Literary vs. Genre Fiction

Literary vs. genre fiction, mainstream vs. commercial, realism vs. escapism—do these distinctions really matter? For both readers and writers, this long-standing debate has created a divide in the book world. In this video, I’ll explain the key differences between the two classifications in terms of purpose, plot scale, and writing style.

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The Debate (0:00)
Definitions of Literary and Genre Fiction (3:09)
Purpose (5:23)
Plot Scale (9:07)
Writing Style (11:10)
Blending Literary and Genre Fiction (13:59)

[bettyamiina]

I personally think that both are equally amazing and that they both teach us about the human experience and the writing process.

[Ruby]

Awkwardly enough, despite having been a reader since I was capable of reading and having amassed a large library of books... I've never considered before now that there might be a difference. Most books use tropes, and most good books also make you think deeper. I'd never considered that belonging to a genre made a work automatically lesser, because I'd never considered that literary works weren't in a genre, themselves.

I suppose there may be a dissonance in regards to definitions. To me, genres are a superficial yet extremely convenient categorization system - almost everything belongs to one, and some belong to several. As for literature - I'd simply assumed that all books were literature, and that those whose popularity and message withstood the test of time were "classics."

Apparently, these are not the standard definitions, but as of yesterday, they were the only ones I knew.

[Le_Marquis_de_Faux_Images]

I believe that both writing styles should blend more often. Books should feel good as you read them, as well as have a great story.

[jeywithane]

youre absolutely amazing, your voice is clear and soothing, your analysis is neither biased nor unfocused, and every topic you cover is in a perfect balance between 'listing' information and connecting them in (not too ambitious, pretentious) thought-provoking ways. im always happy when you upload a new video bc i know ill learn smth cool then, so ... thank

[tropichawk]

I guess I'm not as tuned into the literary world as I thought I was. I didn't even realize this was a debate. Personally, I feel a writer shouldn't be scared to embrace the fantastical just as much as they shouldn't be afraid to let the pace break way in exchange for more powerful characters and setting. There's tons more to say than this, of course, but they all adhere to similar themes of which I just exhibited. Neither side is without complexities the other would do well to learn from. It really sucks that this is even being debated in the first place, I would've thought it self-evident that all works hold naturally inherent value. Oh well, I won't let it get to me. This too shall pass. Oh, and another sensational video by the way. I've yet to find another YouTuber as well-versed in the writing side of things, or at least in divulging it to their viewers, as you are. It is well appreciated, and I eagerly await your next video to come.

[DL-idk]

After watching this I finally understand why I feel unsatisfied reading most of the fantasies on my shelf. What I'd been expected was something made me think but in fantasy form. For some reason I don't like reading real world settings but my taste is actually more towards literature fiction than genre fiction as they're today. Basically, I want more authentic and deeper discussions in fantasy... Guess that would be hard to get.

[AHMEDGUREABDIKARIMAEM-erko]

Girl, you keep out doing yourself with each subsequent video. Keep writing.

[paulapoetry]

Excellent video, thank you. One of my all-time favourite authors is Daphne du Maurier. She definitely blurred the lines between literary and popular fiction, and between different genres.

[MartianManhunter]

I've found that literary novels or more precisely novels deemed to be literary are different enough from works we consider genre fiction to warrant the status of the argument that we can effectively establish a dichotomy between the two. Genre fiction for me can give me a buzz after reading but it's short term. It feels great but the feeling is ephemeral and the genre fiction I've read just doesn't have the oomph to make me want to think about it long term. However, the fiction we classify as literary has given me exactly the opposite feeling, antithetically so. The feelings are longer lasting, the work seems more pertinent and wide-reaching and I think about them for a longer period of time, constantly in some cases. The key thing though is the buzz remains regardless so this is why I like literary fiction more and why I believe the dichotomy is a useful heuristic tool.

[joejoey]

Literary fiction is a genre
change my mind

[СергейКочевряжин]

One often ignored thing about being into literary fiction is that you tend to acquire certain standards in regards to the quality of prose, density and originality of ideas, etc. that actually make a lot of genre fiction hard to read. I can still read Pratchett, for example, but someone like Karpyshin is off the table at this point.

[thermalnuclearwar]

absolutely obsessed with the way you go the whole video with a polite, calming voice, speaking in well thought out sentences and a reasonable tone, only to end the video with "there's not point shitting on other people's tastes." incredible 10/10

[patrickfye]

This video was made in 2018. When describing dystopia, an empty toilet paper roll was displayed.

Flash forward to 2020...


Great video! Amazing channel!

[bramsrockhopper]

Thank you for finally answering my internal doubts about the genre of my book. I have written a literary novel. Back to the agents I go... Deciding on genre is a dark art!

[EmptyKingdoms]

Nothing beats the mixture.
P.S.: my thoughts are that Douglas Adams and Neil Gaiman perfected the mixture between both ends of the spectrum whilst never reaching them face-first. Now, on the side we have pleasure in reading, on the other, we have challenge. I can escape into linguistic and philosophical questioning just as much as I can really dive into speculative worlds. It is _not_ about escapism vs growth or anything of the like. It is about how much a text wants to flow vs how much it demands me to stop and savor it. And that pertains to any and every text in existence, irrespective of to which category it fits. It is a property of (written) language as a whole. Besides, every text is contextual, it should go without saying.

[j.robertson]

I feel like I'm torn down the middle when it comes to this debate. I like stories with more fantastical elements, but I love beautiful, lush prose and character-driven plot like nothing else. I guess that's why I tend to gravitate towards magical realism. I love the works of Angela Carter and Jeanette Winterson because they balance fantastical elements with beautiful prose and experimental style.

[connorcoltrane]

While I believe I would be doing a disservice to my readers without adding nuance, meaning, and heart to my work, I also experienced the agony of trying to box myself into literary value. For the longest time, I only wrote avant-grarde and artsy work, and every story I produced felt like passing a kidney stone, in addition to it being the same pretentious drivel over and over again. It was only when I allowed myself to write what I wanted that I could produce anything at all, let alone anything that could bring something of substance to the table.

[CrazyDuckie]

This really helped. I've been stuck on what the differences are for a while. And your voice is really pleasant to listen to

[davecenker]

Your final comment is one of the main reasons I write... Fiction is never real but feelings are. After listening to this discussion, I feel as though I understand more about myself. While I naively placed my writing preferences firmly in the romantic fiction genre, I feel like my desire to dive deep into character thoughts and their emotional experiences leads me to embrace literary elements. It does indeed feel like a spectrum, and while I agree that we should write the most compelling story we can, the place where understanding where we lay on this spectrum as authors is in discovery. As a relatively new author (with two self-published novels that are probably 60% genre and 40% literary (if that's possible to assign), knowing where to find readers who are willing to take a chance on you and your style seems to be tightly tied to how you present your book (in terms of cover, blurb, and perhaps most importantly, categories). Do you agree, and do you have any recommendations on how to navigate these uncertain waters? Side note: This video alone has earned a subscribe and notification from one intrigued and interested author who still doesn't know whether he's genre or literary, probably both ;-)

[williamwebster]

One of the single most helpful things I’ve ever heard about writing.