Some of you may be seasoned pros at these events, but if you're a newbie just starting out, you might be curious about what to expect. We've put together a handy list to get you ready.

There’s often a bigger gap than you think between how authors assume readers find books and what readers are actually doing when they search for their next read. If you’ve ever wondered why your book isn’t showing up the way you expected, this is probably why. Let’s break down what’s really happening behind the scenes—and walk through simple, practical ways to line up your book with real reader behavior so it shows up more often, reaches the right people, and feels a whole lot easier to discover.

Fredi Nwaka is an award-winning British filmmaker, actor, motivational speaker, and author of Boy, a powerful new memoir. In it, he explores identity, trauma, resilience, and self-discovery, offering an unflinching account of the struggles that shaped him and the personal growth that followed.

Romance isn’t just another popular genre—it’s the commercial backbone of contemporary publishing. Year after year, it delivers more revenue and sells more units than any other category of fiction. It consistently outsells fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers, and literary fiction combined. And unlike trend-driven genres that surge and crash, romance maintains steady, long-term reader demand. 

Jessica Cage is an international award winning- and USA Today-bestselling author of speculative fiction and urban fantasy novels. Her Accidents Happen series is a collection of urban romantasy stories following powerful, witty women as they navigate supernatural twists and unexpected love. Her next installment in the series, I Accidentally Locked Down a Witch, is coming this May.

No two bookstores are alike. While chain stores usually offer a wide, general-interest selection, genre-focused bookstores set themselves apart by serving very specific niche readers. Though publishers still rely on big, catch-all genre categories, readers are on a different kind of search. They’re no longer satisfied with just “fantasy” or “romance”—they want precise tropes and micro-categories.

Renita Bryant is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and consumer insights leader whose career blends corporate excellence with creative innovation and purpose-driven leadership.Her Holidayville Adventures® children's series delights readers with its magical world where holidays collide and characters learn the value of kindness, collaboration, and surprise.

Updated April 15, 2026

The horror genre is definitely having its moment. U.S. sales have been booming since 2023, and the UK has seen even more dramatic growth. But this cultural wave is about more than just sales numbers. Google search interest for "horror books" has climbed more than 70% since 2020, while horror's box office success in the last year is drawing new audiences back to the page. Horror has also shown a significant presence in the Academy Award nominations this year.

Deric Augustine is an actor, writer, and producer originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. His debut novel, Nawlins, is a YA coming-of-age fantasy about a teenager discovering her hidden magical powers at a secret wizarding school in New Orleans.  

Abbey Fox's newest release, Unraveled, is an edgy retelling of Beauty and the Beast and serves as the first installment in her A Kingdom of Beasts and Ruin Series.