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Age Group, Genre, and Format

From Wikipedia: “A literary genre is a category of literary composition. Genres may be determined by literary technique, tone, content, or even (as in the case of fiction) length. Genre should not be confused with age category, by which literature may be classified as either adult, young adult, or children's. They also must not be confused with format, such as graphic novel or picture book. The distinctions between genres and categories are flexible and loosely defined, often with subgroups.”

AGE GROUP: Who (intended audience)

GENRE: What, when, & where (content & setting)

FORMAT: How (presentation)

Below is a chart of books divided by genre within their respective age groups, with special formats starred (for example: graphic novels and audio books). Scroll down for links to more articles about age group, genre, and format.

chart of books with genres distributed within each age group and special formats starred

CATEGORIES & GENRES

FICTION

Literary versus Commercial versus Genre Fiction

Commercial: High-concept, easy to explain, catchy - beach reads, book club picks

Literary: More focused on proses and ideas or themes than plot

Genre Fiction: Categories like sci fi, fantasy, romance, horror, etc.


Note: Sometimes books have two genres, like paranormal thriller or fantasy romance.

 

Genres

genre map by BookCountry

Genre Map by BookCountry via Book Riot

 

SPECULATIVE

Science Fiction (Sci Fi)

Based on imagined scientific and technological advances such as robots, time travel, and/or outer space.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association

Apocalyptic, Post-Apocalyptic, and/or Dystopian

End of the world and its aftermath. Dystopian depicts an unfair, usually futuristic society, which is often related to an apocalyptic event.

Cyberpunk and Biopunk

Gritty near-future, usually dystopic Earth dealing with technological upheaval. Biopunk includes genetic engineering.

Steampunk

Historical setting, often Victorian, with anachronistic technology

Space Opera

Warfare in outer space meets soap opera

Space Western

Themes of the American West but in outer space

 

Fantasy

A magical world apart from our own or hidden within it

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association

 

High Fantasy

Fictional, magical world with epic settings, quests, etc.

Urban Fantasy

Fantasy story set in a modern or futuristic city. Can cross over with science fiction.

Magical Realism

Line between real life and fantasy is blurred - “fantastical realism.”

 

Horror

 

Paranormal

Humanoid supernatural creatures. Could also fall under fantasy.

Splatterpunk

As gory as you can possibly make it.

 
 

Cozy Mystery

Crime happens off-page and solved by amateur sleuth. Not graphic. Usually a series, often with a theme.

Procedural/Legal/Forensic

Crime is solved by professionals.

 

Historical

Fiction taking place in the past. Pretty much any genre can also be historical.

Historical Writers Association

Western

Set in the American West

Western Writers of America

 

Romance

A relationship story with a happy ending. Can overlap with any other genre.

Romance Writers of America

 

Paranormal, Fantasy, Sci Fi

Supernatural, fantasy, and/or sci fi plot elements

Spiritual or Inspirational

“Clean” romances, usually Christian.

Amish Romance (also called “Bonnet Rippers”)

Suspense

Romance develops around a mystery plot

Comedies

Also called RomComs or Chick Lit

Contemporary

Set in modern times

Erotic

Includes explicit sex scenes

Historical

Popular time periods include Regency, Victorian, Western, World Wars, Vikings, Pirates, and more.

 

Other Sub-Genres or Classifications

Bildungsroman

Coming of age story

Southern Gothic

Set in the American South and “characterized by grotesque, macabre, or fantastic incidents.”

Metafiction

Fiction that is self-referential and draws attention to its own form.

Picaresque

Adventure story following the travels of a rogue

Other Genres

Alternate History

Fiction that breaks away from real historical events to explore a different scenario. Often overlaps with sci fi and time travel.

Women’s Fiction

A misogynistic way to imply stories by and about people who aren’t men are somehow less serious or important.

Christian and Inspirational

Upholds a Christian worldview - usually wholesome with happy ending.

American Christian Fiction Writers Association

 

NONFICTION

Narrative Nonfiction

Memoir and Autobiography

National Association of Memoir Writers

Biography

Biographers International Association

Investigative Journalism

List of organizations

Expository

History, Politics, and Social Science

Historical Writers Association

Business and Economics

Association for Business Writers

Humor and Commentary

Humor Writers Association

Travel Guides

International Travel Writers Association

Society of American Travel Writers

Science

International Science Writers Association

National Association of Science Writers

Self-Help and How-To

Cookbooks, Arts and Crafts, Gardening, Parenting, etc.

Philosophy, Religion, and Spirituality

FORMAT

Graphic Novels

Stand-alone story told with sequential art. Can be fiction or nonfiction in any genre or age group.

Audio Books

A recording of a book being read aloud

AGE GROUP

Picture books, easy readers and chapter books (lower elementary), middle grade (ages 8-12), and young adult (usually designated 12+ or 14+) all fall under “children’s,” sometimes referred to as “kidlit.”

CHILDREN’S

Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators

Easy Readers & Chapter Books/Juvenile Fiction

Early elementary readers

Picture Books

Young children

 

Young Adult

Teen readers

Middle Grade

Kids aged 8-12

 

Adults Reading YA

Middle Grade Vs Young Adult Vs Adult

ADULT

Adult encompasses everything above a teen audience. In 2009, “New Adult” emerged as another potential age group featuring 20-something year old protagonists, but few presses focus on the category and it has yet to earn a section in libraries or bookstores.

New Adult