As an aspiring author in a world where over 1 million books have already been self-published, it’s crucial to find a unique edge that sets your work apart. One of the ways to do this is by understanding the market and identifying the most popular book genres.
But what does ‘popular’ really mean? Are we talking about the number of books sold, the total revenue generated, or perhaps the genre that has the most fervent fan base? The answer can vary depending on the format and context.
For instance, romance novels consistently top the charts as the bestselling genre in the world of fiction. However, when we shift our focus to non-fiction, religious and inspirational books take the lead. And if we’re talking about audiobooks, thrillers seem to have the most captive audience.
So, as a writer, you might find yourself asking – which book genre should I focus on?
To answer this question, we need to dig a little deeper. In this article, we’ll explore the various factors that determine a genre’s popularity and profitability. We’ll also provide some insights that might help you decide which genre aligns best with your writing style and career goals.
So, let’s embark on this literary journey together and uncover the secrets of the publishing world!
- A list of most popular book genres.
- The bestselling book genres.
- Book genres that make the most money.
- Most Competitive book genres on Kindle.
- Least Competitive book genres on Kindle.
List Of Most Popular Book Genres
Most Popular Fiction Genres
- Fantasy.
- Science Fiction.
- Dystopian.
- Adventure.
- Romance.
- Detective & Mystery.
- Horror.
- Thriller.
- LGBTQ+.
- Historical Fiction.
- Young Adult (YA).
- Children’s Fiction.
Most Popular Nonfiction Genres
- Memoir & Autobiography.
- Biography.
- Cooking.
- Art & Photography.
- Self-Help/Personal Development.
- Motivational/Inspirational.
- Health & Fitness.
- History.
- Crafts, Hobbies & Home.
- Families & Relationships.
- Humor & Entertainment.
- Business & Money.
- Law & Criminology.
- Politics & Social Sciences.
- Religion & Spirituality.
- Education & Teaching.
- Travel.
- True Crime.
Bestselling Book Genres
The top five selling categories for hard copy books on Amazon are:
- Memoirs and Biographies.
- Self Help.
- Religion and Spirituality.
- Health, Fitness, and Dieting.
- Politics and Social Sciences.
The top five selling categories for ebooks on Amazon are:
- Religion and Spirituality.
- Biographies and Memoirs.
- Business and Money.
- Self Help.
- Cookbooks, food, and vine.
Book Genres That Make The Most Money
Since different book genres have different expectations from readers, some genres are more profitable per book than others. This means that whilst a genre might sell fewer books, they may be more profitable.
A recent report examined the overall profitability of each book genre.
The top five more profitable categories on Amazon.com are:
- Romance/Erotica ($1.44 billion).
- Crime/Mystery ($728.2 million).
- Religious/Inspirational ($720 million).
- Science Fiction/Fantasy ($590.2 million).
- Horror ($79.6 million).
Bestselling Audiobook Genres
The top five bestselling genres of audiobooks are:
- Literature & Fiction.
- Fiction % Literature.
- Mystery, Thriller & Suspense.
- Science Fiction
- Fantasy.
- Romance.
- Business & Money.
Least & Most Competitive Book Genres On Kindle
The top ten most competitive Amazon categories are:
- Romance -> Contemporary.
- Literature & Fiction -> Contemporary Fiction -> Women.
- Romance -> New Adult & College.
- Literature & Fiction -> Contemporary Fiction -> Romance.
- Literature & Fiction -> Women -> Romance.
- Literature & Fiction -> Genre Fiction -> Coming of Age.
- Romance -> Mystery & Suspense -> Suspense.
- Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Paranormal & Urban.
- Literature & Fiction -> Genre Fiction -> Erotica.
- Literature & Fiction -> Women -> Mystery, Thriller & Suspense -> Women Sleuths.
The top ten least competitive Amazon categories are:
- Nonfiction -> Science -> Experiments, Instruments & Measurement -> Microscopes & Microsocopy.
- Nonfiction -> Business & Money -> Taxation -> Corporate.
- Business & Money -> Taxation -> Corporate.
- Science -> Experiments, Instruments & Measurement -> Microscopes & Microsocopy.
- Professional & Technical -> Engineering -> Civil -> Hydrology.
- Nonfiction -> Professional & Technical -> Engineering -> Civil -> Hydrology.
- Nonfiction -> Science -> Experiments, Instruments & Measurement -> Weights & Measures.
- Science -> Experiments, Instruments & Measurement -> Weights & Measures
- Nonfiction -> Crafts, Hobbies & Home -> How-to & Home Improvements -> Masonry.
- Crafts, Hobbies & Home -> How-to & Home Improvements -> Masonry.
Final Words
In conclusion, understanding the most popular book genres can be a game-changer for aspiring authors. It’s not just about knowing what sells, but also about understanding what resonates with readers. Whether it’s the escapism offered by romance novels, the life-changing insights found in self-help books, or the thrill of a good mystery, each genre has its unique appeal.
However, it’s also important to remember that trends change. What’s popular today might not be popular tomorrow. As an author, while it’s beneficial to understand the market, your primary focus should be on crafting engaging, compelling stories that you’re passionate about. After all, the most successful books are often those that break the mold and offer readers something new and exciting.
So, keep an eye on the market, but don’t let it dictate your creative process. Write the book you want to write, and who knows? You might just create a new trend in your chosen genre. Happy writing!
