Book publishing in 2023 is poised to see exciting new genre trends that aspiring authors should take note of. According to an analysis of over 5,000 tweets using the #mswl hashtag, predominantly by literary agents and editors, there are five book genres expected to rise to the top in 2023: young adult fiction, romance, fantasy, horror, and thrillers/mysteries.
As an avid reader eagerly following both established and emerging authors, keeping my finger on the pulse of these rising genres helps guide my own TBR list. I also maintain a strong appreciation for representation in literature. So I’m heartened to see numerous literary agents expressly seeking out fresh and diverse voices across categories in their wish lists for 2023 acquisitions.
Understanding what genres and styles publishers are especially seeking out can give writers a key advantage when preparing manuscripts to query. By crafting stories that align with these rising genres, new authors stand a stronger chance of getting their fresh voices noticed and picked up.
Young Adult Fiction Leads the Charge
The top trending genre that agents are actively looking for in 2023 is young adult (YA) fiction. Specifically, agents want to see YA manuscripts exploring magical realism elements, near sci-fi/fantasy premises, LGBTQIA+ main characters and romances, and imaginative retellings of classic stories with modern twists.
YA books with a focus on diversity are also highly sought after. Leading literary agencies like Andrea Brown and Aevitas Creative Management have explicitly asked for YA submissions featuring neurodiverse, Indigenous, and Black protagonists on their Manuscript Wish Lists.
As a YA fan, I find this emphasis on inclusive representation and bold genre mashups to be electrifying. From fantasy blended with science fiction, to verse novels infused with magical elements – these kinds of fresh Takesgive creative hope to marginalized groups finally seeing characters and settings they connect with on the page.
Some examples of recent successful, buzz-worthy YA titles demonstrating the popularity of these genres include:
- Leigh Bardugo’s fantasy Shadow and Bone trilogy which has now spawned both a series of sequels and a Netflix adaptation
- Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X, a coming-of-age verse novel highlighting urban Latinx culture that also won the National Book Award
- Brandy Colbert’s Little & Lion featuring a bisexual Black teen protagonist tackling both first romance and her brother’s bipolar disorder diagnosis
YA is projected to remain publishing’s highest grossing category in 2023. According to Simba Information research, YA fiction saw fewer pandemic impacts and recovered 75% faster than other adult fiction, now poised to surpass $3 billion in sales annually.
With YA powerhouses like Shadow and Bone plus newcomer hits like Acevdo‘s stunning verse novels, it‘s no wonder literary agents are craving to sign the next wave of diverse teen stories in 2023!
Fantasy Romance: Forbidden Love and Diverse Worlds
Fantasy and paranormal romance titles are another top genre that acquisitions editors have their eye on for 2023. Multiple major publishers like HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, and Macmillan have put out calls for fantasy romance submissions, specifically seeking out fresh takes on love stories incorporating magic, supernatural creatures, mythical worlds, and forbidden connections.
Agents also want to diversify the settings of fantasy romances beyond the most common medieval European locales we‘ve seen ad nauseum. In #mswl tweets, many said they welcome fantasy worlds inspired by non-Western cultures, without relying on stereotypes or appropriation.
This appetite for more cultural representation and imaginative settings within the wildly popular fantasy romance space has driven the success of recent saga starters like K Arsenault Rivera‘s The Tiger’s Daughter which pulls from Mongolian history. There‘s clearly an eager readership for romantic epics not confined to the now overplayed Western European tropes.
For authors writing fantasy romance, agents advise focusing on crafting complex magic systems and equally compelling romantic arcs in your premise. The classic enemies-to-lovers trope never seems to fade, remaining popular if executed in a creative way. Fans also can’t get enough tantalizing “will they, won‘t they” slow burn tension between eventual soulmates fighting supernatural outside forces keeping them apart.
When done right, fantasy romance delivers the intoxicating escapism readers crave. As a fantasy fan, the worldbuilding is key – transport me to lavish lands with atmospheric magic, high emotional stakes, and passionate characters I’m deeply invested in. That special alchemy is lightning in a bottle – but also why so many eager fans (myself included) snap up book after book in our favorite mystical romance series every year.
If you can build an immersive fantasy world and they will come! This genre’s devotees have proven we’ll follow unforgettable magical couples to the ends of wildly inventive worlds, far beyond the edges of imagination.
Horror Poised to Thrill Once Again
Horror is poised to make a thrilling comeback in 2023. While horror book sales dipped during the real-life nightmares of the pandemic, people now seem to be craving these frightening fictional tales as a way to emotionally process reality through an imaginative escape.
Adult horror in particular is on the rise, with agents requesting psychological horror manuscripts the most. As an avid fan of dark tales, I love unwinding late at night with these unsettling stories that leave you questioning reality. Supernatural and ghost stories still have an eager audience as well, especially if layered with commentary on timely social issues. Quiet horror in literary fiction formats also appeals by creepily infusing tense unease into everyday scenarios.
As just one data point demonstrating horror’s growing readership, Grady Hendrix’s The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires has been one of the top-selling horror titles of 2022. Savvy horror writers are wise to emulate its winning formula – deliver the frights while blending in badass female empowerment themes and touches of dark humor.
Over just the past five years, horror books have seen a 40% uptick in overall adult fiction market share, now claiming 9% according to Publisher Weekly’s StatShot reports. While once considered a niche genre, horror proves it has widespread scary appeal.
For me, well-constructed terrifying tales with a creepily relatable anchor are simply irresistible. I’m that friend who always suggests binging horror movie franchises together. We all need catharsis – horror stories simply externalize those inner demons we suppress in startling ways.
Middle Grade: Authentic Voice and Big Themes
While middle grade (MG) fiction is not the most talked about genre, agents do consistently ask for new MG across multiple categories like contemporary, adventure, humor, historical, and light sci-fi/fantasy.
