Why is knowing "Which book genre has the most fans" so important if you are an author or marketer. Knowing which genre has the most fans equals knowing whether your book is likely to sell more easily and make more (dare I say it) money.
Before we dive in, I feel it is important to stop your mind racing in the money direction... because authors should try to always write about what they love. They should enjoy their writing journey and the characters and stories they develop each day. So if you are thinking about writing solely because the genre you write in will make the most money, then you could find yourself hitting a brick wall of boredom later on when you find yourself writing about something that just doesn't interest you much.
If you didn't know already, books have been around for centuries and continue to be a popular form of entertainment and education. With so many genres to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one has the most fans. However, based on sales figures and reader surveys, it's clear that certain genres have a larger following than others. In this post, let's explore which book genre has the most fans.
Romance
Romance novels have a massive following, with readers of all ages and genders. This genre typically features stories of love and relationships, often with a happy ending. According to Romance Writers of America, the romance genre generated $1.4 billion in sales in 2019, making it the largest genre in the publishing industry.
Thriller/Mystery
Thriller and mystery novels are another popular genre, with a loyal following of readers who love the suspense and intrigue. These books often feature detectives, spies, and other protagonists trying to solve a crime or stop a dangerous plot. The thriller/mystery genre generated $728 million in sales in 2019, according to the Association of American Publishers.
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Science fiction and fantasy novels transport readers to other worlds and introduce them to extraordinary characters and creatures. This genre has a devoted following of fans who love the imaginative and often epic stories. According to BookNet Canada's annual survey, science fiction/fantasy is the second most popular genre, after mystery/thriller.
Side note from wordsrated.com: How much do science fiction authors make?
- Up to 75% of science fiction authors earn under $2,000 in a year from publishing.
- 90% of sci-fi authors earn under $15,000 per year from publishing.
- 95% of science fiction authors earn around a minimum wage per year.
- 5% of science fiction authors can make a living from the wiring.
Young Adult
Young adult (YA) novels are written for readers aged 12 to 18, but they have a wide appeal among adults as well. This genre often features coming-of-age stories and explores themes such as identity, friendship, and first love. According to the American Library Association, young adult fiction is the fastest-growing genre in the publishing industry.
Non-Fiction
Non-fiction books cover a wide range of topics, from history and politics to self-help and memoirs. This genre has a loyal following of readers who are interested in learning about the world around them and improving themselves. According to the Association of American Publishers, non-fiction books generated $4.8 billion in sales in 2019, making it the second-largest genre in the publishing industry.
Based on the annual sales figures, we can estimate that:
- 65.71 million books are sold every month
- 15.16 million books are sold every week
- 2.16 million books are sold every day
- 90,250 books are sold every hour
- 1,505 books are sold every minute
- 25.2 books are sold every minute
In conclusion, while it's difficult to determine which book genre has the most fans, romance novels, thriller/mystery novels, science fiction/fantasy novels, young adult novels, and non-fiction books all have a significant following. Each genre offers something unique and appeals to different readers, so it's important to read widely and discover what you enjoy the most.
Life Pathfinder: Christian Jacques Bennett*
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