As a writer (or author) knowing the different book genres is vital to your overall knowledge as a professional, and for your book’s success. Picking the right book genre matters immensely on your journey to become a bestseller.
Not only is labeling your genre correctly important but…
Not doing so can result in low book sales, negative book reviews on Amazon, and unsatisfied readers overall.
Overall, people want to know what they are in for when they take a chance with buying your book.
Remember there are literally 3.4 million books on Amazon. You’ll need to be in the right categories in order to reach people as they search—& those categories come from your book’s genre.
When you’re writing a book, the genre you write in is super important because it will dictate the different literary elements within your book.
List of fiction book genres:
List of nonfiction book genres:
Knowing your book genre is important
When becoming a self-published author, it’s important to know the differences in genres so you’re well informed about what you’re writing.
Obviously, your audience may change from genre to genre.
Not only that, but the “rules” for writing also vary depending on which genre you write in, which means you’ll have to understand them in order to get it right.
Those “rules” also often include how long your book is, meaning how many words and pages it will be.
This varies per genre based on audience and industry standards.
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How many book genres are there?
There are more book genres than you might think. In this blog post, we’ll cover 24 of them, however, there are upwards of 40 genres and even more if you count sub-genres for books.
For example, you can have a book that’s a dystopian fantasy novel.
Dystopian and fantasy can be genres on their own but if you have a dystopian story that involves magic, your book will then have two genres.
This is also important to keep in mind when you have subplots within a novel that might fall into a separate genre.
You’ll see this most often with romantic subplots in broader genres like fantasy or sci-fi.
What are the popular book genres?
There are such a large number of genres that we can’t cover them all in this post, though we will cover 24 of them for you.
That being said, being familiar with the most common can help you identify which your book will fall under.
These are the most popular book genres:
- Fantasy
- Sci-Fi
- Mystery
- Thriller
- Romance
- Westerns
- Dystopian
- Contemporary
Let’s go into more detail with these and nonfiction book genres as well.
Book Genres: 24+ Genres for Writing (With Guides)
If you’re looking to sharpen your knowledge as an author or are just trying to find which genre your book fits in specifically (perhaps to decide which Amazon categories to go after), we’ve got you covered.
Here are 24 book genres, both fiction and nonfiction, to help you understand which is which and how you should label your novel.
1 – Fantasy
Fantasy encompasses a huge part of the book world. It’s one of the most popular book genres out there—a personal favorite of mine to read and write.
Fantasy is a genre that’s identified by the use of magic within it.
Overall, fantasy is the genre of possibility. You can write in a little magic, like Jenna Moreci’s The Savior’s Champion or you can write a book where magic is the forefront of the plot, like with J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter.
To take this a step further, let’s look at the different categories within this genre that has more specific characteristics.
Young Adult Fantasy Genre:
Young adult is typically meant for readers between the ages of 13-17. However, adults enjoy this category of writing just as much as teens.
One thing to keep in mind when writing young adult fantasy is that the themes and messages within the literature will often revolve around teen-aged problems, like coming of age and exploration of identity.
Average word count for this book genre: 60,000 – 90,000 words
Adult Fantasy Genre:
When you think of adult fantasy, think Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings versus Harry Potter or Children of Blood and Bone.
The main plots or themes in adult fantasy will likely revolve around more grown issues like the difference between right and wrong, death, adult relationships, and more.
Average word count for this book genre: 70,000 – 110,000
Epic Fantasy Genre:
An epic fantasy novel is characterizes by the overall lengthy and grandiose nature of its plot, characters, setting, or theme.
Books that tend to call into this book genre are Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings, like we mentioned above. Most often, epic fantasies will also fall under fantasy adventures.
Average word count for this book genre: 100,000 – 200,000 +
Tips for Writing in the Fantasy Genre
- Focus on building a really rich world that feels real, even if the readers know it’s not technically real
- Create rule systems for your magic, always. You never want to have magic that has no limits or no costs, as that will leave room for too many plotholes
- Write the fantasy book YOU want to read—forget about everyone else and focus on the things you find interesting in your plot, characters, and scenes
- Create fantasy creatures to give your world a breath of fresh air—either from existing ones or make up your own
2 – Adventure
Writing a novel in the adventure category will require a trip, journey, or quest of some kind as the overall plot.
