Authored by Ava Riney, UNG Press Intern
Works of literature by and about people who live in the Southern United States have created a unique genre that is important for telling stories about the South that extend beyond a standard American History lesson. Southern fiction in particular offers an opportunity to expand societal knowledge of Southern culture and introduce new perspectives on what it’s like living in the South. Through this genre, the South can break free from the limitations, stereotypes, and stigmas that have been associated with the region throughout history. Southern literature shows what the South can offer to the rest of the world.
What is new Southern fiction?
New Southern fiction is an emerging genre that focuses on values, settings, and conflicts that are important in the American South. There are various subgenres under this umbrella such as Southern gothic, noir, horror, romance, and crime fiction. These subgenres may seem like they are vastly different, but they all qualify as Southern when they share commonalities in not only a setting in the South but also Southern themes, values, and language. In recent years, the classic Southern fiction genre has resurged as new titles under this name keep appearing. This modernized genre encompasses a lot of the same themes as the traditional genre, but updates them to become more relatable for readers today. Emerging authors use classics like To Kill a Mockingbird, The Secret Life of Bees, The Help, and Southern literature pioneers William Faulkner and Flannery O’Connor’s works as blueprints for new novels because they hold such an iconic and successful place in literature. Since new novels will inherently be compared to these models, it is important for authors to pay homage to the classics while still creating something new and refreshing.
What are some common characteristics of new Southern fiction?
New Southern fiction tackles a lot of relatable themes, including family, racism, religion, social justice, resilience, humanity, diversity, love, and loss. The South was built on tradition, community, and religion, and new Southern fiction titles reflect those values, but this emerging genre also opens the door to diversity and changing perspectives in the South. There are still traditional religious and cultural practices, undertones of Southern hospitality, and a vast sense of community and connection present, but there is also room for those who challenge the status quo and encourage others to accept those who are different than them. Southern literature is not limited to the racial and political struggles that defined the South in the past. The genre has evolved to include more individual stories, focusing on everyday people and their conflicts with self, society, and other struggles.
Most novels in this genre are set in quintessential Southern landscapes like the Appalachian Mountains, the Outer Banks, the Mississippi River deltas and marshes, rural farms, and small towns. These settings helped create the South’s customs and identity, so they are fundamental in building new Southern fiction’s heart and soul. When a book is fully immersed in one, or several, of these settings, it gives the whole work a certain vibe and atmosphere that draws the reader into that world, even if they’ve never been there physically. Thus, the setting is a fundamental part of the reading experience—a detailed, authentic Southern setting could be harsh or inviting, but either way, it should make the reader feel something. Settings are not only useful for transporting readers but also for giving the entire story depth; a well-written setting is the foundation for character and thematic development by adding layers of history to the story.
A common staple character in new Southern fiction is a matriarch or other strong female. Women are such integral parts of most Southern families; they are often the glue keeping a family, or whole community, together or the one who is maintaining customs and ancestral ties and nurturing her community. Themes often present themselves through the matriarchal figure teaching the other characters life lessons. Another common character is the one who steps up and challenges societal norms. This character often helps to develop the narrative that family ties and traditions are important, but that does not mean generational prejudice and injustice are acceptable.
New Southern fiction authors also utilize specific dialects and phrases that are commonly used in the South. There are distinct accents and expressions used in the South that are reflected in this genre’s dialogue. Idioms like “‘til the cows come home,” phrases like “over yonder,” “bless your heart,” and “fixin’ to,” and contractions like “y’all” and “ain’t” are frequently used in the South’s verbal and written communication. This language gives Southern fiction a unique tone and voice that connects with audiences who may have ties to the South.
How is this genre different from traditional Southern literature?
New Southern fiction distinguishes itself from traditional southern literature by taking those classic themes and updating them in order to discuss the current struggles many face in the South today. This updated genre focuses on racial and cultural memory rather than historical conflicts, often implementing elements of Appalachian, African, Native American, Cuban, and Creole cultures into the heart of its stories. Current issues regarding environmental degradation, poverty, inequality, drug trafficking, and migration are frequent themes as well.
What are some examples of works in this genre?
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey
- Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride by Will Leitch
- All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
- The Floating Girls by Lo Patrick
- The Saints of Swallow Hill by Donna Everhart
These are all recent additions to the new Southern fiction genre. They take place all across the South, but they share themes of resilience, survival, coming of age, friendship, and family. Several of these titles are also heavily about nature and its beauty, mystery and secrets, and the risks of isolation.
What should authors know before publishing in this genre?
In order to make a story stand out, find a unique and refreshing voice and perspective on a current issue. Being authentic and relatable in developing the book’s themes and conflicts can go a long way in garnering attention for a novel. Authors should also use genuine characters, immersive settings, and modern issues to frame their work.
There are also developing trends authors should be aware of in this genre. Magical realism and crime fiction are taking off as subgenres in new Southern fiction. There is also a wide call for diverse characters from different racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. The South is constantly evolving, so the new Southern fiction genre should be, too.
If you’re interested in publishing your new Southern fiction book, the UNG Press is currently accepting trade queries from June through August 2025. View our submission guidelines here for more details.