As an author, understanding your genre is essential to writing a story that resonates with your audience. Whether you're writing women's fiction, historical fiction, or another genre entirely, identifying your genre helps you connect with readers who are seeking exactly what you're offering. Today, let’s explore why genre matters and how it can help you as an author.
What is Genre in Fiction?
In the simplest terms, genre refers to the category or type of story you're writing. Each genre has its own conventions, reader expectations, and unique voice. Think about women's fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, or thriller. These genres all evoke different emotions and target different readerships.
Why Genre Understanding Is Key for Authors
Knowing your genre allows you to create a story that meets reader expectations. For example, in women's fiction, readers are often looking for emotionally driven stories about relationships, personal growth, and family dynamics. Understanding this enables you to craft a plot, characters, and themes that align with what your audience expects and craves.
Genres and Reader Expectations
Each genre comes with its own set of conventions and tropes that readers look forward to:
- Romance: Readers expect a central love story with a satisfying, emotional payoff—typically a "happily ever after" or "happy for now" ending.
 Â
- Thriller: In this genre, readers crave suspense, tension, and plot twists that keep them on the edge of their seats. Fast pacing and high stakes are a must.
- Science Fiction/Fantasy: Here, world-building is key. Readers expect to be immersed in a universe that feels real, even if it’s far removed from our own reality.
- Historical Fiction: Readers in this genre expect accurate historical details that ground the story in a specific time and place. They want to be transported to a different era, learning something new while following compelling characters.
What Readers Expect from Women's Historical Fiction
As a writer of women’s historical fiction, I know my readers are looking for something unique. They expect:
1. Strong, multi-dimensional female characters: Women at the heart of the story, dealing with the challenges and norms of their time. You can find this is my novel, When Skies Are Grey.
 Â
2. Authentic historical detail: This is critical for creating an immersive experience. Readers want to feel like they’re living in a different time, whether it’s the 19th century or mid-20th century. An example of this might be found in my novel, The Long Way Home.
3. Emotional depth: In women’s fiction, there’s often a focus on relationships—whether it’s family, friendships, or love. These relationships provide the emotional core of the story, and readers expect to be deeply invested in the characters’ journeys. Take a look at my novel, A Prayer For Junie as an example of this.
4. A blend of history and personal growth: Readers want to see how historical events shape the lives of individuals, particularly women, and how those women grow, change, and overcome challenges within their societal context. This you'll find in my debut novel, Holding Paradise.
When readers pick up one of my books, they know they’ll get a layered narrative—often dual timelines—that explores the intersection of history and personal experience. My stories may not feature time slips, but they delve into how the past and present connect, often through generations of women, love, and family.
How Genre Affects Book Marketing
Understanding your genre isn't just about writing a great book—it also impacts your book marketing. When you know your genre, you're better equipped to position your book in front of the right audience. This allows you to:
- Use targeted keywords in your marketing materials
- Connect with the right readers through platforms like Instagram and Facebook
- Work with influencers and bloggers who specialize in your genre
- Optimize your book's SEO on your website and online platforms
For instance, when marketing a women's fiction novel, you might target phrases like "emotional women's fiction," "women's fiction about relationships," or "best women's fiction books of 2024." Incorporating these genre-specific keywords will increase the chances of your book being found by readers searching for those types of stories.
Recently, I came across a book labelled as a "time slip" novel. Intrigued, I bought the e-book, eager to dive into this sub-genre. To my surprise, it wasn’t a time slip story at all—it was a dual narrative, something I use frequently in my own writing. It was still entertaining, but not what I had expected based on the genre description.
This experience got me thinking about how important it is to label our stories correctly. Genres serve as a promise to readers. When they pick up a book, they’re not just investing their time—they’re investing in an experience. If that experience doesn’t align with their expectations, it can lead to disappointment, even if the story itself is enjoyable.
How Genre Helps Build Your Author Brand
Understanding your genre is a crucial aspect of building your author brand. Readers like consistency. When they pick up your book, they expect certain themes, tones, and story arcs. If you regularly write in one genre, it creates brand loyalty and helps you build a dedicated fanbase. For instance, if you're known for women's historical fiction, readers will come to you for well-researched stories that blend history with engaging female protagonists. Delivering on these expectations ensures your readers keep coming back for more.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your genre not only helps you write better stories but also enhances your marketing strategy and strengthens your author brand. Knowing what readers want and delivering it consistently is the key to growing as an author.
Have you ever picked up a book that wasn’t what you expected? How did that affect your reading experience?
In case you found this post in a random way and don’t know me, Hello, my name is Fran and I’m an author. Discover more about me personally and my women's historical and contemporary fiction novels when you join my readers' community! Click on the link below to receive a free short story along with a monthly newsletter filled with exciting updates and exclusive content.
Comments