boot camp 2

Historical Fiction Boot Camp


Rated by Helen H.
May 31, 2013

Historical Fiction is set in the past, either before the author’s birth or at least 50 years in the past. The main characters are generally fictional but the settings are usually real and attempt to accurately capture the history, manners and social conditions of the times. Attention to historical facts and detail is imperative.

Get reading some of our favorite essential picks from the Historical Fiction genre »

Follow along with us on Facebook this month for an in-depth introduction to the Historical Fiction genre. Each month we’re suggesting books, posting quizzes and infographics, and

Mystery Boot Camp


Rated by Helen H.
May 1, 2013

A mystery is a work of fiction in which readers are asked to help solve a puzzle. An element of crime mixed with an element of detection are the two essential ingredients. A crime is committed, an investigator follows clues, and the criminal is brought to justice.

Because mystery centers on a crime and its subsequent resolution, story is a strong appeal of this genre. The investigator is immersed in the details of the crime, and thus, the appeal of the main character cannot be overemphasized. Many character types have been allowed into the detective club:  police detective, private

Horror Boot Camp


Rated by Helen H.
Feb 27, 2013

Follow along with us on Facebook this month for an in-depth introduction to the Horror genre. Each month we’re suggesting books, posting quizzes and infographics, and generally stirring up discussion about your favorite genres.  All you need is a Facebook page – no extra sign-up necessary.

During the month of March we'll be discussing Horror. As one leg of the tripod of speculative fiction, the primary function of horror is to elicit feelings of fear from the reader.  This is achieved through an atmosphere of menace with a dark and foreboding tone. While this can be mundane in nature, it