Trending Topics in Self Publishing
There are two types of writers – those who write for passion and others who write for passion and sales. If you fall in the second category, then here is an insight into the trending topics that might help you finalise the topic for your next book.
One bare fact about self publishing is – it is not driven by brands, names, or celebrity writers. It is solely based on one thing – CONTENT. You might be a first-time author, but if your content is excellent, you can become a best-selling author. You need not be famous or a celebrity or have spent lakhs to help boost the sales of your book. Only content, rightly placed in front of the right audience matters. To help you in your writing spree, we have listed the hot topics that readers love to read these days –
1. Non-Fiction is becoming the favourite genre for millennials. Precise, crisp information dealing with the current economy, technology, polity is a sure hit. Our book on GST [ India GST for Beginners ] remained a bestseller for several months, as the right content was launched at the right time in India. Technologies like blockchain, cryptocurrency have been trending since last year. Entrepreneurship, starting up are some of the topics which the readers wish to read.
Myth busted – It’s fiction that rules. Does it?
2. Books in niche areas where there is limited content available by Indian authors sell a lot. When we published the book – ABC of Real Estate in India by Sachin Mittal in 2018, [ The ABC Of Real Estate In India ] little did we know that it would remain an Amazon Bestseller thereafter. The reason behind the success of this book – There was no book on real estate by an Indian author catering to the Indian rules and regulations and the issues involved in the real estate market. Again, it was the right content placed at the most appropriate time in the market. Seeing this trend, the author came out with an updated, exhaustive version – the A to Z of Real Estate in India. One needs to evolve and update, both himself and the book, to stay put in life and in the books market.
Myth busted - Who says self published books don’t sell?
3. An exceptional example of success is our Marathi book on Stock Markets by Bhagyashree Phatak [ Market Aani Me ] The book is solely listed on our WFP Store, doing away with third party listing – be it on Amazon or Flipkart. The author has earned six times her initial nominal investment with us. And the book continues to sell, reaping profits for the author.
Myth busted - Placing a book in a store does not guarantee good sales neither any good profit.
4. Millennials love to read short stories. Do not write a 400-page novel, rather break it down into short, crisp stories – be it horror, romance, crime, the list goes on. We tested the waters with our book – Almost Dark – A collection of 4 horror stories the book has been selling like hot cakes ever since.
Myth busted – Fiction genre is competitive and only traditionally published books can sell well.
5. Write regional, go global. With the Indian diaspora spread throughout the world, don’t think a book’s sales are solely limited to India. We have had success of regional books outside India. Our book, Virsa has been doing well since the last two years in terms of international sales. The sales rank are a good proof. So, if you love your mother tongue and have the writer in you, focus on your native language first. Who knows, the book might become a success.
Myth busted – Readers like English books.
From the Director’s Desk
Navsangeet Batth