Publishing categories can refer to the method of publication or the genre of the work being published. For aspiring authors, understanding both is crucial for choosing the right path to bring their work to an audience.
Publishing methods
The publishing method defines the business relationship between the author and the publisher, and how the book is financed, produced, and distributed. The three primary methods are traditional, self-, and hybrid publishing.
Traditional publishing
The original and oldest model, where an author sells the rights to their work to a publisher, often through a literary agent.
Benefits: The publisher handles all costs for editing, design, marketing, and distribution. The author receives an advance against royalties.
Drawbacks: This path can be very difficult and slow, with publishers accepting only a small percentage of submitted manuscripts. The author gives up a significant amount of control.
Self-publishing
The author takes on all responsibilities and costs for editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing.
Benefits: The author retains full ownership and control over their work and keeps 100% of the profits. The timeline is entirely up to the author.
Drawbacks: The author must bear all financial risk and marketing workload. Self-published works may not achieve the same level of market visibility as traditionally published ones.
Hybrid publishing
This model blends traditional and self-publishing, with the author and publisher sharing the costs and risks.
Benefits: The author retains more control and receives a higher royalty rate than in a traditional deal. The publisher provides professional editing and design services.
Drawbacks: The author must pay an upfront fee for the publishing package. It is critical to vet hybrid presses, as many vanity presses—unreputable companies that charge authors simply to print their books—masquerade as hybrids.
Genre categories
Genre is the type or category of literature, and is generally split between fiction and non-fiction. Each of these broad categories contains numerous subgenres, which serve to classify a book for both marketing and writing purposes.
Fiction genres
Fantasy: Stories that feature magical elements, mythical creatures, or imaginary worlds, such as J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
Science Fiction: Stories often set in the future or alternate universes, exploring advanced technology and scientific concepts, such as Isaac Asimov's Foundation series.
Mystery: Narratives that involve solving a crime, often featuring a detective character. A classic example is Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express.
Thriller: Stories focused on suspense and excitement, with a high-stakes plot.
These often involve psychological or political drama, like those by David Baldacci.
Romance: Stories centered on a developing love relationship, with a central plot focused on an emotional connection.
Historical Fiction: Stories with fictional characters and events set in a real historical period.
Literary Fiction: Characterized by complex storytelling, a focus on language, and unconventional structure, with an emphasis on internal character development over plot.
Young Adult (YA): Written for readers aged 11–15, though it is also widely read by adults. YA stories often center on coming-of-age themes.
Non-fiction genres
Memoir: A collection of memories from a person's life, typically organized around a specific theme or period, such as Jeannette Walls's The Glass Castle.
Autobiography: The story of a person's entire life, written by that person. It generally follows a chronological timeline.
Biography: An account of someone's life written by another person, usually a well-known figure.
Self-Help: Books that offer guidance and advice for personal growth and problem-solving, such as Robert Greene's The 48 Laws of Power.
True Crime: Detailed accounts of real-life crimes, which have become a very popular genre in recent years, especially with the rise of true-crime podcasts.
History: Covers historical events and subjects, from ancient civilizations to modern conflicts.
Science: Explores scientific topics for a general audience, like Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time.
Cookbooks: A practical guide featuring recipes, cooking instructions, and food-related information.