Why Knowing Your Book’s Genre and Tropes Is Crucial for Marketing and Sales

If you're a writer preparing to publish a book—whether you're going the indie or traditional route—one of the most important steps you can take is learning how to properly classify your book. We're talking genre, subgenre, category, and tropes. It might not sound glamorous, but it can be the difference between a book that gets seen, read, and loved... and one that sinks into obscurity.

Genre is often the first thing a potential reader will use to decide whether or not your book is for them. Romance. Thriller. Fantasy. Horror. Mystery. Sci-Fi. Each of these comes with a built-in promise. If your book doesn’t deliver on that promise—or worse, if you mislabel it—you’ll lose the trust of your readers.

For example, a romance reader expects a central love story and a satisfying, happy ending. If your story ends with one lover dying tragically and no hope in sight, you’re not selling a romance—you’re selling a tragedy with romantic elements. Misclassify it, and you might end up with a lot of one star reviews...event if you've written an excellent book.

Then, within each genre, there are subgenres and categories that help narrow down your ideal audience. For instance, romance alone includes:

• Contemporary

• Historical

• Romantic Suspense

• Paranormal

• BDSM

• LGBTQ+

• Dark Romance

• Romcom

Each of these has its own readership, tone, pacing, and expectations. Identifying the right subgenre helps your book show up in the right Amazon categories, get recommended in the right Goodreads lists, and reach readers looking for exactly what you're offering.

Tropes Are the Reader’s Shopping List

Tropes aren’t clichés—they’re storytelling tools. And readers love them.

Enemies to lovers. Fake dating. Second chance romance. Grumpy/sunshine. Forced proximity. Secret baby. These are all tropes that readers specifically seek out, or avoid, when choosing their next read. They go on TikTok and search for “books with forbidden love” or browse Amazon looking for “slow burn romance.”

If you know your book includes certain tropes, use them. Mention them in your blurb, add them to your metadata, and highlight them in your marketing. You’re not giving away the plot—you’re signaling that your book checks the boxes a specific reader is craving.

Why It Matters

When you understand your book’s genre and tropes, you can:

• Target ads more effectively
  
• Craft a compelling blurb
•  Pitch to influencers and bloggers
•  Choose the right keywords and categories
•  Create social media content

Writers often think of their books in terms of themes or characters, but readers shop based on genre and tropes. If you want your book to find its audience, you need to speak their language.

So before you hit publish, ask yourself:

• What is the primary genre and subgenre?

• What tropes are at play?

• What reader expectations am I meeting?

• Where does my book fit?

Because when your book is in the right hands, marketing feels less like shouting into the void—and more like connecting with the people who were waiting for your story all along.

 

 

 

 

 

The Power of Connection: Why Engaging with Readers Matters at Events

There’s a big difference between simply showing up to an event with a table full of books and actually connecting with the people who walk by. Whether you’re a seasoned author or just dipping your toes into the world of book events, one thing remains true: how you interact with readers at your table can make or break your success that day—not just in sales, but in building genuine relationships.

 

 

Talking To Readers vs. Talking At Readers

 

It might sound like a subtle distinction, but the difference between talking to readers and talking at them is everything.

 

Talking at readers usually looks like this:

 

• Launching into a summary of your book the second someone makes eye contact.

   

• Dominating the conversation without asking questions or inviting dialogue.

   

• Pushing a sale, rather than helping them find their next favorite read.

   

We’re passionate about our books. We want people to know how amazing they are. But this approach often feels impersonal or even overwhelming to potential readers. Remember, they’re not just buying a book; they’re deciding whether to invest time and emotional energy in your story.

 

Talking to readers:

 

• Making eye contact and saying something that will draw them to your table. This can be as simple as asking them if they read the types of books your write.

   

• Once you've qualified them as reading the genre you write, ask them open-ended questions: “What kinds of books do you usually enjoy?” or “Do you have a spice level preference?”

   

• Tailor what you say based on their responses. If someone says they read romance, but prefer mystery and you have a romance that has a strong mystery subplot, steer them toward that book.

