One of the biggest questions an author will be asked when publishing a book is what genre it falls into. For bookstores, they want to know what broad category a book fits into so they know where to stock them on their shelves. For everywhere else, genres are how readers organize and find the content they’re looking for. But what about books with niche genres; what are they, and how do they fit into the book world?

How Niche Genres Start

When someone writes a book that doesn’t neatly fit into any of the main genres around, it falls into a niche genre instead. In many cases, there’s already a niche or micro genre available. In some cases, however, the new work creates an entirely separate niche genre. With all of the sub-genres available, most books can find a home for their content, even if that home is a small cottage outside of town. The smaller and more specific a selected audience is for a book, the more niche it’s going to be.

Can Niche Genres Still be Successful?

Absolutely! As long as a writer can find the right reading audience, any niche genre book can do well. What’s more, some niche genres actually end up finding their way into the spotlight. Think about the most recent ‘cozy fantasy’ genre. It started out as something small for a niche audience, but it grew into a widely accepted and popular genre. The truth is, there’s likely a larger audience for each niche story than you’d initially expect.

Is it Worth it to Publish Niche Genres?

In short, yes, 100%! Niche genres are exactly what the industry needs with oversaturated categories and the same stories recycled and reused over and over. Niche genres won’t appeal to everyone, which is why many agents and publishers shy away from such stories. But that doesn’t mean that readers who will enjoy them shouldn’t get the opportunity. When you publish a niche genre, you help readers find new and exciting pieces of work they can love for years to come. Tell us about some of your favorite niche books in the comments and help spread the word about indie books and readers!