Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Location: Books & Such Central Valley Office, CA
I imagine a few purists are cringing at my blog title. Publishing a fashion industry? From the hallowed halls of academia, to the much-revered classics, how can I say such a thing?
Because it’s true. The fashion industry is based on taste and style. It changes every season. That’s how it stays alive financially. If we all wore the same shapeless piece of clothing we’d only have to replace it when it wore out. But that’s not how it is. Fashion is about creativity. Styles become outdated. Color, with its infinite number of shades, tints and hues, goes in and out of fashion. You’ve heard the term “built-in obsolescence.” That’s the fashion industry.
Publishing is not so very different.
Remember back in the seventies when housewives were discovering romance novels en masse? A sub-genre of pirate books rose to popularity. The books featured innocent maidens kidnapped by dashing, swashbuckling pirate captains who ravished them page after graphic page during the whole of their captivity. All ended well, however, because the heroines fell in love with their misunderstood captors and ended up marrying them and living happily ever after. Seriously! Can you imagine such a book being published today? A book that elevates capture and rape to an acceptable relationship builder? Happily, that ship has sailed, but it was all the rage then. Like bell-bottom trousers, some book fashions cannot fade fast-enough.
Or how about relationship books in the Christian market about the same time? Anyone remember The Total Woman? *Wendy blushes furiously* How about the spate of Y2K books? Okay, some things are better left to history. But the point I am making is that the publishing industry is a fashion industry and tastes change.
So how is that good news? If you are a writer who’s been told by an editor or agent that they just can’t sell fantasy, for instance, hold on. Your time is coming.
Readers seem to go for total immersion. When I was in an English historical fiction phase of my reading life, I read everything I could get my hands on. Total immersion. I knew everything about every monarch that ever sat on the throne of England. And then it was over. (Except for a revival caused by the advent of Philippa Gregory.) But when I was done, I was done and I moved on to a different favorite kind of book. In the early nineties I read only nonfiction and devoured all the Christian classics, ancient and modern. Then I immersed myself in the Inklings, especially C. S. Lewis. I read everything by him and everything about him. Then Chesterton, Belloc and Bellair. My whole reading life has been marked by epochs. I’m guessing this is true of most readers.
So, again, how is that good news? The styles feel like they are about to change again. As I talk with my colleagues we see genre fatigue in a number of different segments. I’m sensing it’s about to be publishing’s version of fruit basket turnover. I’m guessing that if we head to an editorial pitching session later this year with the same kind of books that have been staples of the industry, we’ll see yawns and hear, “Have you got anything new?”
I’m just saying. . .
When that happens, we go looking for new. New ideas, new authors, new writing. If you are waiting in the wings you might get called onstage. If you’re someone who’s been successful in a long-running category you may become the classic author in that field with much of the come-lately competition vanished. And if you are one of the authors dabbling in several subjects, it’s time to stake your claim.
The nice thing about being in a fashion industry is that when the styles change it leaves an opening for fresh new talent. Same with the publishing industry. If you’re a fresh new writer, that’s good news indeed.
Your turn: Agree? Disagree? What kind of genre/ subject phases mark your reading life? If I’m right and things are changing are you brave enough to predict any new trends? Do you know how to spot trends?
Michelle
This is very good advice, I think. You can definitely look at the secular market and see the trends, aka, Vampires being all the rage now. And it’s cool to think about how, maybe, you can take an old topic, give it a spin and make it something new that fits into the trends nowadays. Gives hope, I suppose. Thank you for all your uplifting blog posts this week – they’ve been very encouraging!
Cynthia Herron
I well remember the “pirate books,” Wendy! I read plenty of them and others, too, trying to get a “feel” for what women seemed to want out of the romance genre. I tried to write with the secular market in mind, and I found out pretty quickly, it just wasn’t for me. (And let me just say–I’m certainly NOT condemning anyone who writes differently than I do!) I just wanted to write from a Christian perspective and be able to share my faith as I told the types of stories that were near and dear to my heart(kinda difficult to do with the “I left my groom at the altar to go have my third husband’s baby” types of stories.) I’m not a prude, but I do have to say that some of the books today, I believe, border on pornographic for BOTH teens and adults. I don’t care to read that type of thing and I don’t want our tween-aged daughter reading it either. Just personal convictions.
I’m thrilled about the changes on the horizon. I think it will allow newer authors to “get a toe through the door” and I think the published authors will step up to the challenge to create the masterpieces they’ve yearned to write and can now do so!
Future trends…Perhaps, more “home-spun” books with a feel-good takeaway. More positivity than negativity in light of the dismal times we seem to be living in.
