ReadersMagnet

ReadersMagnet Review: Books Trends for 2020

by ReadersMagnet | Jan 3, 2020 | ReadersMagnet Review

The year 2020 is an exciting year for book lovers. While certain reads from the previous decade will continue to delight readers, new stories and book trends await book worms this year.

The rise of self-publishing over the last decade paved the way to great stories and trends both in eBook and print format. The total number of self-published titles grew up from 1.2 million in 2017 to over 1.6 million the following year. As the decade closed down, authors and publishing continue to produce quality books from various genres. For this year, we will be seeing old trends and new ones on the rise, making 2020 a great year for authors and readers alike.

Mythopoeia. The term was used by J.R.R. Tolkien in one of his poems to defend the art of myth-making. Today, mythopoeia is a genre that is a modern version of mythology whose stories cater both to young and mature readers. The last years of the previous decade produce some of the remarkable books in the tradition of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Often labeled as high-fantasy, works like A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan, works by J.K Rowling, and Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere and American Gods all made a huge mark in the literary world. It is safe to say that high-fantasy novels are here to stay.

A Song of Ice and Fire by G.R.R. Martin

Climate Fiction. A new sub-genre is becoming popular today. Cli-Fi or climate fiction is gaining attention following the rise of the global warming issue. Cli-fi was first mentioned by eBook writer and blogger Danny Bloom. Despite being a relatively new term, cli-fi can be associated with the post-apocalyptic genre but with emphasis on the effects of global warming. Paolo Bacigalupi’ The Water Knife published in 2015, Kim Stanley Robinson’s 2017 novel New York 2140, and Odds Against Tomorrow by Nathaniel Rich are just some of the interesting titles under the cli-fi fiction. We think that cli-fi will continue to flourish because of its relevance in today’s glaring issue of climate change. Many readers would want to have a peek of the possible future in store for humanity.

Adult and Romance. If there’s one genre aside from children’s books that has always attracted readers, it is romance novels. It is a billion-dollar genre. Romance genre closed over 3 billion in profit last year. This year, we can expect great romance novels to again top the charts. The Moral Compass by Danielle Steel, The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver, The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang, and the Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory are some of the anticipated best-sellers for 2020.

Moral Compass is Steel’s latest work.

Crimes and Thrillers. Thrillers always have a great following. It is one of the biggest book genres in terms of scope and sales. From psychological thrillers to crime and mystery, this genre rake in billions of dollars each year and has produced some of the greatest best-sellers and blockbuster movies of all time. Recent years saw the rise of mystery crime novels and the comeback of military thrillers in the tradition of Tom Clancy and John le Carré. One notable work is that of Paul Shemella. His thrillers about drugs and thugs are interesting and relevant to the times. The Jungle Rules reminds us of Rambo waging war against a drug cartel and a treacherous government. The second book of the trilogy deals with domestic terrorism. For 2020, there are many books to watch out for including Cutting Edge by Ward Larsen, The Deceivers by Alex Berenson, and The Terminal List by Jack Carr.

Paul Shemella’s Book 1 of the Jungle Rules trilogy.

Sci-Fi Fiction Fantasy. There is no stopping sci-fi. This decade promises to be a great year for one of the most stable genres in all of literature. Last year saw the rise of dystopian novels and the zombie apocalypse novels. This year, we can expect a lot more space and near-future sci-fi novels such as The Companions by Katie M. Flynn, The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez, The Last Emperox by John Scalzi, and Mary Robinette Kowal’s The Relentless Moon: A Lady Astronaut Novel.

The Relentless Moon is part of Kowal’s Lady Astronaut series.

The past decade served as a transition period for the publishing industry and this year will mark the start of something big- more platforms, easy access, and an ever-growing market. This will translate to more stories published which will surely benefit book lovers and readers across the globe. Indeed the year 2020 is a great year for publishing stories as well and ReadersMagnet self-publishing is excited to be a part of this.

MEETING READERSMAGNET IN MIAMI

My book, “One Caregiver’s Journey”, was published in March, 2019. Just prior to launching on Amazon, I was contacted by ReadersMagnet asking if they could collaborate with me on marketing and promoting the book. I was skeptical of the offer and asked a good friend to help review the information and he concluded that Readers Magnet is indeed a credible entity. In the months since, I have developed a relationship with my “team”. I feel that I can honestly trust their judgment and openly question their suggestions. Their work is professional and I have been pleased when projects are fulfilled and completed beyond my expectations. Yes, you need a satchel of cash to self-publish, market and promote a book, but that is balanced with the experience which, for me, has been educational and exciting.

