The Engineering Problem
Not all genres are created equal. Some have millions of hungry readers. Others have 12 people and a cat.
This guide treats genre selection as a market analysis problem. You're not just choosing what to write. You're choosing your battlefield.
By Ameen A. Mohiyuddin - I've written in 3 different genres. The profit difference is staggering. Choose wisely.
The Whale Genres: Where the Money Is
1. Romance
Market Size
$1.4B/year
Reader Behavior
Voracious
Why It Works:
- • Readers buy 10-20 books/month
- • Series-friendly (read-through is king)
- • Clear tropes (enemies-to-lovers, second chance, etc.)
- • Fast release schedules rewarded
2. Thriller/Mystery
Market Size
$728M/year
Reader Behavior
Loyal
Why It Works:
- • Series potential (detective/investigator protagonist)
- • Readers love familiar characters
- • Multiple sub-genres (psychological, legal, cozy)
- • Strong Kindle Unlimited performance
3. Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Market Size
$590M/year
Reader Behavior
Dedicated
Why It Works:
- • Epic series (5-10 books common)
- • Readers invest in worldbuilding
- • Higher price tolerance ($4.99-$9.99)
- • LitRPG/Progression Fantasy exploding
The Ghost Towns: Avoid These
Literary Fiction
Beautiful prose, critical acclaim, zero sales. Readers want plot, not poetry.
The Reality: Top 100 literary fiction books sell 50-100 copies/month. Top 100 romance books sell 10,000+ copies/month.
Poetry
Unless you're Rupi Kaur, poetry doesn't sell on Amazon.
The Reality: Poetry readers buy 1-2 books/year. Romance readers buy 10-20 books/month.
Short Story Collections
Readers want novels, not anthologies. Short stories don't sell.
Exception: If you're already famous. Otherwise, bundle shorts into a novel-length collection.
Write to Market vs Write for Passion
Write to Market (Data-Driven)
Study bestsellers in a profitable genre. Identify tropes. Write what sells.
✅ Pros
- • Higher profit potential
- • Clear reader expectations
- • Proven demand
❌ Cons
- • May feel formulaic
- • Requires genre research
- • Less creative freedom
Write for Passion (Art-Driven)
Write the story you want to tell. Ignore market trends. Follow your muse.
✅ Pros
- • Creative fulfillment
- • Unique voice
- • No burnout from formula
❌ Cons
- • Unpredictable sales
- • Harder to find audience
- • Lower profit potential
The Hybrid Approach (Recommended)
Write in a profitable genre you also enjoy. Find the overlap.
Example: You love mysteries AND the mystery market is huge. Write mysteries. Don't force yourself to write romance if you hate it.
Emerging Genres: Get In Early
LitRPG / Progression Fantasy
Video game mechanics in books. Character levels up, gains skills, defeats bosses.
Why It's Hot: Huge on Kindle Unlimited. Male-dominated readership (underserved market). Series potential.
Cozy Mystery
Amateur sleuths, small towns, no graphic violence. Think "Murder, She Wrote."
Why It's Hot: Older demographic (50+), high disposable income, series-friendly.
Romantasy (Romance + Fantasy)
Fantasy worldbuilding with romance as the main plot. Think "A Court of Thorns and Roses."
Why It's Hot: Combines two whale genres. TikTok-driven (#BookTok). Young adult crossover appeal.
How to Research a Genre
Step 1: Check Amazon Top 100
Go to Amazon → Books → Your Genre → Bestsellers
Look For: Are books selling? What's the #100 book's overall rank? (Lower = more sales)
Step 2: Read 10 Bestsellers
Identify common tropes, pacing, word count, price points
Goal: Understand what readers expect in this genre
Step 3: Check Kindle Unlimited Performance
Look at top books. Are they in KU? (Orange "Read for Free" badge)
If Yes: Genre is KU-friendly. Consider enrolling.
Genre Selection Checklist
Choose Your Battlefield Wisely
Genre determines your profit potential. Pick a whale genre you enjoy, or struggle in a ghost town.