Do you have a target audience.

[Don Allen]

Something occurred to me today about who I'm writing for, other than myself of course, and I realized that I really do write for a specific audience though I never set off to do that. In my case I find that my writing is definitly blue collar orientated. It's raw it's edgy, and it has a street savey appeal that I'm sure wouldn't appeal to some.

I would be very interested in hearing some of your views on who you think you write for, whether intentional or not. This was like a revelation to me, because I never really thought about it in these terms before. It's kind of opened my eyes in this sense. If I don't appeal to everyone so be it. At least I know there is an audience for my writing and what I need to do is concentrate my efforts on getting my material to that audience.

[JasonChirevas]

My book is targeted toward 14 year-old girls, 12 year old-boys, and 30 year-old geeks.

That's my hope, anyway.

-Jason

[Sassee]

Mine is targeted for adults, adrenaline junkies, urban fantasy lurkers, and of course, myself and my gamer friends :)

[Dancre]

YA, 16 and up.

[Gillhoughly]

Do you have a target audience.

That would be me.

I have to like my work before anyone else reads it.

[Don Allen]

Right On, Gillhoughly --- God, I'd swear that picture looks like Lee Marvin..

[JoNightshade]

I too am my own target audience. As a marketer, I am constantly conscious of who the Audience is for any given piece of writing... except for my fiction. I do not have any audience in mind but my own pleasure. :)

That said, who would my books sell to? It's honestly hard for me to pin down. I would guess that mostly women would like my work, but I know of guys who do too. Maybe... people who are fans of sci fi and fantasy, but for whom character development is the primary focus when they read. I read sci fi and fantasy, but I find myself skimming over descriptions of worlds or technology. It's the people I'm interested in. When I write, whatever the setting is, I tend to strip it down to the simplest components. Soooo, other readers like me.

[Don Allen]

What I'm finding fasinating is that the common link here seems to be, ME FIRST... Which is cool, but in a way surprising.

[Will Lavender]

A voice to the chorus: I'm writing for people just like me.

That is, folks who are looking for high-concept thrillers. I write a bit outside of the genre. I'm not interested in serial killers, cop stories, crime dramas.

People who love thrillers but who want something "different" -- that's who I'm writing for.

[Azraelsbane]

My target audience would be anyone breathing and literate ;)

But really 16+. Some mainstream, some for those with a thing for fantasy. I have a slight obsession with angels...

[Don Allen]

Azraelsbane, some places in Chicago where I'm from literacy may be a problem for you. But both you and Will have obviously determined a target for your material.

[mscelina]

my target audience? anyone with a Visa.

no seriously, I guess my work is geared more toward traditional epic fantasy fansith a slightly skewed sense of priorities. In other words, me.

*jumps right on the bandwagon and hangs on for dear life*

[Shady Lane]

That's what's so great about YA. Your target audience is baked right in. They're your characters.

[Death Wizard]

I went to a fantasy/sci-fi conference recently and discovered that my target audience is nothing like me, at least in physical appearance. I hope they like my series, anyway.

[Shadow_Ferret]

What I'm finding fasinating is that the common link here seems to be, ME FIRST... Which is cool, but in a way surprising.Why is that surprising? For instance, I write the stories I want to read. Unless I enjoy the story, I won't enjoy writing it. Heck, I wouldn't even be interested in writing it if I wasn't interested in reading it.

[SilverVistani]

Well, yeah... I have to put the "Me First" vote in...

See, the problem is, what I write is probably most suitably identified as Young Adult Fantasy. But... er... Even at 21, that's what I really prefer to read. ^_^() So, yes. I consider my writing to probably be at a "Young Reader" level, but that doesn't mean I feel that I'm writing just for teens. Or even just for Young Adults. I'm writing for whoever might enjoy my type of writing.

So... yeah... Mostly just people like me, I suppose. -_-'

[Zoombie]

I write first for myself, second for the people who like books that are fast, funny and filled with explosives.

[alaskamatt17]

Orion's Key is targeted at 12+ yr-old readers interested in dinosaurs and adventure.

The Blight is targeted at 17+ yr-old weirdos.

[WordGypsy]

Um, I was actually surprised to find myself realizing that I never thought about this. Sure, I would like to sell it some day cuz honestly the money (ANY MONEY!) would be great, but it's really nice to confirm that I'm just really writing it for me...kind makes it real in a way :)

[sadron]

From 15+ because of some bloody scenes...