Thank you for a positive way to start our day!
Lisa
OK – sure. Confession time. I didn’t start going to church until my late teens, but when I discovered Christian fiction I immersed myself in anything Lori Wick had written, then I had a Frank Peretti phase and then there was Left Behind, Dee Henderson and Ted Dekker. (OK, I still read everything Ted Dekker puts out.) But it was more about authors for me than genres – granted, those authors stay within one genre generally speaking.
Now, I want something new. I loved Melanie Well’s series – I don’t know what genre her writing is exactly – comes across as comedic horror to me. That’s new! Reading Immanuel’s Veins by Ted Dekker – a Christian writer publishing a vampire story? – that’s new. (Of course, he denies it’s about vampires – I haven’t finished reading so we’ll see…)
I’m tired of the all the old happily ever after stuff, give me real life, give me reality with all it grit and darkness – what better environment to shine a light on? imho
Marcy Kennedy
I’ve never been good at anticipating fashion trends, so I’m not sure how great I’ll be at guessing publishing trends, but I can say what I’d like to read.
Historical romance set in new, riskier locations. Growing up, I was a huge fan of Christian fiction set in the American west or Regency and Victorian England, but it feels like there’s nothing new to see there anymore. Take me somewhere new, even if it’s only to Canada or Australia.
Good literary fiction that combines beautiful language with a captivating plot. Jamie Langston Turner comes to mind. I think this could have more cross-over appeal than we give it credit for if done well.
Fantasy and speculative fiction. I’m one of the writers sitting on a fantasy manuscript and biding her time. I like the adventure of a world where magic is possible and the rules are different from anything we know of in earth’s past or present.
Romantic suspense where the characters have professions other than police officer, FBI or CIA agent, or are in the military. I’d love to read a really gripping suspense where the main character is a cave spelunker or a farmer.
What I’d like to see go out (but probably won’t just yet) is Amish fiction (blasphemy I know) and Muslim terrorism/Iraqi war novels (potentially because my husband is a former Marine and I don’t see these books showing enough of war’s emotional impact).
Kate Barker
Wendy,
I love your fun fashion analogy today! It’s so true, fashion changes constantly; the fringe becomes the norm. The “grunge” look started in Seattle with a crowd of young people, and later appeared on runways as “fashion.” I’m wondering if Steampunk will be next?
However, I think fashion will always remain constant in purpose and occasion. Will that “little black dress” ever disappear from the fashion world? The shape and material may adjust to new trends, but the color and the purpose endure. And in our small ranching community, jeans, cowboy boots and hats are a constant. When it’s a formal event, same attire, just more shine and sparkle….but thankfully no more fringe on the sleeves.
I think I choose my reading material in much the same way: depends on purpose and/or occasion. I have a stack of books I call my “airplane” books…I take them when we travel. They have to be light weight, small (to fit in my carry on) and easy reading. These kind of books are also good when visiting grandchildren…I tend to use up a lot of brain power trying to keep up with those adorable kids… and I just need to unwind with a nice comfortable book. The Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs, “The Cat Who”…series by Lillian Braun, or anything by Debbie Macomber…all fit in this category for me.
I have the stack of books I know will require “pondering”…the “Hunger Games” is at the top of this pile. And I have two books, my beautiful daughter gave me, written by mothers in Korea to their children who were adopted. I know those two will be an emotional read for me, so I’m waiting until I know I have time for empathetic tears.
“New” is stimulating and refreshing…but I think
comfort books, like comfort food will have a perpetual audience. Makes me think of that childhood rhyme…”Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold.”
P.S. I, too, succumbed to “The Total Woman”…had to draw the line at the Saran Wrap gig. 1. We were young and poor–to use a whole role of Saran wrap for one occasion meant I would forgo wrapping food for a month.
2. Never could figure out what to do with our kids…meeting my husband at the door when he came home from work meant it was too early for the kids to be in bed. We had no relatives close to watch them and our budget didn’t allow for an extra night of babysitting. LOL…fun times!
Sarah Thomas
Styles change, tastes shift but CLASSICS are always in fashion. Of course, I doubt I’m writing those!
I’m with Cynthia in hoping for home-spun books as the next phase of the CBA Amish invasion. Simpler, gentler stories in rural settings that quietly tackle issues of faith.
Carrie Schmeck
Five years ago, it seemed every book our book club read had an Asian theme. Next, it was WWII backdrop. Wish we could rub the crystal ball and determine what the next rage will be! Wouldn’t that be something?
Cheryl Malandrinos
Great post and such wonderful comments. I don’t think I’m good at predicting trends either.
