fiction

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact a deliberately false or improbable account

, here in a painting by Sandro Botticelli, were the goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity and fertility in Greek mythology.]]Fiction is storytelling of imaginationimagined events and stands in contrast to non-fiction, which makes factual claims about reality. A large part of the appeal of fiction is its ability to evoke the entire spectrum of human emotions: to distract our minds, to give us hope in times of despair, to make us laugh, or to let us experience empathy without attachment. Fictional works—novels, short storystories, fairy tales, fables, films, comic bookcomics, interactive fiction—may be partly based on factual occurrences but always contain some imaginary content. The term is also often used synonymously with fictional prose. In this sense, fiction refers only to novels or short stories and is often divided into two categories, popular fiction (e.g., science fiction or mystery fiction) and literary fiction (e.g., Victor Hugo or William Faulkner).Fiction is largely perceived as a form of art and/or entertainment, although not all fiction is necessarily artistic. Fiction may be created for the purpose of educating, such as fictional examples used in school textbooks. Fiction is also frequently instrumentalized by propaganda and advertising. Fiction may be propagated by parents to their children out of tradition (e.g. Santa Claus) or in order to instill certain beliefs and values. Fables with an explicit moral goal are not necessarily targeted at children, however.Fiction may over time blend with factual accounts and develop into mythology. Many atheists perceive religion as no different from any fictional tale, whereas members of religious groups typically explain their beliefs with faith and claim they are fundamentally different from fictional tales (although they may call other religious views fictional). The sociological school of constructivist epistemologyconstructivism argues that every view of reality is fundamentally a construction of the self and that a safe distinction between fact and fiction is impossible, whereas the philosophy of naturalism holds that reality can be approximated and truth can be demonstrated through usefulness, allowing the distinction from fiction.Fiction has often been the target of censorship or boycotts, escalating into book burnings or banned booksbans. Extremist regimes like the Taliban have been even more prohibitive, restricting all reading to religious texts. There is an ongoing debate regarding sexual content in fiction and whether or not juveniles can be safely exposed to it; opponents of fiction with sexual content typically label it pornography. The Internet has had a massive impact on the distribution of fiction, calling into question the feasibility of copyright as a means to ensure royalties are payed to copyright holders. Also digital libraries such as Project_Gutenberg have come into being which make public domain texts more readily available. The combination of inexpensive home computers, the Internet and the creativity of its users has also led to new forms of fiction, such as interactive computer games or computer-generated comics. Countless forums for fan fiction can be found online, where loyal followers of specific fictional realms create and distribute derivative stories. Through open writing systems like wikis, collaboratively written fiction is also becoming possible (see the meta.wikipedia.org - Wikifiction initiative).Fiction is a fundamental part of human culture, and the ability to create fiction and other artistic works is frequently cited as one of the defining characteristics of humanity.

Categories of fiction -

Children's fiction

Crime fiction

* Detective fiction

* Mystery fiction

Fan fiction

Interactive fiction

Literary fiction

Speculative fiction

* Fantasy fiction

* Horror fiction

** Vampire fiction

* Science fiction

Spy fiction

Inspirational fiction

Elements of fiction -

antagonists

conflicts

climax (narrative)climax

fictional charactercharacters

plots

protagonists

resolution

structures

subplots

theme (literary)themes

fictional character

suspension of disbelief

External links -

book.awardannals.com - Most Honored Fiction at the Book Award AnnalsCategory:Fiction!*da:Fiktionde:Belletristiket:I lukirjanduses:Ficcióneo:Belet rofr:Fictiongl:Ficciónhe:בד יוןnl:Fictieja:フィクシ ョンpt:Ficçãosv:Fiktion

Marxbooks
Science fiction and Fantasy collector's editions and recent books. Fiction in all fields available. Reasonable to cheap prices.
http://www.marxbooks.com/

The Site of Big Shoulders
The Site of Big Shoulders is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit online magazine featuring art, writing, photography and music with a Chicago connection.
http://www.sobs.org/

UniversoTv.it
WebTv di Bologna
http://www.universoTv.it

Wrigley-Cross Books
Wrigley-Cross Books specializes in collectible science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery books-both new and used. We carry a large selection of small press titles and many British imports in new books. In addition our inventory includes a variety of non-fiction titles in all categories.
http://www.wrigleycrossbooks.com/

Pippa Kay's Website
Pippa Kay. Freelance writer. Author of two books: Doubt & Conviction: The Kalajzich Inquiry, and Back Stories - an anthology of award winning short stories.
http://www.pippakay.com/

