One of the first things a new writer needs to fully understand is the difference between Fiction and Non-Fiction Literature.
So, what is Fiction in Literature? The definition or meaning of Fiction in literature refers to a type of literary work that is made up or false, created from imagination, and not meant to depict truth or true events. Literature can either be Fiction, created or fabricated by the author, or Non-fiction which is prose based on real events, people, or facts.
Click here to earn more about the Meaning of Non-Fiction. (Add a link to the similar article for nonfiction)
In this article, we will take a deeper look at fiction in literature.
Article Topics
Where Does the Word Fiction Come From
When we look at the genesis of the word fiction it becomes clear that this class of literature is meant to describe stories of imagination and not those routed completely in fact.
The root of the word fiction can be traced back to 13 century Latin. The Latin word fictionem (nominative fictio) which meant “a fashioning or feigning,” noun of action from the past participle stem of fingere. Fingere meant “to shape, form, devise, or feign.” Originally used when referring to kneading a form out of clay.
This led the way to the 15 century., ficcioun, “that which is invented or imagined in the mind,” from Old French ficcion a“dissimulation, ruse; invention, fabrication.”
In the 1590s it began to mean a “prose works (not dramatic) of the imagination” that often included plays and poems.
A narrower sense of definition began in the early 19 Century, referring to “the part of literature comprising novels and short stories based on imagined scenes or characters”
The Different Formats of Fiction
Fiction can come in many different formats, these include:
- novels
- Novellas
- short stories
- fables
- legends
- myths
- fairy tales
- epic and narrative poetry
- plays (including operas, musicals, dramas, puppet plays, and various kinds of theatrical dances)
- comic books
- animated cartoons
- stop motions
- anime
- manga
- films
- video games
- radio programs
- television shows
Let’s define the most common written forms of fiction on the list so we are all on the same page with what these different literature fiction formats are.
Novels: A fictitious prose narrative of book length, usually defined at 50,000 words or more.
Short Stories: A work that is at least 2,000 words and usually under 7,500 words, however, there is no hard line between short story and novella length.
Novella: A fiction Novella is thought to be between 7,500 and 50,000 words.
What Are the Elements of Fiction
There are basic elements of fiction that you have at your disposal when writing your story. These elements are all essential in creating your story.
The main elements of Fiction are:
- Character
- Plot
- Point of View
- Setting
- Theme
- Style
Character:
If you ask me, Character is the most important element of fiction in any story. Every other element revolves around the character. The Characters are your reader’s conduit into the story they are about to embark on. As events in the plot happen, they take on meaning by how they affect your characters.
The point of view by which the story or events are seen is a direct reflection of your character. In order to make your story compelling, you need to have realistic characters. I know this may seem odd since we are talking about fiction, however, it is really important that you remember, while the events of the story are fictitious, the way your character reacts to these events must feel real and believable to have an impact.
Your characters should also have a character arc within your story, meaning they should change and grow throughout the book. Flat characters that are the same at the beginning as they are at the end of the story, will leave your readers feeling empty and unsatisfied.
Make sure you know your characters, their motivations, psychology, desires, and fears. This is crucial to creating entertaining and engaging characters.
Plot:
Plot refers to the serious of events that occur in your story. This is usually what creates the initial hook for your readers. The plot is essential to any work of fiction. It can usually be broken up into 5 basic sections of your story.
- Exposition or introduction– establishes your character and setting. This can also be thought of as the status quo of the world as your reader is entering it.
- Rising Action– This is where the conflict of the plot is revealed and the stakes are raised for your character.
- Climax- This is the make-or-break moment in your story, where the tension is at it’s highest point along with the stakes for your character. This is also known as the turning point.
- Falling Action – Where your story is starting to wind down and active resolution is taking place.
- Resolution- During the resolution, every loose end has been tied up and the reader feels fulfilled that their questions have been answered.
Point of View:
Point of view will determine whose eyes the readers experience the story through. It will determine how much they will know about each character and the events that have occurred. Pick your point of view carefully and make sure you stay consistent throughout the story.
Setting:
The setting is the physical location where the story occurs. It can be real or made up. The setting is important because it can become as important or apparent as a character. It is the world in which your characters live will greatly affect how they act what they do.
Theme:
The theme is really important and every author should know their theme. Themes are what your story is really about and not explicitly stated in your story. The plot is what outwardly occurs, while you can think about the theme as commentary you as the author is making without expressly saying it.
Style:
You can think of style as your voice. It is made up of your tone, syntax, and word choice. Your style can be powerful and a drawing factor for your readers. There are no shortcuts for style, it will develop and change as you continue to write.
Considering the style of your fiction before your write is a great first step in improving it and helping it take shape throughout.
What is the Difference Between Literary Fiction and Genre Fiction
Literary Fiction
The definition of literary fiction has been a topic of debate by many authors, however, it is generally thought of as fiction that has literary merit. This is in comparison to genre fiction which is thought to be more commercial.
Literary fiction usually includes one or more of the following characteristics:
- includes a deep reflection on the human condition, or political criticism or social commentary.
- focus on an introspective character study of complex and fully developed characters whose inner stories drive the plot more than events
- such a strong character-centric story that at times literary fiction has been criticised as finely written and deconstructed characters who done nothing beautifully.
- pacing is sometimes slower than genre fiction, as it allows itself to dawdle for the sake of the art
- literary fiction prides itself on the style and complexity of the writing, expressed by the elegance of its layered and lyrical writing.
