Why more fiction authors!

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

For some reason there is hardly any nonfiction author on kindle or BN.  I never got a satisfactory answer from any of the authors. 

Is it that publishing ebooks is easier and fiction doesn't require specialization or expertise on a particular subject?  That's all I can think.  Any other reason.

[BrianKittrell]

For some reason there is hardly any nonfiction author on kindle or BN.  I never got a satisfactory answer from any of the authors. 

Is it that publishing ebooks is easier and fiction doesn't require specialization or expertise on a particular subject?  That's all I can think.  Any other reason.

Writing fiction is generally easier to do, too. Some people don't have the want to write technical books or non-fiction stuff, and it really is a great deal of work!

[MiaHeart]

I would say the expertise level.  I mean a lot of non fiction books are written by professionals, and say they are a doctor, lawyer, teacher, they just don't have as much time I would think to promote themselves on a board.  Because they are busy with their profession of choice.

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

I would say the expertise level.  I mean a lot of non fiction books are written by professionals, and say they are a doctor, lawyer, teacher, they just don't have as much time I would think to promote themselves on a board.  Because they are busy with their profession of choice.

Very good point.  I took early retirement to realize my passion for writing.  Thanks.

[Jennybeanses]

I've written some creative nonfiction, but haven't published any of it yet. I'm still trying to decide how the people I know would feel about it.

[Dara England]

I don't have the expertise to write about any non-fiction subjects.  All I know is mothering and writing and there are already plenty of more qualified people writing about those things. Then too, I've never felt the excitement, the pull toward writing non-fiction.

[Bob Mayer]

Most nonfiction writers are also consultants or speakers or experts who know their niche audience and focus on them. Fiction is such a broad field, it's hard to find audience.  Actually, I get the feelings it's often a lot of writers talking to writers and not many readers, but then again, writers are readers, so.
I know I market my fiction and nonfiction very differently.  In fact, I just realized I don't have any of my nonfiction in my signature here.  So I supposed that's my reflecting this lack you've pointed out.

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

I've written some creative nonfiction, but haven't published any of it yet. I'm still trying to decide how the people I know would feel about it.

You will never find unless you jump into this.  People in nonfiction look: if the info can help them someway--health, financial and so on...

[tim290280]

As a science professional I think the main reason you get less nonfiction is that there are still some very accepted avenues for publishing. There are plenty of small run or large run pubishers that specialise in nonfiction books, universities being rife with them. Very easy to have a built in audience with a lot of them as well *cough* syllabus *cough*. Plus peer review is still a very important part of nonfiction, especially in science disciplines. Publishers can offer this at a much higher level than any new system that is arising.

[PeggyI]

I think non-fiction requires you to have a certain level of expertise in your subject area. To me, non-fiction is more about teaching or conveying information.

I actually find non-fiction easier. I just create a table of contents, and then explain stuff. Simple really.

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

Most nonfiction writers are also consultants or speakers or experts who know their niche audience and focus on them. Fiction is such a broad field, it's hard to find audience.  Actually, I get the feelings it's often a lot of writers talking to writers and not many readers, but then again, writers are readers, so.
I know I market my fiction and nonfiction very differently.  In fact, I just realized I don't have any of my nonfiction in my signature here.  So I supposed that's my reflecting this lack you've pointed out.

You made good points Bob.  I believe that explains why I sometimes feel out of place on these boards as compared to fiction authors who show lot more excitement.

Don't misunderstand me, I do learn a lot and still have lot to learn from these boards.  I do like spending sometime around here. Thanks.

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

I think non-fiction requires you to have a certain level of expertise in your subject area. To me, non-fiction is more about teaching or conveying information.
I actually find non-fiction easier. I just create a table of contents, and then explain stuff. Simple really.

I see your point Peggy. But it requires lot of experience to achieve level of expertise. Thanks.

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

As a science professional I think the main reason you get less nonfiction is that there are still some very accepted avenues for publishing. There are plenty of small run or large run pubishers that specialise in nonfiction books, universities being rife with them. Very easy to have a built in audience with a lot of them as well *cough* syllabus *cough*. Plus peer review is still a very important part of nonfiction, especially in science disciplines. Publishers can offer this at a much higher level than any new system that is arising.

I agree with what you are saying.  Good input.

What I am learning is that nonfiction promotion requires different approach in certain ways while some will be similar no matter fiction or nonfiction.

[Victorine]

I've thought about writing a "How to rubber stamp" book, but that wouldn't work great on the Kindle because it would need a lot of color photos, and would be very expensive to self-publish.  I also think it wouldn't sell as well as fiction.

A few people have suggested I write a "How to sell a lot of books on the Kindle" book, but I wouldn't be saying anything new in that area... so I don't see the point to it.  People can get that information for free from my blog, or Konrath's blog, or many other places.

Vicki

[historicalromauthor]

Isn't it because more writers are fiction writers? Most people read for entertainment--to escape--and there is a big market for that kind of escapism, even though I'm sure it's not as big as movie-going and video games.