Hourglass Books
Independent publisher of short story anthologies based on a common theme.
http://www.hourglassbooks.com/

http://www.richardmurrin.com
Richard Murrin is a wonderful artist, fabulous paintings of astonomical fact and fiction Painted in oil or acrylic on canvas, this super 'Magic Realist' style heightens the visual senses and creates a full illusion of depth using sensual and spectacular images.
http://www.richardmurrin.com/

Organised Adversary
Anything and everything.
http://www.adversary.org/

Dennis Trudell - Poet / Fiction Writer / Editor
Dennis has recently retired from being an assistant professor of English at the University of Wisconsin. His poems have been published in seven chapbooks and more than a dozen anthologies. He also writes fiction and has a story in a recent O. Henry Prize volume.
http://www.dennistrudell.com

The Otherhood
A science fiction novel trilogy in one riveting book!
http://www.theotherhood.com/

Elastic Press
Independent publisher of short story collections and anthologies.
http://www.elasticpress.com/

Sterling Books
Your English bookshop in the heart of Brussels
http://www.sterlingbooks.be/

Linda K. Sienkiewicz, Artist, Writer
Site has altered book art and contemporary poetry, books by published poet/artist Sienkiewicz, her bio and info on upcoming novel, links to poetry sites
http://www.sienkiewiczlinda.com/

Cynthia Williams Author Website
This is the website for author Cynthia Williams. Cynthia writes romance stories in the science fiction and paranormal subgenres.
http://www.cynthiawilliams.net/

Cozy Book Cellar
Cozy used books at Cozy prices! Specializing in Cozy, Female Sleuth mysteries and British mysteries, SCI-FI, Fantasy, and Young Adult.
http://www.cozybookcellar.com/

Bookwurm - German Book Import, DVD Players, Movies
plus magazines & newspapers, movies, audiobooks, multi-region DVD players, software, board games; import of over 800,000 titles from Germany in 2 weeks; largest selection of German language books for children and teenagers in the US; wide range of school books, teaching material and dictionaries; Audio books for adults and children; extensive software catalog; textbooks for economics, law, medicine, computing and engineering; the latest in German DVDs
http://www.bookwurm.net

The Motion Picture Company.com
Motion Picture and Television development and production company.
http://www.motionpicturecompany.com/

The Athenaeum
The Athenaeum @ xenafiction.net is a huge index of lesbian fiction, fiction related websites, and author resources. The site contains thousands of original works as well as fan fiction works based on the TV series Xena: Warrior Princess. The Athenaeum is fully searchable by author, title, genre, audience, as well as several other categories. New authors welcome.
http://www.xenafiction.net/

Book Seller, Importer, Exporter, Distributor
we are worldwide bookseller, importer, exporters.
http://www.itbytebooks.com/

Jeff Wiens
Jeff Wiens - writer, singer/songwriter, stone sculptor.
http://www.jeffwiens.com/

Dilly Green Bean Games
Dilly Green Bean Games is a Maine owned and operated company. Dedicated to not only the hobby of pen and paper RPGs, we focus on local talent whenever possible.
http://www.dillygreenbeangames.com/

Writers on the Net
Online writing classes, writers' newsletter, groups and more. Since 1995 - the first private writing school on the Net
http://www.writers.com/

Gabe Wexler, Stranger Than Fiction Independent Cinema and Digital Art
Independent Film Maker, Gabe Wexler's site featuring entertaining videos, art, and blogs from the all knowing Gabe Wexler
http://www.strangerthanfictiononline.com/

Rare and antique books
A.W. van Bekhoven Antiquarian Bookseller & Publisher offers a wide range of rare and antique books about: Art, Architecture, Art History, Bibliography & Typography, Flemish and Dutch art, History, Philosophy, Middle Ages Serials & Periodicals, catalogues, and reference books on the same. Our specialised stock has been built up over 40 years and holds thousands of titles. These are offered worldwide. People who are setting up a special collection or library are invited to request our specific stock lists. We are always interested in buying single volumes and whole collections in our field or other antique collectibles.. All antiquarian offers are complete and in mint condition unless otherwise stated. Prices are in American ($) Dollars and ( €) Euros.
http://www.antonbooks.com/

Shaytonian Chronicles
Travel through Shayton's history, characters and places. Shayton is a world of constant change where slaves of a magic past struggle to survive. They will use anything, blood, sex and everyone around them.
http://www.shayton.net/

FandiX
The greatest german encycopedia of Fantasy and Science Fiction
http://www.fandix.de/

Painting, Watercolor, Collage,Film, Fiction
Ron Teachworth's art work, film work, and writing are on display with suporting information.
http://www.ronteachworth.com/

Ink and Colors Limited
International Literary and Illustrators Agency. Offices in London and in Italy.
http://www.inkandcolors.com/

