Historical fiction

Historical fiction is set in a time period from the past (generally accepted as 50 years or more). The main elements of historical fiction are time-period significance, historical accuracy in known events, and vivid descriptions of historical fiction characters. Actions take place during an authentic period in history and are set in a real historical place. Characters look, act, and talk the way they did in that era. (80,000–120,000 words)

Literary fiction

Literary fiction is character driven rather than plot driven and explores themes about what it means to be human. It doesn’t necessarily display a story arc or have a predictable tidy ending. Rather, the reader is left with lingering reflections on, and questions about, the character. Most literary fiction is contemporary. The prose may exhibit artistic flare or be simple but meaningful. (70,000-100,000 words)

Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Mysteries, thrillers, and crime novels start with a problem (theft, murder, mayhem, explosion, political intrigue) and follow the problem-solver (detective, civilian, soldier) through a series of clues/events to solve the mystery/save the world/bring a criminal to justice. A thriller is filled with plot twists, action, and cliff hangers, while a mystery or crime novel can be slower paced and more suspenseful. (70,000-90,000 words)

• Mysteries focus on solving a puzzling event, often a crime, with the event remaining mysterious until the end of the narrative. Amateur sleuth mysteries follow a sleuth who is not a police or private detective. Whodunit mysteries incorporate a larger cast of characters who are all suspects. Cozy mysteries are slower paced and do not include graphic violence or sex. Scientific mysteries put the emphasis on science’s role to solve the mystery.

• Thrillers focus on suspense and excitement. A thriller hones in on the anticipation of a future crime and is fast paced. Legal thrillers focus on the courtroom. Psychological thrillers involve terror usually defined by twisted minds. Political thrillers involve government agencies. Spy thrillers involve espionage. Action/adventure thrillers focus on nonstop action. Medical thrillers involve nefarious doings in the medical field.

• Crime novels focus on a criminal who must be apprehended. They may include courtroom scenes, military, and law enforcement. Police procedural (detective) books concentrate on the process of solving the mystery. Noir novels confront the seedier parts of society where the hero must choose between two bad options. The military subgenre puts the crime fiction into a military setting. True crime is often spiced up with dialogue or other details that make the story easier to absorb.

Horror/Fantasy/Sci Fi

• Horror fiction relies on scary or shocking events and characters, revolving around themes of death and destruction. It leans toward terrifying and may include aliens, monsters, and evil spirits.

• Fantasy involves world building of a fictional place and can include magic and supernatural beings. Fantasy books can include paranormal elements of the supernatural, such as ghosts or witches.

• Sci Fi relies on imagined elements derived from science but placed in a futuristic setting, which requires additional world building aspects.

(90,000-120,000 words)

Romance

Romantic fiction revolves around a love story between two people. There is conflict but it shouldn’t eclipse the tale of the characters finding each other and falling in love. Issues outside of the central courtship theme are limited. Romance novels usually have a happy ending after following a general formula that includes conflict (meet, detest each other, respect each other, fall in love, love being thwarted) and resolution. (60,000-80,000 words)

History

History is a true account of an actual historical era or event. It generally has a major thesis or theses supported by data, narrative, or both. Research is documented through footnotes and bibliography. An index is optional but helpful to the reader. (70,000-100,000 words)

Memoir/Biography

• Memoir is a subjective first-person account of a particular time or event in a person’s life that gives the reader access to the author’s thoughts, feelings, and reflections. It can be either historical, set in a significant time in history, or inspirational, documenting the author’s struggle with things like addiction or a social situation. ( 60,000-80,000 words)

• Biography is an objective third-person account of someone else’s life that focuses on their entire lifespan up to the present. Based solely on facts, it shows how the subject made a difference. Information may be collected from the subject, their acquaintances, or from other sources such as diaries, personal letters, oral histories, and autobiographies. A biography will include a bibliography and endnotes or an author’s note explaining what sources the author drew upon. (80,000-120,000 words)

Reference

Reference books contain relevant and accurate information on a specific topic. They are used for consultation rather than for consecutive reading and generally include an index, footnotes, and bibliography to show the research that led to the author’s information and conclusions.

