Finding a Target Market

Writing is usually called a craft and an art form. While this is painting with a very wide brush, it is generally true. Writing nonfiction may seem more of a mechanical process, while writing fiction may seem more of an art form, but, in both cases, skill and the gift of word craft are needed to create good writing. However, unless you are writing only for your own enjoyment, it is important to always bear in mind that writing is part of publishing, and publishing is a business. So when you write—before, during, or after—it is important to identify a target market in which to sell your writing.

It is much easier to identify a target market for nonfiction. Look for magazines, journals, trade book publishers, textbook publishers, and so on that publish in areas you want to write about. Next, look at the materials they publish, and try to identify an area that lacks coverage. Those who make a living writing nonfiction usually will identify a market before beginning to write, but this is not always the case. Sometimes a writer will complete a piece and then locate a market, but doing so always risks not finding a market.

With fiction, finding a target market is not always cut and dried. Most writers first come up with an idea for a story. That idea in and of itself greatly limits the possible target markets. For example, a supernatural thriller could never be sold into the romance market or the science fiction market. So if you have an idea, to find a market for it, look for publishers who are currently selling similarly themed books. Also, look at what is selling. You may have a great story about a vampire and a teenage human who fall in love, but face it, that is a tired story and has been done over and over ad nauseam. It will likely be a tough sell in any market. Fiction writers usually develop a story, often writing a large portion of it, before looking for a market. There is nothing wrong with this approach, but if you plan to sell your writing, at some point you need to identify where you can sell it and make sure your work fits that market.

Tin Whiskers Publisher is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). IBPA’s mission is “to lead and serve the independent publishing community by providing advocacy, education, and tools for success.” IBPA is a not-for-profit membership organization serving and leading the independent publishing community. Founded in 1983, it is the largest publishing trade organization in the United States. IBPA members pledge to uphold the organization’s code of ethics.