Novel Investigations with J. Carson Black
The official Web site of crime fiction novelist J. Carson Black
http://www.jcarsonblack.com/

Unlikely 2.0
A web-magazine of Politics, Culture, and Art
http://www.unlikelystories.org/

Paul Kiesche Design
A Design, Illustration & Fine Art Company with a creative edge that delivers effective solutions. A Print, Interactive and Identity Design Firm devoted to keeping design an art form. Fresh and imaginative Illustrations that breathe life into any story or design.
http://www.paulkiesche.com/

Standing Waiting
Site specializing in martial arts photography and fiction with a moral angle to it
http://www.standingwaiting.com/

whichbook
Whichbook is a completely new way to choose what to read. Instead of starting with authors and titles, whichbook enables each user to build the elements of that elusive 'good read' we are all looking for but don't know how to define. Subtle in its judgments and fun to use, whichbook takes readers to books they would not have thought of trying otherwise.
http://www.whichbook.net/

Enormous Publications
Website of fantasy / figure artist Brad Simpson
http://www.enormouspublications.com/

Vincent Calvino P.I. Series by Christopher G. Moore
Intelligent and articulate, Moore offers a rich, passionate and original take on the private eye game [that] fans of the genre should definitely investigate, and that fans of foreign intrigue will definitely enjoy. --Kevin Burton Smith, January Magazine Christopher G. Moore's Vincent Clavino P.I. Series began with the first novel set in Bangkok Spirit House in 1992. The 3rd Calvino novel Zero Hour in Phnom Penh won the German Critics Award for Crime Fiction (Deutscher Krimi Preis) for best international crime fiction in 2004. The latest in this on-going series is Pattaya 24/7 (No. 8). Calvino novels have been translated into several languages, including French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Norwegian and Thai. Vincent Calvino is a likeable ex-lawyer from New York who's given up practice to turn P.I. in Southeast Asia, where he finds himself in the labyrinth of local politics, double-dealing and fleeting relationships. Unlike typical tough-guy sleuths, Calvino admits he would never survive without his guardian angel, his Shakespear-quoting and saxophone-playing buddy, Colonel Pratt, an honest and well-connected Thai cop who helps him find hidden forces, secret traps and ways to keep him alive in a foreign land. The Vincent Calvino P.I. series has drawn comparisons to literary masters. January Magazine said, Moore's work recalls the international 'entertainments' of Graham Greene or John le Carre, but the hard-bitten worldview and the cynical, bruised idealism of his battered hero is right out of Chandler. Japan Times described Calvino as: Hewn from the hard-boiled Dashiell Hammet/Raymond Chandler model, Calvino is a tough, somewhat tarnished hero with a heart of gold.
http://www.vincentcalvino.com/

Woven Strings Publishing
Publisher of books and e-books.
http://www.wovenstrings.com/

T. L. Cooper
Showcase of T. L. Cooper's writing including a sample chapter from her novel, All She Ever Wanted, short stories, poetry, and a sample chapter from her upcoming novel, Red. Periodic replacement of the short stories and poetry mean there’s often something new for visitors to read.
http://www.tlcooper.com

The Official Website for author, Vicki M. Taylor
Award winning author, Vicki M. Taylor writes dramatic fiction with strong, unforgettable women characters. Vicki M. Taylor attacks the hard issues and brings them to the forefront with a deftness that outshines most other authors. Her ability to sink her teeth into these headline issues and pull the reader into the story makes her one of the best authors of this new century. No issue is too controversial for Vicki. Murder, teenage suicide, domestic violence and more, you'll find Vicki M. Taylor's stories not only give you the harsh realities of the character's life but she wraps you up in their private emotional lives as well - daring you to not care, not feel, not read.
http://www.vickimtaylor.com/

viZoo - Advanced Video Design
With viZoo you can create the perfect illusion in Free Format™. A free-floating hologram which looks absolutely true to life - reminding many people of the Star Wars series.
http://www.vizoo.com/

Tynasian Dreams
Homesite of the Heroic and Dark Fantasy writer Robert J Clark
http://www.tynash.com/

BookLoons
BookLoons has thousands of searchable book reviews across genres (updated weekly), columns, contests, online reading, and sections for Teens and Children.
http://www.bookloons.com/

SCIFI.com
Site of the Cable TV Science Fiction Channel. Features an extensive magazine, fiction archive, web directory, book reviews and bulletin board system.
http://www.scifi.com/

Truth Or Fiction
An email reality check for e-rumors, viruses, and internet hoaxes.
http://www.truthorfiction.com/

SFWA Webring
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Webring. For members only.
http://www.sfwa.org/

The English Server
Includes a variety of literature-related materials, including etext archives of prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction; links.
http://eserver.org/