Your average adventure novel often focuses on both the character’s physical journey as well as the journey they go through as a person throughout the novel.
Average word count for this book genre: 90,000 – 130,000
Epic Adventure Genre:
As stated above for an epic fantasy, any genre that’s “epic” is characterized by the magnitude of the plot, character, or themes themselves.
An example of an epic adventure novel is Moby Dick, which stands at about 190,000 words and 720 pages long.
Average word count for this book genre: 120,000 – 200,000
3 – Romance
Romance authors have one specific goal when it comes to their books: to make you fall in love with the characters just as much as the characters fall in love with each other.
In this book genre, the romance is the center point of the plot. The entire novel moves around the relationship, though other plot points may be present.
A classic example of a romance novel is The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks.
When used as a sub plot:
Romance can also be used a subplot in many novels, and is, in fact, used quite often as a complementary element in books.
When romance is used as a sub plot, the main plot does not have to do with the relationship but rather, is something completely different. The romance simply adds to the plot in order to increase conflict or intrigue.
Average word count for this book genre: 70,000 – 100,000
Tips for Writing in the Romance Book Genre:
- Never romanticize abuse (meaning, if there is a toxic element in the relationship, never make this seen appealing or “good”)
- Write healthy, consensual, fitting romances by developing both character to work well together
- Avoid these common mistakes when writing romance
4 – Contemporary
This book genre is among the most popular, though most writers aren’t sure of what this category even is.
The contemporary book genre is simply books written in the current time period with most of the parts of the novel revolving around common issues in a character’s life.
But really, this genre is actually more of the absence of a genre. You may have heard this genre lumped in with others, like Contemporary Fantasy or Contemporary Romance.
The term is used to tell readers that this book takes place in current times, though it might cover other genres as well.
Average word count for this book genre: 60,000 – 90,000
Tips for Writing in the Contemporary Book Genre:
- Create a realistic and widely-experience conflict in order to draw readers in
- Create a sympathetic character readers will feel bad for
- Up the stakes by introducing an element, character, or conflict completely out of left field to shock readers
5 – Dystopian
Dystopian fiction is a newer book genre that’s really been picking up popularity within the last 5 to 10 years.
Though many stories of this nature have been published prior, the term “dystopian” was recently coined to describe a book genre in which the current government or society has been destroyed and the book centers around the aftermath.
Writing dystopian fiction can give you a ton of freedom in how you develop society while lowering the worldbuilding you’d have to do for a fantasy or sci-fi novel.
The dystopian genre can also be used as a secondary genre label in order to clarify the contents of the book, much like with contemporary.
For example, you can have a Dystopian Fantasy novel as well as a Dystopian Science Fiction novel.
Here are some examples of dystopian novels:
- The Hunger Games
- Young World
- Handmaid’s Tale
Average word count for this book genre: 60,000 – 110,000
Tips for Writing in the Dystopian Book Genre:
- Learn what types of dystopian books have been done before (this genre blew up in recent years and is on the verge of becoming vampire-esque in the novel world, aka, overdone)
- Mix this with another genre, like horror or mystery to add a something new
- Get more creative with the reason for the collapse of society before your book happened as disease and/or zombies is far overdone
6 – Mystery
We’ve all heard of the mystery book genres. It’s an extremely popular genre, and for a good reason.
This book genre is defined by the plot focusing on solving a mystery, most often with the mystery impacting the main character to the point where they’re the ones involved in solving it.
Many other genres can have mysteries within them (in fact, most do), but what makes a book specific to this genre is the fact that the mystery is the main plot and point of the book.
Average word count for this book genre: 60,000 – 90,000
Tips for Writing in the Mystery Book Genre:
- Outline your story thoroughly if you want to shock your readers with the twist as planning allows you to provide foreshadowing that makes sense
- Know your ending before planning out the rest of the story
- Make sure your main character is really, really interesting (the reason mystery novels work well is because of the protagonist, not always just the mystery)
7 – Horror
Horror novels are characterized by the fact that the main plot revolves around something scary and terrifying.