[Geist]

Something occurred to me today about who I'm writing for, other than myself of course, and I realized that I really do write for a specific audience though I never set off to do that. In my case I find that my writing is definitly blue collar orientated. It's raw it's edgy, and it has a street savey appeal that I'm sure wouldn't appeal to some.

I would be very interested in hearing some of your views on who you think you write for, whether intentional or not. This was like a revelation to me, because I never really thought about it in these terms before. It's kind of opened my eyes in this sense. If I don't appeal to everyone so be it. At least I know there is an audience for my writing and what I need to do is concentrate my efforts on getting my material to that audience.

The only problem is that blue collar people typically don't read books. Readers are usually educated people. Most people don't actually read books for pleasure. A lot of people do, but not most. I think it's an IQ thing and a cultural thing. You may have blue collar characters, which is great, but your readers aren't going to be blue collar.

That's my opinion for what it's worth.

Ed

[aadams73]

The only problem is that blue collar people typically don't read books. Readers are usually educated people. Most people don't actually read books for pleasure. A lot of people do, but not most. I think it's an IQ thing and a cultural thing. You may have blue collar characters, which is great, but your readers aren't going to be blue collar.

That's my opinion for what it's worth.

Ed

I see you're back with your old arrogant sweeping generalizations still firmly in place, GordonJerome.

Loads of blue collar people read. Loads of people from all kinds of backgrounds, colors, and socio-economic grounds read.

Back on topic, I'm hoping my current WIP will appeal to teens on up who like a twist of fantasy.

[tammieofmi]

I write for Women.

Saying you write for "me" is not what surprises me, saying you never thought of who you write for is surprising. If you write with the intentions of selling you have to consider this.

One of the first things agents and editors want to know is where is your baby gonna fit on the bookshelf, which to me can only be answered by who are you writing for?

Of course there is cross over but still its an important question.

Tammie

[glutton]

Anyone who likes to read about the adventures of over-the-top hardcore warrioresses, and doesn't mind some bloody violence. :)

[scarletpeaches]

Me first.

My friends, second. I imagine they would like it.

Thirdly, an agent. Any agent.

Fourth, YAs of about 16 or so.

[Gillhoughly]

Right On, Gillhoughly --- God, I'd swear that picture looks like Lee Marvin..

Um...well....

http://www.beachbumberry.com/movies/i/donovans.jpg

Donovan's Reef. I've always admired "Boats" Gillhooley. He had about 10 lines and stole the whole dang picture.

Taught me that less is more.



I have to write the kind of book I enjoy reading, and I've a wide interest range. The minute I think the phrase "target audience" I can't write any more.

Too limiting. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

[WritingForFood]

The only problem is that blue collar people typically don't read books. Readers are usually educated people. Most people don't actually read books for pleasure.

Considering that the largest selling genre in the U.S. is the "bodice ripper" romance (e.g. Harlequin), I think it's quite likely that many people read for pleasure. Moreover, I'd venture to say that many of those people are blue collar.

[TrainofThought]

First, I wrote the story and then knew my audience. I don’t want readers to dictate what I write, but need to determine the audience while I revise. My story targets mainly adult women, but I wrote it because it’s something I would read.

[scarletpeaches]

The only problem is that blue collar people typically don't read books. Readers are usually educated people. Most people don't actually read books for pleasure. A lot of people do, but not most. I think it's an IQ thing and a cultural thing. You may have blue collar characters, which is great, but your readers aren't going to be blue collar.

That's my opinion for what it's worth.

Ed

Huh?

And I'll say it again. Huh?

For a start, education and IQ are only very loosely linked. Most people don't read for pleasure, eh? What other reason could they possibly have? (Unless they're at college and have study texts).

Not read for pleasure?

Muh?

[BardSkye]

I find determining a target audience for a publisher or agent one of the most difficult things to do. For one thing, it's cross-genre. (Sports mystery.) Could say men because of the sports aspect, but you don't have to be male to like sports, and you don't have to like hockey to enjoy the story. YA would be a possibility, as there's no gratuitous sex and violence, but the protags are in their twenties.

I read and like a wide variety of work, from historical romance to techno-thrillers and don't honestly understand how anyone can read one genre exclusively. So I guess it's targeted at those who like something a little different within traditional bounds.