Genre Fiction
Genre fiction is also known as popular fiction and considered separate from literary fiction. It is written specifically to fit into a pre-established plot-driven literary genre. The benefit of genre fiction is that you are writing to appeal to the fans and readers already familiar with that genre, which makes it easier to find your potential readers.
It’s important to remember that some writing is considered both literary and genre fiction.
Different Genres in Fiction
There are many different types of Fiction Genres, as they continuously change with the culture. As you can imagine new genres are always being created.
Read our article on picking the right genre to write in.
Now let’s take a look at the different types of fiction genres and sub-genres.
Juvenile Fiction
Juvenile fiction is meant for children 0-11 years of age or preschool to 6th grade.
- JUV000000 JUVENILE FICTION / General
- JUV001000 JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / General
- JUV001020 JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / Pirates
- JUV001010 JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / Survival Stories
- JUV054000 JUVENILE FICTION / Activity Books
- JUV002000 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / General
- JUV002010 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Alligators & Crocodiles
- JUV002020 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Apes, Monkeys, etc.
- JUV002370 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Baby Animals
- JUV002030 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Bears
- JUV002040 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Birds
- JUV002300 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Butterflies, Moths & Caterpillars
- JUV002050 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Cats
- JUV002310 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Cows
- JUV002290 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Deer, Moose & Caribou
- JUV002060 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures
- JUV002070 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Dogs
- JUV002270 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Dragons, Unicorns & Mythical
- JUV002280 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Ducks, Geese, etc.
- JUV002080 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Elephants
- JUV002090 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Farm Animals
- JUV002100 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Fishes
- JUV002110 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Foxes
- JUV002120 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Frogs & Toads
- JUV002320 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Giraffes
- JUV002330 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Hippos & Rhinos
- JUV002130 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Horses
- JUV002140 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Insects, Spiders, etc.
- JUV002340 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Jungle Animals
- JUV002350 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Kangaroos
- JUV002150 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Lions, Tigers, Leopards, etc.
- JUV002160 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Mammals
- JUV002170 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Marine Life
- JUV002180 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, etc.
- JUV002360 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Nocturnal
- JUV002190 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Pets
- JUV002200 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Pigs
- JUV002210 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Rabbits
- JUV002220 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Reptiles & Amphibians
- JUV002230 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Squirrels
- JUV002240 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Turtles
- JUV002250 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Wolves & Coyotes
- JUV002260 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Zoos
- JUV003000 JUVENILE FICTION / Art & Architecture
- JUV010000 JUVENILE FICTION / Bedtime & Dreams
- JUV004000 JUVENILE FICTION / Biographical / General
- JUV004050 JUVENILE FICTION / Biographical / Africa
- JUV004060 JUVENILE FICTION / Biographical / Asia
- JUV004040 JUVENILE FICTION / Biographical / Canada
- JUV004010 JUVENILE FICTION / Biographical / Europe
- JUV004070 JUVENILE FICTION / Biographical / Latin America
- JUV004020 JUVENILE FICTION / Biographical / United States
- JUV047000 JUVENILE FICTION / Books & Libraries
- JUV005000 JUVENILE FICTION / Boys & Men
- JUV006000 JUVENILE FICTION / Business, Careers, Occupations
- JUVENILE FICTION / Celebrations see headings under Holidays & Celebrations
- JUVENILE FICTION / Circus see Performing Arts / Circus
- JUVENILE FICTION / City Life see Lifestyles / City & Town Life
- JUV007000 JUVENILE FICTION / Classics
- JUV048000 JUVENILE FICTION / Clothing & Dress
- JUV008000 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / General
- JUV008040 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Action & Adventure
- JUV008050 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Animals
- JUV008060 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Classic Adaptation
- JUV008070 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Fairy Tales, Folklore, Legends & Mythology
- JUV008080 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Fantasy
- JUV008090 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Historical
- JUV008100 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Horror
- JUV008110 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Humorous
- JUV008010 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Manga
- JUV008030 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Media Tie-In
- JUV008120 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Mystery & Detective
- JUV008130 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Paranormal
- JUV008140 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Science Fiction
- JUV008020 JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Superheroes
- JUV049000 JUVENILE FICTION / Computers & Digital Media
- JUV009000 JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / General
- JUV009010 JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Alphabet
- JUV009120 JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Body
- JUV009020 JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Colors
- JUV009030 JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Counting & Numbers
- JUV009070 JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Date & Time
- JUV009090 JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Money
- JUV009040 JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Opposites
- JUV009100 JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Seasons
- JUV009050 JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Senses & Sensation
- JUV009060 JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Size & Shape
- JUV009110 JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Sounds
- JUV009080 JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Words
- JUV050000 JUVENILE FICTION / Cooking & Food
- JUVENILE FICTION / Country Life see Lifestyles / Country Life
- JUVENILE FICTION / Crime see Law & Crime
- JUVENILE FICTION / Detective Stories see Mysteries & Detective Stories
- JUVENILE FICTION / Dolls see Toys, Dolls & Puppets
- JUVENILE FICTION / Dreams see Bedtime & Dreams
- JUV059000 JUVENILE FICTION / Dystopian
- JUVENILE FICTION / Education see School & Education
- JUVENILE FICTION / Ethnic see headings under People & Places
- JUVENILE FICTION / Fables see headings under Legends, Myths, Fables
- JUV012030 JUVENILE FICTION / Fairy Tales & Folklore / General
- JUV012040 JUVENILE FICTION / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations
- JUV012000 JUVENILE FICTION / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Anthologies
- JUV012020 JUVENILE FICTION / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Country & Ethnic
