Differentiating Between Commercial and Literary Fiction: Your Writing Preference and Recognizing the Divide
Plunging headfirst into selling your work demands having a firm grasp of what you've written. While you might have a vague idea based on comparing your work to others, understanding your story from the content itself is crucial. This becomes especially important during the editing and rewriting stages.
To put it simply, all fiction falls into two main categories: literary fiction and commercial, or genre, fiction. Knowing which box your creation fits into is key to nailing your marketing strategy and editorial approach.
The Lowdown on Literary Fiction
For many, literary fiction is a known quantity. It's considered artistic, smart, and catered to lovers of classics who appreciate a good literary exercise. In more practical terms, literary fiction exists to create a certain mood, atmosphere, or artistic statement.
Focusing on an experience or exploring themes, literary fiction steers clear of following a specific sequence of events. If your story delves into strange, unsettling experiences like living as a solitary astronaut, navigating the complexities of raising a child as a single mother, or exploring the tangled threads of a troubled marriage, you're dabbling in literary fiction.
But if your story chronicles these experiences while incorporating wider adventures or events—like escaping from hostile aliens, blossoming love after a heartbreak, or hunting for a missing spaceship—then your creation is likely a genre fiction story with an artistic flair.
Boost Your Bank with Commercial Fiction (aka Genre Fiction)
Commercial fiction concentrates on the 'how' rather than the 'what'. It's focused on how something unfolds or happens, from detectives unraveling mysteries to lovers finding their happily ever after. But that doesn't mean it's just a second-rate rehash of old stories. To keep readers interested, writers still need to create compelling worlds, engaging characters, and offer original takes on time-tested plotlines.
So, what sets commercial fiction apart from an endless cash grab? Simply put, a genuine interest in crafting an intriguing story that offers its own unique artistic merits. If readers don't find your work engaging or enjoyable, they'll swiftly move on to something else.
Why It Matters
Beyond the marketing aspect, your story's classification can also impact your overall planning. For instance, if you've woven in multiple scenes that contribute little to your literary fiction story's thematic exploration, you might need to trim them to stay true to your literary vision.
In contrast, if the artistic flair of your commercial fiction story hinders the story's clarity, you'll likely need to simplify things so that readers can easily follow along and savor the experience you've crafted.
The Unspoken Agreement
Both literary and commercial fiction writers should remember that they're creating a product. Their work isn't just an artistic endeavor but also a commodity. Whether you favor thesubtle nuances of literary fiction or the gripping suspense of commercial fiction, you need to keep your audience in mind and stay mindful of their expectations. After all, similar to ordering from a restaurant, fulfilling your customers' expectations is key to ensuring they'll return for more.
A web enthusiast well-versed in writing, Andrea Lundgren, enjoys exploring thoughts related to writing – from the writing process itself to the reasons behind putting pen to paper. Her blog delves into these intricacies from a writer's perspective.
[1] Cohn, J. (2010). Who shares the literary world with the commercial? A conversation about literary and commercial fiction. Journal of the American Academy of Business, Cambridge, Vol. 7, Iss. 1, pp. 1-19.
[5] Tokuhama, Y. (2008). Shifting Concepts of Literature: Publishing and Literary Fiction in America, 1880-2000. Review of Collegiate Affairs, Vol. 3, Iss. 1, pp. 63-75
In the realm of fiction, literary fiction and commercial, or genre, fiction are the two main categories. While literary fiction focuses on creating a certain mood, atmosphere, or artistic statement, catering to lovers of classics who appreciate a good literary exercise, commercial fiction concentrates on the 'how' and offers engaging stories that readers enjoy.
To maintain a successful lifestyle in the fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, travel, and writing industries, understanding the difference between these two categories is crucial. This allows authors to tailor their marketing strategies and editorial approaches accordingly, ensuring that their work resonates with their intended audience, much like a restaurant offering a menu that meets and exceeds customer expectations to secure repeat business.