I’ll be glad when the vampire and werewolf stage is over. As for what the future brings, I hope it brings a little bit of both those feel good books that Cynthia mentioned and the real life grit that Lisa is looking for. I don’t want to read feel good all the time, but I need it to keep me balanced against a world that every day amazes me with its lack of civility and compassion.
I would like to see more books geared toward new Christians. “Beyond Me: Living A You-First Life in a Me-First World” by Kathi Macias is one of my favorite books; but I think a newer Christian might be afraid of its call to discipleship. One of my former clients, Chet Galaska, wrote an excellent book titled, “Finding Faith in a Skeptical World.” It’s geared for people still on the fence or new Christians and it presents the material in a non-intimidating fashion.
Erin Marshall
Wendy, as I read your words this morning, my life flashed before me as eras of book reading! All the way back to childhood days devouring the Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books, Janette Oke, Victoria Holt, Mary Higgins Clark, and on and on. I’m definitely a total immersion reader (particularly with fiction), most often by author. However, most recently I enjoyed the Zion Covenant series by the Thoenes. While I enjoyed Bodie Thoene’s writing, the major pull to read that series was for the historical content.
As for genre trends, two come to mind as having great potential to explode (in fiction) from an already heightened interest level. I think they’re more visible already in nonfiction: 1) the effects of social networking (endless possibilities, both negative and positive). How will our grandchildren be affected by our networking today? Will generations continue to dive into it, or will they retreat into a more private lifestyle as a society?; and 2) the American economy, the decline of the dollar, and how it will affect the general population, America, and the world. Those two don’t seem to me to be all-out trends in fiction yet.
Okay, back to brainstorming that proposal . . .
Melissa K Norris
I really enjoy suspense in a novel. There are some in historical romance, but I’d like to see more. Also, with all the supernatural boom in the secular market, I think there’s room for biblical based supernatural in the inspirational genres. Not just vampires (that boat’s kind of full), but if you look through the bible there is all kind of awesome supernatural events. Dry bones coming to live, riding to heaven in a chariot.
All kinds of awesome things to play with in fiction.
Melissa K Norris
I may have to cut awesome from my vocabulary. 🙂
Jessi
I think the fashion industry is a good comparison. From what I see, there are some things that will never change. Some people might change the style of clothing they wear but they’ll still wear what feels comfortable on them.
I think the same goes for books. If a person wants books with new worlds and epic battles, they’ll probably read the latest trends with those topics, be it science fiction, fantasy, or dystopian.
I believe the real reason the trends tend to change is because of a saturation of poorly written books. The first few books of a new trend are new and original, so readers finish them and want more. They snap up the next dozen books in that genre, many of which are unoriginal and have two-dimensional characters. The readers get tired of the genre because they have read too many bad books from that genre so they move on to something new that seems to have more original characters and ideas.
On the action/adventure side of the market, I think dystopian is beginning to take the place of fantasy. It could be just me but dystopian also seems to be taking the place of paranormal romance, giving it an extra boost. Right now, I don’t see much dystopian published in the Christian market but I think that could change.
Salena Stormo
I personally enjoy wholesome books… I like an escape from the real world. That is after all what books are for… to help us forget the world around us even for just a little while. I get enough bad news and tension from CNN without having to sit down and read it, ha! Let’s hope the trends go in a positive direction.
Karen Barnett
Add me to the list of people who would like to see the Amish phase go away. I’m fascinated by the Amish culture and have enjoyed reading several of the books, but I think the market is seriously over saturated. And the YA section in secular bookstores are downright frightening.
I have also empathized with all the fantasy writers at conferences. When you attend the editor/agent panels and everyone is talking Amish, Amish, Amish–you can just feel the frustration in the room.
I’m hoping the next trend is 1900s historical fiction, myself. But, I’m looking forward to seeing the whole crop of books that God has planned for the next decade. I’ve met so many amazing up-and-coming writers–the future looks bright!
Lance Albury
Like others, I don’t have much fashion sense and could never foresee the latest trends. It’s the same with publishing.
It’s my belief that these things can’t be planned; they just happen.
Lindsay A. Franklin
I’m not great a predicting trends, either. That would be the key, wouldn’t it? But I agree with Karen that the secular YA shelves are downright frightening. The vampire romance stuff reminds me a little of the pirate books you described, Wendy. Somehow we’ve made blood-sucking and the threat of violence sexy. Huh? I’m hoping the next trend in CBA will be a response to this – YA Fantasy that’s on the grittier side but clearly shines the Light. However, I could have ulterior motives for this desire. 😉
I like the presence of historical novels right now and I hope that never completely goes away. It could continue to stay fresh by hopping around time periods.
