5 Reasons Authors MUST Read In Their Genre

Sometimes authors spend so much time writing their books that they forget about the other side of the coin. As the great Stephen King once said, good writers need to do two things: read a lot and write a lot. Don’t get so lost in the second half that you neglect the first! While it might seem like a simple pastime, reading is one of the best things you can do to improve your writing. Here’s the top 5 reasons authors absolutely must read in their genre (and sometimes outside it!) if they want to create the best novel they possibly can!

1. Better Understand Genre Conventions

Every genre comes with its own set of rules. Romance needs a happy ending (except when it doesn’t), horror must show a peek of the monster in act 1 (except when it doesn’t), and the hero never dies (except when they do). Complicated? If you read enough in your genre, these rules are going to become much clearer. By reading widely within your genre (and exploring subgenres), you’ll get a better understanding of all of these genre conventions.

Wondering how it helps your writing?

Learn To Subvert Tropes

Once you’ve got a better handle on the exact thing your reader is looking for, you’ll have a better idea of which tropes you can play with. Knowing the rules helps you know how to get away with breaking them, and if you do that, you can create a story that will live with your readers.

2. Learn From Established Authors

There’s no one who knows what’s selling better than the authors who are currently selling. Reading some of the hottest work in your genre is going to help you better understand the trends. It’s also a great chance to see what your ideal readers are saying about some of these books. Once you learn about what they like and don’t like, you can implement some of these themes into your own writing or use them to refine your editing process.

Additionally, authors are going to want to take a lot of their branding inspiration from what is currently popular in their genre. By constantly reading, you’ll be able to notice if patterns are coming up in covers that you might want to include. Are certain colours prominent in your genre? Will you need to order custom art to be made for your cover or are shirtless men more the norm? In order to show your ideal reader that your book belongs in their favourite genre, you need to know how to package your story.

3. Understand Reader Expectations

Genre readers tend to have very specific expectations. When you’re familiar with genre conventions, you’ll be able to give readers stories that resonate with them. Consider extensive market research into these expectations. If you’re regularly taking the time to see what other readers are saying, you’ll have a better idea of what your ideal readers are expecting. Do they need strong character development? Are there scenes that routinely receive raving reviews? Are there archetypes that must be included for these books to be considered 5-star reads? Is there a common theme that reviews are all complaining about? All of these answers are going to be in the reviews for books. Reading will guide your writing and make sure it’s in line with what readers are currently searching for.

4. Feed Your Creativity

Reading can be an incredibly powerful source of inspiration. Oftentimes, looking at the way one author arranges tropes will force us to reflect on ourselves (if they’re good, anyway). When you read, consider it a chance to explore your own characters, plots, and motivations. Reading within your chosen genre can spark new ideas, help you uncover new themes, and challenge you in ways you never planned.

5. Grow Your Community

Reading is one of our best tools to connect with others (even if it sometimes feels like a solitary activity). We’re meant to bond over the stories we love the most, and there’s no better community to grow in than the bookish community. Social media is an amazing way to find book recommendations, gush about your favourite stories, and meet people with similar tastes. All of this shared passion is going to go a long way to growing a positive community around yourself.

Join Communities as a Reader First

As a general word of caution, I will say that reader spaces are meant for readers. While authors are often welcomed, it’s important to understand why people are in these spaces to begin with. They want to chat about amazing books they’ve read and find others with similar tastes. If you’re going to participate in reader groups, join as a reader first and an author second. Otherwise, you risk coming off as spammy.

Never Stop Writing, and Never Stop Reading

Reading is not just a fun pastime. For authors, it’s a vital part of your craft! If you’re looking to grow in new directions, reading is just as important as writing. By understanding the genre, the readers, and the other authors, you’ll be able to expand your own writing endlessly. This week, make it a point to pick up a new book, dive deeper into your favourite genres, and find inspiration in every new chapter.

Believe me, your readers will thank you for it.