If you're a writer preparing to publish a book—whether you're going the indie or traditional route—one of the most important steps you can take is learning how to properly classify your book. We're talking genre, subgenre, category, and tropes. It might not sound glamorous, but it can be the difference between a book that gets seen, read, and loved... and one that sinks into obscurity.
Genre is often the first thing a potential reader will use to decide whether or not your book is for them. Romance. Thriller. Fantasy. Horror. Mystery. Sci-Fi. Each of these comes with a built-in promise. If your book doesn’t deliver on that promise—or worse, if you mislabel it—you’ll lose the trust of your readers.
For example, a romance reader expects a central love story and a satisfying, happy ending. If your story ends with one lover dying tragically and no hope in sight, you’re not selling a romance—you’re selling a tragedy with romantic elements. Misclassify it, and you might end up with a lot of one star reviews...event if you've written an excellent book.Then, within each genre, there are subgenres and categories that help narrow down your ideal audience. For instance, romance alone includes:
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Contemporary
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Historical
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Romantic Suspense
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Paranormal
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BDSM
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LGBTQ+
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Dark Romance
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Romcom
Each of these has its own readership, tone, pacing, and expectations. Identifying the right subgenre helps your book show up in the right Amazon categories, get recommended in the right Goodreads lists, and reach readers looking for exactly what you're offering.
Tropes Are the Reader’s Shopping List
Tropes aren’t clichés—they’re storytelling tools. And readers love them.
Enemies to lovers. Fake dating. Second chance romance. Grumpy/sunshine. Forced proximity. Secret baby. These are all tropes that readers specifically seek out, or avoid, when choosing their next read. They go on TikTok and search for “books with forbidden love” or browse Amazon looking for “slow burn romance.”
If you know your book includes certain tropes, use them. Mention them in your blurb, add them to your metadata, and highlight them in your marketing. You’re not giving away the plot—you’re signaling that your book checks the boxes a specific reader is craving.
Why It Matters
When you understand your book’s genre and tropes, you can:
- Target ads more effectively
- Craft a compelling blurb
- Pitch to influencers and bloggers
- Choose the right keywords and categories
- Create social media content
Writers often think of their books in terms of themes or characters, but readers shop based on genre and tropes. If you want your book to find its audience, you need to speak their language.
So before you hit publish, ask yourself:
What is the primary genre and subgenre?
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What tropes are at play?
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What reader expectations am I meeting?
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Where does my book fit?
Because when your book is in the right hands, marketing feels less like shouting into the void—and more like connecting with the people who were waiting for your story all along.