BISAC Subject Headings List

Use the information provided here to determine the specific codes that describe your book. An asterisk (*) denotes a new heading for the current year’s edition. Not sure how to select your code? Check out our FAQ.

If you can't find the code you're looking for after reviewing all the pages below, we recommend you use whatever codes currently best represent your book. If you want to suggest a new code for future BISAC additions, you can submit a suggestion here.

To download and incorporate this list into your databases and systems, you’ll need to purchase an End Users' License Agreement

FICTION

Use subjects in this section only for individual works of fiction or for collections of fiction. Critical works should be assigned subjects in the LITERARY CRITICISM section (and should not be assigned any subjects in the FICTION section).

"FICTION / Anthologies (multiple authors)" and "FICTION / Short Stories (single author)" may be used with other subjects as appropriate: for example, a collection of ghost stories by several authors could be assigned "FICTION / Ghost" and "FICTION / Anthologies (multiple authors)" (it is recommended that the subject describing the genre be assigned first). Note that several genres have a subsubheading of "Collections & Anthologies", thus lessening the need for multiple coding.

"FICTION / Classics" and "FICTION / Literary" should be used at the classifier's discretion to denote works generally considered to be classics or of literary value.

Use "FICTION / Media Tie-In" when a new ISBN is created and this ISBN represents one of the following:

  • a work (or works) of fiction re-issued because of a movie/television sho
  • a novelization of a movie
  • a novelization (or collection of stories) based on an episode (or episodes) of a television show
  • an original story (or collection of stories) using characters or settings from (or based on) a movie/television show

Existing ISBNs that become the basis for a movie or television show do not have to be re-coded.  It is recommended that when "FICTION / Media Tie-In" is used, another subject be assigned as well.

"FICTION / Own Voices" is intended for works where the main characters(s) are from a marginalized, minority, or under-represented group and where the author is a member of the group being written about.

"FICTION / Women" is intended for fictional narratives centered on women and their struggles, which eventually lead to their personal growth.  The heading is not intended to be used to describe the author of the work or the targeted audience of the work.

Subjects beginning with "FICTION / World Literature" are intended for works written by authors commonly identified as being from the country or region specified.  They are not meant to indicate the setting or language (original or translated) of a book.  For example, "FICTION / World Literature / Portugal" would be used for works by authors from Portugal (and not for authors from other Portuguese-speaking countries) regardless of the language or setting of the book.  For multinational authors, or authors not associated with the country in which they were born, use your discretion in deciding which location the author is most commonly identified with.

FIC000000

FICTION / General

FIC064000

FICTION / Absurdist

FIC002000

FICTION / Action & Adventure

 

FICTION / Action & Adventure / Fantasy see Fantasy / Action & Adventure

 

FICTION / Action & Adventure / Romance see Romance / Action & Adventure

FIC075000

FICTION / Adaptations & Pastiche

 

FICTION / Adventure see Action & Adventure

FIC049000

FICTION / African American & Black / General

FIC049010

FICTION / African American & Black / Christian

FIC049030

FICTION / African American & Black / Erotica

FIC049040

FICTION / African American & Black / Historical

FIC049050

FICTION / African American & Black / Mystery & Detective

 

FICTION / African American & Black / Romance see Romance / African American & Black

FIC049070

FICTION / African American & Black / Urban & Street Lit

FIC049020

FICTION / African American & Black / Women

FIC040000

FICTION / Alternative History

FIC053000

FICTION / Amish & Mennonite

FIC067000

FICTION / Animals

FIC003000

FICTION / Anthologies (multiple authors)

FIC054000

FICTION / Asian American

FIC041000

FICTION / Biographical

FIC078000

FICTION / Buddhist

FIC042000

FICTION / Christian / General

 

FICTION / Christian / African American & Black see African American & Black / Christian

FIC042090

FICTION / Christian / Biblical

FIC042010

FICTION / Christian / Classic & Allegory

FIC042050

FICTION / Christian / Collections & Anthologies

FIC042100

FICTION / Christian / Contemporary

FIC042080

FICTION / Christian / Fantasy

FIC042020

FICTION / Christian / Futuristic

FIC042030

FICTION / Christian / Historical

FIC042040

FICTION / Christian / Romance / General

FIC042110

FICTION / Christian / Romance / Historical

FIC042120

FICTION / Christian / Romance / Suspense

FIC042060

FICTION / Christian / Suspense

FIC042070

FICTION / Christian / Western

FIC069000

FICTION / City Life

FIC004000

FICTION / Classics

 

