past, often during a significant time period. In historical fiction, the time period is an important part of the setting and often of the story itself. Historical fiction may include fictional characters, well-known historical figures or a mixture of the two. Source: Goodreads

Horror

Horror fiction is fiction in any medium intended to scare, unsettle, or horrify the audience. Historically, the cause of the “horror” experience has often been the intrusion of a supernatural element into everyday human experience. Source: Goodreads

Horror > Zombies

Because one of the Junkees love zombies, we have to add a zombie subgenre. Zombie Horror Fiction is horror books written with the paranormal element of ZOMBIES. Examples: Goodreads

‘In-Series’

Novels released as individual titles but are part of an ongoing series with a comment underlying thread written by one individual author.

Mystery / Thriller

Mystery-thrillers are stories with twists and turns that keep you on your toes guessing about the truth, the POV’s truth, and about what will happen next. They can be written from a hero’s POV or from a sinister character’s POV. Source: Goodreads

New Series

First book in a new series written by an individual author.

Science Fiction

Science fiction (Sci-fi) is a broad genre of fiction that often involves speculations based on current or future science or technology. science fiction differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation). Source: Goodreads

Urban Fantasy

Urban fantasy (UF) is a subset of contemporary fantasy, consisting of novels and stories with supernatural and/or magical elements set in contemporary, real-world, urban settings–as opposed to ‘traditional’ fantasy set in imaginary locations. Many urban fantasy novels are told via a first-person narrative, and feature supernatural beings such as vampires, shapeshifters, fairies, witches, sorcerers, and demons. Urban fantasy stories tend to have a high amount of suspense and action, and sometimes include mystery, romance, humor and/or horror in the plotline. Source: GoodReads

Romantic Fiction Categories:

Contemporary Romance

Romance novels that focus primarily on the romantic relationship, released as individual titles, and set in the current time period. Source: RWA.org

Category Romance

Romance novels that focus primarily on the romantic relationship, are between 40,000–80,000 words in length, and are issued under a common category line/series name with publisher predetermined word counts and basic content guidelines. These books are often numbered sequentially and released at regular intervals (Ex: Harlequins, LoveSwept, Crimson, Entangled etc). Source: RWA.org

Harlequin Series Romance

Harlequin is one of the world’s leading publishers of books for women. The Toronto-based company publishes over 110 titles a month in 31 languages in 111 international markets on six continents. The books from the following Harlequin Series will be nominated in this category: KISS, Presents, Romance, Blaze, Medical, Desire, Special Edition, SuperRomance, Romantic Suspense, American, Kimani, Historical, Heart warming, Intrigue & Nocturne.

Paranormal Romance

Paranormal romance focuses on romance and includes elements beyond the range of scientific explanation, blending together themes from the genres of urban fantasy, traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror. Paranormal romance may range from traditional category romances with a paranormal setting to stories where the main emphasis is on a science fiction or fantasy based plot with a romantic subplot included. Paranormal romance stories tend to feature a lot of romance, suspense and action, as well as sometimes include mystery, humor and/or horror in the plotline. Source: GoodReads

*May or may not contain sexual content.

New Adult

New Adult fiction bridges the gap between Young Adult and Adult genres. It typically features protagonists between the ages of 18 and 26. (Goodreads). New Adult fiction tends to focus on issues such as leaving home, developing sexuality, and negotiating education and career choices. (Wikipedia)

Erotic Romance

Erotic romance takes the conventions of romance – a focus on a developing romantic relationship culminating in a optimistic ending – and infuses it with more graphic sexual content. Stories may have a single couple or they may explore triads and beyond. Source: GoodReads

Historical Romance

Romance novels set in any historical time period. Source: RWA.org

Romantic Novella

Novels that focus primarily on the romantic relationship and are less than 40,000 words in length.

Women’s Fiction

Women’s fiction is an umbrella term for books that are marketed to female readers, and includes many mainstream novels, romantic fiction, “chick lit,”and other sub genres. The Romance Writers of America organization defines women’s fiction as, “a commercial novel about a woman on the brink of life change and personal growth. Her journey details emotional reflection and action that transforms her and her relationships with others, and includes a hopeful/upbeat ending with regard to her romantic relationship.” Source: GoodReads

‘In-Series’ Romance

Novels that focus primarily on the romantic relationship, released as individual titles but are part of an ongoing series with a comment underlying thread written by one individual author.

Romantic Suspense

Romance novels in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot. Source: RWA.org

New Series (Romance)

First book in a new series written by an individual author. In this category we focus romantic novels.

Debut Novel (Romance)

A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are often the author’s first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry. Wikipedia  In this category we focus romantic novels.

Young Adult Categories:

YA Contemporary

Young Adult Contemporary literature is literature in a contemporary setting, or post WWII. Source: Goodreads

YA Debut

A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are often the author’s first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry. Wikipedia  In this category we focus young adult novels.

YA Fantasy

Fantasy fiction in which the protagonist is a teenager (13-17). Fantasy is a genre that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting. Source: Goodreads

YA Fiction

Young-adult fiction (often abbreviated as YA) is fiction written for, published for, or marketed to adolescents and young adults, roughly ages 13 to 21. The vast majority of YA stories portray an adolescent as the protagonist, rather than an adult or a child. The subject matter and story lines are typically consistent with the age and experience of the main character, but beyond that YA stories span the entire spectrum of fiction genres. Source: GoodReads

YA Historical Fiction

Historical fiction presents a story set in the past, often during a significant time period. In historical fiction, the time period is an important part of the setting and often of the story itself. Historical fiction may include fictional characters, well-known historical figures or a mixture of the two. Source: Goodreads

YA Paranormal

YA Paranormal, is Paranormal Fiction in the young adult age range. YA Paranormal is sometimes also YA Paranormal Romance but it is not necessary that it is a romance, only that it has a paranormal element. As long as the storyline revolves around the paranormal the genre is YA Paranormal.

YA Science Fiction

Science fiction in which the protagonist is a teenager (13-17). Science fiction (SiFi) is a broad genre of fiction that often involves speculations based on current or future science or technology. science fiction differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation). Source: Goodreads