[tammieofmi]

Of course by picking a targeted area it doesn't mean that it wouldn't appeal to a wider crowd or that you deliberately omit an area of readers - everyones free to read whatever interests them. But publishing is a business and it only makes sense to narrow your prospects down.

There is no need to ask the question then if you are writing only to please yourself and a few friends.

I'm a bit thrown by the blue collar slap and the not reading for pleasure? I can only hope there was a typo somewhere in that post because even reading nonfiction is today written with pleasure in mind.

[tammieofmi]

TrainofThought - Great way to put it!

[RLSMiller]

Everything with a pulse? :e2shrug:


But seriously, I'm aiming for 12 and above. Perhaps 10 and above, if the 10 and 11 year olds are relatively advanced. :) I imagine my novel will appeal to fantasy lovers, action lovers and conspiracy theorists in particular (corrupt governments always seem to strike a cord with them). I'm trying to keep my work as accessible as possible, though. I don't want to get stuck writing for a small niche or anything - I'm a commercial slave in pretty much all aspects of life. Woe betide me. :e2smack:

[gerrydodge]

All of the western world...oh yea, and Asia too.

[triceretops]

The last book was for gals in their twenties, who fall in love with hunky magicians, and find they can do the time-warp-step and cause all kinds of problems.

Tri

[Gillhoughly]

The only problem is that blue collar people typically don't read books. Readers are usually educated people.

Humph. Then I must have been stolen by gypsies and dropped into the wrong family.

I'm from solid blue-collar roots and held my share of blue collar jobs. But I was reading encyclopedias soon as 1st grade showed me how letters formed into words to make sounds.

I've more than twenty books published and counting, 4-5 anthologies edited and counting, more than--oh, you get the idea.



i gez i iz dum an jus dint no id. i wel cal al muh bu culler frenz n tel thm 2 stob reedin az wes al ignerints hoo shud no beddr. gorsh, i woodnt wanna git abuv muhselv!

:tongue

[Jamesaritchie]

The only problem is that blue collar people typically don't read books. Readers are usually educated people. Most people don't actually read books for pleasure. A lot of people do, but not most. I think it's an IQ thing and a cultural thing. You may have blue collar characters, which is great, but your readers aren't going to be blue collar.

That's my opinion for what it's worth.

Ed

If it weren't for blue collar readers, none of us would sell very many books. The blue collar class is not short on IQ, and reads an astounding number of books. And produces an astounding number of writers.

[Jamesaritchie]

The only audience I write for is myself. I assume my tastes are fairly average, so if I write something I really enjoy reading, many others will enjoy it, as well.

[Atlantis]

I don't really write my books with a certain age group in mind. I just write the type of books that I myself would like to read. Atlantis Reborn is a bit hard to put into an age group. Its got violence, death, sex, romance, but a big part of the plot line is a little bit like Harry Potter, so I would have it would appeal to sixteen year olds and up, pretty much.

[Atlantis]

The only problem is that blue collar people typically don't read books. Readers are usually educated people. Most people don't actually read books for pleasure. A lot of people do, but not most. I think it's an IQ thing and a cultural thing. You may have blue collar characters, which is great, but your readers aren't going to be blue collar.

That's my opinion for what it's worth.

Ed

That's a fairly sweeping statement. Its almost as dumb as saying that white people only read books written about white people and black people only want to read books written about black people. As someone else mentioned, the most successful genre of books is the "bodice ripper" romances, which suggests to me, that alot of people do read for pleasure.

[TheKnightWhoSaidNi]

My story's just complicated enough and contains just enough adult themes and graphic violence that I'd say 16 and up.

[Don Allen]

Um...well....

http://www.beachbumberry.com/movies/i/donovans.jpg

Donovan's Reef. I've always admired "Boats" Gillhooley. He had about 10 lines and stole the whole dang picture.

Taught me that less is more.



I have to write the kind of book I enjoy reading, and I've a wide interest range. The minute I think the phrase "target audience" I can't write any more.

Too limiting. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

I thought that was him.... I'm a big fan. Comanchero's great add on part. Cat Balloo, best drunk ever.... Liberty Valiance, Did you ever want to hate him more??? Dirty Dozen,,,, The Man!!!

I couldn't right for a target audience either, it just occurred to me the other day that my writing probably resonates better with a harder (tougher, in the sense of the everyday type of guy) audience more than another.

