I have found genre distinctions in fiction publishing to be sometimes confusing.
To aid others in their curiosity, and planning their reading lists, I present the following handy guide.
| Genre | Distinguishing Characteristics |
| General fiction | Nothing to explain |
| Literary fiction | If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand it anyway |
| Mystery | Explain what happened |
| Thriller/Technothriller | Explain how it happened |
| Romance | Explain who it happened to |
| Western | Explain what lily-livered varmint gone and done it |
| Horror | Explain what's about to happen |
| Science Fiction | Explain everything in technical detail |
| Fantasy | Explain everything in nonsensical detail |
| Magical Realism | Explain nothing |
| Surrealism | Go fishing for ice cream |
With a nod to Kelly M...
jlake@jlake.com | Home | 2003-04-30