There are many non-fiction genres but people don’t give it too much thought at first. I guess it’s because the genre breakdowns aren’t as exciting as fiction. Even still, I think they’re pretty cool!
Whether or not it’s nonfiction or non-fiction (can someone help me? I really don’t know), if you want to publish a not fiction book it’s important to understand at least the basic breakdown of the genre.
Non-fiction genres
Let’s start with a big list of common non-fiction genres. Ones you’ve probably already thought of.
- Journalism
- Essay
- Biography
- Memoir
- Science
- Technical
- Opinion (also called op-ed)
- History
You still with me? Straightforward, ish.
But maybe you’re wondering why genre matters, why we’re talking about it at all.
If you want to be a freelance writer, knowing the difference between non-fiction genres will be a great asset!
First reason: you will know what type of writing you do (I write bios or I write history, for example).
Second reason: you will know what types of publications to pitch your writing to. If you write op-eds, for example, you’ll go to publications that publish op-eds. Not everyone does so it pays to know this before you pitch!
Third reason: if you’re thinking of writing a book one day, word count changes based on your genre. Yes, in non-fiction genres too! Understanding what you’re writing will make all the difference.
Don’t worry, we can go deeper
Once you dive into the wonderful world of non-fiction writing you can get into the nuance of the craft.
Going deeper and refining your writing style by genre makes you a stronger all-around writer. It also allows you to offer more specialized services to your clients.
And, thus, charge more for your expertise.
Here are a few more examples to get your wheels turning. For the complete list head on over to Wikipedia.
- Creative nonfiction
- Dictionary/Encyclopedia/Thesaurus
- Textbook
- Theology
- Philosophy
- Handbook/Guide/Manual
- Letter
- Literary criticism
- Academic
Yes these are all legitimate genres and ways you can write for money. So think big, think outside the standardized package and lean into your natural strengths.
Extra reading: What is Prescriptive Non-Fiction?
You may also like
- How to Write a Non-Fiction Book Proposal
- How to Brainstorm Ideas for Writing
- What If My Book Idea Isn’t a Book?
- 8 Literary Podcasts for Book Lovers
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