- JUV013000 JUVENILE FICTION / Family / General (see also headings under Social Themes)
- JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Abuse see Social Themes / Physical & Emotional Abuse or Social Themes / Sexual Abuse
- JUV013010 JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Adoption
- JUV013090 JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Alternative Family
- JUV013080 JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Blended Families
- JUV013020 JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Marriage & Divorce
- JUV013030 JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Multigenerational
- JUV013040 JUVENILE FICTION / Family / New Baby
- JUV013050 JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Orphans & Foster Homes
- JUV013060 JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Parents
- JUV013070 JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Siblings
- JUV037000 JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy & Magic
- JUVENILE FICTION / Farm Life see Lifestyles / Farm & Ranch Life
- JUVENILE FICTION / Folklore see headings under Fairy Tales & Folklore
- JUVENILE FICTION / Games see Sports & Recreation / Games
- JUV069000 JUVENILE FICTION / Ghost Stories
- JUV014000 JUVENILE FICTION / Girls & Women
- JUVENILE FICTION / Graphic Novels see headings under Comics & Graphic Novels
- JUV015000 JUVENILE FICTION / Health & Daily Living / General
- JUV015010 JUVENILE FICTION / Health & Daily Living / Daily Activities
- JUVENILE FICTION / Health & Daily Living / Depression & Mental Illness see Social Themes / Depression & Mental Illness
- JUV015020 JUVENILE FICTION / Health & Daily Living / Diseases, Illnesses & Injuries
- JUV039170 JUVENILE FICTION / Health & Daily Living / Toilet Training
- JUV016000 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / General
- JUV016010 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Africa
- JUV016020 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Ancient Civilizations
- JUV016030 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Asia
- JUV016160 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Canada / General
- JUV016170 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Canada / Pre-Confederation (to 1867)
- JUV016180 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Canada / Post-Confederation (1867-)
- JUV016040 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Europe
- JUV016050 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Exploration & Discovery
- JUV016060 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Holocaust
- JUV016070 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Medieval
- JUV016210 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Middle East
- JUV016080 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Military & Wars
- JUV016090 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Prehistory
- JUV016100 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Renaissance
- JUV016110 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / General
- JUV016120 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods
- JUV016140 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / 19th Century
- JUV016200 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877)
- JUV016150 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / 20th Century
- JUV016190 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / 21st Century
- JUV017000 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / General (see also Religious / Christian / Holidays & Celebrations)
- JUV017100 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Birthdays
- JUV017010 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Christmas & Advent
- JUV017020 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Easter & Lent
- JUV017030 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Halloween
- JUV017110 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Hanukkah
- JUV017050 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Kwanzaa
- JUV017120 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Passover
- JUV017130 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Patriotic Holidays
- JUV017060 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Thanksgiving
- JUV017070 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Valentine’s Day
- JUV017080 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Other, Non-Religious
- JUV017090 JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Other, Religious
- JUV018000 JUVENILE FICTION / Horror
- JUV019000 JUVENILE FICTION / Humorous Stories
- JUV051000 JUVENILE FICTION / Imagination & Play
- JUV020000 JUVENILE FICTION / Interactive Adventures
- JUV021000 JUVENILE FICTION / Law & Crime
- JUV022000 JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / General
- JUV012050 JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / African
- JUV022010 JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Arthurian
- JUV012060 JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Asian
- JUV012070 JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Caribbean & Latin American
- JUV022020 JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Greek & Roman
- JUV012080 JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Native American
- JUV022030 JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Norse
- JUV060000 JUVENILE FICTION / LGBT
- JUV023000 JUVENILE FICTION / Lifestyles / City & Town Life
- JUV024000 JUVENILE FICTION / Lifestyles / Country Life
- JUV025000 JUVENILE FICTION / Lifestyles / Farm & Ranch Life
- JUV026000 JUVENILE FICTION / Love & Romance
- JUVENILE FICTION / Magic see Fantasy & Magic
- JUV072000 JUVENILE FICTION / Mathematics *
- JUV027000 JUVENILE FICTION / Media Tie-In
- JUVENILE FICTION / Medicine see headings under Health & Daily Living
- JUVENILE FICTION / Men see Boys & Men
- JUV066000 JUVENILE FICTION / Mermaids
- JUV052000 JUVENILE FICTION / Monsters
- JUVENILE FICTION / Music see Performing Arts / Music
- JUV028000 JUVENILE FICTION / Mysteries & Detective Stories
- JUVENILE FICTION / Myths see headings under Legends, Myths, Fables
- JUV029000 JUVENILE FICTION / Nature & the Natural World / General (see also headings under Animals)
- JUV029030 JUVENILE FICTION / Nature & the Natural World / Disasters *
- JUV029010 JUVENILE FICTION / Nature & the Natural World / Environment
- JUV029020 JUVENILE FICTION / Nature & the Natural World / Weather
- JUVENILE FICTION / Night see Bedtime & Dreams
- JUV055000 JUVENILE FICTION / Nursery Rhymes
- JUVENILE FICTION / Occupations see Business, Careers, Occupations
- JUV058000 JUVENILE FICTION / Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural
- JUV030000 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / General
- JUV030010 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Africa
- JUV030020 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Asia
- JUV030080 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Australia & Oceania
- JUV030030 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Canada / General
- JUV030090 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Canada / Native Canadian
- JUV030040 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Caribbean & Latin America
- JUV030050 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Europe
- JUV030100 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Mexico
- JUV030110 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Middle East
- JUV030120 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Polar Regions
- JUV030060 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / United States / General
- JUV011010 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / United States / African American
- JUV011020 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / United States / Asian American
- JUV011030 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
- JUV011040 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / United States / Native American
- JUV031000 JUVENILE FICTION / Performing Arts / General
- JUV031010 JUVENILE FICTION / Performing Arts / Circus
