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Figure out which classification best suits your novel!

Are You Writing Commercial, Literary, Or Upmarket Fiction?

Does your novel have a straight-forward hook?

Does your novel adhere to genre-specific tropes?

Does your novel include complex themes intended to make the reader pause and think?

Does your novel prioritize accessibility of language over creativity?

Commercial fiction puts the reader first. The message of the novel is usually directly tied to the protagonist’s journey and the plot: as both unfold, readers should be able to absorb themes or messages with relative ease.  
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You're writing commercial fiction

It’s usually up to the reader to read between the lines to figure out the message being conveyed in literary fiction. It also tends to put strong emphasis on character development and creative form and language, sometimes even over the plot.   
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You're writing literary fiction

While addressing universal themes or complex concepts with finely-crafted prose, upmarket fiction also ensures accessibility to the general public. It generally strives to be both approachable and poignant.  
Photo by [Green Chameleon](https://unsplash.com/photos/s9CC2SKySJM?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash) on Unsplash

Are You Writing Commercial, Literary, Or Upmarket Fiction?

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