Contemporary fiction spans several genres, including literary fiction. This mainstay of fiction is rooted in the creation and rise of the novel itself, which grew in popularity in the 19th century. At this time, writers like Charles Dickens, Charlotte Brontë, and Jane Austen helped popularize literary novels. Many of them were published serially, meaning chapters were released gradually, like episodes of modern-day television programs.

As the name implies, literary fiction focuses on plausible scenarios that are true-to-life, rather than the imaginative worlds of fantasy, horror, or science fiction. It is character-driven, meaning that the inner lives and struggles of the characters are what create momentum and meaning in the narrative. The character’s unique person, including their flaws, are shaped by their race, culture, family, and other societal forces. Plot and action is secondary to how the characters feel, what they believe, how they interact with the world, and how they are impacted by the circumstances that unfold in the narrative. Structure, too, can be highly important to realistic fiction and innovative managing of time—including non-linear elements of narrative or foreshadowing and flashback—are not uncommon. In addition, the writing

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