Linda K Sienkiewicz

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You are here: Home / Writing / Literary vs Genre Fiction

Literary vs Genre Fiction

May 20, 2024 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

cartoon man in front of a bookshelf

Give it to me straight:

A writer on Twitter/X asked: “What do you understand by the term ‘literary fiction’ in three words or fewer.” Among the comments, I read:

  • marketed for awards
  • style over plot
  • pretentious gate keeping
  • won’t sell much
  • flowery, pretentious, boring
  • arbitrary nonsense elitism
  • going nowhere slowly
  • books to avoid
  • wading through treacle
  • wordy, lacks action
  • questionable superiority complex
  • tortured prose
  • almost never dragons

Ouch! That’s a whole lotta negativity. Further complicating lit fic’s apparent reputation as tireless trash, Wikipedia adds to the burn with this definition: “Literary fiction is often used as a synonym for literature, in the exclusive sense of writings specifically considered to have considerable artistic merit.” In other words, hoity toity. Wikipedia also refers to literary as “serious” fiction, “artistic” literature, or novels that are “considered serious art.”

Exclusive? Artistic? Serious?? Given that rather overblown description, it’s understandable that many genre writers would feel at odds with literary fiction.

On the upside

Then again, others shared the following positive attributes for literary fiction:

  • comfortable with ambiguity
  • not obvious ending
  • eloquent human expression
  • story with depth
  • layers, language, staying-power
  • underrated, intelligent, mindful
  • take time reading
  • personal, universal, enduring
  • character, not plot
  • realistic, theme driven
  • it’s complicated
  • contemporary real-world issues
  • stimulates imagination
  • beautiful precise language

What is genre fiction?

Genre fiction is one of two classifications used by book trade. Genre encompasses crime fiction, fantasy, science fiction, horror, adventure, and romance. “In general, genre fiction is written for entertainment while literary fiction is more about experimentation and exploration,” — Cole Salao (TCK Publishing).

To counter the apparent discourse around literary fic, I posed the question: “Define genre fiction in three words or fewer.” Here’s the good and the bad:

  • faeries, dragons, trolls
  • extra-terrestrial
  • often implausible
  • fast-paced and fun
  • otherworldly high adventures
  • erotic fantasies mmm
  • tired campy tropes
  • marvelous and uncommon
  • dark, bloody, macabre
  • oversold schlock
  • writing for dollars
  • serial writers
  • formulaic
  • low brow, undiscerning
  • heroes and villians
  • merchandized for fans

My Take, using more than 3 words:

  • Genre fiction can be as boring and pretentious as literary fiction.
  • Genre fiction can be inventive, spellbinding, smart and beautifully written.
  • Literary fiction can be suspenseful, shocking, romantic, and gritty.
  • Literary fiction can be fast-paced.
  • Both types of writing have a character arc.
  • Bad writing exists in all categories.
  • A book’s impact on the reader, and its ability to deliver is what truly matters.
woman reading a book with her dog

Putting any category of fiction into a narrow box is limiting and self-defeating for both writers and readers. All types of writing have merit, as well as devoted readers. As writers, we benefit from reading outside our genre. We can learn from each other.

By the way, Stephen King, whose work I admire, wrote a great guide for whatever kind of fiction you write: “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft“

I just finished a terrific book titled What the Living Do by Susan E. Wadds. It’s literary fiction at its finest, as well as The Waters by Michigan “rural noir” writer Bonnie Jo Campbell. For great suspense fiction with sexy romance, read anything by my fellow alum Diana Muñoz Stewart. If you like historical fiction, check out Hotel Cuba: A Novel by Aaron Hamburger, one of my MFA professors. If dark fantasy is your thing, read the Coin of Rulve series by Michigander and fellow Detroit Working Writer Veronica Dale.


Thank you for visiting.

Linda K. Sienkiewicz is a writer, poet, and artist:
Multi-finalist award winning novel In the Context of Love
Picture book Gordy and the Ghost Crab

Latest poetry chapbook: Sleepwalker

Connect with Linda: LinkTree

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Filed Under: Books, Writing Tagged With: books, defining fiction, Fiction, genre, literary, literary fiction

About Linda

Award- winning writer, poet & artist. Cynical optimist. Super klutz. Corgi fan. Author of two novels, a picture book which she wrote and illustrated, and five poetry chapbooks. More here.

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