Book genres – which ones are popular, ‘hot’ or pay the most right now? I haven’t written any books yet, because I have so many wonderful ideas. Which book genres should I consider writing to make lots of money?
– Heather
Book Genres – Which Ones are Hot or Popular?
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Dear Heather,
Your question about which book genres are best or most popular makes me think of an author I met at a writers’ conference years ago.
The woman had paid the writers’ conference committee money to meet with me for a one-on-one “pitch session.” And the first thing she said when she sat down with me was, “I’m here to see if I’m wasting my time working on this novel.”
Much to her surprise, I immediately said, “Yes.”
I then went on to explain (gently) that if she was going to give me, or anyone else, that kind of power over her and her writing, she might as well stop writing. It’s important to study the market, to make your work more marketable (pay attention to which book genres are hot or popular)…
But great writing (and agenting),
begins in the heart.
When I first became an agent, I asked
the same questions you’re asking:
Which book genres are popular?
Which book genres are best?
Which book genres are hot?
I identified the trends and provided timely, hot projects to editors. It worked and I sold books. But, as time went by, I started trusting myself more… and that made me more successful.
In other words, I stopped looking at a book genre list… started thinking less about “hot book genres” and “popular book genres” or… which book genres I thought other people might like… and I started focusing more on which book genres I liked (and, which book genres I thought others should like).
If you can forget (or, rather, ignore) which book genres the trends are talking about (and follow your heart), you’re much more likely to be successful and enjoy your writing more.
Another story…
I was having lunch with a well-known publisher at a restaurant in the famous Flatiron building seen here (home to St. Martin’s Press, Tor/Forge, Thomas Dunne Books, etc). The publisher told me about a literary agent who’d pitched him on a project the year before. The publisher, after reviewing the material, turned it down.
But then the agent told the publisher that he was wrong. The agent insisted that the book was a great project, and the publisher needed to understand that fact. The publisher then bought the book.
Much to my surprise, the publisher told me that he doesn’t trust his judgment regarding what the next big book will be (or which genre book is going to be hot). He relies on agents to tell him.
I sat there, absolutely dumbfounded.
Understand your power.
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Which book genres are best?
If your book explores themes you’re intimate with, your voice is strong and unique, and you have an original premise, you can write whatever book genres you want. You can blend book genres. You can create new book genres.
Writing in the book genres you want takes a great deal of courage (and rationale to support it), but it also makes it much more likely that you’ll eventually rise to the top… and find yourself in a place where few, or none, can imitate you.
Although they will try, because you’ll no longer be
a trend follower. You’ll be a trendsetter.
All my best,
Mark Malatesta
Your “Undercover” Agent
P.S. – Choose one book genre and stick with it until you get published. You’re much more likely to achieve mastery of this way. That also means you’re much more likely to convince a book agent you’ve achieved mastery… and get a major publisher.
P.P.S. – If you’re reading this article and wondering: “What are book genres?” They’re simply a book category.
P.P.P.S. – Click here to see a complete book genre list.
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MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
Should a published e-book be submitted to an agent. Radiance II is my sail boat’s name.
Hi John!
The answer to your question is in my FAQ, just look at the 50 questions authors ask me most (with my answers) on my FAQ page here: https://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. Look for the section that says “Previously Published.” After you do that, you can another question (right under the FAQ) and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction. Just make sure you look at the Frequently Asked Questions first to make sure I haven’t already answered your question there.
Have a great day!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I’m a first time writer of a comedic short story.(20 pages, 14,000 words).It’s written as a narrative as opposed to a screenplay. Would it be advisable to try to get it published first to see if it could be adapted to film or would I be better off to write query letters to the film industry to see if they could adapt it to the big screen ?
Hi Thomas,
Although some authors I’ve worked with have had their work adapted for TV, stage, and feature film… my main specialty is helping authors get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals. That often leads to interest in the other areas, through the author’s agent or publisher. To that end, most top agents who represent fiction help on the TV/film front or they partner up (co-agent) with another successful agency that does it.
Also…
I’m sorry to say it’s extremely difficult to get an agent or publisher for a collection of short stories… unless you’re already a well-published and/or award-winning author. I usually recommend that authors expand one of their short stories into a novel, while seeking publication and awards for some of their individual stories.
If you want help with anything else, you can post questions for me online here: https://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. You can also (if you haven’t done so already) get access (no cost) to all the valuable resources in our private, members-only area here: https://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. And you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here: https://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
ive had issues defining my genre. This is a problem writing to agents. Mark Twain’s Letters From Earth is the closest I suppose. I have three books following the comments on a fellow as he encounters a being that describes what the afterlife is really like, through his death and into that afterlife…and beyond. It’s narrative but it’s fiction…sort of.
Hi Phillip, for some reason your comment/question went to my spam folder and I wasn’t notified about it… so my apologies for the delay getting back to you. If it’s not too late, I’m happy to help if I can.
When it comes to book genres, I often tell my coaching clients they’ll need to call their book different things… depending on who they’re pitching. Some books could be categorized in more ways than one, and that’s good news since that means more agents to pitch to.
Take a look at these articles as well, they might help: http://book-genres.com (my website devoted to book genre definitions), along with this article about which book genres are “best”: https://literary-agents.com/book-genres/.
If I can help you with anything else let me know, but I want to make sure you know that I’m a former agent. Today I’m a coach and consultant helping authors get top agents, publishers, and book deals. To that end, I have several websites devoted to helping authors get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. You can see a complete list here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/websites/.
Also…
If you haven’t already done so, make sure you take advantage of all the resources (no cost) on our main website here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. I’m also happy to answer any questions that you have online here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. And, if you’re serious and believe we’re a good fit, you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here (there is a fee for that): http://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/.
Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your work.
And I’ll point you in the right direction.
Have a great night!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
My books tend to be multi-genre. By the way; what is the difference between action/adventure and thriller?
Hi William, that’s okay… crossing or blending genres. Check out my http://book-genres.com website. You’ll find definitions for every genre out there, including the two you asked about! Mark
Dear Mark, I’ve been writing a science fiction novel and am 65,000 words in. But I’m 13. One of the teachers at my school is an author (ironically she’s a science teacher) and she told me that what I wrote was good. The thing is I’m never satisfied with my work because I need more opinions about it, but I don’t know where to find them. And I don’t know where to find literary agents that will accept my age. I’m anxious that my book will not be taken well because of the controversial conflicts.
Hi Cassidy, did you know that I wrote an article for you? Well, sort of. Click here to check it out: https://literary-agents.com/young-authors/. And take a look at this: https://literary-agents.com/how-to-write-a-bestseller/. Keep doing what you’re doing and you have a great chance. Most people give up too soon. And don’t worry about conflict in your stories. Conflict is the engine that drives a story! Mark
I set out to write a cozy mystery. 13,000 words into it, I found myself struggling. So, I read what I had written. My first thought was, “Really? Is the entire town populated only by children?” That’s when it hit me that my story belonged in MG fiction. I tossed out those 13,000 words and began again. I’m having the time of my life! I’ve read MG novels my entire life. Most of my favorite books are in that genre. Finding the right genre for YOU makes a world of difference.
It makes a huge difference for writing flow… and makes it a wee bit easier to get published, as a result. Just for fun, read The Horizontal Man by Michael Dahl. He’s one of the authors I represented when I was an agent. It’s funny, and very very good. Mark