How to Steal From Another Fiction Genre

If you’re writing a novel, then you’re writing a work of fiction, and every novel belongs to at least one fiction genre.

These genres each have their own strengths—from the fast-paced timelines of plot-driven crime fiction, to romance novels with magical elements; from literary fiction that creates feelings readers find hard to name, to the supernatural elements of horror novels... Genre fiction is a joyful playpen for writers, and the best authors borrow elements from many genres to successfully tell their stories.

In this article, The Novelry editor Elizabeth Kulhanek—formerly of Grand Central Publishing, an imprint of Hachette in New York—looks at different fiction genres and provides a breakdown of what the most popular fiction genres bring to the table, and how leaning into their strengths can make you a better writer.

We’ve all heard it—maybe we’ve even said it ourselves: ‘I could write a better book than (Big Bestselling Author).’ Readers and critics alike often dismiss successful genre fiction with a wave of the hand as entertainment rather than art.

But here’s the truth: genre fiction isn’t less than. It’s different. Having a juicy mystery, a scorching romance, or a magical sword at the heart of a novel doesn’t have anything to do with how literary—or not—that novel is. These are simply genre conventions.

More importantly, genre fiction holds invaluable lessons for every kind of writer, whether you’re drafting the next Booker Prize contender or a spicy beach read.

Across the board, there’s one thing that defines genre fiction. It understands the crux of what turns people into readers: the desperate need to find out what comes next. And creating that kind of unputdownable story takes a whole lot of skill!

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular fiction genres and explore how each specific genre can help you write your own novel, regardless of where it might sit in the bookstore once it’s published.

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Mystery, thriller, and crime fiction

Writing skill: pacing and suspense

Mysteries and thriller novels hinge on uncertainty and revelations. These stories employ structure to maximize suspense through strategic clues, carefully withheld information, and well-plotted twists.

Although not every novel has a Mystery with a capital ‘M’ driving the action, every novel should have little mysteries that the reader is reading to find out. More importantly, every writer’s goal should be to get the reader to tear through the pages of their novel with the urgency of someone solving a murder. 

Takeaway

Every story can benefit from suspense, even if it stems from emotion rather than a mystery. Think about what your reader knows, what they want to know, and how long you can hold them in that tension.

There’s one thing that defines genre fiction. It understands the crux of what turns people into readers: the desperate need to find out what comes next. And creating that kind of unputdownable story takes a whole lot of skill!
—Elizabeth Kulhanek

Science fiction and fantasy

Writing skill: imagination and world-building

From the most escapist fantasy novels to stories set in dystopian societies that feel all too plausible, the science fiction and fantasy genre is a masterclass in how to build a world from the ground up. These genres don’t just invite readers into a story—they create an entire reality, complete with scientific or magical rules, culture, and history.

Even if you’re writing contemporary fiction, world-building matters. You’re still crafting a fictional space for your characters to inhabit, so how do you make it feel as real, alive, and believable as possible?

Takeaway

Don’t just describe where your story happens. Think about the physical, emotional, and societal rules of that world. Consistency is key when it comes to world-building, so don’t break your world’s established rules, or you risk losing the reader’s willing suspension of disbelief.

Romance fiction

Writing skill: character connection and emotion

Authors of romance fiction are experts in emotional stakes. They know how to create chemistry from a combination of tension, attraction, and compatibility between the main characters, and they know how to get readers invested in a relationship’s outcome.

The romance genre also tackles one of the hardest literary challenges of all: writing compelling, non-cringeworthy sex scenes that serve both character and story.

Takeaway

If your story includes love or desire—which most do—study how romance novels build genuine connections, tension, and satisfying endings. Make your romantic arcs and character relationships just as nuanced and propulsive as your plot.

Even if you’re writing contemporary fiction, world-building matters. You’re still crafting a fictional space for your characters to inhabit, so how do you make it feel as real, alive, and believable as possible?
—Elizabeth Kulhanek

Historical fiction

Writing skill: setting and modern resonance

Great historical fiction does more than set a story in the past; it makes the past feel as alive and relevant as the present. Through rich detail and strong research, authors of historical novels create vivid environments for an immersive reading experience.

The best historical fiction writers will also draw subtle parallels between history and today’s issues, making readers consider how much—or how little—has changed.

Takeaway

Use setting as a way to engage your reader and enhance a character’s journey. No matter your novel’s subject, ask yourself: why now? What does this story say about today’s society, and what will attract a contemporary audience to it? What fresh element am I bringing to the table along with familiar tropes?

Book club fiction

Writing skill: social relevance and conversation-starters

Book club fiction—sometimes also called upmarket fiction—sits in a sweet spot between literary and commercial fiction. These stories engage with social issues, moral quandaries, or personal transformation in ways that spark discussion. They might have a page-turning plot, but they also ask big questions that don’t always have clear answers. 

Takeaway

Consider how your story taps into broader conversations. Does it engage with current events or issues on some level? What themes might readers debate? What emotional or ethical questions are you raising?

No matter your novel’s subject, ask yourself: why now? What does this story say about today’s society, and what will attract a contemporary audience to it? What fresh element am I bringing to the table along with familiar tropes?
—Elizabeth Kulhanek

Literary fiction

Writing skill: precision in prose

If authors of literary fiction can learn from genre writers, then the reverse is also true! At its best, literary fiction showcases craft. It’s not about using big words—it’s about using the right words. People who write literary fiction interrogate every sentence, asking:

• Is it necessary?
• Is it clear and concise?
• Is it doing emotional or thematic work?

Literary fiction weaves subtle themes that emerge throughout the story, and each sentence contributes to that larger purpose.

Takeaway

No matter what genre you write, take the time to refine your prose. Make every word count. Show, don’t tell, and build themes as an undercurrent that runs through your novel.

And don’t forget: genre-bending fiction

Writing skill: blending elements to make a story worth telling

More and more, we’re seeing writers blend genres (and even subgenres) in their novels to great effect, finding both commercial and literary success. These stories don’t just borrow techniques from different genres; they weave them into their DNA. Think:

• The Ministry of Time (speculative + romance + spy thriller + book club)
• Mexican Gothic (sci-fi/fantasy + horror + historical + gothic)
• The Dream Hotel (literary + SFF)

In fact, the widespread recognition of the romantasy category is a genre-bending success story, thanks to wildly popular novels that blended fantasy and romance. And by the reader demand they created, they encouraged other writers to do the same.

No matter what genre you write, take the time to refine your prose. Make every word count. Show, don’t tell, and build themes as an undercurrent that runs through your novel.
—Elizabeth Kulhanek

When reading genre-bending fiction, consider:

• What elements did the writer borrow from each genre?
• How did they blend them together in a way that felt cohesive rather than disjointed?
• In what ways are they following conventions versus subverting them?
• Finally, do the genre-bending elements narrow the story’s audience to a niche group or widen its appeal to a broader readership?

When fiction genres collide: standout reads

Some recent genre-bending standouts include:

• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
• Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
• The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
• Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
• The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton
• Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
• A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

Whatever kind of writer you consider yourself—especially if you’re still finding out—read outside your comfort zone. Learn the strengths of every genre, and let them make you a better writer. Great storytelling isn’t about fitting into a category—it’s about using every tool available to create a story worth telling.

Edit your novel with Elizabeth Kulhanek

Are you writing a novel and would jump at the chance to receive guidance from a professional editor? Elizabeth loves to work closely with writers at The Novelry to understand their creative vision and help bring it to life through detailed, rigorous, and enthusiastic editorial feedback. Find out more about how you can work with Elizabeth and our professional editing team.

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