[John Hamilton]

I make my living as a nonfiction writer.  My books contain a lot of photos, graphs, maps, etc., not exactly Kindle-friendly. Maybe someday that will change.

[SuzanneTyrpak]

I would venture to say that it's generally easier to get non-fiction traditionally published.

Approximately 85% of traditionally published books are non-fiction. That leaves 15% for fiction, and that includes dead authors (Dickens, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, etc.) as well as name brand authors--some who miraculously continue to write books posthumously. Louis L'Amour, for example. Amazingly, his widow keeps finding manuscripts.

[Alan Ryker]

I've written a few books worth of health and fitness articles for Lance Armstrong's website livestrong.com.  It would be reeeeaaaally easy for me to crank out a book about, say, weightlifting.  I haven't wanted to deal with the issue of pictures.

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

I would venture to say that it's generally easier to get non-fiction traditionally published.
Approximately 85% of traditionally published books are non-fiction. That leaves 15% for fiction, and that includes dead authors (Dickens, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, etc.) as well as name brand authors--some who miraculously continue to write books posthumously. Louis L'Amour, for example. Amazingly, his widow keeps finding manuscripts.

Suzanne, your post is making lot of sense to me.  I started as a traditional author who could find publishers that pay royalty. And from that point of view there are more nonfictional.
I was applying the same to ebooks that there should be more nonfictional. But it is just the opposite. There are more fiction.

Conclusion: There are more nonfictional in traditional book world but there are more fiction authors in ebook world.  Is my assumption about right? Thanks.

[*DrDln* (dr.s.dhillon)]

Writing fiction is generally easier to do, too. Some people don't have the want to write technical books or non-fiction stuff, and it really is a great deal of work!

Agree. It does take kind of expertise to write a valuable book which says something new. Thanks.

[SuzanneTyrpak]

Suzanne, your post is making lot of sense to me.  I started as a traditional author who could find publishers that pay royalty. And from that point of view there are more nonfictional.
I was applying the same to ebooks that there should be more nonfictional. But it is just the opposite. There are more fiction.

Conclusion: There are more nonfictional in traditional book world but there are more fiction authors in ebook world.  Is my assumption about right? Thanks.

Seems logical to me.  

[Lexus Luke]

Nonfiction may grow a bit in the future, but I think it'll be in tiny, niche topics that traditional publishers wouldn't touch.

I, along with a friend, published a book on selling in an antique mall -- a beginner's how-to. There was a demand for it, albeit a small demand, and nothing at all existed on the topic. Not sure if links are okay here, so you'll have to go find it if you're interested   We did Kindle and Nook versions as well as a PDF version that's downloadable via eJunkie. Up since Nov., we're selling a total average of 60 books per month from those sources.

Research how to go about self-publishing that nonfiction project is what opened my eyes to the possibilities of self-pubbing fiction, too.

[MikeAngel]

I would say the expertise level.  I mean a lot of non fiction books are written by professionals, and say they are a doctor, lawyer, teacher, they just don't have as much time I would think to promote themselves on a board.  Because they are busy with their profession of choice.

It's called having a "platform."

[isaacsweeney]

My nonfiction book was my best seller in February. I was a little surprised by that. I think it's because I'm marketing it as essays that got me fired. People love their controversy. Nonfiction will pick up on Kindle soon, I think.

[Mainak Dhar]

To the original poster (Dr Dhillon, I presume?), I guess the reason may boil down to the fact that while a way with words is a common trait needed for both kinds of writers, fewer people have what it takes to be a successful non-fiction writer (acknowledged expertise in some narrow field) v/s a fiction writer (imagination!). If it's any consolation, here's a story:

You walk into a party and look around the crowd. There's a charming middle aged man, who seems to be surrounded by young women hanging on his every word. He seems to be weaving magic with his anecdotes, and looks like he could seduce any of them with his words alone. He is lyrical, he is well-read and he is a dream conversationalist. As you stay longer, you notice that his clothes seem a bit scruffed and faded, and he's probably had a wine too many. He's the poet in the room.

Then there's the slightly younger man, standing with a smaller crowd. He's wearing jeans and a casual shirt, and seems distracted at times, as if he's thinking of something or someone, but seems like decent enough company, especially if you get a beer in his hands. After a drink or two, he's talking with animated passion about his new project and if you know him well enough, you may find yourself being asked if he should kill off a character or not. This is the novelist in the room.

Then there is the person sitting in a corner. He seems the best dressed of the lot, and is sipping his wine as he studies the people around him. He chats once in a while, but you wouldn't vote him to be the life of the party. He seems a bit wiser and older than his years, and when he parts ways, he hands you a business card. This is the non-fiction writer in the room.

When they leave, the poet gets on his bicycle and heads home. The novelist hails a cab. The non-fiction writer drives home in his Beamer.

:-)