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Good topic. Differences between fiction and how-to non-fiction in my experience:
(All of the above are opinions based on my experiences.)
Today's how-to market is tough. Everything anybody wants to know about almost any subject can be found with google. Consequently, I think one would do better choosing topics aimed at folks who don't sit at their computers all day or walk around with their noses buried in their smart phones. Although that's a shrinking audience.
- A how-to needs an outline. Fiction can be seat of pants.
- Fiction is told in narrative and dialogue. How-tos are told in explanations and procedures.
- Fiction needs no illustrations. How-tos? "A picture is worth..."
- Fiction is stories told on a timeline. How-tos are presented as subsequent lessons.
- Fiction writers are making it up and anything goes. How-to writers better know what they're talking about.
- How-tos sell readily to a targeted audience. Fiction appeals to everyone.
- Everyone's writing novels. The how-to competition is not as fierce it you have an esoteric subject.
- Formatting an e-book novel is easy. Non-fiction can be a pita because of charts and illustrations.
- Non-fiction needs paperback editions that can be sold or given away at private and public events such as conferences, lectures, signings, reunions. Self-published fiction works best with e-books.
(All of the above are opinions based on my experiences.)
Today's how-to market is tough. Everything anybody wants to know about almost any subject can be found with google. Consequently, I think one would do better choosing topics aimed at folks who don't sit at their computers all day or walk around with their noses buried in their smart phones. Although that's a shrinking audience.