Find Your Niche

Narrow Down to Your Forever Genre

Writers come in many forms—journalists, bloggers, screenwriters, and many more. Yet, we all face a similar journey: discovering where we belong within this sprawling literary landscape. I call this the process of carving out a niche—not just in traditional publishing, but also in the realms of marketing and cultivating a loyal audience.

Anyone can write a book. But transforming a manuscript into a bestseller? That’s the territory of true authorship, and it begins with an honest sense of purpose. The initial step is always intention: What do you aspire to write? Determining your preferred literary genre might seem straightforward, but in reality, it often demands deep reflection.

Read vs. Write: Bridging the Gap

What captivates us as readers doesn’t always mirror what stirs us as writers. People read to learn, to gather information, to escape or be amused. Likewise, a writer’s best work emerges when they have researched broadly—delving into articles and novels within the chosen genre, absorbing the conventions and nuances that define excellence in that space. For instance, reading Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us exposes the hallmarks of contemporary romance—subtlety, emotional depth, and what’s unsaid on the page. Even if you don’t personally align with an author’s style, the foundations of genre must be learned if you hope to thrive within its marketplace.

Life Lessons & Literary Expressions

Many people yearn to share the lessons carved from their personal journey, whether through memoirs, speeches, or simple journal entries. Writing can be both cathartic and daunting—few things are more vulnerable than exposing one’s life for public scrutiny. Resist the temptation to hold back. You never know who your story will reach, or what kind of impact you could have.

Claim Your Creative Calling

Perhaps the genre you’re meant to innovate still lies unwritten. Maybe your style sits at the margins of what’s currently celebrated. Instead of being discouraged, seize this as your invitation to invent—your potential contribution to literary evolution. Browse bookstores, both online and in person; study what’s prominent, examine cover art, read synopses. These observations help clarify what’s popular and suggest where your work might fit.

Jump In or Get Brushed Off

Picture niches as market gaps begging to be filled, not soul-searching quests. Think of niches not as existential puzzles but as marketplace opportunities. Start by spying on best-seller lists—track what’s topping charts in genres like thriller, romance, or cozy mystery. Identify their recurring themes and note the tropes: enemies-to-lovers? High-stakes heists? Then, challenge yourself to twist these conventions: What about a thriller starring a forensic botanist, or a romance in an unexpected setting? If bestseller status is your ambition, don’t merely emulate—outdo. Investigate your readers, cultivate your followers, and experiment with sample chapters or sneak peeks. True commercial momentum happens where originality converges with audience appetite.

The Author Journey

I admit, my journey is ongoing. Bursting with ideas and an appetite for diverse genres, I’ve grappled with the industry’s categorical expectations. The traditional model expects writers to conform—one genre per project, one agent, one carefully targeted pitch. While this structure aids readers in finding their next read, it can feel limiting to those with eclectic interests.

To better understand my audience, I’ve self-published short works across different genres: my sole romance, Swans Amidst the Lake; three forays into horror—Red Rum, Bump in the Night, and The Devil’s Precious Soul; a thriller, Cherry Lime Sunset; and my only urban fiction, The Air Lounge.

Of all these, horror has emerged as my true passion. I revel in crafting dark fantasies, inventing macabre scenarios, and pushing creative boundaries. I’m now working on more horror, urban crime romances, and speculative fiction. Engaging with my readers continually shapes my direction, guiding my evolution as an author.

The adventure of writing is hardly predictable, but it is always rewarding—especially when you’re willing to carve your own path and let your creativity lead the way.

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