Niche Markets for Authors

I've been so busy dealing with life lately, most of my writing has been about challenges. I caught myself thinking the other day how nice if I were as rich and famous as Nora Roberts or J.K. Rowling, because life would be so much easier, but you know what? I wouldn't want their challenges or burdens. They each have earned a huge slice of the publishing pie which brings with it all the associated responsibilities and commitments, but what I really want is just a tiny slice of my own making. That's where small niche markets can provide a solid career, for me or any writer.

The variables for building a writing career are as different as the people writing. For example, I am a journalist at heart and love to write tight, informative articles relevant to modern society. Topics can range from creativity to health to gardening to government. So for me, creating a business where I can use those skills would be ideal. With the many tools available to writers today, like affordable self-publishing, e-books, and everything the Internet offers in the way of marketing, there is really no reason we can't build our own niche markets.

I'd like to explore this topic of smaller publishing markets a bit more in August, and we'll start by interviewing a friend and colleague, Khadijah Lacina, who has a self-published book of poetry for children written for her own very specific niche market - Islamic Americans. She and her husband own their own publishing company and have numerous texts in print. As well, she teaches a substantial online community of women students and supporters, a ready market for her books. I promise this interview will be fresh and fascinating.

Readers, please share with us any writing ideas you have to capitalize on a special skill or interest. If you decided to write a how-to book, what would it be about? Do you have a special talent that has worked its way into your fiction? Please leave us a comment!

Dani Greer is founding member of this blog. She spends her summer days with new writing and editing projects, waters acres of gardens, and often can be seen knitting yet another pair of socks. Visit her at News From Nowhere, Facebook, and Twitter.