Suspense fiction creates anticipation and dread in readers, with popular sub-genres including detective fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and true crime stories. Despite being considered a “low” literary form by some, enduring classics like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Edgar Allen Poe’s stories fall into this genre. In a sense, all fiction contains at least an […]
Experimental fiction is literary work that plays with genre and established conventions, often expressing new or established ideas in new ways. It can be offensive or without merit initially, but may have long-term significance. It challenges storytelling and language, and can express ideas that challenge social norms. Examples include On the Road, Ulysses, and Naked […]
Short fiction is a complete story told in a short form, often less than 10,000 words. It became a literary genre in the 19th century and has aesthetic standards set by early writers. Many great writers have produced short stories, including Anton Chekhov, John Cheever, and Raymond Carver. The actual length of short fiction varies, […]
Supernatural fiction involves paranormal ideas as a central plot, including ghosts, extraordinary abilities, and fantastical creatures. It has been popular since the 1800s and includes horror, fantasy, and science fiction. The earliest written literature contained supernatural elements, and it remains popular in modern media such as movies and television shows. Supernatural romance is a popular […]
Paperback fiction is a softcover book with glue binding that contains a fictional story. Novels are often printed as paperbacks to keep costs down for the consumer. Traditionally, science fiction novels were published as hardcovers first, then as paperbacks. Modern publishing methods sometimes only use paperbacks. Mass-market paperbacks are smaller and less expensive, with lower […]
Dialogue is a crucial part of fiction, revealing character traits, emotions, and subtext. It can also create irony and reveal the narrator’s trustworthiness. Tags and separate lines are used to distinguish speakers. Dialogue can also appear in nonfiction, poetry, and news articles. An integral part of many fictional pieces is the dialogue, or the actual […]
Fiction writing software helps writers with plot and character development, formatting, organization, and genre selection. It offers tips, interactive tools, and search functions to stimulate creativity and address writer’s block. Formatting devices and spelling and grammar checkers are also included. Several fiction writing software could be purchased as tools for developing story plots and characters […]
American fiction encompasses any fictional story written by an American author or about America. It includes various genres such as western, horror, science fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, and general fiction. Westerns are the most well-known genre, focusing on early settlement years in the western states. Other genres developed throughout American history, including horror, science fiction, […]
Inspirational fiction is non-factual literature that can inspire readers, with subgenres including religious, misery, visionary, and gentle fiction. It can come in any form and is difficult to define. Religious fiction is predominantly Christian, but other faiths are represented. Misery literature is a UK term for biographies where the protagonist overcomes obstacles. Visionary fiction expands […]
Classic fiction refers to creative works that have received recognition or scholarly discussion, including novels and short stories. Lists of classic fiction often focus on Western European works but can include texts from other regions and genres. These lists shape literature courses and academic debate, while commercially marketed classic editions appeal to readers seeking intellectual […]
Horse fiction is a genre that includes stories about horses and their owners, with famous books like Black Beauty and The Horse Whisperer. Children’s equestrian fiction often features horses as main characters, while adult stories revolve around human characters. Authors must do research to avoid mistakes, as readers may know more about horses. Horses have […]
Paranormal fiction is a type of fantasy that includes ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and other magical creatures. It can span multiple genres and categories, such as young adult, urban fantasy, and supernatural horror. Some paranormal stories are published in magazines or dedicated to the genre. It’s important to note that not all horror or fantasy stories […]
Horror fiction is a genre that aims to scare or horrify readers, often following a plot structure with supernatural or psychological elements. Traditional folklore has influenced horror stories, which focus on uncomfortable emotions and situations that protagonists cannot escape. Horror fiction is a category of writing in which a story is crafted to scare or […]
Transformation fiction explores radical physical or psychological changes in characters, such as shape-shifting or gender reassignment. It can promote various themes, both positive and negative, and can chart slow internal changes in a character’s personality and outlook on life. Transformation fiction is a type of fictional literature that has transformation as its main theme or […]
African American fiction includes various genres and has been written since 1746. The Harlem Renaissance saw an explosion of creativity, while the civil rights movement influenced works in the 1940s-60s. Contemporary fiction continues to explore black history and push boundaries. African American fiction encompasses many different genres of popular literature. Numerous mystery novels, westerns, historical […]
Popular fiction, also known as mass-market fiction, is genre-based and aims to entertain a broad audience with well-defined plots and conflict resolution. It is marketed to sell and must comply with publisher guidelines. Literary fiction, on the other hand, is driven by self-expression and deep thought, focusing on character development and universal issues. Popular fiction, […]
Interactive fiction refers to a type of text-based computer game popular in the 1970s and 1980s, where players enter text-based commands to alter the outcome. As computer graphics improved, text games became less popular, leaving hobbyists to create their own games. Interactive fiction can also refer to reader choice history books and graphics-based computer games. […]
Urban fiction, also known as urban lit, gangsta lit, street lit, or hip hop lit, is a genre of American literature set in metropolitan areas and characterized by recurring themes, racial leanings, and cultural similarities. It typically features African-American characters in dark plots involving urban violence, poverty, and other aspects of inner-city life. The genre […]
Research the legitimacy of a fiction contest before entering. Follow all rules and instructions carefully. Read past winners’ work for inspiration, but add unique style. Consider level of skill before entering. Use contests as an opportunity to learn and improve writing techniques. One of the best tips for entering fiction contests is to do some […]
Fiction magazines come in print and online formats and can be categorized by genre, location, audience, or featured writers. Some pay writers while others offer copies or exposure. The internet has changed the industry, making digital content more popular. Magazines often focus on specific genres or themes and used to include fiction as a section […]
