Stepping into the year 2024, the book industry is buzzing with conversations surrounding the latest trends in genres. Whether it’s thrillers, romance, contemporary, or historical fiction, there is a growing interest in what genres captivate readers’ attention and which trends publishing professionals are closely monitoring.
To identify the top five trends in book genres for 2024, a thorough examination of industry buzz and manuscript wish lists was carried out. This included analyzing #MSWL (manuscript wishlist) tweets from literary agents and industry insiders from November 1, 2023, to January 25, 2024. This hashtag is commonly utilized by agents to specify the types of manuscripts they are eagerly seeking, providing valuable insights into current industry preferences. Let’s delve into the findings according to Alyssa Matestic:
- Romantic Tales
Romance has ascended as the predominant genre, capturing 218 mentions in the dataset, marking a substantial increase from its previous standing as the second most popular genre last year. This genre encompasses a plethora of sub-genres, such as supernatural romance, steamy and sweet romance, slow-burn, and low-spice romance. Among these, contemporary romance stands out as particularly sought after, with occasional references to historical romance and rom-coms.
2. Enchanting Worlds
Fantasy remained steady with 64 mentions, maintaining its popularity from the previous year when it ranked third. Literary agents expressed interest in fantasy across various age
categories, including adult, middle-grade, and YA. Cozy or light fantasy also caught the attention of agents.
3. Modern Fiction
Modern fiction, with 35 mentions, made a remarkable entrance into the top five, having been absent from last year’s list. This genre encompasses a wide range of sub-genres, often including modern YA, middle grade, modern romance, and suspense. The trend suggests a strong appeal for stories set in the present day.
4. Romantic Fantasy (Romantasy)
Romantic fantasy, or ‘romantasy,’ secured its place in the top five, showcasing the growing
popularity of blending romance with fantastical elements. This trend was emphasized by
numerous mentions of adult romantasy, particularly enemies-to-lovers storylines. The success of titles like ‘Fourth Wing’ has spurred interest in similar books.
5. Young Adult Adventures
YA, with 18 mentions, slipped from its top spot last year but maintained its significance as a trend. Agents showed interest in YA romantasy, romance, rom-coms, and thrillers, indicating a diverse range of preferences within the YA category.
Other Standout Genres
While not part of the top five, genres such as horror, thriller, and non-fiction were frequently
mentioned. The term ‘literary’ was commonly used but was not included in the top rankings as it often referred to agencies or agents rather than the genre itself. Additionally, specific character types and settings like female protagonists and academic environments, as well as tonal preferences ranging from ‘light’ to ‘dark’ stories, were also noteworthy mentions.
Is Following Trending Genres Important for Authors?
When looking to get their work published, authors should take into account current trends while also staying true to their personal beliefs. Writing within a popular genre can have its benefits, but it is just as important to focus on creating stories that are meaningful to the author themselves. The literary world is vast and diverse, welcoming a variety of genres and voices. Success in this industry is dependent on writing with sincerity and passion, regardless of what is currently popular.
To summarize, while keeping an eye on genre trends can provide useful insights, authors
should ultimately prioritize their own creative instincts and the stories that they are truly
passionate about. This not only enriches the writing process but also resonates more deeply
with readers.
