What sort of writing and topics do agents and publishers want in a novel?

Reluctant Artist · Nov 9, 2006

I've written a book on a topic that is important to me. Now I'm interested in writing something that will actually sell, so I'm pondering the following questions:

Do I have to write a novel that appeals to the uneducated masses?
Do I have to "dumb it down"?
Do I have to include graphic violence or sex to get it noticed?

If anyone knows specfically what subjects are selling right now, I'd be interested in hearing. Heck, if I'm writing anyway, I might as well write something that will make me some money.....

victoriastrauss · Nov 9, 2006

If you want to make money, you need to be in a different business. Writing is a very low-paying profession. Most writers aren't self-supporting.

If you have such a poor opinion of your potential audience, I suspect you will have trouble selling no matter what you write.

- Victoria

Good Word · Nov 9, 2006

I'm curious--what is your completed book about? Did you sell it, or try to?

Reluctant Artist · Nov 9, 2006

My novel concerns a series of murders among musicians in a symphony orchestra. Although I wrote this book as something of a catharsis for myself, I've been surprised that virtually no agent wants to look at a book about serial murder. I thought that would be pretty popular. It's actually a very entertaining story, in addition to being skillfully written. Still, I'm left to wonder if I've somehow missed the mark in selecting a topic. Thus the question!
Thanks for asking, good word.

Rolling Thunder · Nov 9, 2006

Visit Miss Snark's blog. She answers questions similar to yours every few weeks.

Reluctant Artist · Nov 9, 2006

Victoria: I don't know where you got the idea I have a poor opinion of my potential audience. And, truth be told, I have no illlusions about the money end of writing! I merely wonder sometimes if I don't have the ability to discern what will appeal to book buyers, if not the book I've already written. It's a simple as that. That's why I'm asking for insights.

BarbaraSheridan · Nov 9, 2006

I've been surprised that virtually no agent wants to look at a book about serial murder.

Thomas Harris has done quite well using Hannibal Lecter so the topic may not be the issue.

Since I haven't seen your work this may not apply but perhaps it isn't so much the subject but the execution of the story or the way you present it in your query/synopsis.

JerseyGirl1962 · Nov 10, 2006

BarbaraSheridan said:
Since I haven't seen your work this may not apply but perhaps it isn't so much the subject but the execution of the story or the way you present it in your query/synopsis.

I agree with Barbara - maybe your query letter isn't hooking them in.

You might want to consider having others look at it and give their opinions. Try putting it up in the Share Your Work section of AW, or you can try Elektra's Crapometer.

Good luck.

~Nancy

Kasey Mackenzie · Nov 10, 2006

Reluctant Artist said:
Victoria: I don't know where you got the idea I have a poor opinion of my potential audience. And, truth be told, I have no illlusions about the money end of writing! I merely wonder sometimes if I don't have the ability to discern what will appeal to book buyers, if not the book I've already written. It's a simple as that. That's why I'm asking for insights.

No offense, but asking such questions as:

"Do I have to write a novel that appeals to the uneducated masses?
Do I have to "dumb it down"?
Do I have to include graphic violence or sex to get it noticed?"

does give the impression you have a poor opinion of your potential audience. There are much less insulting ways to ask what's currently popular in the market. Maybe you didn't mean to be insulting, but it did come off that way.

With that said, writing strictly to the market can be a frustrating exercise in futility, since what's popular now may not be popular by the time your book comes out (usually anywhere from 12-24 months after you sell to a publisher). You could sign up for a...I think it's Publishers Weekly...membership and track what's selling to see what the current trends seem to be.

Good luck!

Reluctant Artist · Nov 10, 2006

What my questions reflect is FRUSTRATION! I'll bet a lot of writers can relate to that......

aghast · Nov 10, 2006

i understand the frustration but really where does this 'dumb it down for the uneducated' thing come from? plenty of best-sellers are written for intelligent educated people who at least a high school degree... if you write badly it doesnt matter if you smart it up or dumb it down its still bad, if its a good book it will sell

Reluctant Artist · Nov 10, 2006

These are just questions, folks. Nowhere in any of my postings have I singled out a particular group for insult. I am struggling to understand what sells, and what doesn't, and if I need to write at a level that is accessible to more people, or on topics that appeal to a broader group, I need to know that. These were sincere questions, and although somehow I've managed to touch a nerve with some people, I am flabbergasted that I have! I realize none of you know me personaly, or you never would have drawn those conclusions about my intentions.
In the final analysis, does anyone have a feel for the type of writing and the topics that are marketable? That's all I'm after.

KTC · Nov 10, 2006

Reluctant.

What sells is great writing. It doesn't matter what the subject matter is...if it's good (hooks the reader, strong plot, great characters, etc), it will be published.

BUT

You must have a perfectly executed query letter. If they don't get past the query letter you could have the next Great American Novel and it will never get published. Your query has to excite and tantalize...convince them that the book is going to catch a fire.

YOU SAID:

In the final analysis, does anyone have a feel for the type of writing and the topics that are marketable?

You will not like my answer, because I feel that you are demanding a definitive one. BUT topics are not marketable...great writing is marketable.

Reluctant Artist · Nov 10, 2006

Well said, KTC. I'm back to attack my query letter - again!

ORION · Nov 10, 2006

Reluctant Artist -
Start book 2

underthecity · Nov 11, 2006

In the final analysis, does anyone have a feel for the type of writing and the topics that are marketable? That's all I'm after.

Sure do. Just visit your local bookstore and look over the "New Fiction" or "Bestseller" shelves. All that writing and all those topics have proven marketable.

allen

Arden · Nov 12, 2006

Reluctant Artist said:
I've written a book on a topic that is important to me. Now I'm interested in writing something that will actually sell, so I'm pondering the following questions:

Do I have to write a novel that appeals to the uneducated masses?
Do I have to "dumb it down"?
Do I have to include graphic violence or sex to get it noticed?

If anyone knows specfically what subjects are selling right now, I'd be interested in hearing. Heck, if I'm writing anyway, I might as well write something that will make me some money.....

Out of curiousity, what types of novels appeal to the "uneducated masses"? Does your novel appeal to the "educated elite"? And what type of education do you have that qualifies you to write at such a high level? Multiple doctorates?

What does "dumb it down" mean? Take out words of more than a few syllables? Insert characters who work at blue collar jobs?

Am I to understand that you've written a book about serial murder yet deplore violence?

It's hard to believe you don't realize how offensive your rant sounds... especially to those who consider themselves a member of the "masses".

What sort of writing and topics do agents and publishers want in a novel?

Reluctant Artist

victoriastrauss

Writer Beware Goddess

Good Word

still crazy after all these years

Reluctant Artist

Rolling Thunder

Reluctant Artist

BarbaraSheridan

insert catchy phrase here

JerseyGirl1962

I heart Malamutes! :-)

Kasey Mackenzie

One Hit Wonder?

Reluctant Artist

aghast

Reluctant Artist

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Reluctant Artist

ORION

Sailed away years ago

underthecity

Finestkind

Arden

Happy to be here!

What sort of writing and topics do agents and publishers want in a novel?

Writer Beware Goddess

still crazy after all these years

*insert catchy phrase here*

I heart Malamutes! :-)

One Hit Wonder?

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Sailed away years ago

Finestkind

Happy to be here!

insert catchy phrase here