Books come in all shapes, sizes, and genres. Whether you’re writing a thriller, a romance, or a science fiction, it’s essential to understand the different types of genres and what each requires to be successful. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most popular book genres and provide you with the best writing tips for each.
Nowadays, books come in a wide variety of styles, each with its own unique specifications for word count, length, and content.
Here we will break down eight of the most popular book genres you will see on the shelves. We have split these genres into both non-fiction and fiction categories, so you can easily find whichever you are curious about, and the best writing tips for putting one together.
Fiction book genres
Fiction is a genre that encompasses stories that are imagined or created. It is the largest and most diverse category of books, with numerous subgenres such as mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy.
While there are plenty of other subgenres within fiction, the following are the most commonly found in bookstores and among bestsellers. We’ll explore each of these subgenres of fiction and provide useful tips and examples for each one.
Mystery
Mystery novels are all about solving a crime or a puzzle. To write a great mystery, you need to create a suspenseful atmosphere, develop compelling characters, and keep the reader guessing until the very end.
Best Writing Tips:
- Start with a compelling hook that grabs the reader’s attention from the beginning.
- Introduce a murder or a crime in the first few chapters.
- Create a cast of interesting characters, including a detective or amateur sleuth, suspects, and victims.
- Keep the reader guessing by planting clues and red herrings throughout the story.
- Make sure the ending is surprising but logical.
Example: Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” is a classic mystery novel that follows detective Hercule Poirot as he investigates a murder on a luxurious train.
The mystery genre has been a box office staple over the last ten years, with Kenneth Branagh taking on the Poirot mantle and with the success of Rian Johnson’s new “Knives Out” franchise.
Romance
Romance novels are all about love and relationships. To write a great romance, you need to create believable and relatable characters, build tension and conflict, and have a happy ending.
Best Writing Tips:
- Create compelling and relatable characters that the reader can root for.
- Build tension and conflict by creating obstacles that stand in the way of the couple’s happiness.
- Focus on the emotional journey of the characters and show their growth throughout the story.
- Have a satisfying and happy ending that leaves the reader feeling good.
Example: Nicholas Sparks’ “The Notebook” is a classic romance novel that tells the story of two young lovers, Noah and Allie, as they navigate their way through life, love, and heartbreak.
Science Fiction
Science fiction is a genre that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. To write a great science fiction, you need to create a believable and captivating world, introduce new technologies, and create a sense of wonder.
Best Writing Tips:
- Create a unique and believable world with its own rules and laws of science.
- Introduce new technologies and futuristic concepts that are both exciting and plausible.
- Explore complex themes such as time travel, artificial intelligence, or intergalactic travel.
- Create a sense of wonder by describing the new and exciting things the characters encounter.
Example: Isaac Asimov’s “I, Robot” is a classic science fiction novel that explores the relationship between humans and robots.
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre that deals with imaginary and magical elements. To write a great fantasy, you need to create a rich and imaginative world, introduce magic and mythical creatures, and create a compelling story.
Best Writing Tips:
- Create a rich and imaginative world with its own rules, laws, and mythology.
- Introduce magic and mythical creatures that are unique and captivating.
- Develop compelling and relatable characters that the reader can root for.
- Have a compelling plot that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.
Example: J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” is a classic fantasy novel that takes place in a fantasy world filled with magic, mythical creatures, and a quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat the evil Lord Sauron.
Non-Fiction Book Genres
Non-fiction is a genre that includes books that are based on real events or factual information. It includes subgenres such as biography, memoir, self-help, and history.
Biography
Biographies are books that tell the story of a person’s life. To write a great biography, you need to research the person’s life, interview people who knew them, and write in a compelling and engaging style.
Best Writing Tips:
- Do extensive research on the person’s life, including their background, achievements, and challenges.
- Interview people who knew the person, including family, friends, and colleagues.
- Write in a compelling and engaging style that captures the reader’s attention and keeps them interested.
- Focus on the person’s most significant achievements and challenges, and how they impacted their life and the world around them.
Example: Walter Isaacson’s “Steve Jobs” is a biography that explores the life of the late Apple co-founder and tech visionary.
Memoir
Memoirs are books that tell the story of the author’s life. To write a great memoir, you need to be honest and open about your experiences, and write in a reflective and introspective style.
Best Writing Tips:
- Be honest and open about your experiences, both positive and negative.
- Write in a reflective and introspective style that allows the reader to understand your thoughts and emotions.
- Focus on the most significant events and experiences of your life, and how they shaped who you are today.
- Be willing to share your weaknesses and vulnerabilities, as well as your strengths and accomplishments.
Example: Mary Karr’s “The Liars’ Club” is a memoir that explores the author’s childhood growing up in an eccentric and dysfunctional family.
Self-Help
The Self-help book genre is designed to help readers improve their lives in some way. To write a great self-help book, you need to have expertise in the area you’re writing about, provide practical and actionable advice, and write in a supportive and encouraging style.
Best Writing Tips:
- Have expertise in the area you’re writing about, and be able to provide practical and actionable advice.
- Write in a supportive and encouraging style that motivates the reader to make positive changes in their life.
- Use real-life examples and case studies to illustrate your points and make the advice more relatable.
- Provide concrete steps and exercises that the reader can do to improve their life.
Example: Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is a self-help book that provides practical advice for becoming more effective and successful in both personal and professional life.
History
History books are books that tell the story of past events. To write a great history book, you need to do extensive research, write in a clear and concise style, and provide a balanced and objective view of the events.
Best Writing Tips:
- Do extensive research on the events, including reading primary sources, secondary sources, and expert opinions.
- Write in a clear and concise style that makes the events easy to understand and follow.
- Provide a balanced and objective view of the events, avoiding personal biases and opinions.
- Use maps, illustrations, and timelines to help the reader visualize the events and understand the context.
Example: John Lewis Gaddis’ “The Cold War” is a history book that provides a comprehensive and objective view of the events and tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It covers the major events, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the fall of the Berlin Wall, and provides a thorough analysis of the political, economic, and military factors that shaped the conflict.