- JUV031020 JUVENILE FICTION / Performing Arts / Dance
- JUV031030 JUVENILE FICTION / Performing Arts / Film
- JUV031040 JUVENILE FICTION / Performing Arts / Music
- JUV031050 JUVENILE FICTION / Performing Arts / Television & Radio
- JUV031060 JUVENILE FICTION / Performing Arts / Theater
- JUVENILE FICTION / Play see Imagination & Play
- JUV070000 JUVENILE FICTION / Poetry (see also Stories in Verse)
- JUV061000 JUVENILE FICTION / Politics & Government
- JUVENILE FICTION / Puppets see Toys, Dolls & Puppets
- JUV043000 JUVENILE FICTION / Readers / Beginner
- JUV044000 JUVENILE FICTION / Readers / Intermediate
- JUV045000 JUVENILE FICTION / Readers / Chapter Books
- JUVENILE FICTION / Recreation see headings under Sports & Recreation
- JUV063000 JUVENILE FICTION / Recycling & Green Living
- JUV033000 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / General
- JUV033250 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Buddhist
- JUV033010 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / General
- JUV033040 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Action & Adventure
- JUV033050 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Animals
- JUV033060 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Bedtime & Dreams
- JUV033070 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Comics & Graphic Novels
- JUV033080 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Early Readers
- JUV033090 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Emotions & Feelings
- JUV033100 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Family
- JUV033110 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Fantasy & Science Fiction
- JUV033120 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Friendship
- JUV033140 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Historical
- JUV033150 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Holidays & Celebrations
- JUV033160 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Humorous
- JUV033170 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Learning Concepts
- JUV033180 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Mysteries & Detective Stories
- JUV033190 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / People & Places
- JUV033200 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Relationships
- JUV033220 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Social Issues
- JUV033230 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Sports & Recreation
- JUV033240 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Values & Virtues
- JUV033260 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Hindu
- JUV033020 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Jewish
- JUV033270 JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Muslim
- JUV056000 JUVENILE FICTION / Robots
- JUVENILE FICTION / Romance see Love & Romance
- JUV034000 JUVENILE FICTION / Royalty
- JUV035000 JUVENILE FICTION / School & Education
- JUV036000 JUVENILE FICTION / Science & Technology
- JUV053000 JUVENILE FICTION / Science Fiction
- JUV038000 JUVENILE FICTION / Short Stories
- JUVENILE FICTION / Sleeping see Bedtime & Dreams
- JUV039000 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / General (see also headings under Family)
- JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Abuse see Social Themes / Physical & Emotional Abuse or Social Themes / Sexual Abuse
- JUV039020 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Adolescence
- JUV039230 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Bullying
- JUV039190 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Dating & Relationships
- JUV039030 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Death & Dying
- JUV039240 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Depression & Mental Illness
- JUV039040 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Drugs, Alcohol, Substance Abuse
- JUV039250 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Emigration & Immigration
- JUV039050 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings
- JUV039060 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship
- JUV039070 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Homelessness & Poverty
- JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Homosexuality see LGBT
- JUV039200 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Manners & Etiquette
- JUV039090 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / New Experience
- JUV039100 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Peer Pressure
- JUV039010 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Physical & Emotional Abuse (see also Social Themes / Sexual Abuse)
- JUV039120 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Prejudice & Racism
- JUV039280 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Religion & Faith
- JUV039130 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Runaways
- JUV039140 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
- JUV039210 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Sexual Abuse
- JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Sexuality see Social Themes / Dating & Relationships
- JUV039150 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Special Needs
- JUV039270 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Strangers
- JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Substance Abuse see Social Themes / Drugs, Alcohol, Substance Abuse
- JUV039220 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Values & Virtues
- JUV039180 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Violence
- JUV032000 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / General
- JUV032010 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Baseball & Softball
- JUV032020 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Basketball
- JUV032170 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Camping & Outdoor Activities
- JUV032180 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Cycling
- JUV032090 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Equestrian
- JUV032100 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Extreme Sports
- JUV032030 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Football
- JUV032040 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Games
- JUV032190 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Golf
- JUV032200 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Gymnastics
- JUV032110 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Hockey
- JUV032120 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Ice Skating
- JUV032070 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts
- JUV032140 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Skateboarding
- JUV032150 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Soccer
- JUV032210 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Track & Field
- JUV032060 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Water Sports
- JUV032080 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Winter Sports
- JUV032160 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Wrestling
- JUV062000 JUVENILE FICTION / Steampunk
- JUV057000 JUVENILE FICTION / Stories in Verse (see also Poetry)
- JUV071000 JUVENILE FICTION / Superheroes
- JUVENILE FICTION / Technology see Science & Technology
- JUVENILE FICTION / Television Tie-In see Media Tie-In
- JUV067000 JUVENILE FICTION / Thrillers & Suspense
- JUV064000 JUVENILE FICTION / Time Travel
- JUVENILE FICTION / Town Life see Lifestyles / City & Town Life
- JUV040000 JUVENILE FICTION / Toys, Dolls & Puppets
- JUV041000 JUVENILE FICTION / Transportation / General
- JUV041010 JUVENILE FICTION / Transportation / Aviation
- JUV041020 JUVENILE FICTION / Transportation / Boats, Ships & Underwater Craft
- JUV041030 JUVENILE FICTION / Transportation / Cars & Trucks
- JUV041050 JUVENILE FICTION / Transportation / Railroads & Trains
- JUV068000 JUVENILE FICTION / Travel
- JUV046000 JUVENILE FICTION / Visionary & Metaphysical
- JUV042000 JUVENILE FICTION / Westerns
Young Adult Fiction Genre
This is literature written for young adults between 12-18 years old or grades 7-12.
