Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary plot element, theme, or setting. This article is part of writing essentials, indepth coverage of the elements of fiction and writing basics. Characteristics of fantasy fiction and its many overlapping subgenres are the subjects of debate among some fans and writers. Fantasy california collegiate athletic association. Fantasy fiction definition complete list of book genres. Dec 07, 2015 the fantasy genre is rich with a myriad of subgenres, and each has its own conventions and trends.
As with many of these subgenres, this category has more than its share of grey area. Aug 15, 2019 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. Characteristics of fantasy fiction and its many overlapping sub genres are the subjects of debate among some fans and writers. Story, sometimes of a national or folk hero, which has a basis in fact but also includes imaginative material.
While some readers may love to delve into any type of fantasy, others may find themselves loving one book, then being utterly bored or bewildered by the next. Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction set in a fictional universe, often inspired by real world. This library guide is a starting place for resources and information about childrens literature. A breakdown of the fiction genres the editors blog. Definitions for childrens literature instructional. Fantasy genre synonyms, fantasy genre pronunciation, fantasy genre translation, english dictionary definition of fantasy genre. Most often the overall theme of the setting is medieval in tone, meaning that some combination of the architecture, clothing, language, and technology resembles the european middle ages. Fantasy is generally distinguished from science fiction and horror by the expectation that it steers clear of technological and macabre themes, respectively, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three collectively known as speculative fiction or science fiction fantasy. Literary genres recommended literature list ca dept of. Urban fantasy definition complete list of book genres.
Its hard to write a guide to a whole genre, especially one as vast and as intricate as fantasy, but as a zealot of all things fantastical, its something i want to tackle. Apr 08, 2019 fantasy fiction definition book genre definitions and examples for all book genres, including the fantasy genre and all other fiction genres. Most chapter books belong to a literary genre called fiction, but we sometimes split those into more specific book genres, like fantasy. Fantasy is a huge niche and one with plenty of fanatical fans.
If so, you might be interested in a list of book types or genres. This article lays out the major genres and their sub genres. Homers epic works, which feature strange creatures, heroes, and quests, contain all the elements of the classical fantasy genre. Zainab williams jun 21, 2016 setting out to list, define, and distinguish the genres buzzing around publishing like pesky fruit flies is setting yourself up for trouble. By definition, fantasy is a genre that typically features the use of magic. Most biographies are nonfiction, but not all nonfiction works are biographies by any means. The most fashionable genres also tend to be the ones that the most people who dont usually like fantasy are reading as well. Journals such as the diary of anne frank is also a journal. The genre definitions below are meant to be suggested guidelines and not explicit instructions on how to write your story or what elements to include. Childrens books are categorized into genres for various reasons. Concept book a book that describes various dimensions of an object size, shape, color. With that in mind, how do you refer to a book that has crossover of all the three genres above. Fantasy is generally distinguished from science fiction and horror by the expectation that it steers clear of technological and macabre themes, respectively, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three collectively known as speculative fiction or science fiction. Its pages are populated by demons, vampires and ghosts and its settings are usually dark and isolated locations.
The worlds within fantasy books are usually medieval in style, both in. A secondary plot that reinforces this kind of conflict is sometimes included. From the twentieth century it has expanded further into various media, including film, television, graphic novels, manga and video games. There are more genres than you can shake a stick at really. The principle reason for this is that these two genres are often collectively called speculative fiction because they deal with the.
Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement, meant to entertain. This subgenre provides a contrast to more traditional fantasy worlds and their moral heroes, quaint medieval villages and resplendent cities. Pages in category fantasy genres the following 51 pages are in this category, out of 51 total. As its name suggests, the literary genre of fantasy refers to stories filled with imaginary and unrealistic elements. List of book types or genres by yourdictionary do you have a favorite type of book, either fiction or nonfiction. A piece can belong to the fantasy genre as well as the detective genre, the romance genre etc.
There are a lot of genres out there, and many times if not most times your book is going to have elements of more than one genre. The following definitions have been excerpted with permission from writers encyclopedia, writers digest books adventure story a genre of fiction in which action is the key element, overshadowing characters, theme and setting. Science fiction vs fantasy fiction and genre now novel. Definition, usage and a list of fantasy examples in literature. Its funny how different fantasy genres go in and out of fashion with the times.
