14 Genres of Literature

This genre of literature is known for being dark, mysterious, and plot-driven.

• Romance

• Thriller

• Fantasy

• Realistic Literature

Centers around love stories between two people. The conflict does not overshadow the relationship, which always prevails in the end.

• Romance

• Horror

• Bildungsroman

• Science Fiction

These novels, stories, or poems are set in a time and place that could actually happen in the real world.

• Science Fiction

• Dystopian

• Romance

• Realistic Literature

Tell the stories of cowboys, settlers, and outlaws exploring the western frontier and taming the American Old West.

• Romance

• Science Fiction

• Western

• Horror

Works considered with artistic value and literary merit.

• Literary fiction

• Dystopia

• Thriller

• Romance

Stories about a character growing psychologically and morally from their youth into adulthood.

• Historical

• Non-fiction

• Fiction

• Bildungsroman

Speculative fiction stories with imaginary characters set in imaginary universes.

• Romance

• Bildungsroman

• Fantasy

• Science Fiction

Stories that follow a detective solving a case from start to finish.

• Thriller

• Mystery

• Romance

• Science Fiction

Stories that take place in the past and are written with a careful balance of research and creativity.

• Fantasy

• Bildungsroman

• Realistic Fiction

• Historical

Stories that are meant to scare, startle, shock, and even repulse readers.

• Horror

• Historical

• Thriller

• Romance