FICTION / Comics see headings under COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

FIC043000

FICTION / Coming of Age

FIC050000

FICTION / Crime

FIC051000

FICTION / Cultural Heritage

FIC079000

FICTION / Disabilities

FIC070000

FICTION / Disaster

FIC130000

FICTION / Diversity & Multicultural *

FIC055000

FICTION / Dystopian

FIC065000

FICTION / Epistolary

FIC005000

FICTION / Erotica / General

 

FICTION / Erotica / African American & Black see African American & Black / Erotica

FIC005010

FICTION / Erotica / BDSM

FIC005020

FICTION / Erotica / Collections & Anthologies

FIC005060

FICTION / Erotica / Historical

FIC005070

FICTION / Erotica / LGBTQ+ / General

FIC005080

FICTION / Erotica / LGBTQ+ / Bisexual

FIC005030

FICTION / Erotica / LGBTQ+ / Gay

FIC005040

FICTION / Erotica / LGBTQ+ / Lesbian

FIC005090

FICTION / Erotica / LGBTQ+ / Transgender

FIC005050

FICTION / Erotica / Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror

FIC010000

FICTION / Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology

FIC045000

FICTION / Family Life / General

FIC045010

FICTION / Family Life / Marriage & Divorce

FIC045020

FICTION / Family Life / Siblings

 

FICTION / Family Saga see Sagas

FIC009000

FICTION / Fantasy / General

FIC009100

FICTION / Fantasy / Action & Adventure

FIC009110

FICTION / Fantasy / Arthurian

 

FICTION / Fantasy / Christian see Christian / Fantasy

FIC009040

FICTION / Fantasy / Collections & Anthologies

FIC009010

FICTION / Fantasy / Contemporary

FIC009070

FICTION / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy

FIC009120

FICTION / Fantasy / Dragons & Mythical Creatures

FIC009020

FICTION / Fantasy / Epic

FIC009130

FICTION / Fantasy / Gaslamp

FIC009030

FICTION / Fantasy / Historical

FIC009080

FICTION / Fantasy / Humorous

FIC009140

FICTION / Fantasy / Military

FIC009050

FICTION / Fantasy / Paranormal

FIC009090

FICTION / Fantasy / Romance

FIC009060

FICTION / Fantasy / Urban

FIC076000

FICTION / Feminist

 

FICTION / Folklore see Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology

FIC071000

FICTION / Friendship

FIC012000

FICTION / Ghost

FIC027040

FICTION / Gothic

 

FICTION / Graphic Novels see headings under COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

FIC056000

FICTION / Hispanic & Latino

FIC014000

FICTION / Historical / General

 

FICTION / Historical / African American & Black see African American & Black / Historical

FIC014010

FICTION / Historical / Ancient

 

FICTION / Historical / Christian see Christian / Historical

FIC014060

FICTION / Historical / Civil War Era

FIC014070

FICTION / Historical / Colonial America & Revolution

 

FICTION / Historical / Erotica see Erotica / Historical

 

FICTION / Historical / Fantasy see Fantasy / Historical

FIC014020

FICTION / Historical / Medieval

 

FICTION / Historical / Mystery & Detective see Mystery & Detective / Historical

FIC014030

FICTION / Historical / Renaissance

 

FICTION / Historical / Romance see headings under Romance / Historical

 

FICTION / Historical / Thrillers see Thrillers / Historical

FIC014080

FICTION / Historical / 20th Century / General *

FIC014040

FICTION / Historical / 20th Century / World War I

FIC014050

FICTION / Historical / 20th Century / World War II

FIC014090

FICTION / Historical / 20th Century / Post-World War II *

FIC058000

FICTION / Holidays

FIC015000

FICTION / Horror

FIC016000

FICTION / Humorous / General

FIC060000

FICTION / Humorous / Black Humor

 

FICTION / Humorous / Fantasy see Fantasy / Humorous

 

FICTION / Humorous / Science Fiction see Science Fiction / Humorous

FIC059000

FICTION / Indigenous

FIC046000

FICTION / Jewish

FIC034000

FICTION / Legal

 

FICTION / Legends see Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology

FIC068000

FICTION / LGBTQ+ / General

FIC072000

FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Bisexual

FIC011000

FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Gay

FIC018000

FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Lesbian

FIC073000

FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Transgender

FIC019000

FICTION / Literary

FIC129000

FICTION / LitRPG (Literary Role-Playing Game)

