Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Book Categories

Cheap fiction = Mass produced books usually suitable for a single reading.  Sometimes these books are what are known as pulp fiction written by hacks, or even worse, ghost writers.  They can contain generic and/or simple plots.  This type of fiction also has the reputation for being poorly written.  The saying that you can never tell a book by its cover does not apply in this case as many cheap fiction books display simple eye catching illustrations that was put together by the publisher on a computer package. This category is where a lot of genre fiction can be found.

'Expensive' Fiction  = The illustrations on these type of fictional books tends to contain more detail and is therefore more complicated.  The paper is off a better quality and the writing is of a better standard. The plot may be less linear, contain more descriptions, good characterisation and/or believable cause & effect.

Literature = This type of fiction will be beautifully written and the cover would display illustrations that could also be found on the front of 'epensive' fiction.  The plot would follow a logical cause & effect.  Characterisation would be of a high standard with clear signs on how characters develop throughout the story.  Descriptions are rich.  These types of books are sometimes known as classic fiction.  They are studied in schools and universities.  Writers tend to stick to one category of fiction so here's of a list of classic authors: Charles Dickens, Emily Bronte, Daphne Du Maurier, Edgar Allen Poe, George Orwell, William Shakespeare, Bram Stocker, Mary Shelley, Jane Austen, John Steinbeck, Agatha Christie, Sylvia Plath, J R Tolkin, C.S Lewis, J D Salinger

Literacy Criticism        Poetry & Prose

Science Fiction = This type of genre fiction is sometimes put under a separate category in book shops as they are an acquired taste.  Some science fiction books can be very descriptive in explaining scientific or futuristic detail.

Fantasy  &  Horror  = Put into separate categories for the same reason as Science Fiction

Erotica/ Romantic Fiction = Erotic and Romantic fiction is also separated.  Mills & Boom publish different types of books from romance to erotic.  They sell like hot cakes here.

Childrens' Fiction      Childrens' Non-Fiction 


Art & Sculpture     Antiques       Crafts


Design & Architecture    Beauty


Fashion & Jewellery         Health       


Child Care        Cookery     Pets       Music

Hobbies & Games        Gardening               


Wildlife        Motoring & Transport     


Travel     Geography       History     Military     


Royalty          Computers         Business   

Finance & Accounting        Economics     

Engineering       Science       Medicine     


Religion     Esoteric & The Paranormal       


Social Sciences        Philosophy          Film               


TV & Radio     Music Scores


Memoirs & Tragic Lives   


Celebrity Autobiographies & Biographies  = Although the internet has now replaced the need to know about celebrities, these books still are a big money spinner for publishers, particularly around Christmas.  They are quickly put together by the publishers apprentice.


Comedy = Another cash cow for publishers.  Yet again, they are easily compiled by an apprentice who researches amusing jokes by comedians.

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