Where is all this "specific, niche" writing heading - A prediction

I am of the honest opinion that all of this niche writing we are seeing people doing is nothing more than a cathartic activity for writers. In other words, the market is simply purging itself to get to something bigger and better. What will that be?

IMHO...

...it will be a return to normalcy.

Sure, there is something fun about stories with vampires and Victorian women. Sure movies with cowboys and extraterrestrials may be a light shift from the depression of the real world. Yes, gambling zombies is certainly something new. I won't deny any of this.

But, with that said, like Chick lit, and yes, like Steampunk, there is only so far you can take the stories.

Really, if you think about a lot of the genres out there, we have seen a serious flexing of the muscles. When erotica hit, we saw all of the markets pushing the barrier as far as they could push it, and then what happened? The pendulum swung back.

This is what will happen to everything else out there.

We're already seeing that with the big push for the traditional regencies. Editors told me in August of their desire to see real contemporary stories with real people.

If you really want to be on the cutting edge. Return to normal. Write stories with real people, in real relationships, with real problems and let it ride. You might be amazed at what arises.

Scott