Ooh you trendy thing

Dave Freer posting:

The subject of trends in sf/fantasy came up on another pro-list I belong to. Because of the huge lag phase in publishing -- contracts can be several years old by the time the book hits the shelf -- next year’s trend is already written. So in fact the wannabe author or established figure putting in a proposal is probably better off just focussing on writing a good book. If you must try and second guess you need to do not next year, but 2-5 years into the future. None-the-less guessing probabilities is what we do in this business. Given economic gloom I’d say (judging by the successes of various movies) that now was the time for escapist upbeat novels without too much conspicuous consumption by the heroes. I’m putting my money on comfort food reads being even more popular (they STAY popular with readers - just not always with editors). The grapevine says that is getting through to some acquisition editors too (of course some always knew this). I’m putting money on nostalgia-sf, and a return to somewhat more insular Western themes. Big romantic space opera (Liaden?) and Victorian or regency ‘brave’ steampunk. Maybe even a bit Simak-ish rural idyll sf. Fantasy I am less certain. Romance in the more conventional senses will be an important element... urban fantasy, but less edgy and possibly historical? What do the rest of you think? I have proposals to write soon :-)