I know what readers like,
I know what readers want.
Do, do, do, do, do...
Okay, by now you are all probably singing "I Know What Boys Like"...Haha! EAR WORM! TAKE THAT!
Anyway. Point. I have one. Well, more so I have a topic. I want to talk about trends.
You know how suddenly there are a zillion vampire books out there or dystopian or whatever the hip new fad is.
Are they cash cows?
Lucky? [Could be a curse depending on how you looked at it I guess.]
Just what happens to be sitting in the slush pile at that time?
Where do they all come from? How does the market end up flooded to the point that we, the readers, find ourselves burnt out on an entire type of book? [Unless, you know, you readers are smarter than I and don't get sucked in to the trend nearly as often and therefore don't end up burnt out on something. I'm looking at you paranormal romances...]
You know how suddenly there are a zillion vampire books out there or dystopian or whatever the hip new fad is.
Are they cash cows?
Lucky? [Could be a curse depending on how you looked at it I guess.]
Just what happens to be sitting in the slush pile at that time?
Where do they all come from? How does the market end up flooded to the point that we, the readers, find ourselves burnt out on an entire type of book? [Unless, you know, you readers are smarter than I and don't get sucked in to the trend nearly as often and therefore don't end up burnt out on something. I'm looking at you paranormal romances...]
And how do they KNOW? Are they stalking me? [Yes, I'm totally studying all of the people in the hallway who are secretly undercover publishers trying to figure out the next trend...I'M ON TO YOU PEOPLE!]
Personally I think it depends on the particular case. Sometimes I really do think its a cash cow kind of thing, where one author makes it big in a certain genre or with a certain gimmick and then others jump on the band wagon. Other times it just so happens that a group of people were inspired by similar things, wrote novels in that same genre, and presto! Huge influx of whatever genre that happens to be.
Basically, like with most things, I don't think there is any one answer to the question[s]. Total case by case basis, you know?
So, where do you think the trends come from? Are they planned? Crazy coincidences? PLOTS TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD? [They're Pinky and the Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain...]
One book gets lucky and becomes a best seller. Then, the publishing community decides they only want books like that one. It's insane. Sure, we get more books like the ones we're already reading, but what about all those books we're missing out on. Of course, some of these trends last longer than others. We've got the supernatural books, the Austen retreads, the new takes on fairy tales, the steampunk, and the latest fad, mommy porn. I'm ready to see something new.
ReplyDeleteThe trouble with that is I find myself overwhelmed by them. I'm all excited in the beginning because, hey, I liked this one book and now there are millions more just like it out there. But then the unavoidable burn-out kicks in. Kind of like when a kid gets that gigantic bag of candy for Halloween, is crazy excited, then miserable from the sugar crash after it? EXACTLY LIKE THAT.
DeleteYou have to take into account that books take anywhere from 1 month (self pub) to 1 year to get published. So I'm more of the second option mixed in with the first one. Starts out as a moderate number then the rest jump into the bandwagon.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent point, Nyx. You're completely right. I think a lot of us often forget about that nasty little gap.
DeleteMm interesting question, especially since books take so long to publish traditionally, it seems like there had to be pre-existing book pitches that all fit in to the trend. If the publishing house notices a trend starting from one super popular book, they might be able to more heavily promote another book deal they had waiting. It seems unlikely that potential writers will see a trend and be able to just whip out a book within the time the trend lasts ya know?
ReplyDeleteAnya @ On Starships and Dragonwings
I think in most cases you're right because it is extremely difficult to churn a book out that fast. I think they're are probably a few, smaller, cases that fit the bill but not enough to explain why we end up with so many.
DeleteThis is an interesting topic. I often think trends pop up because 1 specific book because a huge bestseller, and then everyone is clamoring for something similar. And I think some books have already been out there, just not getting as much press. And then publishers hurry up to get other books out there similar to that bestseller.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I thought so too. You're probably right, its that whole supply and demand thing.
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