I was invited to display my book at the Miami International Book Fair in November and eventually I decided to accompany my book. “One Caregiver’s Journey” has been to four other international book fairs this year where it basically sits on a shelf while people walk past. Miami offered the opportunity of meeting people and promoting my book in person.

My friend and I left Denver in a snow storm and arrived in balmy, warm Miami four hours later. My marketing materials were sent to the hotel ahead of time. I knew the ReadersMagnet team attending the fair would consist of high and mid-level management and staff from a variety of locations. My team was staying home in San Diego. Prior to the fair, my team had communicated a multiplicity of details related to the venue, area restaurants, hotels, and that Readers Magnet was sharing a booth with the Oasis Book Store. I felt prepared for the unknown.

We got an early start the first day of the fair. Asking for directions at the main gate, we found the Oasis Books Kaffe booth, and as I walked into the tent a man turned and greeted me by name. It was both surprising and interesting since I had never seen or met anyone standing in the tent before. I felt like time stopped as the ReadersMagnet staff took stock of the first author to arrive. We were cordial, and I watched as they were happily working at their assigned tasks and getting ready for book signings and setting up the tent.

I left the booth for about 30 minutes to seek two other venue entities I had read about on fair’s website. The person manning the first booth treated my questions as an irritant and the second booth quickly gave me information and left me standing. I quickly scurried back to the booth and stayed there for the remainder of the book fair leaving only for short breaks. Other ReadersMagnet authors came and left but the overall atmosphere of the booth was one of comfort, cordiality and respect. I met other numerous other authors, listened to conversations, asked questions and watched book signings as I handed out my marketing materials. The authors who had paid for book signings received the undivided attention of the staff. Frankly, it was impressive to observe how the authors, their friends and family in attendance were showered with attention. We continued to hand out marketing materials and the atmosphere was comfortable, happy and productive.

ReadersMagnet is a relatively new player in the book world and not particularly large. It is apparent they are striving to provide high quality services and improve services where necessary. I was educated into a new world by both the management and staff. I asked questions and answers were explained and discussed with me when we had a few minutes to chat or if they observed something I should know. My eyes were opened wider as the book fair went on and each day we became more comfortable with each other. Treating each other with dignity and respect and lots of humor was just the order of each day. The staff made the experience happy and comfortable.

As authors we ask our teams to give us information and to help us in our success. Maybe we authors should ask what we can do to make ReadersMagnet achieve their goals for success. I quickly realized this is a partnership and I found myself asking the numerous questions even though it has only been six months launching my book. Authors who had published their books several years ago are still promoting them, something I had not even considered. I also learned valuable information from those who had published multiple books. Do you continue to look at the avenues of investment or do you take a break and let time catch up? Do you jump at every suggestion or do you weigh them separately from all angles? So much to learn and I tried to take advantage of every opportunity afforded me during the fair to ask questions of anyone I thought could provide answers for me to ponder.

By the end of the three-day fair the staff and authors were all at ease with each other, conversations turned from books to family, friends and shared time in laughter and respite. I am grateful to the ReadersMagnet management and staff and especially grateful to my team in San Diego. I realize that perhaps I have overspent in some areas. I cannot look backward but I can look forward for opportunity and I am more comfortable asking for guidance.

I will continue to ask for advice, perhaps even offer suggestions and ask how I can help my ReadersMagnet team. Going to Miami gave me a new perspective on the book world, and while I do not consider myself an “author” I look at that differently as well. I would encourage all of the ReadersMagnet authors, published or VIP to consider going to a book fair, to hand out marketing materials and co-mingle with the staff and crowd. When the wave I am riding crashes to shore the three day Miami International Book Fair will be a shining moment in the journey. I am grateful to be part of the ReadersMagnet team.

ReadersMagnet Self-Publishing Company
10620 Treena Street, Suite 230
San Diego, California, 92131 United States
info@readersmagnet.com
(619) 354 2643 | (800) 805 0762