Most Lucrative Nonfiction Genres to Write In
Book publishing and selling trends are notoriously fickle and difficult to predict, but there are certain nonfiction book genres to write in that consistently fare well in online and physical markets. Some genres of fiction consistently sell well in e-book format, whether self-published or released through a traditional publisher. These include romance, mystery/thriller, and young adult fiction.
Though nonfiction books tend to do better in print, nonfiction e-books are more than worth the investment, as well. For one, you can charge more per copy in nonfiction than in fiction. You’ll find success long as you’re writing, marketing, and publishing armed with the right information and guidance. Our free Networlding resources can help you with that.
That said, here are this year’s most lucrative nonfiction genres to write in, based on recent and long-time trends.
Biographies, Autobiographies, and Memoirs:
Even within the nonfiction world, the one thing that captures the hearts and minds of readers is indelibly a good story. No matter who you are, if you have a unique story to share with the world, you have the chance to garner a following by writing a compelling memoir or a gripping autobiography. If you’d rather tell someone else’s story, writing a biography is another wonderful option.
Self-Help Books:
Modern readers are putting more and more emphasis on self-care, growing their mindsets, and getting in touch with themselves. That’s why the self-help book market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% by 2027 (source). Keep up with the demand by writing your own book, whether your expertise can help people expand their skill set professionally or personally.
Business and Money Nonfiction:
This is a wonderful year to write your business book. Never in history have people had a higher variety of opportunities to start a business, invest, and grow financially. With that wealth of opportunity comes both curiosity and decision paralysis. Readers are hungry for trustworthy information on business, leadership, investing, and even cryptocurrency, and the nonfiction book market is booming in response.
Health, Fitness, and Dieting:
Though these topics are always of great interest to nonfiction readers, the pandemic has sharpened public awareness of the importance of holistic health. So, health and fitness books have risen in popularity recently, a trend that’s likely to hold given the strong focus of younger generations on wellness and work-life balance.
Keep in mind…
Certain nonfiction genres tend to do particularly well in modern markets. But don’t be discouraged by this list if your nonfiction book is niche. The online world, especially Amazon, has provided writers and readers with an enormous marketplace to connect. Whether you’re self-publishing or traditionally publishing, you can always find readers in this global world with the right targeting, editing, querying, and marketing strategies.
Further Reading
Creative Nonfiction Writing Exercises
5 Great Nonfiction Writing Techniques
How To Publish a Nonfiction Book
Three Great Nonfiction and Business Writing Hacks
Blog to Book? Yes or No? The Experts Weigh In
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