S. W. Raine

Steampunk/Urban Fantasy Author

Between Realms: Unraveling the Distinction – Contemporary Fantasy vs. Contemporary Fiction

Some of the biggest problems I have with marketing The Elemental’s Guardian are the confusion between Contemporary Fantasy and Urban Fantasy (which I’ve already brought up in this blog post here), and the confusion between Contemporary fantasy and contemporary fiction.

Today, I want to dive into the distinction between contemporary fantasy and contemporary fiction.

While they share the same contemporary setting, these two genres offer distinct experiences for readers that set them apart.

First of all, let me define them.

Contemporary fantasy:
A genre that combines elements of the fantastical with the modern-day world, mixing the extraordinary within the ordinary.

Contemporary fiction:
A genre typically focusing on the lives and experiences of characters in the modern-day world, often exploring themes and issues relevant to modern society, like relationships, family dynamics, identity, social issues, and the human experience.

One of the key aspects that differentiates contemporary fantasy from contemporary fiction is the presence of magic and supernatural elements. While contemporary fiction focuses on the realistic portrayal of everyday life, contemporary fantasy adds enchantment to the narrative. It introduces readers to mythical creatures, magical abilities, or even parallel worlds that coexist with our own.

Another difference is how the setting is used. While contemporary fiction focuses on real-world locations and events as a sense of authenticity and relatability, contemporary fantasy uses familiar settings as a backdrop for extraordinary occurrences, making it feel both recognizable and enchanting.

And because of those, reader experiences and expectations are also vastly different. Readers of contemporary fiction often seek stories that reflect their own lives and address relatable human experiences, while readers of contemporary fantasy are drawn to imaginative elements, magical adventures, and the sense of wonder that comes from exploring fantastical realms.

So there you have it! Did you know the difference between contemporary fiction and contemporary fantasy? Let me know in the comments!

Raine

Leave comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *.