Do you have a target audience.

Don Allen · Jun 22, 2007

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 · Jun 22, 2007

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 · Jun 22, 2007

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

Dancre · Jun 22, 2007

YA, 16 and up.

Gillhoughly · Jun 22, 2007

Do you have a target audience.

That would be me.

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

Don Allen · Jun 22, 2007

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

JoNightshade · Jun 22, 2007

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 · Jun 22, 2007

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 · Jun 22, 2007

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 · Jun 22, 2007

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 · Jun 22, 2007

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 · Jun 22, 2007

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 · Jun 22, 2007

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

Death Wizard · Jun 22, 2007

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 · Jun 22, 2007

Don Allen said:
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 · Jun 22, 2007

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 · Jun 22, 2007

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

alaskamatt17 · Jun 22, 2007

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 · Jun 22, 2007

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 · Jun 22, 2007

From 15+ because of some bloody scenes...

Geist · Jun 23, 2007

Don Allen said:
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 · Jun 23, 2007

Geist said:
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 · Jun 23, 2007

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 · Jun 23, 2007

My audience is...

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

scarletpeaches · Jun 23, 2007

Me first.

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

Thirdly, an agent. Any agent.

Fourth, YAs of about 16 or so.

Do you have a target audience.

Seeking a Sanctuary of Intelligence

Momma Wolf

Just have fun.

Grumpy writer and editor

Seeking a Sanctuary of Intelligence

has finally arrived

Seeking a Sanctuary of Intelligence

Everything is what it seems.

Agony is defeat

Seeking a Sanctuary of Intelligence

Teh doommobile, drivin' rite by you

my name is hannah

Tumhe na koci puujetha

Court Jester

Dragon of the Multiverse

Writing Dark Fantasy

A Work in Progress