Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-21/stella-prize-best-australian-writing-by-women-shortlist-guide/12058776
The word contemporary means living, belonging to or occurring in the present. So when we talk about contemporary literature, we are talking about literature that is being written in the now about the now. But what does the now encompass?
Contemporary literature is defined as literature written after World War II through the current day. While this is a vague definition, there is not a clear-cut explanation of this concept -- only interpretation by scholars and academics. While there is some disagreement, most agree that contemporary literature is writing completed after 1940.
Works of contemporary literature reflect a society's social and/or political viewpoints, shown through realistic characters, connections to current events and socioeconomic messages. The writers are looking for trends that illuminate societal strengths and weaknesses to remind society of lessons they should learn and questions they should ask. So when we think of contemporary literature, we cannot simply look at a few themes or settings. Since society changes over time, so do the content and messages of this writing.
Realistic Fiction Subgenres | Mrs Picciuti's Blog
Realistic Fiction Books for Kids & Teens: A Beginner's Guide | Book Riot
A Beginner's Guide to Writing Realistic Fiction | Self-Publishing School
How to Write a Gripping Contemporary Nocel that Readers Can't Put Down | Abbie Emmons: Make Your Story Matter
10 Thoughts on Writing a Contemporary Novel | A Writer of History
5 Tipes for Writing Engaging Contemporary Fiction | SFUNCUBE
53 Contemporary Writing Prompts | Self-Publishing School
8 Creative Writing Prompts for Your Contemporary World | Amanda Kassner: Writing Life
Stop Using the First Person! | Gotham Writers Toolbox
Source: https://escapetoromance.com/types-romance-novels/
Contemporary Romance is a subgenre of romance novels, generally set contemporaneously with the time of its writing. The largest of the romance novel subgenres, contemporary romance novels usually reflect the mores of their time. Heroines in the contemporary romances written prior to 1970 usually quit working when they married or had children, while those novels written after 1970 usually have, and keep, a career. As contemporary romance novels have grown to contain more complex plotting and more realistic characters, the line between this subgenre and the genre of women's fiction has blurred.
Most contemporary romance novels contain elements that date the books, and the majority of them eventually become irrelevant to more modern readers and go out of print. Those that survive the test of time, such as the works of Jane Austen are often reclassified as historical romances.
