Books

Family Drama:

Family is important, but sometimes it's also the cause of problems. Family dynamics are fundamental to the narrative. HARD MODE: Involves three or more generations of family members.

There Is Another…:

Not the first in a series. HARD MODE: Series has 5 or more entries.

Mashup:

A combination of two or more genres or non-fiction topics. HARD MODE: Unusual combo, like fantasy thriller.

Among the Stars:

Features space, astronomy, or stardom. HARD MODE: The title references the theme, too.

It Takes Two:

Written by two or more authors. HARD MODE: Written by three or more authors.

Debut Work:

An author’s first work. HARD MODE: The author is widely regarded as having a profound impact on the genre/topic.

Institutional:

Set at a non-commercial institution or facility, like a school, science lab, or prison. HARD MODE: Not a school.

Questions, Complaints, Whines, General Commentary, Shitposting

Older Than You Are

Published before your birthdate. HARD MODE: Published before 1924.

What’s Yours Is Mine:

Theft, piracy, fraud, or espionage is a major topic or plot point. HARD MODE: No MacGuffins.

Bookception:

Features a book-related aspect. HARD MODE: Something other than a book, like an author or library.

ALT - She Blinded Me With Science

The author has a background and degree in a hard science. HARD MODE: More than one post graduate degree.

Eazy, Breazy, Read-zie:

A light, popcorn-worthy read that’s not real deep (see also “beach read” and “airport novel”). HARD MODE: You actually read it while on a vacation/staycation.

ALT - Same Author, New Work

An author you’ve read before, but a series (or standalone) you haven’t. HARD MODE: Give an author you didn’t like a second chance.

Water, Water Everywhere

The title refers to some form or body of water. HARD MODE: Not liquid water.

LGBTQIA+ Lead:

A main character identifies as LGBTQIA+. HARD MODE: Includes a significant romance between characters that identify as LGBTQIA+.

Local to You:

The author lives in or writes about a location local to you (city, state, province, territory, etc.). HARD MODE: The author has spent a significant amount of time there, but wasn't born there.

It's a Holiday:

Takes place during a specific holiday, which is significant to the plot. HARD MODE: Not Christmas, a fictional variation of Christmas, or other winter festival.

Stranger in a Strange Land:

The primary PoV is dropped into a completely unfamiliar situation or location. HARD MODE: Not portal fiction or isekai.

Disability Representation:

A main character has or gains a disability to which they must adapt. This disability must be grounded in reality: if a 4,000 year old Prince of the Shokan lost an arm, that would count; if he became a werewolf, it would not. HARD MODE: The piece is at least partially from their perspective.

ALT - A Change in Perspective

Written in third-person perspective. HARD MODE: Second-person perspective.

Independent Author:

Self-published by the author. Works later published though a conventional publishing house don't count unless you are reading it before the switch, and it's republished before April 30th, 2025. HARD MODE: Not published via Amazon Kindle Direct.