What Book Genre Sells Best

What Book Genre Sells Best

Knowing What Book Genre Sells Best Can Be Crucial

I’m a firm believer in that you should tell the story you want to tell in any genre you’d like, regardless of any factors. But when the reality smacks you in the face and you’re not sure how you’ll eat this month; then selling out doesn’t seem so bad.

The good news is you don’t have to sell out. Just don’t fixate on telling a story that will take you five years in a genre with low-profit margins – or at least not yet. See, I would love to tell a story of an innocent outlaw on the run from Texas Rangers; ending in a spectacular shootout where the outlaw is gunned down and becomes a legend. That sounds amazing, however, the sad truth is I doubt readers would flock to bookstores to pick it up, even if I was an established author. Who knows, I might still one day write that western… just on the side. Like when I have some extra time to kill(like that’ll happen).

What I am trying to say is to not put your prized horse in some pony show – it deserves better. And to be frank more sales equals more money.

What Book Genre Sells Best #4 Horror – 80 Million

It will surprise you to know that the horror genre is quite small seeing as how audiences rush to theatres in droves to get their latest horror movie fixins. I guess the experience that comes with reading is just too real for readers. But there’s still meat on the bone in this genre. Take for example Ania Ahlborn, an author that is breaking new grounds in the genre, let alone some of the regulars who are still publishing such as Stephen King and Dean Koontz to name just a few.

What Book Genre Sells Best #3 Science Fiction & Fantasy – 600 Million

A far cry from our number four spot, science fiction & fantasy is bringing in some serious money for authors who write in these genres. A genre that took a dip in previous decades seems to be making a comeback, I think due to the refining of the fantasy genre. It also helps when you have showstoppers such as Harry Potter, A Game of Thrones, and Mur Lafferty’s Six Wakes, there seems to be no stopping; Hollywood doesn’t seem to think so with them popping out movie versions of our favorite science fiction & fantasy books.

This genre has a long way to go to be the number selling fiction genre, but in the coming years, I think it will slowly start to happen.

What Book Genre Sells Best #2 Thriller/Mystery – 900 million

Don’t you love a good whodunit novel or the fast pace of a thriller? You aren’t alone. Although the number one stop blows the 900 million in sells out of the water, it is still a lucrative market and one you should consider writing in. With more subgenres than one can shake a stick at, it shouldn’t be hard for you to conjure up a story in this genre.

What Book Genre Sells Best #1 Romance/Erotica – 1.5 billion

Why is romance/erotica such a good pick? Did you not see the 1.5 billion in the above statement. That alone should be enough to coax anyone to put the breaks on their current novel and start plans for their own spin on supernatural werewolves or a story of a half-naked guy with an eight-pack sprawled on the beach.

With all kidding aside, the romance genre is a heavy hitter. The demographic mostly consists of women ages 25’s – 50’s, in which encompasses all the subgenre in that field as well. I think in the coming decade other genres will shake things up for romance, but for now, it’s queen?

Wendy Marshall
wendy@toomuchtowrite.com

Wendy Marshall is a publishing agent and the owner of Too Much To Write. She has successfully represented numerous authors, helping them to get their work published and make their dreams come true. Prior to Too Much To Write, Wendy spent a decade working in the publishing industry, first as an editorial assistant and later as an acquisitions editor. She has a deep understanding of the publishing process and a passion for helping writers find success. Wendy specializes in helping authors create books that are both commercially viable and that represent their unique voice and vision. She has a wealth of experience in the industry and loves helping authors navigate the complicated publishing landscape. She believes that every voice deserves to be heard and that every story deserves to be told.