It depends. There are realistic fiction books with imaginary countries, see The Princess Diaries for a good example.
If the new country is made up and part of the larger, real world, it's probably historical.
If the country is made up to set up for different politics, it's probably alternate history.
If the country is made up out of laziness so you don't have to do any research, I would advise you to reconsider.
I'm deliberately vague about this country's connections to the "real world", but yeah, I guess you could see it as a part of our own world. Or rather, it could have been a real country in the real world.
My decision to write about a fictitous country was NOT a deliberate excuse to not have to do any research. I started writing these stories thirteen years ago, when I was only sixteen years old, and I never saw it in any other way.
edited 13th Apr '14 11:08:20 PM by Furienna
The Hungry Student
Broadly speaking, you're quite right, this qualifies as low fantasy. But to be more specific, it sounds to me like you're either writing historical fantasy, if it incorporates elements of 19th Century culture, society and geopolitical dynamics that anyone familiar with the age would recognize, or you could be writing a sort of highly specialized urban fantasy if it takes place in a developed city or other population center. Just remember that literary subgenres aren't absolute and their definitions are highly fluid; I wouldn't worry about finding a precise niche for what you're working on to fit into!
Just to clarify, are these stories you speak of available to be read anywhere? I might be able to give you a better answer if I could skim them myself.
I will think of something witty and profound to stick down here. Some day
My own bet at the moment is on Low Fantasy, but without any supernatural elements. Urban Fantasy and Historical Fantasy not only seem like they have to take place in a real historical setting, but they also have some fantasy elements.
The country in my stories is similar to several real world countries, most notably Sweden and Russia. Many things, which would be found in a real life 19th century setting, also appear in these novels. But still, this country has its own culture and its own history.
As I'm writing in Swedish (as I come from Sweden), I'm afraid it would be hard for you to read what I've written (unless I translate some for you). But you may ask me more questions, if you like.
edited 14th Apr '14 1:49:45 AM by Furienna
The Hungry Student
Technically that isn't true, both genres can occur in a fictitious realm and the supernatural aspect is optional as well. Personally, I'd just pick whatever genre you feel fits best!
edited 14th Apr '14 4:56:55 AM by gingerman
I will think of something witty and profound to stick down here. Some day
Okay... I guess I will call it Historical Fantasy then.
Apparition in the Woods
You know, you don't have to call it anything. A story is a story; genre is merely a descriptor.
If I had to put a name onto what you are writing, it probably falls under the domain of speculative historical fiction, which is to say historical fiction about imaginary places or situations.
I'll hide your name inside a word and paint your eyes with false perception.
Ah yes, that sounds like another possibility.
I have no idea, but it sounds a bit like whatever genre this book called 'Fly by Night' would be. I read it when I was a kid, and I just checked on Goodreads, and they call it fantasy and historical fiction, which is probably no help at all to you. I know they had problems putting a genre on that book too.
I'd look more at the plot, to be honest, and just call it a mystery or drama or comedy or whatever, if you really have to put it into some sort of genre.
Do you mean "Fly by night" by KM Peyton (which seems to be about a girl and her horse) or "Fly by night" by Larry Niven (a Science Fiction short-story)? As for myself, I can just come up with two other works, which are somewhat similar to what I've writing. "Shardik" by Richard Adams gives the hero Kelderek a strange connection to a bear, but other than that, it's very much "realistic fantasy". "Elske" by Cynthia Voigt was similar as well, if I remember correctly.
I sure don't write mystery or comedy. It would be more like romance or drama.
edited 20th Apr '14 2:40:26 AM by Furienna
Browsing through The Other Wiki, I found this genre: Hard fantasy.
No, it's by Frances Hardinge, it's a kid's book, but world-wise, that's what your book reminded me of. You might be right on the hard fantasy one, possibly, I'm not the best judge. XD
Okay, I now managed to find some information about it. It sounds a bit similar to my works, but can you tell me a little more about it? Like how similar is that universe to the real world in the same era? Is it an universe, that could have existed in real life?
edited 25th Apr '14 5:59:28 PM by Furienna
Fantasy writer turned Filmmaker.
Allow me to point out: Gaslamp Fantasy. Does that cover what you're thinking of?
Award-winning screenwriter. Directed some movies. Trying to earn a Creator page. I do feedback here.
That depends. Must it have magic in it?
I've never been able to get a clear answer on this. My stories take place in the 19th century, but as the country is a fictitious one, it can't be historical fiction. I assume that it's some kind of fantasy, but I want to pinpoint the exact sub-genre. For a moment, I thought it could be Steampunk, because the environment is right. But my stories aren't really about technology, and they have no sci-fi elements. But neither do they have any actual fantasy elements, like magic or dragons or elves. It's a very realistic world, except that it the story takes place in a fictitous country. Can it be some kind of Low Fantasy? That sub-genre seems to be more realistic than High Fantasy, and it maybe doesn't even have to contain any magic. Or have I invented a completely new genre?
edited 14th Apr '14 1:24:10 AM by Furienna