What's Hot Now? and What's Coming Up Next? - guest post by Tara Tyler

You can find me over at Story Dam today with a guest post on being a hybrid author. Now let me hand you over to my awesome guest blogger today: Tara Tyler!

Thanks so much for having me, Christine! And thanks to you all for stopping by!

Everyone wants to know what's going to be the latest trend? What genre are agents looking for? What's going to sell? So after some research, I wanted to give you my quick take on...

WHAT'S HOT NOW? and WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT?

My research is based on what publishers and ezines are searching for and buying for anthologies and short stories, plus articles I've read from the publishing industry. One article I read at Kirkus Reviews had input from a ton of agents and industry professionals. All these combined, they confirmed most of my findings and predictions, but also had some fresh ideas, which is what we need, right?

The hard part is, trends don't last. We writers know it takes about a year to polish a novel. And if we aren't lucky enough to be cooking what's hot while it's heating up, we may miss the pie eating contest!

But don't throw away that manuscript that missed the boat. I also believe trends come and go in cycles. Most genres run their course in popularity, then a new one shows up or a classic returns - remember chick lit and vampires? Well, being a mathematician, I follow patterns and think I can make some sound predictions. But I'm also a believer in the fickle, unpredictable public - which is why I just go with my gut! And you should too!

So here are my assessments and predictions...

What's HOT Now?

• Fairy Tales Retold - lots of folks asking for spins on traditional fairy tales, but most writers know that most stories are based on ancient tales anyway, so we got this!
• Not So Super Heroes - alternative lifestyles, weird-not-necessarily-tragic beginnings, hints of deviousness and lots of inner conflict
• Horror Fantasy/Historical Horror - what's with all the horror? I think people are so jaded these days, it's hard to scare them! Don't hold back with these tainted twists
• Diversity and Disability - everyone has story and we want to see them through the eyes of different people, not the same old-same old
• Adult Coloring Books - no, this is NOT X-rated Adult, but therapeutic detailed, coffee and coloring because we don't like being an adult coloring books! (I think this is millennial inspired)

Here's a peek into my crystal ball for Upcoming Trends!

• Sci Fi/Fantasy - I think it's already started with the current TV shows, but it has so many possibilities mixing technology with paranormal/magical elements (like Star Wars!) - but with great power comes great conflict! With all the gadgets and magic, there have to be huge obstacles, fallibilities, and limitations...
• Dark Heroes - contrasting a dark heart with a twinge of conscience or an awesome super hero with a serious problem that catches up with her, secrets, deception, playing two sides, not always a happy ending.
• Alternate POVs - overlooked MCs - the custodian, the checkout person, the garbage man, the ER receptionist - they have stories too, many more stories than a single hero, and these stories affect their lives.
• Virtual Thrillers - first person POV, really get into their heads, limited information, scare the reader with dire, drastic thoughts, like a virtual reality video game you can't control or escape.
• Techno Fun - a mix of the latest technology, horror, and suspense. You are being watched, followed, and documented - whether you like it or not! Many stories can be discovered and uncovered, like dead bodies through Pokemon Go - it's just the beginning!
• dare I say... Chick Lit! - NA (new adult) didn't seem to catch on as a reboot of Chick Lit, but I know there's an audience who loves young love, drama, and humor. These are all Rom Coms or Contemporary Romance! But they need a transformation. Or do they? Maybe just a new title, but definitely more Lit than Chick!
• more Illustrations - the dwindling attention span needs visual stimulation...

But it always comes down to this - WRITE A GOOD STORY AND WRITE IT WELL. You want to know how a trend starts? By touching a reader's heart. Make readers feel something, feel enough to tell others about the book they just finished and couldn't put down. That's how a trend is born.

What trends are you digging now?
Do you think these are accurate predictions? Working on any right now?
And what kind of story would YOU like to see?

CRADLE ROCK
by Tara Tyler
Publication Date: December 1, 2016

Welcome to the forest.
Gabe and his girlfriend Ona are headed in opposite directions for Spring Break. After finding out humans might be a real part of their history, Ona is determined to dig up evidence of them in the mysterious mountains at Camp Cradle Rock. Being a logical goblin, Gabe tries to talk her out of it, but there's just no reasoning with a stubborn ogress.

When Ona goes missing, Gabe and his friends fly to Cradle Rock to search for her and discover a village of trouble, igniting an age old war. His physical skills may be lacking, but Gabe won't give up. With the help of his diverse group of friends, he will find a way to save his girl and maybe all beastkind. Humans, bah!

Add to your Reading List on Goodreads!

 

Tara Tyler has had a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After moving all over, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently she has two series, Pop Travel (techno-thriller detective capers) and Broken Branch Falls (fantasy adventures). To squeeze in writing, she economizes her time aka the Lazy Housewife. Make every day an adventure!

Talk to me!
Author Blog ~~ @taratylertalks ~~ Facebook ~~ Housewives Blog

Wicked Wednesday - new PNR couples

I've been hearing a lot of readers getting bored with the kick-butt heroines and Alpha males in paranormal romances. All the characters from various books blur together. The heroine and hero are becoming caricatures of themselves.

I still love a good PNR even when it has these same types of heroes, but I perk up when I find something new. I don't see these characters disappearing any time soon. Many readers still love the fantasy of a super possessive and domineering man and the beautiful warrior woman with a wit sharper than her blade. Yet there's room for different power couples out there.