- YAF000000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / General
- YAF001000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Action & Adventure / General
- YAF001010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Action & Adventure / Pirates
- YAF001020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Action & Adventure / Survival Stories
- YAF071000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Alternative History *
- YAF002000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Animals / General
- YAF002010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Animals / Horses
- YAF002020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Animals / Marine Life
- YAF002030 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Animals / Mythical Creatures
- YAF002040 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Animals / Pets
- YAF003000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Apocalyptic & Post-Apocalyptic
- YAF004000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Art
- YAF005000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Biographical
- YAF006000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Books & Libraries
- YAF007000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Boys & Men
- YAF008000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Careers, Occupations, Internships
- YAF009000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Classics
- YAF010000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / General
- YAF010050 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Action & Adventure
- YAF010060 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Classic Adaptation
- YAF010070 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Coming of Age
- YAF010080 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Dystopian
- YAF010090 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Fairy Tales, Folklore, Legends & Mythology
- YAF010100 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Fantasy
- YAF010110 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Historical
- YAF010120 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Horror
- YAF010130 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Humorous
- YAF010140 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / LGBT
- YAF010010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Manga
- YAF010020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Media Tie-In
- YAF010150 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Mystery & Detective
- YAF010160 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Paranormal
- YAF010170 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Romance
- YAF010030 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Science Fiction
- YAF010040 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Superheroes
- YAF011000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Coming of Age
- YAF012000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Computers & Digital Media
- YAF013000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Cooking & Food
- YAF014000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Diversity & Multicultural
- YAF015000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Dystopian
- YAF016000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Epistolary (Letters & Diaries)
- YAF017000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fairy Tales & Folklore / General
- YAF017010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations
- YAF017020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Anthologies
- YAF017030 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Country & Ethnic
- YAF018000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Family / General (see also headings under Social Themes)
- YAF018010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Family / Adoption
- YAF018020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Family / Alternative Family
- YAF018080 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Family / Blended Families
- YAF018030 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Family / Marriage & Divorce
- YAF018040 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Family / Multigenerational
- YAF018050 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Family / Orphans & Foster Homes
- YAF018060 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Family / Parents
- YAF018070 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Family / Siblings
- YAF019000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / General
- YAF019010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / Contemporary
- YAF019020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy
- YAF019030 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / Epic
- YAF019040 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / Historical
- YAF019050 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / Wizards & Witches
- YAF020000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fashion & Beauty
- YAF021000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Ghost Stories
- YAF022000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Girls & Women
- YAF023000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Health & Daily Living / General
- YAF023010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Health & Daily Living / Diseases, Illnesses & Injuries
- YAF024000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / General
- YAF024010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / Africa
- YAF024020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / Ancient Civilizations
- YAF024030 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / Asia
- YAF024040 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / Canada
- YAF024050 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / Europe
- YAF024060 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / Exploration & Discovery
- YAF024070 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / Holocaust
- YAF024080 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / Medieval
- YAF024090 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / Middle East
- YAF024100 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / Military & Wars
- YAF024110 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / Prehistory
- YAF024120 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / Renaissance
- YAF024130 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / United States / General
- YAF024140 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods
- YAF024150 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / United States / 19th Century
- YAF024160 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877)
- YAF024170 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / United States / 20th Century
- YAF024180 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / United States / 21st Century
- YAF025000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations
- YAF026000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Horror
- YAF027000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Humorous / General
- YAF027010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Humorous / Black Comedy
- YAF028000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Interactive Adventures
- YAF029000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Law & Crime
- YAF030000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / General
- YAF030010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Arthurian
- YAF030020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Greek & Roman
- YAF031000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBT
- YAF032000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Lifestyles / City & Town Life
- YAF033000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Lifestyles / Country Life
- YAF034000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Lifestyles / Farm & Ranch Life
- YAF035000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Light Novel (Ranobe)
- YAF036000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Literary
- YAF037000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Loners & Outcasts
- YAF038000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Magical Realism
- YAF039000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Media Tie-In
- YAF040000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Mermaids
- YAF041000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Monsters
- YAF042000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Mysteries & Detective Stories
- YAF043000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Nature & the Natural World / General (see also headings under Animals)
- YAF043010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Nature & the Natural World / Environment
- YAF044000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Novels in Verse
- YAF045000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural
- YAF046000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / General
- YAF046010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / Aboriginal & Indigenous