Well, you start by accepting that no definition is going to be perfect or. This isnt overboard, but querying your book as a mystery. Fantasy genre definition of fantasy genre by the free. For example, on interesting case is dune by frank herbert, often see as the ancestor of sciencefiction, but it does blend a lot of fantasy elements. You would see modern toy fantasies in picture book format. The introduction to defining genre covered the basics of genre and the reasons why writers should know their genres. Oct 29, 2012 this is part 2 of defining genre, a breakdown of the genres. Romance authors have one specific goal when it comes to their. The titles and covers of fantasy novels also tend to follow certain trends and styles, making it easier to spot a fantasy book before youve even read a word of it. Cut apart these bookmarks and slip into books on display or on shelves, leaving them peeking out of the top of the pages or to attract attention to new books or books of specific genres.
You can write in a little magic, like jenna morecis the saviors champion or you can write a book where magic is the forefront of the plot, like with j. High fantasy takes place is a created world or imaginary kingdom. Definitions of fiction categories and genres writers. Fantasy subgenres definitions and examples all whether set on our familiar earth past or present, or in a vast parallel world, or some dreamlike realm where everything is different, fantasy tales allow our imaginations free rein. This effect is even more pronounced in the fantasy genre. Part 1 is an intro to fiction genres the introduction to defining genre covered the basics of genre and the reasons why writers should know their genres. Apr 03, 20 fantasy is a huge genre, divided into many distinct and varied sub genres. Its plot usually involves witchcraft or magic, taking place on an undiscovered planet of an unknown world. Adventure story a genre of fiction in which action is the key element, overshadowing characters, theme and setting.
Where does the fantasy story start, and the comic book end. Picture books might not even tell stories they might illustrate letters of the alphabet or numbers. Book l o n g nonfiction essay short nonfiction format biography the true story of someones life written by someone else. So this list nowhere near completes the possibilities, but these are the most common. Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction set in a fictional universe, often inspired by real world myth and folklore.
Fantasy fiction is a genre of writing in which the plot could not happen in real life as we know it, at least. Genre definitions the genre definitions below are meant to be suggested guidelines and not explicit. The fantastic, a related word, also describes something that is imaginary and unrealistic. Subgenres of any kind can be difficult to nail down, but in the genres of fantasy and science fiction its not easy to even get them to hold still.
Fantasy is a genre that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, andor setting. Please understand that categorizing books is not a science. Nov 04, 2018 if you are a regular book reader, you probably already know about some book genres that you have read or that you love reading. Elements it may span a persons whole life, or it may tell about an important part of a persons life. While we do allow writers to stretch the boundaries of their assigned genres, please keep in mind that stories without predominant elements of your assigned genre may be disqualified. Put your childs knowledge of fiction genres to the test with this make a match. Are you thinking about branching out and enjoying a new genre. Fantasy fiction definition whats the best definition for the fantasy fiction genre. There are many gray areas, and some genres have a lot of subtypes. With the different terms floating around out there it can be easy to confuse or overlook key subgenres. If you are a regular book reader, you probably already know about some book genres that you have read or that you love reading. The word fantasy refers to an illusion or an imaginative idea. Its a brilliant genre to write in and today, ben galley, fantasy author and selfpublishing expert, discusses the main aspects.
Dec 20, 2018 urban fantasy definition book genre definitions and examples for all book genres, including the urban fantasy genre and all other fiction genres. Fantasy is a huge genre, divided into many distinct and varied subgenres. Writing a novel in the adventure category will require a trip, journey. Jun 27, 20 fantasy is a huge niche and one with plenty of fanatical fans. As with many of these sub genres, this category has more than its share of grey area. Serious in tone, the story primarily focuses on the conflict between opposing forces, and concerns itself with cosmic questions and ultimate values, such as goodness, truth, courage, or wisdom. Definitions of fiction categories and genres writers digest.