Sally Bradley
Wendy, you made me sit up straight with your talk of genre fatigue. I wish you could share where you’re seeing that.
I write women’s fiction and have felt for the past three or so years that that genre was down. I’d love to see the tide turn there.
Right now historical fiction is so strong–I love Laura Frantz, Julie Klassen, Siri Mitchell, TL Highley, Liz Curtis Higgs. I’ll never write in that genre, but I so hope that genre isn’t experiencing fatigue.
Cheryl Malandrinos
“Somehow we’ve made blood-sucking and the threat of violence sexy.” This is a very good point, Lindsay. I think it also speaks to a much larger issue, which is forcing our kids to grow up too fast. The music, shows/movies, and books that our kids are exposed to tackle sensitive issues at younger and younger ages. It’s even difficult to shop for girl’s clothes because there are few places to find items that don’t attempt to accentuate and flatter a girl’s figure–whether there is a figure there or not.
Perhaps this is another of those fed up movements like the Tea Party, where families who are concerned with these issues really begin flooding the markets with appropriate materials. I don’t want my daughters to dress like prostitutes, listen to pop music that talks about sex, and watch shows where adults are portrayed as morons.
Wendy Lawton
Kate, who could ever forget the saran wrap. All I could think about when I read that all those years ago was. . . sausage casing.
And yes, on the comfort reads. I often go back to Victoria Holt when I want to escape for an evening into something I’ve always loved. (House of a Thousand Lanterns!) I keep looking for that new version of a Holt-like gothic (in the old sense) romance.
Wendy Lawton
Erin, your reading epochs sound like mine. Yep, Nancy Drew and Little House. (No wonder we work together.) Interesting take on the social upheavals affecting trends. Something to think about.
Rick Barry
I’m totally ready for a fashion change in the publishing industry. I was through with vampires when I put away Barnabas Collins years ago, and wedding vampires to Amish girls isn’t going to renew my interest. Neither will a spin-off if it resembles teenage mutant zombie hobbits. When Hollywood seeks a change, it often resurrects an old movie with modern actors, but I hope creative writers can dig down and find more intrinsically original story lines to engage all the emotions and senses that are so crucial to a winning novel. Will my present “future historical” novel hit that mark? Time will tell! Meanwhile, back to my revising….
Thanks for a cool perspective, Wendy.
Wendy Lawton
What a great discussion everyone! Don’t you wish we could just all head on over to the nearest Starbucks and talk trends and reading preferences? We’ve got a powerful brain trust here.
Sally, I don’t sense any genre fatigue in historical although some of my colleagues do. As I’ve visited the publishers I’m still seeing enthusiasm though there are some editors who prefer contemporary. I think both will endure. The changes will come in plot, setting and, for historicals, era.
Lindsay, I never thought about the parallels between the vampire genre and the old pirate genre but I think you are spot on. I wonder what makes some readers enjoy the victim/heroine? Any psychologists out there?
It’s so interesting hearing what you all are reading and what you’d like to see. Since blog readers tend to have their ears to the ground, we can assume there’s some zeitgeist at play here. I’m listening.
Lindsay A. Franklin
Wendy, I’ll take a bite at the victim/heroine paradox. (Oh, horrible vampire pun! Let’s try again…) I’ll take a stab at it. (Oh, horrible pirate pun!)
Like all the good things God created, mankind has distorted the male/female relationship to the point of unrecognizability. God’s order involves the man (first the father, then the husband) being the protective covering over the woman. This is twisted one direction with feminism and the like. When twisted it in the other direction, you get the super-aggressive male who is dominant to the point of violence (whether this be rape, blood-sucking, physical abuse, or what have you). The carnal female psyche responds to this because it has some semblance of the created order. But, like all things man touches, it is smeared with sin and actually quite far away from God’s original design. A man is to be the loving covering/protector/defender of a woman, not an overbearing, violent dominant who “loves her so much” he wants to watch her bleed.
Someone could probably state it more eloquently, but that’s my layperson’s guess as to why this type of setup is continually popular.
Caroline
Honestly, this advice encourages me to persevere. It encourages me to keep learning, keep growing, keep writing, and keep submitting.
In non-fiction, I feel like many of the topics endure the generations, especially on the mainstays of faith. But, there are “trends” in book format or subtopic (bible study, memoir focusing on faith, parenting in faith, living radical faith – all of which we need). some trends I think will actually stay, while others may lessen for a time, then experience resurgence.
When I examine my bookshelf, I have several different genres. I seem to immerse myself more in particular authors when I first find them (some of which write in multiple genres). I’m always looking for a book that challenges my thinking (especially in non-fiction), spurs growth, and promotes encouraging faith community.