FIC061000

FICTION / Magical Realism

FIC057000

FICTION / Mashups

FIC021000

FICTION / Media Tie-In

FIC035000

FICTION / Medical

 

FICTION / Metaphysical see Visionary & Metaphysical

FIC131000

FICTION / Middle Eastern & Arab American *

 

FICTION / Movie Tie-In see Media Tie-In

FIC080000

FICTION / Multiple Timelines

FIC081000

FICTION / Muslim

FIC022000

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / General

 

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / African American & Black see African American & Black / Mystery & Detective

FIC022100

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Amateur Sleuth

FIC022050

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Collections & Anthologies

FIC022070

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / General

FIC022110

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Animals

FIC022120

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Crafts

FIC022130

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Culinary

FIC022140

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Holidays & Vacation

FIC022150

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Paranormal

FIC022010

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Hard-Boiled

FIC022060

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Historical

FIC022080

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / International Crime & Mystery

FIC022160

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Jewish

FIC022020

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Police Procedural

FIC022090

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Private Investigators

FIC022030

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Traditional

FIC022040

FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths

 

FICTION / Mythology see Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology

 

FICTION / Native American see Indigenous

FIC077000

FICTION / Nature & the Environment

FIC132000

FICTION / Neurodiversity *

FIC062000

FICTION / Noir

FIC024000

FICTION / Occult & Supernatural

FIC082000

FICTION / Own Voices

FIC133000

FICTION / Performing Arts / General *

FIC133010

FICTION / Performing Arts / Dance, Theater & Musicals *

FIC133020

FICTION / Performing Arts / Film, Television & Radio *

FIC133030

FICTION / Performing Arts / Music *

FIC037000

FICTION / Political

FIC025000

FICTION / Psychological

FIC026000

FICTION / Religious

FIC027000

FICTION / Romance / General

FIC027260

FICTION / Romance / Action & Adventure

FIC049060

FICTION / Romance / African American & Black

FIC027340

FICTION / Romance / Billionaires

 

FICTION / Romance / Christian see Christian / Romance

FIC027270

FICTION / Romance / Clean & Wholesome

FIC027080

FICTION / Romance / Collections & Anthologies

FIC027020

FICTION / Romance / Contemporary

FIC027010

FICTION / Romance / Erotic

FIC027030

FICTION / Romance / Fantasy

FIC027350

FICTION / Romance / Firefighters

FIC027050

FICTION / Romance / Historical / General

FIC027360

FICTION / Romance / Historical / American

FIC027140

FICTION / Romance / Historical / Ancient World

FIC027460

FICTION / Romance / Historical / Gilded Age

FIC027150

FICTION / Romance / Historical / Medieval

FIC027070

FICTION / Romance / Historical / Regency

FIC027370

FICTION / Romance / Historical / Renaissance

FIC027160

FICTION / Romance / Historical / Scottish

FIC027280

FICTION / Romance / Historical / Tudor

FIC027200

FICTION / Romance / Historical / 20th Century

FIC027170

FICTION / Romance / Historical / Victorian

FIC027180

FICTION / Romance / Historical / Viking

FIC027290

FICTION / Romance / Holiday

FIC027490

FICTION / Romance / International *

FIC027380

FICTION / Romance / Later in Life

FIC027300

FICTION / Romance / LGBTQ+ / General

FIC027390

FICTION / Romance / LGBTQ+ / Bisexual

FIC027190

FICTION / Romance / LGBTQ+ / Gay

FIC027210

FICTION / Romance / LGBTQ+ / Lesbian

FIC027400

FICTION / Romance / LGBTQ+ / Transgender

FIC027410

FICTION / Romance / Medical

FIC027220

FICTION / Romance / Military

FIC027230

FICTION / Romance / Multicultural & Interracial

FIC027240

FICTION / Romance / New Adult

FIC027120

FICTION / Romance / Paranormal / General

FIC027310

FICTION / Romance / Paranormal / Shifters

FIC027320

FICTION / Romance / Paranormal / Vampires

FIC027440

FICTION / Romance / Paranormal / Witches

FIC027420

FICTION / Romance / Police & Law Enforcement

FIC027470

FICTION / Romance / Polyamory

FIC027480

FICTION / Romance / Rock Stars

FIC027250

FICTION / Romance / Romantic Comedy

FIC027450

FICTION / Romance / Royalty

FIC027130

FICTION / Romance / Science Fiction

FIC027330

FICTION / Romance / Sports

FIC027110

FICTION / Romance / Suspense

FIC027090

FICTION / Romance / Time Travel

FIC027100

FICTION / Romance / Western

FIC027430

FICTION / Romance / Workplace

FIC008000

FICTION / Sagas

FIC052000

FICTION / Satire

FIC028000

FICTION / Science Fiction / General

FIC028010

FICTION / Science Fiction / Action & Adventure

FIC028090

FICTION / Science Fiction / Alien Contact

 

