- Membership
- About
- News
- Events
- Resources
- IBPA Independent
- Store
Staying Away From Trends |
(BLOG POST)by Don Stevens —
When A Story Is a MatchThe books we choose to publish need to be good match—yes, it is a business, but we still should be choosy and make sure the published work represents the company well, and vice versa. Choosing to publish a book because it is trendy can prove disastrous for both publisher and writer. Two examples: the publisher may not be aware of how to market to book well, or the writer is writing outside their comfort zone, and trying a new genre because it is popular. This is jumping on the band wagon, we need to be true to ourselves. As publishers, and writers, we owe it to ourselves to present the best book possible to readers, even if that means selling to a targeted audience. Can Trends Be SuccessfulWhile I stress not to choose a book because of a trend, sometimes publishers and writers specialize in books that are currently trending. They have already established themselves in this genre and are reaping the benefits of newfound success. Talk about timing. I say enjoy the limelight while it lasts, another trend is probably lurking around the corner. Making Your Books TrendIf you are publishing books in a genre that is not trending you can make them trend by finding the right audience. Nowadays there’s a group for everything. Try searching online to discover your readership; use social media and hashtags to find some influencers in your subject who can make your book popular. This may take some time, but publishing a less competitive genre is an easier market to crack, and more rewarding. Know What You Can SellIt’s okay if publishers only specialize in a few genres, it is actually shows integrity. I do not publish westerns, erotica, or vampiric sci-fi because I am not familiar with this genre. They all could sell well in their respective fields, however, I would not know a good plot from a mediocre one; they simply do not interest me, nor my test readers. Be comfortable and proud of the books you sell. The last thing a publisher needs to do is accept a project because it is the only one in the pipeline. Image courtesy of Allen Sandquist.
|