What Does "Write to Market" Mean for Romance Authors?

Updated 30 January 2024

It doesn't matter if you're new to romance publishing or a seasoned pro; you've probably heard the phrase "write to market."

Many people think that writing to market means copying the trends visible in romance bestseller lists like Amazon Top 100.

The truth, however, is more complicated.

So what does "write to market" really mean for romance authors?

Writing to market means writing with the market in mind. In this case, the market is romance readers, and more specifically, romance readers of your sub-genre/niche, i.e., the specific type of romance you write. Every sub-genre and niche has a different readership with its own expectations, likes, and dislikes. Writing to market means learning what your market loves reading right now, and what they want to see more of.

But what if you don't know what you want to write? To figure out how to write to market, you have to have a rough idea of your romance novel's plot, so you can research how it will fair with readers who love your the sub-genre, tropes, and theme of your plot.

And how do you find out what your romance readers love and want to see more of?

Two words: market research. This means going where romance readers congregate, including:

• Instagram. Search specific hashtags for your sub-genre/niche, like #paranormalromance and #mafia romance.

• TikTok. Follow authors in your sub-genre/niche and bloggers covering books like yours.

• Facebook groups for specific sub-genres like Dark Romance Reader Group and Queer Romance Fan Club.

• Reddit forums like r/RomanceBooks, where you can filter your search for specific sub-genres, tropes, character archetypes, and settings.

• Romance-specific podcasts like Smart Podcast, Trashy Books; Fated Mates; Buzzing About Romance; Learning the Tropes; and the Big Gay Fiction Podcast. Filter for episodes focused on books in your sub-genre/niche.

Understanding your romance readers takes time, but it's an essential part of the writing process. So is verifying the story ideas you come up with during the research process. I recommend tools like Publisher Rocket and KDPSpy, which measure keyword search frequency and competitiveness—two very important considerations when you're trying to write unique stories that will stand out to readers.

Until next post, happy reading and writing!