[Don Allen]

Why is that surprising? For instance, I write the stories I want to read. Unless I enjoy the story, I won't enjoy writing it. Heck, I wouldn't even be interested in writing it if I wasn't interested in reading it.


I totally get that... But I thought a lot more people (say horror writers for example) might be looking for audience reaction to their writing as opposed to writing something that scares the heck out of themselves.

[Don Allen]

[quote=SilverVistani;1422263]Well, yeah... I have to put the "Me First" vote in...

See, the problem is, what I write is probably most suitably identified as Young Adult Fantasy. But... er... Even at 21, that's what I really prefer to read. ^_^() So, yes. I consider my writing to probably be at a "Young Reader" level, but that doesn't mean I feel that I'm writing just for teens. Or even just for Young Adults. I'm writing for whoever might enjoy my type of writing.

So... yeah... Mostly just people like me, I suppose. -_-'[/quote

I think it's a slam dunk...

[Don Allen]

I went to a fantasy/sci-fi conference recently and discovered that my target audience is nothing like me, at least in physical appearance. I hope they like my series, anyway.


I don't know if that's good or bad......

[Don Allen]

Um, I was actually surprised to find myself realizing that I never thought about this. Sure, I would like to sell it some day cuz honestly the money (ANY MONEY!) would be great, but it's really nice to confirm that I'm just really writing it for me...kind makes it real in a way :)

It just occurred to me as well, the response to the thread has been really interesting because I'm not sure a lot of us ever really thought about it before. The consenus is that we write pretty much because we love it and for our own pleasure. But, we have to remember that this is also a business, (hate the thought) and if we really want to get published we need to think about who would actually buy our stuff...

[Don Allen]

The only problem is that blue collar people typically don't read books. Readers are usually educated people. Most people don't actually read books for pleasure. A lot of people do, but not most. I think it's an IQ thing and a cultural thing. You may have blue collar characters, which is great, but your readers aren't going to be blue collar.

That's my opinion for what it's worth.

Ed

Opinion noted, though vehemently disagreed with!!!!!! I'm a 48 year old truck driver, construction worker/ pee on/ who gets his hands dirty everyday and reads for three hours every night...( writes on the weekends) There ain't a truck driver on the road who hasn't heard or read Zane Grey, Jack London, or Studs Terkle. You're sadly mistaking if you think an I.Q is indicative of an ability to read and enjoy a good book.

[Don Allen]

Everything with a pulse? :e2shrug:


But seriously, I'm aiming for 12 and above. Perhaps 10 and above, if the 10 and 11 year olds are relatively advanced. :) I imagine my novel will appeal to fantasy lovers, action lovers and conspiracy theorists in particular (corrupt governments always seem to strike a cord with them). I'm trying to keep my work as accessible as possible, though. I don't want to get stuck writing for a small niche or anything - I'm a commercial slave in pretty much all aspects of life. Woe betide me. :e2smack:

Geist is right ---I have no IQ ---I understood every word...

[Ardellis]

My primary target audience is, like a lot of you have already said, my own self. I'd be bored to tears if I tried to write a book that I wouldn't want to read.

I also pick a secondary target for each story, though, and try to write as though I'm writing the story for that person as well as myself. For my current WIPs: the urban fantasy is aimed at my best friend, and the fantasy adventure/thriller is aimed at my husband.

[Don Allen]

Huh?

And I'll say it again. Huh?

For a start, education and IQ are only very loosely linked. Most people don't read for pleasure, eh? What other reason could they possibly have? (Unless they're at college and have study texts).

Not read for pleasure?

Muh?


Oh Scarlett! Words of reason... Thank you..

[Don Allen]

If it weren't for blue collar readers, none of us would sell very many books. The blue collar class is not short on IQ, and reads an astounding number of books. And produces an astounding number of writers.



Nicely said...

[Don Allen]

I write for Women.

Saying you write for "me" is not what surprises me, saying you never thought of who you write for is surprising. If you write with the intentions of selling you have to consider this.

One of the first things agents and editors want to know is where is your baby gonna fit on the bookshelf, which to me can only be answered by who are you writing for?

Of course there is cross over but still its an important question.

Tammie


Tammie you are 100% correct.. It was a flaw in my thinking... I've made the necessary correction... But, you know something, I gather from reading some of the posts that I'm not alone....

