Categories in Literature

Hello everyone, 

I'm sharing with you guys my understanding of the categories in contemporary literature in order to help you place your story in the best group.

I hope you guys find this useful. A post about genres will follow soon. 

Thank you and enjoy reading. 

Fiction vs Non-Fiction

By definition, fiction means imaginary, something made-up and it is intended to entertain the reader. You have to read it in order, chapter by chapter, to understand the succession of events and to get to know the characters. 

Nonfiction is factual, intended for the reader to learn from the presented information and it can be read in any order you like. 

Commercial vs Literary Fiction

Commercial fiction consists of the mainstream, more sellable, easy-to-read novels. 

Literary fiction means "meticulously crafted prose that touches upon universal themes and draws readers deep into character and place for an enriching drama". (for more information read:

The age category (audience): the age group of your readers

Picture books: under 5 

These books have a very basic vocabulary for a young child to understand it. Usually, the parents read these stories, then as they grow and start to learn how to read, they can do it themselves. 

Children's books: 5-8

Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are enjoyed by children. 

Middle Grade/MG: 8-12

Middle-grade as a category in literature does not mean middle school. Profanity, graphic violence or sexuality is strictly out of the question. In MG romance it is limited to a crush or a first kiss. The themes focus mainly on friendships and family. 

Young Adult/YA: 13-18

These stories are mostly about coming-of-age, where adolescents begin to transform into adults. They start to figure out how to solve personal problems, they stand up for themselves and learn to take responsibility for their actions. Foul language, graphic violence, romance, and sexuality (except for eroticism) are allowed, and they focus more on self-discovery. 

New Adult/NA: 18-25

The characters explore the challenges of adult life. They make mistakes and lose their way. Common themes include: relationships, moving out, college life, first job, self-identity, new responsibilities, and issues like emotional, physical or substance abuse emerge. 

Adult: 18+

Mostly dominated by erotica, this category appeals to mature readers, delving into topics like political corruption, religious conspiracies, spouse infidelity, divorce, kidnapping, prostitution, and so on.