Karen Schravemade
I’m hoping the next trend in the CBA will be what I think of as commercial literary. Women’s book-club type fiction that combines beautiful writing with a gripping plot. It’s huge in the ABA – we’ve probably all read books like The Help, The Memory-Keeper’s Daughter, The Kite Runner, Kate Morton’s The House At Riverton, all of which have had huge popular success.
To me it seems as though many CBA books are small in focus. Small-town locations, down-home characters, the quiet drama of everyday life. Give me a book with a big plot; a premise that sweeps me away and takes me somewhere new.
Lynn Dean
Literature and fashion–what a great analogy…and very encouraging.
Coming in late here, I enjoyed reading what everyone else had to say. @Marcy, if you think you’d enjoy stories that deal with the emotional costs of war, try Ronie Kendig’s Discarded Heroes series (Nightshade, Digitalis, et al) that minister hope to those suffering from PTSD. @Cheryl, I believe the lost innocence you mentioned is what Pleasant Company was attempting to address with their American Girls series. My daughter loved it! And @Erin, I think you’re on track in your belief that the economy will make an impact on future offerings. I see the current trend toward dystopian stories in YA as a symptom of the general frustration and hopelessness several others mentioned.
I don’t know whether to consult my crystal ball, my mood ring, or my wishing star, but I’d like to see more stories that acknowledge the real challenges in life while offering hope in God’s faithfulness and man’s ability to come through better for the experience. Sort of a new twist on the Ingalls or the Waltons? Maybe some historicals set in the Depression Era? The world has always been a fallen place, but God always has a good plan.
Janet Ann Collins
Without getting into the Amish vampire from outer space thing I’d like to mention something that will make a huge difference in books for kids; technology. Since children can always use their cellphones to call for help and are seldom allowed out of the house without constant supervision most of the earlier Middle Grade plots wouldn’t work today. That means contemporary children’s fiction must be replaced with fantasy,
Sci-Fi and historical fiction. There are lots of Sci-Fi and fantasy books for kids so I think historical fiction will be the next trend there.
Sally Apokedak
Great post, great comment thread. Thanks!
A couple of years ago my daughter was wearing a lime green tie-dyed shirt and bell bottoms, and I thought she could have been living in the 70s. And the shoes. I’ve seen platforms and wedges come and go and come and go.
And speaking about recycling, I also think the vampires are a kind of recycled pirate book—what is so attractive about the bad boys? Maybe it’s that the tougher the guy, the greater we feel if he worships us. Who wants to be worshiped by a milquetoast? Where’s the glory in that?
Trends? For children’s books, I think the funny MG boy book is always going but will pick up. Same for mysteries. I think the general market is ripe for a really good MG or YA detective. I don’t think John Grisham’s kid lawyer pulled it off. I wish I had a young detective up my sleeve. In CBA I think dystopian is the next logical step for YA. That and steampunk.
Maril Hazlett
Several of the trends mentioned above really resonated for me. More military-related stories, for example. I’d like to see more veteran protagonists (male and female), with the narrative going beyond PTSD as the major storyline. Our veterans have returned with a lot of important things to say.
As far as the children’s books, I think the technology is going to be key. My daughter will likely be reading books from a tablet during her school career, and those books will probably have interactive web features. Writing for kids might start to look a lot more like a content management project than a traditional book.
Lee Abbott
You are right, Wendy. We recently moved, and sorting the books was like an archeologic dig–layers marking the passage of years. Move it, donate it, pitch it? My life, passing before my eyes, on its way to the recycle bin!
Megan Sayer
I love this.
I live in a body that defies minimiser bras and hair straighteners. I’ve come to the place of contentment knowing that some years I’ll be in fashion and some years I won’t be, but I’ve got to do what works for me to the best of my ability.
Same is true of my writing. I write certain types of stories, and certain characters return again and again. Like my hair, I’ve learned to embrace this as my brand. God has put these stories on my heart. I may not be able to see the place for them at the moment, but neither am I ready to publish.
Fashions change. I’m keeping on writing. Some day, I believe, I and the industry will meet.
Rick Barry
A late P.S.: Maybe someone would like to take a stab at writing a story where the vampires are also detectives working the night beat? A new genre like that one could really take a bite out of crime!
😉
Valerie Comer
Late to the party here, but I’ll toss in what I hope to see coming up: Christian novels where characters wrestle with environmental issues, including local foods. This is HUGE in society right now and it’s being addressed in nonfiction. I really think the time has come for these issues to be explored in novels.