- YAF046020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / Africa
- YAF046030 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / Asia
- YAF046040 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / Australia & Oceania
- YAF046050 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / Canada
- YAF046060 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / Caribbean & Latin America
- YAF046070 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / Europe
- YAF046080 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / Mexico
- YAF046090 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / Middle East
- YAF046100 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / Polar Regions
- YAF046110 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / United States / General
- YAF046120 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / United States / African American
- YAF046130 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / United States / Asian American
- YAF046140 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
- YAF046150 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / United States / Native American
- YAF047000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Performing Arts / General
- YAF047010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Performing Arts / Dance
- YAF047020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Performing Arts / Film
- YAF047030 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Performing Arts / Music
- YAF047040 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Performing Arts / Television & Radio
- YAF047050 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Performing Arts / Theater & Musicals
- YAF048000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Poetry
- YAF049000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Politics & Government
- YAF050000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Recycling & Green Living
- YAF051000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / General
- YAF051010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Agnostic & Atheist
- YAF051020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Buddhist
- YAF051030 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Christian / General
- YAF051040 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Christian / Action & Adventure
- YAF051050 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Christian / Comics & Graphic Novels
- YAF051060 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Christian / Fantasy
- YAF051070 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Christian / Historical
- YAF051080 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Christian / Mysteries & Detective Stories
- YAF051090 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Christian / Relationships
- YAF051100 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Christian / Science Fiction
- YAF051110 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Christian / Social Issues
- YAF051120 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Hindu
- YAF051130 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Jewish
- YAF051140 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Muslim
- YAF052000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / General
- YAF052010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / Clean & Wholesome
- YAF052020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / Contemporary
- YAF052030 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / Historical
- YAF052040 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / LGBT
- YAF052050 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / Paranormal
- YAF052060 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / Romantic Comedy
- YAF053000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Royalty
- YAF027020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Satire
- YAF054000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / School & Education / General
- YAF054010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / School & Education / Boarding School & Prep School
- YAF054020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / School & Education / College & University
- YAF055000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Science & Technology
- YAF056000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Science Fiction / General
- YAF056010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Science Fiction / Alien Contact
- YAF056020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Science Fiction / Space Opera
- YAF057000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Short Stories
- YAF058000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / General (see also headings under Family)
- YAF058010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Assimilation
- YAF058020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Bullying
- YAF058030 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Class Differences
- YAF058040 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Dating & Sex
- YAF058050 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Death & Dying
- YAF058060 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Depression
- YAF058070 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Disabilities & Special Needs
- YAF058080 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Drugs, Alcohol, Substance Abuse
- YAF058090 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Eating Disorders & Body Image
- YAF058100 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Emigration & Immigration
- YAF058110 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings
- YAF058120 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship
- YAF058130 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Homelessness & Poverty
- YAF058140 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Mental Illness
- YAF058150 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / New Experience
- YAF058160 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Peer Pressure
- YAF058170 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Physical & Emotional Abuse (see also Social Themes / Sexual Abuse)
- YAF058180 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Pregnancy
- YAF058190 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Prejudice & Racism
- YAF058200 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Religion & Faith
- YAF058210 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Runaways
- YAF058220 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
- YAF058230 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Self-Mutilation
- YAF058240 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Sexual Abuse
- YAF058250 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Suicide
- YAF058260 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Values & Virtues
- YAF058270 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Violence
- YAF059000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / General
- YAF059010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Baseball & Softball
- YAF059020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Basketball
- YAF059030 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Camping & Outdoor Activities
- YAF059040 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Equestrian
- YAF059050 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Extreme Sports
- YAF059060 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Football
- YAF059070 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Gymnastics
- YAF059080 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Hockey
- YAF059090 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts
- YAF059100 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Skateboarding
- YAF059110 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Soccer
- YAF059120 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Track & Field
- YAF059130 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Water Sports
- YAF059140 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Winter Sports
- YAF060000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Steampunk
- YAF061000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Superheroes
- YAF062000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Thrillers & Suspense
- YAF063000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Time Travel
- YAF064000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Travel & Transportation / General
- YAF064010 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Travel & Transportation / Car & Road Trips
- YAF065000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Vampires
- YAF066000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Visionary & Metaphysical
- YAF067000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / War & Military
- YAF068000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Werewolves & Shifters
- YAF069000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Westerns
- YAF070000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Zombies
Fiction Genres and Sub-Genres
Here is a list of Fiction Genres with their BISAC codes.
