What is Genre Fiction – and why you should love it

What is Genre Fiction? And why is it important? What is the benefit of studying genre fiction and its various categorical halls?

Genre fiction is considered a form of more profound, deeper versions of literature and an essential backbone for vision overall. It is considered a medium to entertain and a path for escapism for people in general.

While genre fiction is the defined category of fiction that belongs to our cherished fiction, where many of the current genres we know and love have come from its various categories.

The mainstay of genre fiction is fantasy, science fiction, horror, romance, crime, thriller and perhaps to a lesser extent, Westerns and Historical Fiction categories. But it is usually the science fiction and fantasy genre fiction that progresses the writing landscapes by using tropes and icons that expand the imagery.

But where does Genre Fiction originate from? What makes a Genre categorized in a genre?

The Origins of Genre Fiction

Genre fiction is a recent addition to the literature in our civilization. Genre fiction and its various subgenres became developed in the 19^th Century and became accelerated from the mass market during the 20^th (and furthermore in the 21^st digital Century) and expanded by the role of capitalism had played in society, allowing the medium to accelerate the mass propagation of books and the accession of global audiences.

While today we see many genres being cross-matched, expanding what can be furthered within their genres is necessary. It is the only way for the unique genres to progress overall is by inventing new methods and nuanced stylizations and tropes.

Firstly To consider fantasy – Since the inception of LOTR by J R R Tolkien, the traditional fantasy genre has exploded across the developed world. Every year, more iterations of genre propagate into mass consumption. However, like the fantasy genre, in my opinion, its tropes have become cliché and require more unique complexities to further its peripheries.

Or to consider science fiction – The classic period of science fiction with the big three (Asimov, Arthur C Clarke and Heinlein) has been explored to whatever can be considered its original form. Where can the genre evolve or head? The only way ahead is to cross over into other genres or invent new sub-versions of the current ones.

The Emergence of new genre categories

Also, new genres are emerging, which are entirely unique but mixtures of older genres or permutations of previous classical genres.

While the genres today, by some common opinions, have been by plot and themes have been explored to the apex of possibilities, we must seek to develop new possible genres.

Yet slowly as it may seem, new diverse genres have emerged. They further blend genres and filter new versions into subgenres, particularly within the last two or three decades. Subgenres like steampunk (Tales set within an urban fantasy setting) like, Cyberpunk (a futuristic vision from science fiction-esque material) or science fantasy (having elements of science and fantasy) are coming to note.

While genre fiction (like fantasy or sci-fi) is difficult to become more commercially viable than other mainstays (romance, the common thrillers), they have established markets and audiences. Audiences follow similar and well-used themes and tropes and attain to be original. There are, however, several examples that have broken into the mainstream mould.
Some examples include Tolkien’s LOTR,  Harry Potter by JK Rowling, The Foundation novels by Isaac Asimov and Starship Troopers written by Robert A Heinlein.

But what are some of the new genres? What type of icons and tropes do they embody?

covering some new emerging genres

Since the late accession of the 21^st Century, many new genres have come to note Dystopian fiction, Cyberpunk, Steampunk,  Paranormal, Magic Realism, Suspense/Thrillers, Indigenous fiction, Science Fantasy, and stories from speculative fiction. Horror has also expanded its materials to become more nuanced with many variations of antagonists.

Some Conclusions 

from the period of it’s inception, Genre Fiction has become more exquisite and complex using more interesting visions of what can be made for protagonists/antagonists, with main characters, spreading themes, new permutations of plot devices, and new narrative structures. They currently remain stalwarts of fiction in general. They will continue to entice new readers of generations for decades to come.