An action story is similar to adventure, and the protagonist usually takes a risky turn, which leads to desperate situations (including explosions, fight scenes, daring escapes, etc.)
ADVENTURE
Superhero Fiction, Swashbuckler
An adventure story is about a protagonist who journeys to epic or distant places to accomplish something. The protagonist has a mission and faces obstacles to get to their destination. Also, adventure stories usually include unknown settings and characters with prized properties or features.
CHILDREN'S
(all other genres)
Books written for readers under the age of 12.
CHRISTIAN
(all other genres)
Stories with a Christian element - not doctrinal.
COMEDY
(all other genres)
A story that tells about a series of funny, or comical events, intended to make the audience laugh.
CONTEMPORARY
Stories set in the present (within last 25 years).
A crime story is often about a crime that is being committed or was committed, but can also be an account of a criminal's life. A mystery story follows an investigator as they attempt to solve a puzzle (often a crime). The details and clues are presented as the story continues and the protagonist discovers them and by the end of the story the mystery is solved.
A fantasy story is about magic or supernatural forces, as opposed to technology as seen in science fiction.
GRAPHIC NOVEL
(all other genres)
Stories told with pictures and dialog (ie comic books)
HISTORICAL
Alternate History, Period Piece
The historical fiction genre includes stories that are about the past. It takes place in the real world, with real world people, but with several fictionalized or dramatized elements.
A horror story is told to deliberately scare or frighten the audience, through suspense, violence or shock.
LGBTQ+
(LGBTQ+ can either be the main genre or subgenre)
Stories of any genre where the main characters, or supporting characters are LGBTQ+ and/or the setting is LGBTQ+
POETRY
ROMANCE
Contemporary romance, Fantasy romance, Paranormal Romance, Romantic thriller, Erotica
Stories that are primarily focused on the relationship between the main characters of the story. Beyond the focus on the relationship, the biggest defining characteristic of the romance genre is that a happy ending is always guaranteed.
SCI-FI
Apocalyptic/Post-Apocalyptic, Hard Sci-Fi (detailed, well researched, and plausible), Soft Sci-Fi (dealing more with cultural, social, and political interactions), Space Opera, Cyberpunk (and all punks)
Science Fiction is similar to Fantasy except stories use scientific understanding to explain the universe it takes place in. It generally includes space travel, time travel, computers, machines, alternate universes, alien life-forms, genetic engineering, etc.
SHORT STORY
Anthology, all other genres
WESTERN
(all other genres)
Stories set in the American West, between the time of the Civil War and early 20th Century. The setting of a wilderness or uncivilized area is especially important to the genre, and the setting is often described richly and in-depth. They focus on the adventure of the main character(s) and the contrast between civilization or society and the untamed wilderness, often featuring the characters working to bring civilization to the wilderness
WOMEN'S LIT
(all other genres)
Stories written for a female audience with a female protagonist.
YOUNG ADULT
Coming of Age, all other genres
Targets readers aged 12-18 - reflects teenaged characters as they grapple with the unique challenges of adolescence.