- FIC000000 FICTION / General
- FIC064000 FICTION / Absurdist
- FIC002000 FICTION / Action & Adventure
- FICTION / Adventure see Action & Adventure
- FIC049000 FICTION / African American / General
- FIC049010 FICTION / African American / Christian
- FIC049030 FICTION / African American / Erotica
- FIC049040 FICTION / African American / Historical
- FIC049050 FICTION / African American / Mystery & Detective
- FIC049070 FICTION / African American / Urban
- FIC049020 FICTION / African American / Women
- FIC040000 FICTION / Alternative History
- FIC053000 FICTION / Amish & Mennonite
- FIC067000 FICTION / Animals
- FIC003000 FICTION / Anthologies (multiple authors)
- FIC054000 FICTION / Asian American
- FIC041000 FICTION / Biographical
- FIC042000 FICTION / Christian / General
- FIC042010 FICTION / Christian / Classic & Allegory
- FIC042050 FICTION / Christian / Collections & Anthologies
- FIC042080 FICTION / Christian / Fantasy
- FIC042020 FICTION / Christian / Futuristic
- FIC042030 FICTION / Christian / Historical
- FIC042040 FICTION / Christian / Romance
- FIC042060 FICTION / Christian / Suspense
- FIC042070 FICTION / Christian / Western
- FIC069000 FICTION / City Life *
- FIC004000 FICTION / Classics
- FIC043000 FICTION / Coming of Age
- FIC050000 FICTION / Crime
- FIC051000 FICTION / Cultural Heritage
- FIC070000 FICTION / Disaster *
- FIC055000 FICTION / Dystopian
- FIC065000 FICTION / Epistolary
- FIC005000 FICTION / Erotica / General
- FIC005010 FICTION / Erotica / BDSM
- FIC005020 FICTION / Erotica / Collections & Anthologies
- FIC005030 FICTION / Erotica / Gay
- FIC005060 FICTION / Erotica / Historical
- FIC005040 FICTION / Erotica / Lesbian
- FIC005050 FICTION / Erotica / Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror
- FIC010000 FICTION / Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology
- FIC045000 FICTION / Family Life / General
- FIC045010 FICTION / Family Life / Marriage & Divorce *
- FIC045020 FICTION / Family Life / Siblings *
- FICTION / Family Saga see Sagas
- FIC009000 FICTION / Fantasy / General
- FIC009100 FICTION / Fantasy / Action & Adventure
- FIC009110 FICTION / Fantasy / Arthurian
- FIC009040 FICTION / Fantasy / Collections & Anthologies
- FIC009010 FICTION / Fantasy / Contemporary
- FIC009070 FICTION / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy
- FIC009120 FICTION / Fantasy / Dragons & Mythical Creatures
- FIC009020 FICTION / Fantasy / Epic
- FIC009130 FICTION / Fantasy / Gaslamp
- FIC009030 FICTION / Fantasy / Historical
- FIC009080 FICTION / Fantasy / Humorous
- FIC009140 FICTION / Fantasy / Military
- FIC009050 FICTION / Fantasy / Paranormal
- FIC009090 FICTION / Fantasy / Romantic
- FIC009060 FICTION / Fantasy / Urban
- FICTION / Folklore see Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology
- FIC071000 FICTION / Friendship *
- FIC012000 FICTION / Ghost
- FIC027040 FICTION / Gothic
- FICTION / Graphic Novels see headings under COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
- FIC056000 FICTION / Hispanic & Latino
- FIC014000 FICTION / Historical / General
- FIC014010 FICTION / Historical / Ancient *
- FIC014020 FICTION / Historical / Medieval *
- FIC014030 FICTION / Historical / Renaissance *
- FIC014040 FICTION / Historical / World War I *
- FIC014050 FICTION / Historical / World War II *
- FIC058000 FICTION / Holidays
- FIC015000 FICTION / Horror
- FIC016000 FICTION / Humorous / General
- FIC060000 FICTION / Humorous / Black Humor
- FIC046000 FICTION / Jewish
- FIC034000 FICTION / Legal
- FIC068000 FICTION / LGBT / General
- FIC072000 FICTION / LGBT / Bisexual *
- FIC011000 FICTION / LGBT / Gay
- FIC018000 FICTION / LGBT / Lesbian
- FIC073000 FICTION / LGBT / Transgender *
- FIC019000 FICTION / Literary
- FIC061000 FICTION / Magical Realism
- FIC057000 FICTION / Mashups
- FIC021000 FICTION / Media Tie-In
- FIC035000 FICTION / Medical
- FICTION / Metaphysical see Visionary & Metaphysical
- FIC022000 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / General
- FIC022100 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Amateur Sleuth
- FIC022050 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Collections & Anthologies
- FIC022070 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / General
- FIC022110 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Cats & Dogs *
- FIC022120 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Crafts *
- FIC022130 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Culinary *
- FIC022010 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Hard-Boiled
- FIC022060 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Historical
- FIC022080 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / International Mystery & Crime
- FIC022020 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Police Procedural
- FIC022090 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Private Investigators
- FIC022030 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Traditional
- FIC022040 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths
- FICTION / Mythology see Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology
- FIC059000 FICTION / Native American & Aboriginal
- FIC062000 FICTION / Noir
- FIC024000 FICTION / Occult & Supernatural
- FIC037000 FICTION / Political