Here are four trends that I'm seeing.*

1) The Alpha male beneath the surface of the "every day"** guy. You have the nice guy, usually smart and successful. He doesn't stand out in the heroine's eyes until he falls for her. He becomes driven to make her his. He might be smooth and savvy, but he gets arrogant and possessive.

2) The Alpha female and the Beta male. Many say this is the perfect match. Some women do fantasize about being in control. Just remember that the Alpha female isn't necessarily bossy and the Beta male isn't weak.

3) Geeky heroes. The girls who idolized Hermione Granger have grown up, and they prefer brains over brawn. A smart hero is better than one who muscles his way through life.

4) The "every day" woman emerges as the heroine. A woman with a crappy job, bad fashion sense, social anxieties, and/or obnoxious family members. The supernatural hero sees something special in her and falls in love.

Have you seen any new trends lately?

*I'm looking for new stories in PNR with different heroes, and I dig around all over the internet to find them. Are these books going to become the new big thing? I don't know, but I love seeing how romance novels evolve over the decades. (Check out this article on the evolution of the romance novel.)

**We are told these characters are every day folks, but it is fiction. Their lives have to be much more entertaining than ours!

Wicked Wednesday - trends in paranormal romance for spring 2013

I always keep an eye on what's hot and what's not in paranormal romance. I like to see what readers are eating up and discover something new for myself. It helps with my marketing too.

Vampires and werewolves still dominate the market. You might hear that no one wants to see any more, but that's not true. Readers want their alpha wolves and mysterious tall dark strangers of the night. So if you have a vampire story you really want to get out there, don't worry. The market hasn't cooled. People are wanting to see something new with them, though. A little twist on the legend is all it takes.

I keep waiting to see steampunk take a big leap, but it hasn't gained too much popularity since its original jump a few years ago. It has its niche, but it doesn't seem to be growing.

Dystopians are popular with the YA readers. Adult readers prefer contemporary stories.

Sci-fi romance is inching its way forward. I do believe you'll see more and more of it.

Everything is about series now. If you want to make it with a paranormal romance, it needs to be a series. Many of them are on-going with no end in sight.

Trends come and go and come again. It's difficult to say what's going to be the next big thing. Yet I can guarantee paranormal romance is here to stay, and your book might just start off the next huge trend.

Do you pay attention to what's happening in the market of your genre?

Wicked Wednesday + IWSG

Wicked Wednesday is my day of the week to talk about my favorite genre, paranormal romance.

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is Alex J. Cavanaugh's brilliant idea for writers to share their insecurities and encourage one another. The IWSG posts the first Wednesday every month. Please visit the other participants and offer up your support.

I'm combining both posts this month because of my fears about paranormal romance being a trend and that it's losing popularity. I'm sure you've heard this from several sources. Vampires and werewolves have been done one too many times. Publishers and agents are less likely to pick up your manuscript if they see it's paranormal romance, especially if it's about vampires.

Right now, the popular trends are dystopias and steampunk. There's been a rise in interest of fantasy and science-fiction too. While I do enjoy those genres, my passion is paranormal romance, and I feel like I'm coming in on the end of the trend. Should I even bother still writing in this genre? Am I hindering my career as a writer by writing a genre that is losing popularity? Am I over-thinking this?!

I know people say write what you love. If it's a brilliant story, no one will care what genre it is. I know these things. I tell say them over and over again in my head. But there's always that little snooty voice in the background talking about trends, what's best for me and my writing, etc. I try to smother that little voice, but it always creeps back.

I'd like to think that with the love readers have for paranormal romance, especially young people, that there is an audience there for life. I still love my first favorite genre as a child which was horror.

Do you think paranormal romance is losing its popularity? Do you think I'm wasting too much time thinking about trends?

Wicked Wednesday - trends

Ignore the rumors that paranormal romance is a trend going out of style. It's far from the truth. If you research various publishers, sales are still going strong. This is not a genre that will be drowned in an oversaturated market.

Vampires are getting harder to sell. If you're writing a vampire story, you need to make it unique. There's certain series like Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books that are still going strong. A lot of readers have a particular image of vampires in their minds and it's hard to sell something new. I think vampire stories will always be popular, but right now, we're feeling a bit of fatigue. It will pass and something great will come along again to sweep us away.

Shifters - werewolves in particular - are in high demand. There's more room to play around with various animals, magic, and myth origins. The animal nature appeals to readers both in the paranormal and romance sides of this genre.

Ghosts/spirits are growing in popularity. It's another area of the paranormal where there is a lot of different superstitions and myths to use as inspiration. If you're trying to break into the market, this is a good way to go.

Yet, as always, it's the unique voices that publishers are looking for. Something that engages the reader in a way that most other books cannot. They want a strong hook to pull in readers. Don't be afraid to take that extra step over the line. If you think you shouldn't do something with you story, that it might sound ridiculous, go for it. Over the top can take you to publication. (Of course, get your critique partners' and beta readers' opinions first just to make sure it isn't completely silly!)

There will always be trends. Books will come and go. Yet paranormal romance is here to stay.

Do you think paranormal romance is a trend? What do you think is rising in popularity and what is falling?