[Don Allen]

I never think in terms of "targeting" any specific audience, because that would mean I'm purposefully excluding a different audience segment, which certainly isn't the case. Come one, come all! :)



Wouldn't want to do that..

[Don Allen]

Of course by picking a targeted area it doesn't mean that it wouldn't appeal to a wider crowd or that you deliberately omit an area of readers - everyones free to read whatever interests them. But publishing is a business and it only makes sense to narrow your prospects down.

There is no need to ask the question then if you are writing only to please yourself and a few friends.

I'm a bit thrown by the blue collar slap and the not reading for pleasure? I can only hope there was a typo somewhere in that post because even reading nonfiction is today written with pleasure in mind.

I agree, that seemed way out of line.. Or just really naive.. I understand exactly what you're saying. Goodness, if the world loves our stuff, GREAT!! But we need to know our base or core audience...

[Don Allen]

Humph. Then I must have been stolen by gypsies and dropped into the wrong family.

I'm from solid blue-collar roots and held my share of blue collar jobs. But I was reading encyclopedias soon as 1st grade showed me how letters formed into words to make sounds.

I've more than twenty books published and counting, 4-5 anthologies edited and counting, more than--oh, you get the idea.



i gez i iz dum an jus dint no id. i wel cal al muh bu culler frenz n tel thm 2 stob reedin az wes al ignerints hoo shud no beddr. gorsh, i woodnt wanna git abuv muhselv!

:tongue

But it's OKAY - you're a Lee Marvin fan, so groove on...

[Don Allen]

I'm really digging the feedback. The consensus seems to be write for yourself without loosing sight of the business end of publishing. (and bluecollar guys are o.k)

[Hillgate]

I like to think of a 'core' audience which includes me and others who like the subject and then of a wider 'marketability' thing which solely involves not alienating large sections of the population.

[MelodyO]

Anyone who likes Joss Whedon. No matter how much I think I should write more "seriously" or "realistically", I just can't stop myself from writing funny stuff with a dramatic edge to it. Nothing else comes close to being as emotionally satisfying. So, my target reader is someone who thinks kitten poker and the death of a parent are completely fine together.

Siiiigh.

[Don Allen]

Anyone who likes Joss Whedon. No matter how much I think I should write more "seriously" or "realistically", I just can't stop myself from writing funny stuff with a dramatic edge to it. Nothing else comes close to being as emotionally satisfying. So, my target reader is someone who thinks kitten poker and the death of a parent are completely fine together.

Siiiigh.

You know what? As long as your therapist is on board, I think its cool...

[Death Wizard]

I don't know if that's good or bad......

I wasn't sure either!

[Don Allen]

I wasn't sure either!


TOO Funny!

[SilverVistani]

I think it's a slam dunk...


*blink blink* I'm sorry? Say again?

[WriterInChains]

My target audience is full of women who dig a good love story but don't want to know how it'll end before they start reading, and who don't need books to always be populated with folks who have good manners and seek redemption.

In other words: women like me (under-educated, blue-collar women ;) ).

[Don Allen]

*blink blink* I'm sorry? Say again?


I hear you.. I get your vibe. it's all good... I read what you said and understood where you were coming from.

[Don Allen]

My target audience is full of women who dig a good love story but don't want to know how it'll end before they start reading, and who don't need books to always be populated with folks who have good manners and seek redemption.

In other words: women like me (under-educated, blue-collar women ;) ).


I'm just guessing here, but I think we could drink beer and talk shit about writing all night..

[Dave.C.Robinson]

I'm certainly a member of my target market. I write the kind of stories that other people can't write fast enough for me to read before I run out.

I aim for people who want something to read that they're going to enjoy. I aim for a bit of pulp, and a lot of fun. I don't care about message so much, just story. I want people to feel they got their money's worth, not that they got ripped off. I write to entertain.

[Jenan Mac]

My MC is Pagan and lesbian. I'm thinking that probably the Promise Keepers' Book Club won't be seeking my novel out.
OTOH, if they wanted to buy it, I sure wouldn't stop them.

[SilverVistani]

I hear you.. I get your vibe. it's all good... I read what you said and understood where you were coming from.


Ah! ^_^() Okies, I get that. Glad to hear!

[javili]

I am hoping my book will appeal to anybody who likes a suspense novel. But since it is set in Mexico with all characters but one being Mexican, I would hope it would appeal to Latin American people in the United States.
Is this realistic? Is that a big enough market to make me rich?