- FIC025000 FICTION / Psychological
- FIC026000 FICTION / Religious
- FIC027000 FICTION / Romance / General
- FIC027260 FICTION / Romance / Action & Adventure
- FIC049060 FICTION / Romance / African American
- FIC027340 FICTION / Romance / Billionaires *
- FIC027270 FICTION / Romance / Clean & Wholesome
- FIC027080 FICTION / Romance / Collections & Anthologies
- FIC027020 FICTION / Romance / Contemporary
- FIC027010 FICTION / Romance / Erotica
- FIC027030 FICTION / Romance / Fantasy
- FIC027350 FICTION / Romance / Firefighters *
- FIC027050 FICTION / Romance / Historical / General
- FIC027360 FICTION / Romance / Historical / American *
- FIC027140 FICTION / Romance / Historical / Ancient World
- FIC027150 FICTION / Romance / Historical / Medieval
- FIC027070 FICTION / Romance / Historical / Regency
- FIC027370 FICTION / Romance / Historical / Renaissance *
- FIC027160 FICTION / Romance / Historical / Scottish
- FIC027280 FICTION / Romance / Historical / Tudor
- FIC027200 FICTION / Romance / Historical / 20th Century
- FIC027170 FICTION / Romance / Historical / Victorian
- FIC027180 FICTION / Romance / Historical / Viking
- FIC027290 FICTION / Romance / Holiday
- FIC027380 FICTION / Romance / Later in Life *
- FIC027300 FICTION / Romance / LGBT / General
- FIC027390 FICTION / Romance / LGBT / Bisexual *
- FIC027190 FICTION / Romance / LGBT / Gay
- FIC027210 FICTION / Romance / LGBT / Lesbian
- FIC027400 FICTION / Romance / LGBT / Transgender *
- FIC027410 FICTION / Romance / Medical *
- FIC027220 FICTION / Romance / Military
- FIC027230 FICTION / Romance / Multicultural & Interracial
- FIC027240 FICTION / Romance / New Adult
- FIC027120 FICTION / Romance / Paranormal / General
- FIC027310 FICTION / Romance / Paranormal / Shifters
- FIC027320 FICTION / Romance / Paranormal / Vampires
- FIC027420 FICTION / Romance / Police & Law Enforcement *
- FIC027250 FICTION / Romance / Romantic Comedy
- FIC027130 FICTION / Romance / Science Fiction
- FIC027330 FICTION / Romance / Sports
- FIC027110 FICTION / Romance / Suspense
- FIC027090 FICTION / Romance / Time Travel
- FIC027100 FICTION / Romance / Western
- FIC027430 FICTION / Romance / Workplace *
- FIC008000 FICTION / Sagas
- FIC052000 FICTION / Satire
- FIC028000 FICTION / Science Fiction / General
- FIC028010 FICTION / Science Fiction / Action & Adventure
- FIC028090 FICTION / Science Fiction / Alien Contact
- FICTION / Science Fiction / Alternative History see Alternative History
- FIC028070 FICTION / Science Fiction / Apocalyptic & Post-Apocalyptic
- FIC028040 FICTION / Science Fiction / Collections & Anthologies
- FIC028100 FICTION / Science Fiction / Cyberpunk
- FIC028110 FICTION / Science Fiction / Genetic Engineering
- FIC028020 FICTION / Science Fiction / Hard Science Fiction
- FIC028120 FICTION / Science Fiction / Humorous
- FIC028050 FICTION / Science Fiction / Military
- FIC028130 FICTION / Science Fiction / Space Exploration
- FIC028030 FICTION / Science Fiction / Space Opera
- FIC028060 FICTION / Science Fiction / Steampunk
- FIC028080 FICTION / Science Fiction / Time Travel
- FIC047000 FICTION / Sea Stories
- FICTION / Short Stories (multiple authors) see Anthologies (multiple authors)
- FIC029000 FICTION / Short Stories (single author)
- FIC066000 FICTION / Small Town & Rural
- FIC074000 FICTION / Southern *
- FIC038000 FICTION / Sports
- FIC063000 FICTION / Superheroes
- FICTION / Television Tie-in see Media Tie-In
- FIC031000 FICTION / Thrillers / General
- FIC031010 FICTION / Thrillers / Crime
- FIC031100 FICTION / Thrillers / Domestic *
- FIC006000 FICTION / Thrillers / Espionage
- FIC031020 FICTION / Thrillers / Historical
- FIC031030 FICTION / Thrillers / Legal
- FIC031040 FICTION / Thrillers / Medical
- FIC031050 FICTION / Thrillers / Military
- FIC031060 FICTION / Thrillers / Political
- FIC031080 FICTION / Thrillers / Psychological
- FIC031070 FICTION / Thrillers / Supernatural
- FIC030000 FICTION / Thrillers / Suspense
- FIC036000 FICTION / Thrillers / Technological
- FIC031090 FICTION / Thrillers / Terrorism
- FIC048000 FICTION / Urban
- FIC039000 FICTION / Visionary & Metaphysical
- FIC032000 FICTION / War & Military
- FIC033000 FICTION / Westerns
- FIC044000 FICTION / Women
Complete 2017 BISAC Subject Headings here
Most self-published fiction authors will publish on Amazon, so feel free to browse their best sellers by category for more insight into fiction genre options, and to read books in whatever genre you are thinking about writing in.
Top Selling Fiction Books with over 100 Million Copies Sold
- Lord of the Rings by J . R. R. Tolkien – 150 Million Copies Sold
- Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry- 140 Million Copies Sold
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling- 120 Million Copies Sold
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – 100 Million copies sold
- And then there were none- Agatha Christie – 100 Million copies sold
- Dream of the Red Chamber -Cao Xueqin- 100 million copies sold
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland- Lewis Carroll – 100 million copies sold
The conclusion of our Fiction Guide.
I hope you have enjoyed our article. You should now have a good understanding of the definition of fiction, its elements, and it’s different genres.
Thank you for reading and Writing!
