When it comes to understanding trade fiction versus commercial fiction, it’s easy to get confused—they’re often used interchangeably, but there’s a subtle difference that’s worth noting.
What is Trade Fiction?
Trade fiction is essentially any book you’d find in a bookstore or online, aimed at a general audience.
It’s a broad category that covers everything from literary masterpieces to your favorite mystery series.
The term “trade” is more about where the book is sold and who it’s sold to—think general public, not academics or professionals.
What is Commercial Fiction?
Commercial fiction, on the other hand, is all about broad appeal and high sales.
These are the books that fly off the shelves because they’re page-turners, whether it’s a gripping thriller, a heartwarming romance, or an epic fantasy.
The focus here is on plot, pacing, and pure entertainment value—basically, these books are designed to be unputdownable.
So What’s the Overlap?
Here’s the key: all commercial fiction is trade fiction, but not all trade fiction is commercial fiction.
Trade fiction is the big umbrella that covers everything sold to the general public, while commercial fiction is that shiny, accessible subset that’s geared towards mass appeal and blockbuster sales.
I hope this clears up any confusion you might have between trade fiction and commercial fiction.
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