Markets, Styles, and Genres
Writers who want to publish books often overlook a critical step of the publishing process.
Everyone is familiar with books, but the actual process of becoming a published author is not as simple as just writing a book and sitting on it.
It is necessary to identify a market for the book so they can sell it.
I’m trying out YouTube, so you can watch my long-form thoughts below.
Key take-aways:
Styles are the often overlooked counterpart to genre. You need to make sure that your genre is one that you feel comfortable in, but you should also be thinking a bout your style; if you’re writing upmarket or literary fiction, you will pitch the book to an agent or publisher in a much different way.
Likewise, your style may be at the forefront or background of your presentation depending on where you’re aiming at publishing. Sci-fi can have some great literary classics, but getting published in a predominantly science fiction oriented publisher without a specific literary focus may drive more sales.
Another consideration is whether you’re going to be marketing your book to people who won’t want to read it; byzantine literary fiction has limited mass market appeal because it’s difficult and obtuse, which puts off many readers. However, you might aim for different publicity venues if you’re going for a literary audience. Having an interview on NPR attracts a different audience than doing the rounds at ComicCon.
Marketing to someone who isn’t in your target reader base is wasted time and effort.
To review:
- Know what your market is in terms of how you present your book (e.g. mass market series vs. highly sophisticated upmarket or literary work)
- Put your best foot forward by honestly presenting your book in a light that shows its strengths
- Be thinking about what success looks like based on the market you’re entering
- After figuring out what success looks like, think about the steps to take to get there