Oftentimes, you can find that Horror and Thriller describe the same book, though we’ll touch more on why thrillers are not always horror novels in the next section.
Average word count for this book genre: 60,000 – 90,000
Tips for Writing in the Horror Book Genre:
- Do what your readers least expect by setting up a scenario in which they can guess the result, and then do something completely different
- Use strong verbs and the rule of “show don’t tell” to appeal to the senses in order to achieve a physiological response in readers
- When thinking of your “horror” elements, add something real or common to them in order to make them more horrifying. An example is to have a serial murderer who is a huge fan of the local high school baseball team—and attends the games regularly
8 – Thriller
If you’re writing a thriller novel, the book will focus around a high suspense and action-packed plot.
This book genre most often deals with danger and dread instead, with high emotional impact involving fear.
Here are some examples of popular thriller novels:
- The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
- The Woman in Cabin 10
- The Shining
- It
Average word count for this book genre: 60,000 – 110,000
Tips for Writing in the Thriller Book Genre:
- Use the literary device of juxtaposition in order to increase the tension in those “thrilling” moments
- Whenever you have a moment of high tension, add in a personal conflict to up the stakes in a non-physical way
- Continuously ask yourself how you can increase the stakes in a realistic way that fits with your story idea
9 – Paranormal
Paranormal books are characterized by including paranormal activity, like ghosts, clairvoyance, mediums, demons, vampires, and more.
The difference between fantasy and paranormal is the elements within. Paranormal doesn’t typically have magic like witches or fantasy-specific beings like unicorns, mermaids, and more.
But the paranormal book genre includes a current or real-life setting and is not often set in another world, like fantasy sometimes can be.
However, keep in mind that you can have a paranormal fantasy novel if your book covers both types of abnormal occurrences.
Average word count for this book genre: 60,000 – 90,000
Tips for Writing in the Paranormal Book Genre:
- Opt for paranormal beings from different cultures
- Create your own paranormal beings for a culture or religion of your own creation
- Use some of the writing tips for thriller novels in order to up the tension with your paranormal story
10 – Historical Fiction
This book genre is exactly as it sounds: a fictional story that takes place in the past.
Usually, historical fiction centers around known events or problems that take place in a time significantly prior to the present.
Average word count for this book genre: 60,000 – 90,000
Tips for Writing in the Historical Fiction Book Genre:
- Be sure to avoid the common excuse of “there weren’t many people of color” when writing historical fiction from any time period and any location. This is a cop-out and the world was just as diverse then as it is now
- Research your book and its details for complete accuracy. Any slip-up in facts can pull a reader out of your book
- Add in personal and emotional conflicts that make sense for the time period but are still relevant issues today so readers can connect to your book better
11 – Science Fiction
Sci-fi is among the most popular book genre there is. With movie adaptations like Star Wars and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, this genre has exploded and is abundant in the book world.
Science fiction novels are those that take place in a futuristic society with advanced technology and occasionally otherworldly beings.
This is another genre that can add to another, like with Sci-Fi Fantasy, which would include a futuristic world with advanced technology and some sort of fantastical being or magic.
The word count for a novel in this genre can be extensive depending on the storyline.
Average word count for this book genre: 60,000 – 90,000
Tips for Writing in the Science Fiction Book Genre:
- Create new technology that works with and/or against your protagonist’s agenda
- Develop slang when writing dialogue that’s appropriate for the time you’re writing in (and avoid using current-day slang that will likely be outdated for your world/era)
- Like other genres that are not set in a realistic time and world, make sure to add internal conflicts that we still struggle with in our current lives in order to appeal to readers more
12 – Memoir
On to the nonfiction writing portion of these book genres and first up is memoir.
When writing a memoir, you’re essentially telling the reader about the most defining moments in your life that have led you to where you are and who you are today.
Memoirs differ from autobiographies in the sense that an autobiography is more of a timeline of your life, events, and accomplishments whereas a memoir is more of a collection of the most significant moments, pulled together by a theme or message you wish to share with readers.
