These two genres are closely associated with each other, but they’re quite different in some aspects. Here, we’ll try to understand the difference between these two genres.

Supernatural fiction

This genre involves elements that mostly operate outside the rules of the world that we live in. They can’t be understood by applying scientific principles or logic. Supernatural fiction generally deals with matters related to god, the archangels, resurrection, and souls. The sub-genres of supernatural fiction include supernatural horror fiction. Let’s take the work of H.P. Lovecraft for instance.

His books are usually based around the idea of cosmicism. It suggests that in the vast cosmos, humanity is rather insignificant. The humans could be wiped out at any moment. Lovecraft was popular for incorporating elements of science fiction and fantasy into his stories. Cosmicism was also his personal philosophy and a vital theme in his works of fiction.

Another example of supernatural fiction would be the Gothic ghost stories. You can also take other supernatural thrillers that come under the horror genre. We can take Frankenstein as a case study here. Although it includes elements of the Romantic and Gothic novels, many regard it as the first true science-fiction.

The central character of the story takes a deliberate decision. Then he turns to modern lab experiments to achieve the desired result. The novel Frankenstein greatly influenced the world of literature and popular culture.

Paranormal fiction

This genre of literary fiction generally includes creatures that are popular in fairy tales and folklore. Some of the examples of such creatures include aliens, fairies, undead, and the shapeshifters. Paranormal fiction has supernatural beings and phenomena that cannot be explained with the help of science. In other words, they’re usually beyond the realm of the natural world that we live in.

Its sub-genres are paranormal romance, fantasy romance, urban fantasy, and paranormal fantasy. This genre has given many New York Times best-selling audiobooks and hardcovers in recent times. The storylines generally focus on characters who are young adults and fall in love with a paranormal being.

Difference between supernatural and paranormal fiction

There are many who use supernatural and paranormal fiction genres interchangeably. These genres also have a close association with each other. Despite this, there are subtle differences between the two. The term ‘paranormal’ refers to the phenomena or beings that are beyond the realm of scientific understanding. It also suggests that science could potentially explain those phenomena or beings one day.

You’ll come across zombies, aliens, werewolves, and ghosts in the paranormal genre. It also includes phenomena such as time travel and telepathy. Supernatural refers to phenomena that are always beyond the realm of scientific explanation. The examples would be god, souls, and afterlife.

About fantasy novels

Fantasy novels generally include supernatural creatures and elements of the paranormal. The ideal examples would be J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. In the literary world, the debate still goes on about the contemporary fantasy genres. The debate is whether they fall into the category of supernatural or paranormal or not.

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1. Beloved is based on a real story

A 1987 novel written by Toni Morrison, Beloved tells the tale of a family whose home is haunted. The house is haunted by the ghost of the eldest daughter of Sethe, a former slave. This book is actually based on a real story. Margaret Garner had escaped to the free state of Ohio in the mid-19th century.

When the U.S. marshals stormed into her cabin, they found her attempting to kill her children. By that time, she had already killed her two-year-old daughter to prevent her from being taken as a slave. When Garner had to face trial, she said that she would do it again.

2. Shirley Jackson never believed in ghosts

Shirley Jackson was an American writer who was famous for her mystery and horror novels. Her novel, The Haunting of Hill House came out in 1959. Many consider the novel as one of the best ghost stories ever written. Interestingly, the story was not based on any of her personal experiences.

Neither was it based on any supernatural beliefs. Instead, the story was based on the historical accounts given by people who had lived in haunted homes.

3. Charles Dickens was a ghost hunter himself

Many consider Charles Dickens as one of Victorian era’s greatest novelists. Now you might think that ghost-hunting is a fairly new thing. Well, Charles Dickens was a ghost-hunter in real life. He was one of the early members of a paranormal investigation and research organization called ‘The Ghost Club’. His interest in paranormal investigation might’ve been the inspiration behind his novella A Christmas Carol.

4. Stephen King fears the number 13

If you have a fear of the number 13, you’re not alone. Even the great American author, Stephen King, has an irrational fear of this number. In fact, there are millions of people in this world who suffer from this fear. As there have been many reports of this phenomenon, it has even got a name – triskaidekaphobia.

Those who suffer from this phobia associate the number with danger or bad luck. This superstition prevents them from staying in hotel rooms with the number 13. They even avoid the 13th floor of a building.

5. Artwork in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark originally came out on the 14th of October, 1981. Written by Alvin Schwartz, the book had artwork in charcoal and ink by Stephen Gammell. The book has sold millions of copies until now, but Stephen Gammell’s artwork is often praised more.

Some had even termed the artwork as ‘nightmarish’. The stories in the book have been subject to heavy criticism for their macabre topics. They include cannibalism, murder, and disfigurement. Nevertheless, its illustrator Stephen Gammell went on to win a Caldecott Medal for his lighter illustrations.

6. Mexican Gothic is based on an actual town

This Gothic horror novel written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia came out in 2020. A real town located in the middle part of Mexico served as an inspiration for the novel. The name of that town is Mineral del Monte or Real del Monte. The Spanish chose this town during those times for mining. In the 19th century, the British arrived here and started their mining activities. This earned it the nickname ‘Little Cornwall’.

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