book-review

Reading Trends for Writers

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: 47572746831_4dd6b67740.jpg

Understanding book sales is important for authors and publishers.

All of my books have been fictional. Each based on ideas that interest me at the time.

However, gurus are suggesting authors take a scientific approach to choosing our topics and genres.

With another book published—and starting to write yet another—I set out to garner information on trends among American readers. 

Recents surveys show that nearly half of Americans polled haven’t read any books in more than a year!

So then, let’s focus our attention on the other half—the readers.

I was surprised to learn that PRINT BOOKS continue to be the most popular format. E-books rank next; then audiobooks. 

The number of female readers is only slightly higher than for males.

Americans love HISTORY, MYSTERY, AND BIOGRAPHY.

Fiction sales gave gone up by 45% over the last five years. 

Non-fiction, especially political and self-help, are currently seeing a decline in interest. 

You can draw your own conclusions, but from these statistics, we might want to focus on women readers of history, mysteries, and biographies.

And although Romance has always been a popular genre—and probably will continue to be—perhaps now would be a good time for Romance writers to couple with the genres above…Romantic Suspense… Historical Romance, and so on.

Those are my thoughts based on a little research.

Mending Fences

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

My novella, Mending Fences, is now on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback formats. 

 I previously published this novella in a collection alongside three other authors. It is now available as a stand alone novella with special pricing.

After the death of his beloved grandfather, Mason finds himself torn between the needs of Rose, the aging grandmother who raised him, and the demands of Lee Ann, the mother who abandoned him as a baby.

Mason’s relationship with Lee Ann is turbulent and complicated. After marrying the wealthy Rex LeMasters, Lee Ann charged back into Mason’s life, reclaiming him and his older sister, Glory, and moving them from the family ranch in Boise, Idaho to Green River, Washington when Mason was fifteen. His mother has not spoken to Mason’s grandparents since that time.

 When Gram takes a fall, Lee Ann at last returns to see her mother—a visit which dredges up memories of a secret buried since Lee Ann’s childhood. 

Will learning the truth about what caused the rift between them so many years ago help them move forward toward reconciliation? Will Lee Ann’s new perspective on the past serve as a catalyst to restore her relationship with her own children?

This novella will inspire you to face your own difficult circumstances, let go of bitterness resulting from past hurts and disappointments and offer forgiveness to the significant people in your life. 

Has Amish Fiction Met Its Demise?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

I don’t write “AMISH”, but I sure enjoy reading Amish books. About three years ago, these were very popular and it seems like I devoured every one of them. It didn’t matter who the author was (although I did come to have my favorites). I simply liked the good, clean reads, with the conflicts of religious beliefs which sets them apart from mainstream christian practices.

At any rate, last year I noticed that there might not be as many Amish books coming to the market. This year, I’ve only seen a few.

I asked myself if this was just a “sign of the times,” had I really read everything out there, or were there just not as many authors who were writing in this genre? 

Perhaps it was something else entirely. 

Back in 2002, there were only a couple of authors writing Amish fiction, while currently there are over 60 authors and hundreds of titles.

Among them are: Amish Romance, Soon-to-be Amish, Leaving the Amish, Amish cozy mysteries, Amish Wild West Adventures, Amish quilting, Amish cooking, and so on.

I have found that Amish fiction hasn’t slacked off. In fact, at some point it even spawned a sub-genre called “bonnet fiction,” a flourishing genre of Amish Romance. 

So, to answer my question. I have fewer choices now because I have read so many of these books! 

These authors aren’t going anywhere. They are still writing uplifting and inspiring stories.

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

What one person likes, another may not.

That’s why it’s important to offer your book in a variety of formats.

For a long time, hardback and paperback were the only options for readers.

Later, e-books and audiobooks were added.

You can widen the market further still by offering your book in other languages.

My newest book was just published on Audible. Within a couple of weeks I will announce an interview on Facebook with the producer, Brian Callahan. You’ll want to be sure to watch it. He’s an accomplished guy that can make his voice sound both feminine and masculine; likable, angry, menacing. 

He’s likable, easy to work with, and very amenable to changes/suggestions. 

Justice for Jessie in audio format is now available on Amazon.