How to/Business/Self-Help

• A how-to book contains directions, diagrams, photographs, and explanations regarding how to make something or meet a specific goal.
• A business book is usually about the management, finances, or logistics of running a business and may also describe the traits and actions of people who have succeeded in business.
• Self-help books involve the author sharing tools for overcoming a specific need.

(50,000- 70,000 words)

Creative Nonfiction

Creative nonfiction is also known as literary nonfiction or narrative nonfiction. It is a factual account written in a style that uses literary techniques. The characters are real people, but the dialogue may be supplied by the author. It’s a true story told in an engaging manner and follows the guidelines for well-written fiction. This category could be a good selection for MWSA authors who want to submit a military unit's history, without rigorous sourcing, footnoting, and bibliography. (60,000-80,000 words)

Picture Book*

Picture books are intended for young children aged two to nine. The visual narrative is just as significant as the written narrative and is weighted accordingly. Picture books often teach children morals and lessons, such as the alphabet, social interaction, or compassion. They can also just be for fun. Picture books are designed to be easy to understand and engaging for the youngest readers and, therefore, often follow one central character and a very simple plot. (500-1500 words in 32-40 pages)

Children/Middle Grade Chapter Book

• Children’s Chapter Books are aimed at children aged seven to ten who have graduated from picture books. Books are long enough to be separated into short chapters and focus on one storyline without subplots. Children should be the heroes of the story and solve the problems/conflicts, not adults. Books are limited to three or four main characters. Chapter books may still include illustrations but focus much more heavily on the written story. In the print version, text should be slightly larger with shorter paragraphs to give children a chance to absorb and retain what they’ve read. (4,000 to 15,000 words)
• Middle Grade Chapter Books Middle-grade books are written for readers between the ages of eight and twelve. While this is an age-based categorization that can apply to any genre, it’s important to note the hallmarks of a middle grade book. The protagonist should be approximately ten to thirteen (slightly older than the target audience) and react to what happens to them, not so much on self-reflection. Subplots can be introduced. Romance is limited to first kisses or crushes. Profanity and graphic violence are not used. (30,000-50,000 words)

Young Adult (fiction or nonfiction)

While young adult books are considered by many to be a marketing tool and not an actual genre, MWSA separates it from adult categories. The young adult book targets 12- to 18-year-old readers. It should have a teenage protagonist within this age range or slightly older and focuses on themes common to teens. It can be assessed by the same standards as adult fiction (romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, etc.) or nonfiction (history, reference, how to, etc.) keeping in mind the age-appropriate themes, conflicts, and information. (50,000-75,000 words)

Anthology/Collection

• An anthology is a compilation of stories or poems by multiple authors. The stories are gathered around a theme and curated by an editor.
• A collection is a set of stories by one author, and they may or may not be gathered around a theme. Either can contain some poetry, but books that include only poetry should be entered as MWSA category Poetry.

Humor

Although humor is viewed by some as a literary tool and not an actual genre, MWSA uses this category for a book that is primarily designed to amuse and make people laugh. It can include content that is fiction and/or non-fiction.

Religious/Spiritual

Religious writings are usually a teaching based on a specific religion. Spiritual writings are inspirational stories about a person’s life or religious experiences. These books usually reference God and an afterlife. (50,000-70,000 words)

Poetry Book*

A poetry book is a collection of poems by one or more authors. Poetry conveys thought or tells a story in a lyrical arrangement of words. The poems may rhyme or not, and usually use rhythm and meters but are not required to. Freeform has no formal structure. There is generally a theme or a direction for the collection.

Pictorial/Coffee Table*

A pictorial book relies on illustrations or photographs to tell a story or feature a place or event. Each rendition should have a caption, and pictures should be of high quality. A coffee table book, usually large and hardcover, is meant to serve as casual decoration on a table and share the interests of the host. They are generally pictorial, and portray themes that are inspirational, thought-provoking, or interesting. They are intended to be looked at casually rather than read cover-to-cover.

Graphical Novel/Comic Book*

Both graphic novels and comic books tell a story through sequential art. Comic books are shorter serialized issues, frequently featuring superheroes, monsters, or elements of fantasy. Graphic novels are longer than comic books and usually feature real or everyday people. They can be fiction or nonfiction, and generally tell a complete story.