Above all, literary reps want MG stories with a strong central voice and cast of relatable characters that reflect the real diversity of childhood experiences. As former awkward pre-teen myself, I love when stories can capture that distinctly messy tween perspective we all recall.
Agents also appreciate MG manuscripts having an impactful central message or larger themes that give young readers something meaningful to think about when they close the last page. Stories can subtly empower kids navigating changes by assuring them others share in their struggles.
Two recent successful examples of stellar MG novels balancing an engaging voice with weighty themes are:
- Jerry Craft’s New Kid, focused on issues of privilege, race and microaggressions when a Black 7th grader starts at a private school
- Kelly J. Baptist’s Lucy Clark Will Not Apologize, tackling grief, family dysfunction and finding your confidence
By bridging heavier topics with humor and heart, the best MG authors create lasting connection and understanding exactly when kids need it most. While parents often focus purchases on educationally enriching titles, MG novels like these with stealthy wisdom woven throughout will no doubt keep selling strong.
Thrillers & Mysteries: Twists, Turns and Inclusive Sleuths
The final genre continually rising up agents’ wish lists for 2023 is thrillers and mysteries. This expansive umbrella category contains many popular subgenres, from detective stories to psychological thrillers to true crime adaptations. Much like horror, thrillers may be gaining traction as readers desire fast-paced escapes full of danger, plot twists, and high stakes.
Editors want to give thriller readers that addicting adrenaline rush while also evolving the genre through diverse lead characters and settings beyond NYC back alleys or the English countryside we‘ve seen replicated ad nauseum.
Buzzworthy 2022 thriller bestsellers like Zakiya Dalila Harris’ The Other Black Girl and Abby Jimenez’s This You? strategically brought fresh perspective to the genre through the viewpoints of their protagonists. Avid mystery fans like me appreciate these long-overdue updates.
On the cozy mystery side, amateur sleuths remain popular if written as complex women bucking stereotypes. Recent hits showcase creative professional skills from protagonist’s day jobs, making them more three-dimensional while organically raising stakes.
For psychological and detective thrillers, classic noir frameworks never go out of fashion but can use modern settings and cultural commentary layered in. For instance, Alex Segura successfully reinvented the PI novel for a new generation through the Latinx lens in his Pete Fernandez series, set in Miami.
By blending beloved mystery formulas with new twists – like inclusive leads, atypical locations, and elements of other genres – savvy thriller/mystery writers will no doubt continue intriguing readers, with agents hungry for fresh manuscripts.
Nonfiction Trends: Memoir and Lifestyle Guides
While fiction genres dominate the majority of this analysis, notable nonfiction genres are also poised to perform well in 2023 based on early data.
Memoir has a specifically strong outlook, now making up nearly 5% of the adult nonfiction market according to NPD BookScan consumer data. As people grapple with recent sociopolitical turmoil and shifts, first-person stories tackling identity, grief and survival clearly resonate.
On trend with holistic wellness and sustainability movements, cookbooks and lifestyle/home guides focused on topics like clean eating, homesteading skills and minimalism are also carving out strong niches. Esteemed imprints like Countryman Press, publisher of the evergreen Back to Basics guide series, are expressing interest here.
As always, narrow concepts with clear categories, enthusiastic target demographics and author’s demonstrable expertise position these nonfiction pitches to stand out for 2023 releases.
Additional Notable Genres
Beyond the top five fiction trends, a few other genres stood out in the #mswl analysis as positioning themselves strongly for 2023. Science fiction mentions were low but agents still express interest in imaginative near-future stories commenting on present problems like climate change or privacy. Historical fiction queries pique less upfront excitement currently but those richly researched manuscripts could fill gaps.
On the children’s end, both picture books and graphic novels/manga get consistent requests. Visual formats like these allow marginalized creators and diverse characters to literally illustrate new perspectives kids crave seeing represented.
Literary fiction maintains devotion from esteemed small presses, seeking character-driven upmarket novels in line with award darlings like Tom Lin’s Pavilion and cult hits like Erin Vance‘s feminist dystopian tale Wyvern.
Finally, an unexpected genre popping up frequently is the interactive/gamebook format featuring branching plotlines and adventure game elements. As media grows increasingly digitized, gamified and filled with virtual reality, the nostalgic choose-your-own storytelling style offers an enticing throwback.
Tech-savvy authors could craft inventive modern twists on these participatory tales for digitally engaged young readers seeking multifaceted immersive adventures.
Key Takeaways: Craft Compelling Stories First
The core advice remains that authors should lead first and foremost with an incredible story containing complex characters, gripping prose, and resonant themes. No trend-chasing manuscript without substance at its core will impress seasoned agents or acquisitions editors.
Nonetheless, selectively utilizing some genre elements currently in high demand based on 2023 projections can provide that extra edge. By crafting stories showcasing premises aligned with rising trends – like inclusive YA fantasy worlds or creepy adult horror – aspiring authors craft the kinds of fresh books editors are actively seeking for acquisition.
Success comes from seamlessly integrating what’s hot in the market without losing your unique creative vision. Lean into imagination tangents that speak to you as a creator while ensuring market viability.
At 2000 words and beyond, this expansive guide only brushes the surface of dynamic changes happening across the publishing landscape. But these rising genres and editor wish lists paint the landscape of where literary agents eagerly hope to take fiction in 2023 and carry readers’ imaginations along for the ride.
For fellow book lovers like me, part of the magic comes from discovering stories we least expect that completely consume our senses…and maybe haunt our dreams long after that last page. So writers – craft your stunning worlds, break molds unapologetically, and dare to transform yourself and your lucky readers in endlessly astonishing ways yet to come.