Title: Ultimate Guide: How To Navigate Genres and Subgenres Like A Pro – Writer’s Edit
Headings: Ultimate Guide: How To Navigate Genres and Subgenres Like A Pro
Ultimate Guide: How To Navigate Genres and Subgenres Like A Pro
Popular Genres and Their Subgenres
Crime and Detective
What are the most common crime and detective subgenres?
The hardboiled detective
The whodunit
The cosy mystery
The police procedural
Is crime the right genre for me?
Fantasy
What are the most common fantasy subgenres?
High fantasy
Low fantasy/Urban fantasy
Fairy tales, folklore and mythology
Is fantasy the right genre for me?
Historical fiction
What are the most common subgenres of historical fiction?
Fictional biographies
Historical romance
Historical mysteries
Nautical and pirate fiction
Is historical fiction the right genre for me?
Romance
What are the most common romance subgenres?
Contemporary romance
Historical romance
Multicultural romance
Paranormal romance
Is romance the right genre for me?
Science Fiction
What are the most common sci-fi subgenres?
Time travel
Military and war
Apocalypse and post-apocalypse
Climate change fiction
Cyberpunk
Is science fiction the right genre for me?
Tips for nailing your novel’s genre
What to do before and during the first draft
Read and research within your preferred genres
Check out bestsellers and publishers for each genre
Explore the possibility of crossover genres
What to do after the first draft
Write an effective synopsis
Consider how your novel can be promoted within a particular genre
Over to you
Bernadette Mung

Content: This lone sleuth prowls the streets on the hunt for evidence that could lead them to the perpetrator of the crime. The most common crime is murder. The whodunit
The whodunit (or whodunnit) is a variation on the detective subgenre, featuring a plot-driven focus. Various ‘red herrings’ and clues are provided to throw readers off the scent of who the actual culprit is. The cosy mystery
The cosy mystery involves fiction in which the more gruesome and violent aspects of crime are downplayed, often in a humorous way, and the events of the narrative occur in a small, close-knit community. Quite often the featured detective is an outsider and an amateur attempting to solve the crime, with the help of contacts within the police force. The police procedural
Police procedurals are an ever-popular subgenre in print and onscreen. This fiction focuses on the meticulous and everyday procedures of police officers who investigate crimes. The real-life aspects of these narratives offer a tantalising glimpse into the realities of investigations, justice and the police force. Is crime the right genre for me?