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Written by Travis Grundy
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Sunday, 26 August 2012 09:01 |
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Definition is the key to providing a common means of classification and thus we present the definitive definitions of the major fiction genres. Those with a keen eye will notice that Western is notably absent; this is because we don’t generally publish westerns. However, such works would most closely fit into the Action & Adventure genre for our purposes.
Science Fiction
Realistic speculation about possible future events based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world events, past and present and a thorough understanding of nature and significance of the scientific method. Fantasy is the impossible made probable, while Science Fiction is the improbable made possible.
Sub-genres of note:
Hard Sci-Fi –Grounded in science with rigorous attention to accurate detail in the quantitative sciences.
Soft Sci-Fi –Grounded in the social sciences with a heavy focus on character and emotions.
Apocalyptic –Chiefly concerned with the end of civilization through war, pandemic, astronomic impact, ecological disaster, or a world or civilization after such event.
Space Opera –chiefly concerned with heroism on a large scale, usually in outer space or distant planets with the purpose being to produce a sense of wonder through romanticized adventure.
Minor Sub-genres include: Cyberpunk, Time Travel, Alternate History, Military Sci-Fi, Superhuman, Space Western, Feminist, and Steampunk.
Fantasy
Theo overarching focus of the fantastical, especially supernatural or mythological ideals in an internally consistent form., often following it’s own internally logical rules and designs.
Romance
Refined by the development of a romantic relationship and an optimistic ending. May often portray sexual scenes, however, they are written with a view and emphasis on the love and emotional aspect, and will not discuss any acts or specificities directly, but will review them in an often flowery and roundabout manner.
Erotica
Through often similar in nature to romance, erotica may use any other genre as the secondary base form for creation. The distinguishing factor of erotica is its focus on scenes and details of a highly sexual nature reviewing almost all sexual desires, fetishes, and actions in a highly artistic and direct manner, usually with the purpose of arousal and education through fantasized depictions and settings.
Action & Adventure
Generally written by and intended for a predominantly male audience, characterized by an advanced sense of show which allows the readers to participate actively in the events which are defined by an exciting undertaking involving risk and physical danger, emphasizing a fast paced, forward moving plotline interested in the actions of a dynamic hero with borderline static character development; with and overarching element of danger, thrills, and a generally male centric worldview, protagonist, and antagonist.
Action & Adventure Defined
Action – The mode of delivery use to show any given moment in a story allowing the reader to feel he is an actual participant of the events.
Adventure –The mode of delivery focused on an exciting undertaking involving physical danger and emphasizing a fast paced plot of the adventure and the actions of the hero within the setting.
Autobiographies & Memoirs
Sensationalized nonfiction or semi-fictional works based on the accounts or portrayal of one’s life; sensationalism may come from embellishments which serve as an enhancer of the story and which do not detract from or materially degrade the reality of the piece; and may feature a highly emotional, witty, or melodramatic review, and in certain cases, interpretation of events; showcasing a highly refined sense of style, aesthetic, psychological depth, and character which claims literary merit.
ALSO may be defined as
A personal history whose aim is to illuminate by way of example, events and issues of broader social consequence, harnessing the power of the overall reading experience to create deeply inspiring and redemptive or enlightening stories, through generally, not always or entirely, accurate reporting and accounts, that is, fabrication may in some cases be acceptable.
Note
All autobiographies/memoirs will be marked on copyright page as – “This is a sensationalized autobiography or memoir and represented only as the author’s version of events as true to his or her best recollections. The scenes, settings, locales, or persons, whether now living or deceased, though presented as non-fiction, may be partially or wholly fictional, or may be fabricated to protect an interested party’s reputation.”
Horror
A philosophy of writing whose intent or capacity is to evoke a sense of fear, fascination, and revulsion through the review of emotional, psychological, and physical response within an individual causing them to react with a sense of fear; the use of highly developed and refined aesthetic techniques which exploit anxieties and fears of the unknown; reviewing the feeling of dread that builds before an event, terror; to the smart execution of feelings of revulsion and disgust after an event has occurred, horror.
Horror is not to be confused with gore which is chiefly concerned with the creation and exploitation of scenes meant to be gross and disgusting in a purely physical way and often lacking decorum in its presentation, such lack degrading the delivery of the meaning and missing the core exploration into the deeply enshrined fear of the unknown and anxieties.
Historical Fiction
Historical Fiction accounts a story set in the past, using a real setting and based on actual history, general use of real persons as secondary players, though main characters are fictional and the story develops from their point of view in depictions that have not been previously recorded; and features highly developed characters and a strong sense of dynamism throughout the progression of the work. The work must conform to the laws of physics; the supernatural, or deviation from established history is not in keeping with the historical purview, though historical accuracy in design, dress, setting, customs, and decorum is in keeping with said purview.
Mystery
Encompassing the areas of Detective Fiction, Crime Fiction, and Whodunit’s, mystery emphasizes the build up of suspense throughout and often a puzzle; the climax generally regarded as a logical solution of the build and puzzle, and may portray action and gritty realism and does not embody the supernatural though elements of realistic contexts may be used in furtherance of the stories.
Children’s and Young Adults (YA) Ages 9-21
Children’s Longer Chapter Books Ages 9-12 – covers a range of topics and may be in almost any genre though usually fantasy, action & adventure, horror, and mystery are most appropriate; Erotica is never appropriate; Science Fiction and Romance may be too complex for younger readers to fully comprehend for engagement and entertainment. The protagonist is 9-12. Features longer chapters geared toward9-12 age group with age appropriate words and phraseology, will endeavor to introduce up to 5 strategically placed SAT or ACT words, generally the finalized work will be 45-55k words. Series may lengthen word count, but will not exceed 95-100k words
Young Adult(YA) Ages 13-16 & 17-21 – Covers a range of topics and genres only the erotica genre is inappropriate. Theme and style are generally subordinated to plot, setting, and character; the protagonist is 13-16 or 17-21. Major characteristics include multi-themed story, tension vs. shock effect, memorable characters, originality, authentic dialogue, may heavily emphasize plot over everything else. Features chapters of standard novel length and will endeavor to introduce words strategically placed specific to the SAT and ACT only, obscure words will not exceed 5 in any one work. The finalized works will generally be 65-95k words, series may lengthen word count, but will not exceed 130K words in any trilogy.
Note
Both Children’s and Young Adult works present difficult to handle themes, may present positive morals or deconstruct negative morals, encourage enlightenment through new ways of thinking and interacting, and generally educate through entertainment.
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Last Updated on Sunday, 26 August 2012 10:57 |
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