Blogger: Rachel Kent
How do you find out about publishing trends? What kinds of books are in and what kinds are up and coming? I have some ideas for you on how you can try to learn the current hot topics and also to get an idea of what is to come.
First, researching at a bookstore is fun and you can learn a lot. Spend some time walking around the store. Take a look at the books that are “faced” and look at the ones highlighted on the “new release wall” and the end caps. This will give you an idea of what books are being heavily promoted by the publishers and the bookstore. Going to a bookstore is always so much fun, too, so enjoy yourself while you’re there. You can find out about trends in other places as well.
Spend some time looking at books online (which will give a broader selection than a bookstore) to find out who’s publishing the type of material you’re interested in writing. This can help you to answer the question, is there a market for my work? If a number of books exist in your category, spend some time figuring out what makes your idea unique. For nonfiction, a competition section is an important part of a proposal, so you’ll need to do this anyway. If nothing exists like what you’re writing, you’ve either had a stroke of genius or your idea has been tried and has failed–several times; so publishers are no longer interested in producing books on that topic.
You can also find out a lot about new releases in magazines and publications like Publishers Weekly and Christian Retailing. These often contain articles about book trends and current acquisitions.
Publisher’s Marketplace, (www.publishersmarketplace.com) requires a subscription, but book deals are reported by agents and editors on the site usually the day they’re sold. Since it can take as long as two years for a book to be published, spending time looking at the deals reported that day gives you a peek into the future of those bookshelves.
Another way to stay on top of the market is to subscribe to publishing house e-newsletters. Take advantage of the marketing the publisher is doing and use it to learn of new releases and excitement in the industry. Catalogs and advertisements from retailers can be insightful as well.
I also encourage you to continue to read! It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the writing and researching that you forget to spend time reading books that have been published. Perhaps you’ll want to pick up the competition to see what made it shine. Not to mention that reading good books will help you to write a better book. Pick up one or two books during your bookstore visit!
What book market research tips do you have to share?
All good ideas, Rachel, thank you.
* I often check the book aisle of big stores like Walmart and Target. There aren’t a lot of books, and I figure they are the better sellers. A significant section is devoted to Christian fiction and nonfiction–it feeds my hope.
Shirlee, I’ve seen a precipitous drop in the number of Christian titles at our Walmarts in NM. When I started writing in late 2013, they had more than 30 fiction titles and 8 different publishing houses represented, with several genres spanning contemporary, historical, and Amish, all with several examples. That doesn’t even include the Love Inspired novels. Now they have maybe 6 Christian novels, all by the few best-selling authors and very narrow in genre. What was a 6-foot section (or more), top to bottom, of Christian fiction and nonfiction in 2013 is now one or two 3-foot shelves. The rest of the book section has shrunk, but not as much proportionally as the Christian.
*It’s been many months since I was able to buy a Christian historical in a Walmart in Albuquerque and surrounding towns, and it was probably only a leftover from a much earlier stock order. Even the Love Inspired titles they stock are all contemporary, and there’s only 4-6 of those.
*One of my goals when I started writing was to get my books in the big-box stores so many people could find and read them. Silly me!
This is sadly true. 🙁 The book sections are shrinking and the Christian sections are tiny.
I did notice the book section shrinking, Carol. But here in our defiantly conservative corner of New Jersey, the percentage of Christian books hasn’t changed much.
* I see a prayer assignment here. Let’s pray that folks tire of the strident politicization of so much that’s recreational and turn to books. Books with a positive message, books that build up instead of tear down, books that we and people like us write, books that are good for their souls.
Great idea!
Some stimulating ideas, Rachel. I have a somewhat unrelated question prompted by something you said. I have long wondered about the “up to two years to publish” timeline. I don’t doubt it, but wonder how it is that this does not apply to the realm of political non-fiction. Some politician can say or do something noteworthy, or buffoonish, and there will be a book out about it in three weeks. Are there different rules for stuff that is time-sensitive? Are some publishers just faster than others? Is there a “publishing express lane?”
That’s exactly it. They have a “rush” system for books that are only relevant for a brief time. They go in the express lane.
Great tips, Rachel; time (and money) in a bookstore is never ill-spent.
* I don’t worry about hot topics. I write about hope, and hope is not a trend. Hope is manna, ever-wasting ere the dark, and coming back fresh on the wings of dawn.
I agree Andrew, hope is always is something that is needed.
It is indeed, Elizabeth.
Fascinating, Rachel! Do you have any suggestions for how to get a feeling for trends overseas, like in Australia? Too hard to try to monitor the whole world, but a fair number of my international sales are there.
Visiting bookstores to scout them out is an expensive proposition…but isn’t it our duty to support the publishing industry and the authors of America?
Hmmm, I don’t know much about foreign markets. I do know some foreign sales are reported in Publishers Marketplace online, but I am not sure of the best place to find these stats and trends. I’m sorry!
And yes, it’s our duty to support the industry! 🙂 And reading is the best!
Carol, if you’re interested in learning about trends in (say) Australia, can I suggest you join the Australasian Christian Writers group on Facebook? While most of our members are from Australia and New Zealand, we welcome others, and the group would be a good place to ask any questions you have on our markets (which are different to the US market).
Thanks for the info, Iola!
Newspapers can be a source of information too. Here are two recent headlines from the Los Angeles Times, which would generally not be classified as a Christian paper, lol.
Putting their Faith in Online Video — about Roma Downey and Mark Burnett seeing an underserved Christian market.
Hallmark Carves a Niche Among Red State Viewers — about Hallmark’s growing popularity based on its light, family-friendly and romantic shows.
These aren’t books, but it’s encouraging to know people are looking for an escape from a brutal world, along with some hope. Screenplays anyone?
Great tip! Thanks!
Excellent tips, Rachel–Thank you! I wasn’t aware of Publisher’s Marketplace….but will check it out. And comments are right on, too.
Shirlee, I have to agree with you abut taking into consideration the conservative pts. of a state and the products businesses know will sell in those areas. (same with N.Y. as in New Jersey) I’m from conservative upstate N.Y.–and we’re still holding pretty well with a Christian section in our B&N, and our Alpha & Omega stores are doing pretty well, though our population is dwindling. Small pockets in an ultra-liberal state.
p.s. I totally agree with Andrew about the Hope side of writing….(besides attending Hope church 🙂
In 2010 I had my left eye removed for cancerous melanoma–about the same time I came up with my writing tag: Hope-Inspired Stories (HIS) !
I heard someone say to look at new movie releases, that a trend in movies will translate to books in a year or so (giving you a chance to jump on that bandwagon, if it appeals to you).
I wish I could remember who said it so I could give credit, but at least I remembered the tip! 🙂