When you go to submit a book, you'll be faced with a list of the agent's preferred "genres". These will often be commercial fiction, book-club fiction, middle-grade fiction. But what do they mean? This entry will define them.
Let's crack those manuscript submission terminologies!
Commercial Fiction - (Seems a bit strange, right? Surely one would want all fiction to be commercial.) Commercial fiction refers to mainstream works. This is often genre focussed. There is an emphasis on plot, and they are expected to sell to mass audiences. These can include: thrillers, detective novels, rom-coms, and the sort of Call the Midwife type books that your grandma might read. Commercial fiction is great if you're the kind of person who watches Fast and Furious - mass produced and formulaic.
Just look at this:
These are all "different" books.
Or look at any Ann Cleeves.
Literary Fiction - Literary fiction is character-driven. There is a focus on narrative voice, themes, and style. Plot comes secondary. Think of an Indie film, such as I, Daniel Blake.
Book-Club Fiction - Book-Club fiction refers to novels that have literary elements (perhaps a morally complex protagonist) which can fuel discussions, but they are as accessible as commercial fiction. They have a broad appeal (although, if you've seen any film about book-clubs, the age of their readers is most likely nearing one-hundred.)
Upmarket Fiction - Upmarket fiction is a hybrid of commercial and literary fiction. It is characterised by plot-heavy narratives AND character-driven perspectives. It often alludes to complex questions about genre and how we take certain perspectives for granted. The Falling Sun is an example of upmarket fiction: there is a LOT of plot, but it is also character and theme driven, making subtle social commentary.
Speculative Fiction - Speculative fiction defines anything that is out-of-this-world but comments upon it. Dystopia would be an example. The writing often breaks from conventional forms, redefining the rules of literature. It is essentially literary fiction on steroids.
Middle-Grade Fiction - Middle-Grade fiction is for children aged 8-12.
YA Fiction - YA (young adult) fiction refers to novels for teenagers and usually has a coming-of-age focus. Think the Twilight series. (Ew, can't believe I just said that.)
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