Fiction dealing with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets. Comicsgraphic novel comic magazine or book based on a sequence of pictures often handdrawn and words. For many readers, literary fiction provides desperately needed escapism so they. We say most biographies, because a biography of a fictional character is really a fictional book. Each type of book has its own history and criteria for evaluation. The heros and villains act out many of the same roles as youd find in a comic book story line, only in. Nov 30, 2015 fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary plot element, theme, or setting. Stories from the fantasy genre are set in fanciful, invented worlds or in a legendary, mythic past that rely on the outright invention of magic. Most fantasy uses magic or other supernatural elements as a main plot element, theme, or setting. Actionadventure, comedy, crime caper, drama, fairy tale, fantasy, ghost story, historical fiction, horror, mystery, political satire, romance, romantic comedy, scifi, spy, suspense, and thriller. Rowlings harry potter to take this a step further, lets look at the different categories within this genre that has more specific characteristics. Magic and magical creatures are common in many of these worlds an identifying trait of fantasy is the authors use of narrative elements that do not have to rely on history or nature to be coherent. The conflict in an adventure story is often man against nature.
There are also fun books for young, nonreading children to play with. Even so its relationships, and use of magic, must be internally consistent. The content of the book can be fully explained or illustrated with pictures. Fantasy is a form of literary genre in which a plot cannot occur in the real world. Modern fantasy requires the willing suspension of disbelief. The principle reason for this is that these two genres are often collectively called speculative fiction because they deal with the question what if. Roman and greek mythologies are wellknown examples of classical fantasy. Saricks, as it is the most sensible i have seen to date please note. Urban fantasy definition book genre definitions and examples for all book genres, including the urban fantasy genre and all other fiction genres.
Mar 24, 2020 with that in mind, how do you refer to a book that has crossover of all the three genres above. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and drama. Art, biography, business, chicklit, childrens, christian, classics, comics, contemporary, cookbooks, crime, ebooks, fantasy, ficti. The nice and accurate prophecies of agnes nutter, witch by terry pratchett. Childrens books that provide a story through pictures. It concentrates on the dark aspects of fantasy and its goal is to frighten the reader.
This ability to find meaning in a story that is not literally true became the foundation that allowed the modern fantasy genre to develop. List of book types or genres dictionary definitions you. Deciding what genre your book falls in can be a daunting task. Fantasy genre stories revolve around magic or supernatural. Fantasy examples and definition of fantasy literary devices. Fantasy, from the greek meaning making visible, is a genre of fiction that concentrates on imaginary elements the fantastic. Fantasy creates another world for characters and readers, asking that the reader believe this other world could exist. Finding a succinct list of the most notable ones particularly a list with definitions and examples is not always straightforward. And where do we stop, should we specify it all the times. In this fun challenge, kids will draw a line between different types of writing and the matching definition in the other column. Often, the plot involves magic or witchcraft and takes place on another planet or in another undiscovered dimension of this world. Subsets of genres, known as common genres or subgenres, have developed from the types of genres in written expression. Fantasy genre stories revolve around magic or supernatural forces, rather than technology. The superhero fantasy has, at its heart, characters with super powers and or unusual abilities.
This is part 2 of defining genre, a breakdown of the genres. The overall scheme for genre definitions is one i have borrowed from the readers advisory guide to genre fiction by joyce g. Nov 26, 20 the difference between the fantasy and science fiction genres hasnt always been an issue, as the science fiction and fantasy writers of america points out. Use standard textbook reading lists and get recommendations to develop your appreciation for each genre. In this post, you will learn about the two main types of books and their subcategories which we commonly refer. In this post, you will learn about the two main types of books and their subcategories which we commonly refer to as genres of books or book genres. Most chapter books belong to a literary genre called fiction, but we sometimes split those into more specific book genres, like fantasy fiction. I know for a few years the urban fantasy genre was the hottest thing, i suspect because of the influence of magical realism, which was. Another description of a fantasy novel is any book that contains unrealistic settings, or magic, often set in a medieval universe, or possibly involving mythical. As in the fantasy genre, readers have to engage willingly with the text and. But how do you define something as slippery and changeable as a genre. Fantasy is generally distinguished from science fiction and horror by the expectation that it steers clear of technological and macabre themes, respectively, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three collectively known as speculative fiction or science. The book of three alexander, the chronicles of narnia lewis, and the hobbit.
Fantasy fiction genre definition find me an author. Classic fiction that has become part of an accepted literary canon, widely taught in schools. The difference between the fantasy and science fiction genres hasnt always been an issue, as the science fiction and fantasy writers of america points out. However, there are a few key differences in the genres that can help us to separate one type of book from the other in the science fiction vs fantasy debate.