   

• Listening as much as you speak. While you may do a lot of talking, you should also be listening not only with your ears, but with your eyes as well. A person's body language can tell you as much as their words.

   

When you talk to readers, you’re engaging them to participate in a conversation. You’re seeing them not as a sale, but as a person—and people remember how you make them feel.

 

At the end of the day, events are about human connection. Readers don’t just want to hear about your book—they want to hear from you. They want to know the voice behind the words. And when you speak to them instead of at them, you’re giving them a reason to care.

 

So the next time you’re behind that table, don’t just be a salesperson. Be a storyteller, a listener, a fellow book lover. That’s what turns a casual chat into a meaningful connection—and maybe even a lifelong reader.

 

2nd Annual Newark Book Fest

 

I was a signing author this past weekend at the 2nd annual Newark Book Festival in downtown Newark, Ohio. The weather was perfect outside of the wind. Authors were having to hold down their books every time a gust kicked up.

 

The festival's goal to celebrate literature and connect readers with local authors. This year there were over 100 authors set up on Canal Street with their books. It was the perfect opportunity for readers to meet authors and get signed copies of their books.

 

In order to have as many authors as possible participate, most authors shared a table with another author. Luckily, the tables were eight feet long, so I had four feet to try to fit all my books. From experience, I know four feet is the minimum I need to fit all my titles. By the time I laid all my books out, my business cards, and a little stand with a QR code to sign up for my newsletter, I  had just enough space for my cash box.

 

There were plenty of books and bookish things for all ages. Near me was a woman running a summer reading program for kids, a mystery author, a woman selling book shaped vases, a children's book author, and an author who writes romantic thrillers. Then, of course, there was me, who sells steamy and spicy romance. If there was a type of book you were looking for, chances were good you could find it at the Newark Book Festival.

 

They also had face painting for the kids, and one table was handing out peacock feathers. By the end of the day, the feathers were everywhere. I think some of the kids lost control of them because of the wind. It really was quit strong.

 

The highlight of the day, though, was when one of our local meteorologist, whose and avid reader, stopped by my table. She ended up buying a copy of my office romance, Strictly Professional.

 

Newark has consistently been very supportive of my books. I need to get busy on my writing, though. I had some ladies stop by my table and ask if I'd written anything new since last year. Unfortunately, I hadn't, but hopefully my next year I'll have at least one, if not two new books for readers.

 

Currently Reading - Twisted Love by Ana Huang

He has a heart of ice...but for her, he'd burn the world.

Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can’t escape.

Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart.

But when he’s forced to look after his best friend’s sister, he starts to feel something in his chest:

A crack.
A melt.
A fire that could end his world as he knew it.

***

Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can’t remember.

But despite her broken past, she’s never stopped seeing the beauty in the world…including the heart beneath the icy exterior of a man she shouldn’t want.

Her brother’s best friend.
Her neighbor.
Her savior and her downfall.

Theirs is a love that was never supposed to happen—but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both…and everything they hold dear.

 

 Amazon

Multiple POV's May Not Be A Good Idea For Your Story

As writers, we’re often tempted to explore every character’s perspective, diving into their thoughts and emotions to create a rich, layered narrative. While multiple points of view (POVs) can add depth and complexity to a story, there comes a point where too many perspectives can backfire.

 

At a meeting of my local writer's group, we discussed one members story. She's writing fantasy and her current manuscript has eight POVs.

 

When I heard this a bunch of red flags went off in my head. While I'm not a fantasy genre expert, I do know how difficult it is to write a large number of POVs well. 

 

My first story, it had five POVs. While that didn't make it a bad story, it did create its own set of challenges.

 

One of the biggest issues with having too many POVs is that it can make it difficult for readers to form strong emotional connection. Readers get invested in characters, especially when they're able to be in those character's heads and experience things from their perspective. They're able to experience the character's struggles, emotions, and motivations first hand. Constantly shifting perspectives can dilute that connection.

 

Jumping POVs, also known as head hopping, can also be disorienting to the reader. Even if chapters are clearly marked, it can create a disconnect which may lead to confusion or frustration.

