This is probably a really obvious question to some, and I'm definitely about to show my naivety, but is 'literary fiction' a genre?
I'm very confused by this label, and I'm also confused about what genre my own writing falls into. I feel like the phrase is a bit of a catch-all (I'm probably wrong) and I also feel like I'm just writing 'stuff'. I thought this question would be a good place to start on my quest for clarity!
I describe my work as mainstream romance. It has elements of other genres but the story is quite dependent at all times on the relationship between the two main characters. I think it's best to house your work in a wide-ranging genre and leave tags like 'literary' to the critics.
Thanks Victoria, that's very interesting. This is why I am confused to be honest. What you are describing is not a genre at all; it's a status.
The one common theme between the definitions is that it's serious. That's a good starting point. Though this definition still leaves my work in the 'other' category.
I'm afraid I have to entirely disagree, Debbi. My work is character driven and I pride myself that it isn't literary! This is what wikipedia has to say on the matter.
Literary fiction is a term principally used for certain fictional works that are claimed to hold literary merit. Despite the fact that all genres have works that are well written, those works are generally not considered literary fiction. To be considered literary, a work usually must be "critically acclaimed" and "serious".[1] In practice, works of literary fiction often are "complex, literate, multilayered novels that wrestle with universal dilemmas."
Just because someone writes about a serious subject or writes it from a serious viewpoint doesn't mean the work is quality. The term literary fiction can only be applied to something so well-written it is considered a possible classic of our day. The standard of English has to be exceptional, regardless of the style used. That doesn't mean a simplified form can't be used to great effect. A child's viewpoint, though restrained by vocabulary, can be just as exquisite as any other form. I suppose literary fiction is excellence in written language used to tell a thought-provoking tale.
So, as you can appreciate, Chick-lit and action thrillers do usually fall way short, even when they make a comment on modern life.