Why Authors Need To Know Their Genre

 

Many authors that I come across have vague ideas about the genre that they write in. They are not exactly sure which bucket they fill. But they need to identify where their writings fall on the spectrum of books or they will be hampered in marketing their books.

Even for those who believe they nailed their genre, they often waffle between two or three.

“It’s sci-fi.”
“Well, it is also a thriller”
“And there is romance, too.”

So it is a romantic sci-fi thriller?

What the hell is that?

You get one shot in the bookstores to be discovered. Which section of the store do you believe your potential readership will gravitate towards?

Online, it is a different game. You can be anything you want. And you can be listed numerous ways. For instance, on your website and social media postings, you can describe yourself in any way that you feel will draw readers in. People search for books of a specific genre, so as long as you reference that genre on your site, you are fine.

With listings on places like BN.com or Amazon, you usually get to list under several categories, and their niche sub-categories allow you to really break down where you fit on the spectrum.

Another thing that I notice when discussing genre with authors is that they don’t have a full handle on their competitors.

Which books lead your genre in sales, awards, and recognition?
What are some recognizable, classic books that you can compare yourself with?
How does your writing style compare with book sales trends?

You need to have answers. Start by reading other books in your genre, checking bestseller lists, and catching up on what is going on in your genre.

How does your book sound better, new, different, or unique? Is it the:

* Setting
* Theme
* Pace
* Storyline
* Characters
* Writing style
* Dialogue
* Length
* Cover
* Title
* Images

How do you convert the gut belief you have about your book into something others can believe in? How do you help them understand where you are coming from and why your book is the one they should read in your genre?

I know, I know, your book is like no other, I just need to read it, it should be turned into a Netflix series, and it just transports you out of your world, and …

Save it. Learn what your genre is and be prepared to be more specific in your comparisons. None of us writes in a vacuum. Unless you invent a new genre, you have competition from the present and the past. Before people will invest time or money — or both — to read your book, you must sell them on why you stick out in the genre that you live in.

 

Please Contact Me For Help

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.

 

Happy Holidays! A gift for you!

Where Can Authors Bond With Readers?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/03/where-can-authors-bond-with-readers.html

 

Should Authors Date Publishers?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/03/should-authors-date-publishers.html

 

What Will Help You Market Your Book?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/03/what-will-help-you-market-your-book.html

 

Are There Alternative Methods To Marketing A Book?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/03/are-there-alternative-methods-to.html

 

How Do Authors Crack The Book Retail Market?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/03/how-do-authors-crack-book-retail-market.html

 

How Do Authors Get More Book Reviews?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/03/how-do-authors-get-more-book-reviews.html

 

What Should You Do To Promote Your Book?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/01/what-should-you-do-to-promote-your-book.html

 

Ask Me Anything About Book Marketing

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2021/12/ask-me-anything-about-book-marketing.html

 

About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2022. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This blog, with over 4,000 posts over the past decade, was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Susan RoAne, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, IBPA, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.