 

Managing so many POVs can all so present pacing challenges. If every character gets equal time, chances are some situations will need to be rehashed multiple times. This slows down the progression of the story and could lead to readers skimming over entire sections, or even DNF'ing the book.

 

Are there stories out there that do have eight or more POVs? Of course. The first one that comes to mind is Game of Thrones. But it isn't the norm for one simple reason: finding the right balance and doing it well isn't easy.

 

Finding the right balance is key. For most stories, two or three POVs is all you need. This allows for deeper character development, stronger emotional connections, and a more natural flow to the story.

 

If you're considering writing a book with five or more POVs, ask yourself if all of those perspectives are truly essential. Are they all driving the story forward? If not, it may be time to rethink whether their POV is really needed.

 

Why Boycotting Amazon Hurts Self-Published Authors More Than It Hurts Amazon

Amazon has gotten a lot of hate over the years with many groups calling for boycotts for various reasons. The latest boycott movement is being pushed and encouraged in many corners of the book world. Whether or not you agree with the reasons behind the boycott, it does hurt independent authors who rely on Amazon to reach readers and generate income.

 

The Reality Of Self-Publishing

 

Let's be frank. Amazon is the big dog when it comes to eBook publishing. Like it or not, more eBooks are sold via Amazon than any of the other online retailers. Amazon provided a platform where independent authors can publish their books without the gatekeeping of traditional publishing. Add that to their global reach, their user friendly tools, and the ease of use, and you can't find a comparable online outlet when it comes to revenue generation for those who've chosen to self publish.

 

Amazon holds a huge share of the eBook market. Most indie authors make at least 70% of their monthly income from Amazon. Those are the authors who choose to publishing not only on Amazon, but on other platforms as well. Kindle Unlimited authors sell exclusively on Amazon. Their incomes are solely dependent on the platform with the exception of a small amount of paperback and/or audio book sales. 

 

If the last week has shown anything, it's that a good chunk of readers aren't willing to migrate to other online retailers. Amazon doesn't just provide a platform for authors. Readers like it as well. They've made everything easy and seamless. While other retailers like Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, and GooglePlay have a share of the market, they don't have the same customer base and it shows in the numbers.

 

Unlike some other boycotts, books are only a small portion of Amazon's revenue stream. Books aren't the only way they're making money, so the hit they're going to take is not likely to do them much damage. But the indie author who's counting on that royalty check to pay their mortgage or car payment will.

 

If you feel strongly about not using Amazon for your book purchases, then what should you do?

 

A Better Way To Support Authors

 

1. Buy direct. Many self published authors sell paperbacks directly through their website. Some even sell eBooks and audio books directly via Bookfunnel.

 

2. Buy from other online retailers. If you don't want to purchase your books on Amazon, there are other alternatives. Simply buying your books on these retailers helps boost visibility and signals to the retailer that they might want to put more time and effort into that aspect of their platform.

 

3. Leave reviews. While this isn't directly related to Amazon or book sells, reviews are extremely important. And if you're choosing to buy your books from other sources, it becomes even more important. Reader use reviews and word of mouth recommendations to decide on what book they buy next, especially if it's an author they've never heard of before. To an indie author, a reader taking the time to leave a review is incredibly important.

 

Are you participating in the boycott? If so, how are you continuing to support indie authors?

 

Currently Reading - Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison

Two best friends fake date to reach their holiday happily ever after in this first romantic comedy in the Lovelight series.

A pasture of dead trees. A hostile takeover of the Santa barn by a family of raccoons. And shipments that have mysteriously gone missing. Lovelight Farms is not the magical winter wonderland of Stella Bloom’s dreams.

In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was a kid, Stella enters a contest with Instagram-famous influencer Evelyn St. James. With the added publicity and the $100,000 cash prize, Stella might just be able to save the farm from its financial woes. There’s just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic destination for the holidays, she lied on her application and said she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only…there is no boyfriend.

Enter best friend Luka Peters. He just stopped by for some hot chocolate and somehow got a farm and a serious girlfriend in the process. But fake dating his best friend might be the best Christmas present he’s ever received.

 

 Amazon