[Michael J Elliott]

I was just wondering if there were any apps or programs that can let writers know which genres are currently selling well and which aren't. I'm a new author with only two short stories out ( third one soon and anthology to follow) and my genre is horror. I thought it would be interesting to learn how each genre is doing and not just relying on my sales rank.
If anyone here uses any apps that help them with tracking or just writing/promotion in general I'd love to here from you.

 

[Michael Kingswood]

To what end?  You're going to write what you're going to write regardless, correct?

 

[DanaG]

I actually deliberately wrote what was popular, and I think a fair number of authors do that. I mean, I also made sure it was something that I could write (in my case a particular subgenre of romance), but I picked it because that subgenre because it sells well.

However, to Michael Elliott - I don't know of an app, but the beauty of Amazon is that you can very easily see what's selling well right now.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/digital-text/ref=pd_dp_ts_kstore_1 That's the list of the top 100 bestselling books on Kindle.

Generally romance, mystery, and thrillers do well.

 

[funthebear]

To what end? You're going to write what you're going to write regardless, correct?

Doing this is a great way to not make money.

 

[Stephanie Marks]

Doing this is a great way to not make money.

My first short story attempt was amazing, I LOVED the concept. But guess what, NO ONE wants to read it. So I spent my last couple days off publishing in a genre and theme that's "hot hot hot" right now and had my first borrow within a couple of hours today. Only time will tell if it's a fluke or if I'm onto something, but the one thing I learned was that 'writing popular' got eyes on my short story REALLY fast.

 

[Elizabeth Ann West]

Kindle spy is awesome. Tells you average price of top 100 too and monthly revenue estimates.

 

[Patty Jansen]

Kindle spy is awesome. Tells you average price of top 100 too and monthly revenue estimates.

Judging by the figures that I can check, it's also wildly inaccurate. Off the scale type inaccurate.

 

[Elizabeth Ann West]

Kindle spy is just a snapshot and assumes the rankings will never fall. So no it doesn't give you accurate data for the 30 days, it is a good comparison tool since they're both calculated the same.

 

[Patty Jansen]

Kindle spy is just a snapshot and assumes the rankings will never fall. So no it doesn't give you accurate data for the 30 days, it is a good comparison tool since they're both calculated the same.

It calculates free books as if they were paid, so as comparison tool it comes with a huge grain of salt.

 

[DanaG]

I get the impression that short stories are a tougher sell than longer works, no matter what genre you're in. 

Kindle Spy - if it didn't cost money I'd definitely check it out.  But again, as far as figuring out what the hot genres are - it's incredibly easy. Just look at the Amazon bestseller lists.

 

[Patty Jansen]

I get the impression that short stories are a tougher sell than longer works, no matter what genre you're in.

Kindle Spy - if it didn't cost money I'd definitely check it out. But again, as far as figuring out what the hot genres are - it's incredibly easy. Just look at the Amazon bestseller lists.

This.

Re kindle spy I wouldn't pay unless you're willing to put up with a truckload of spam ( different list, from which you have to unsubscribe separately) from the makers. Been there done that.

 

[Northern pen]

If you are an indie writer wanting to know what genres are doing and haven't looked at looked at authorearnings.com yet you need too.

 

[Michael J Elliott]

thanks guys and gals,
You've all been incredibly helpful, I suppose I'm feeling a little apprehensive because my latest short has only sold two copies (my brother and I bought it lol). I have noticed though that since I did a Fivver promo with my first short the downloads kept on rolling, I'm hoping for the same with Mr Westacott's Christmas which has a promo coming up. I know we all go through anxiety over our works just like a protective mother, but I just get concerned that the story is a fundraising activity for a mental health organisation and I'll end up with egg on my face by not earning any (decent) royalties to present a cheque to them 

 

[DanaG]

Michael, it can take a lot of time and experimenting to find out what genres work for you. I tried erotica and a bunch of different types of romance before I started doing really well. Also, from what I gather so far, horror short stories are a tough sell.  If these stories don't sell for you, and your goal is to make money from your writing, it might be worth your while to experiment and see if any other genres click for you -mystery, maybe?

 

[Michael J Elliott]

Michael, it can take a lot of time and experimenting to find out what genres work for you. I tried erotica and a bunch of different types of romance before I started doing really well. Also, from what I gather so far, horror short stories are a tough sell. If these stories don't sell for you, and your goal is to make money from your writing, it might be worth your while to experiment and see if any other genres click for you -mystery, maybe?

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement Dana. I suppose I'm really being a bit premature with all this worrying. I will have to wait to see how my anthology of short stories goes before I get too worried. You are absolutely correct about differnet genres, I do like mysteries, particuarly psychological thrillers with psychopathic antagonists. I've also got a strong knowlegde of New Age interests such as Tarot, Feng Shui, psychic development etc and have often toyed with the idea of creating a fantasy series but under a pen name to see how things go.
I've just come up with another short story idea for my anthology about an elderly librarian who is lovely and charming but just happens to be a witch (a good one) I was struck by the thought how could she'd be as a 'magical" Miss Marple, solving mysteries involving magic and demons etc.
Maybe some of these ideas will evolve. Anyway, still early days as a writer so I'll keep my chin up