FICTION / Science Fiction / Alternative History see Alternative History

FIC028070

FICTION / Science Fiction / Apocalyptic & Post-Apocalyptic

 

FICTION / Science Fiction / Christian see Christian / Futuristic

FIC028040

FICTION / Science Fiction / Collections & Anthologies

FIC028140

FICTION / Science Fiction / Crime & Mystery

FIC028100

FICTION / Science Fiction / Cyberpunk

FIC028110

FICTION / Science Fiction / Genetic Engineering

FIC028020

FICTION / Science Fiction / Hard Science Fiction

FIC028120

FICTION / Science Fiction / Humorous

FIC028050

FICTION / Science Fiction / Military

 

FICTION / Science Fiction / Romance see Romance / Science Fiction

FIC028130

FICTION / Science Fiction / Space Exploration

FIC028030

FICTION / Science Fiction / Space Opera

FIC028060

FICTION / Science Fiction / Steampunk

FIC028080

FICTION / Science Fiction / Time Travel

FIC047000

FICTION / Sea Stories

 

FICTION / Short Stories (multiple authors) see Anthologies (multiple authors)

FIC029000

FICTION / Short Stories (single author)

FIC066000

FICTION / Small Town & Rural

FIC074000

FICTION / Southern

FIC038000

FICTION / Sports

 

FICTION / Sports Romance see Romance / Sports

FIC063000

FICTION / Superheroes (see also COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Superheroes)

 

FICTION / Television Tie-In see Media Tie-In

FIC031000

FICTION / Thrillers / General

 

FICTION / Thrillers / Christian see Christian / Suspense

FIC031010

FICTION / Thrillers / Crime

FIC031100

FICTION / Thrillers / Domestic

FIC006000

FICTION / Thrillers / Espionage

FIC031020

FICTION / Thrillers / Historical

FIC031030

FICTION / Thrillers / Legal

FIC031040

FICTION / Thrillers / Medical

FIC031050

FICTION / Thrillers / Military

FIC031060

FICTION / Thrillers / Political

FIC031080

FICTION / Thrillers / Psychological

 

FICTION / Thrillers / Romance see Romance / Suspense

FIC031070

FICTION / Thrillers / Supernatural

FIC030000

FICTION / Thrillers / Suspense

FIC036000

FICTION / Thrillers / Technological

FIC031090

FICTION / Thrillers / Terrorism

FIC048000

FICTION / Urban & Street Lit

 

FICTION / Urban Fantasy see Fantasy / Urban

FIC039000

FICTION / Visionary & Metaphysical

FIC032000

FICTION / War & Military

FIC033000

FICTION / Westerns

 

FICTION / Westerns / Christian see Christian / Western

 

FICTION / Westerns / Romantic see Romance / Western

FIC044000

FICTION / Women

FIC083000

FICTION / World Literature / Africa / General

FIC083010

FICTION / World Literature / Africa / East Africa

FIC083020

FICTION / World Literature / Africa / Nigeria

 

FICTION / World Literature / Africa / North Africa see World Literature / Middle East / Egypt & North Africa

FIC083030

FICTION / World Literature / Africa / Southern Africa

FIC083040

FICTION / World Literature / Africa / West Africa

FIC084000

FICTION / World Literature / American / General

FIC084010

FICTION / World Literature / American / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods

FIC084020

FICTION / World Literature / American / 19th Century

FIC084030

FICTION / World Literature / American / 20th Century

FIC084040

FICTION / World Literature / American / 21st Century

FIC085000

FICTION / World Literature / Argentina

FIC086000

FICTION / World Literature / Asia (General)