Average word count for this book genre: 45,000 – 80,000
13 – Cookbook
You already know what a cookbook is.
Cookbooks are those featuring recipes and directions for making the dishes correctly. Not only that, but many cookbooks features stories about why the dish was created and the inspiration behind it.
Average word count for this book genre: Cookbooks vary greatly and are more dependent on number of recipes instead of total words.
14 – Art
This book genre encompasses several different types of books. However, all of them require the same thing: a focus on something art-related.
There are many ways a book can qualify to be in the art genre.
Here are a few ways your book would be a part of the art genre:
- it covers art-facts
- it teaches specific art methods
- it discusses are in detail (art history)
- art is a primary focus of the book
Average word count for this book genre: 10,000 – 60,000
15 – Self-help
If you’re writing a book aimed to aid someone in their personal life, as well as lift them up to make positive change, it’s likely you’re writing in the self-help or personal development book genre.
Essentially, if your book helps others have a better life by empowering them, it will fall under this genre.
Keep in mind, this book genre is one that encompasses many other genres as well. You can have a health self-help book in additional to a relationship self-help.
Average word count for this book genre: 30,000 – 70,000
16 – Personal Development
The development book genre is growing rapidly as the world focuses on self-improvement as a whole.
If you’re writing in this genre, you’ll likely write about specific struggles pertaining to character and personal problems as well as overcoming these obstacles.
Average word count for this book genre: 30,000 – 70,000
17 – Motivational
This book genre is on the rise significantly as of late. If you write in this genre, your book will center around empowering people to do whatever it is they’re struggling with.
Essentially, motivational books focus on problems that can prevent people from accomplishing their goals and dreams, and how to solve them.
Most often, motivational books can be lumped in with other book genres like health, fitness, business, and self-help.
Average word count for this book genre: 30,000 – 70,000
18 – Health
The health book genre is vast and covers a wide variety of different topics.
Your book will fall under this wide genre if it features anything health-related. This can be topics ranging from fitness, holistic healing, to more complex medical topics and in-depth coverage of different health conditions.
Average word count for this book genre: 30,000 – 70,000
19 – History
Any book covering historical facts of any kind would fall under this category. And since this is nonfiction, they all have to be accurate.
Many history books are much different than what you might have read in school. In fact, there are several books simply covering different events in history written in a more entertaining fashion versus a factional play-by-play textbook.
Those books still fall under this book category.
Average word count for this book genre: 30,000 – 70,000
20 – Travel
Whether you’re writing travel guides or an in-depth review of different travel destinations, this book genre will cover all of them.
Your book would also fall under this genre if you’re writing about travel-hacks or ways to travel for cheap or even free.
Average word count for this book genre: 20,000 – 50,000
21 – Guide / How-to
There are so many guide books and how-tos out there that it’s fairly easy to know if your book fits this genre.
The way to know if your book falls in this genre is to think about the core purpose. Is your book written in order to show someone how to do something specific?
The biggest giveaway is in the book title. If your title features “how to…” then it’s in this genre!
Average word count for this book genre: 3,000 – 50,000
22 – Families and Relationships
You can write a book about how to build a stronger familial foundation or a book about improving your relationship. Either way, those books would fall under this category.
Oftentimes, books in this genre will fall under a smaller, more specified genre as well, like family bonding or romantic relationships or even fostering friendships.
The relationships genre is not to be confused with the fiction romance genre.
Average word count for this book genre: 30,000 – 50,000
23 – Humor
If you’ve ever read a joke book or a book revolving around a humorous endeavor of some sort, it falls under this book category.
Books in this genre are also often gag gifts or are meant to be facetious.
Average word count for this book genre: 10,000 – 50,000
24 – Children’s Books
While there are several genres of children’s picture books, we wanted to touch on some details about them as a whole.
When writing a children’s book, it’s important to keep these details in mind. If you don’t, you run the risk of writing a book that you like instead of one that a child would.
A children’s book describes any book written for an audience between the ages of 0-8 years old.
Now, of course, children of older ages can enjoy this book but ultimately, you’re shooting for those who can’t read at all, or are relatively new to reading.
Average word count for this book genre: 300 – 1200 words.
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