FIC087000

FICTION / World Literature / Australia

FIC088000

FICTION / World Literature / Austria

FIC089000

FICTION / World Literature / Brazil

FIC090000

FICTION / World Literature / Canada / General

FIC090010

FICTION / World Literature / Canada / Colonial & 19th Century

FIC090020

FICTION / World Literature / Canada / 20th Century

FIC090030

FICTION / World Literature / Canada / 21st Century

FIC091000

FICTION / World Literature / Caribbean & West Indies

FIC092000

FICTION / World Literature / Central America

FIC093000

FICTION / World Literature / Chile

FIC094000

FICTION / World Literature / China / General

FIC094010

FICTION / World Literature / China / 19th Century

FIC094020

FICTION / World Literature / China / 20th Century

FIC094030

FICTION / World Literature / China / 21st Century

FIC095000

FICTION / World Literature / Colombia

FIC096000

FICTION / World Literature / Czech Republic

FIC097000

FICTION / World Literature / Denmark

FIC098000

FICTION / World Literature / England / General

FIC098010

FICTION / World Literature / England / Early & Medieval Periods

FIC098020

FICTION / World Literature / England / 16th & 17th Century

FIC098030

FICTION / World Literature / England / 18th Century

FIC098040

FICTION / World Literature / England / 19th Century

FIC098050

FICTION / World Literature / England / 20th Century

FIC098060

FICTION / World Literature / England / 21st Century

FIC099000

FICTION / World Literature / Europe (General)

FIC100000

FICTION / World Literature / Finland

FIC101000

FICTION / World Literature / France / General

FIC101010

FICTION / World Literature / France / 18th Century

FIC101020

FICTION / World Literature / France / 19th Century

FIC101030

FICTION / World Literature / France / 20th Century

FIC101040

FICTION / World Literature / France / 21st Century

FIC102000

FICTION / World Literature / Germany / General

FIC102010

FICTION / World Literature / Germany / 20th Century

FIC102020

FICTION / World Literature / Germany / 21st Century

FIC103000

FICTION / World Literature / Greece

FIC104000

FICTION / World Literature / Hungary

FIC105000

FICTION / World Literature / India / General

FIC105010

FICTION / World Literature / India / 19th Century

FIC105020

FICTION / World Literature / India / 20th Century

FIC105030

FICTION / World Literature / India / 21st Century

FIC106000

FICTION / World Literature / Ireland / General

FIC106010

FICTION / World Literature / Ireland / 19th Century

FIC106020

FICTION / World Literature / Ireland / 20th Century

FIC106030

FICTION / World Literature / Ireland / 21st Century

FIC107000

FICTION / World Literature / Italy

FIC108000

FICTION / World Literature / Japan

FIC109000

FICTION / World Literature / Korea

FIC110000

FICTION / World Literature / Mexico

FIC111000

FICTION / World Literature / Middle East / General

FIC111010

FICTION / World Literature / Middle East / Arabian Peninsula

FIC111020

FICTION / World Literature / Middle East / Egypt & North Africa

FIC111030

FICTION / World Literature / Middle East / Israel

FIC112000

FICTION / World Literature / Netherlands

FIC113000

FICTION / World Literature / New Zealand

FIC114000

FICTION / World Literature / Norway

FIC115000

FICTION / World Literature / Oceania

FIC116000

FICTION / World Literature / Pakistan

FIC117000

FICTION / World Literature / Peru

FIC118000

FICTION / World Literature / Poland

FIC119000

FICTION / World Literature / Portugal

FIC120000

FICTION / World Literature / Russia / General

FIC120010

FICTION / World Literature / Russia / 19th Century

FIC120020

FICTION / World Literature / Russia / 20th Century

FIC120030

FICTION / World Literature / Russia / 21st Century

FIC121000

FICTION / World Literature / Scotland / General

FIC121010

FICTION / World Literature / Scotland / 19th Century

FIC121020

FICTION / World Literature / Scotland / 20th Century

FIC121030

FICTION / World Literature / Scotland / 21st Century

FIC122000

FICTION / World Literature / South America (General)

FIC123000

FICTION / World Literature / Southeast Asia

FIC124000

FICTION / World Literature / Spain / General

FIC124010

FICTION / World Literature / Spain / 19th Century

FIC124020

FICTION / World Literature / Spain / 20th Century

FIC124030

FICTION / World Literature / Spain / 21st Century

FIC125000

FICTION / World Literature / Sweden

FIC126000

FICTION / World Literature / Turkey

FIC127000

FICTION / World Literature / Uruguay

FIC128000

FICTION / World Literature / Wales

 

If your title does not have subject content, i.e. a blank book, please use the Non-Classifiable term below. Otherwise, use the Subject/General term in the closest descriptive area. NON000000 NON-CLASSIFIABLE

© 2022, Book Industry Study Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of these lists or any attached documents may be distributed or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the Book Industry Study Group, Inc.