How do I write according to the market, but still stay true to myself?

You've heard it; if you are a writer sincerely trying to break into the publishing world, then you have done your research. One piece of common advice is: Know the Market.

What Does it mean to know the market?

Quite simply, it means, know what is selling. For instance, after the explosion of dystopian books like Divergent, Hunger Games and Maze Runner, agents wanted to see less of the category because people were ready for something new.

It also means knowing how to comp a book. Knowing your market and giving good comps go hand in hand. If you are new to the word comp, it means comparable. Books that are similar to yours that give an agent a clear vision of what to expect from your book. For instance, for my book I comped The Last Namsara. Not only does this book have dragons in it, but the main character, Asha, is living under the label of Iskari, a feared and hated label much like the MC of my book. Also important to note the Last Namsara was published in 2017, so fairly recently. Keep your comps recent.

Tip: Do not comp books that are outliers like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.

What if I've written a book that isn't tailored to the market right now?

Try your hand at it, anyway. The worst that could happen is agents say it isn't right for the market right now. Okay, shelf the book for a while and write another. You want to be an author, right?

I find that if you wait long enough, it will come back around. I feel like vampires are in, is that just me?

How do I stay true to myself?

Back to the original question that plagues many authors. If I follow all of these marketing guidelines, then I am losing my own creativity in the process. Wrong. If you know the rules, then you know when you can make smart choices around them. For instance, my book's main character is a unicorn. I have looked up and down the market about a YA book about a unicorn. Zero folks, and that to me is exciting. It means I have something fresh and new, but I'm also true to the market because I have modern tropes like enemies to lovers, found family, overcoming trauma and of course, saving the world!

Here is the thing; if gave the prompt, write a story about a girl traveling home on a train with only a single suitcase in the middle of winter, every single author that participated in the prompt would bring something different to the table. That is what is so beautiful and inspiring about writing. You bring a book threaded with your own unique experiences and perspective. No one can write your book how you have written it. I promise that you will not lose yourself by keeping yourself current in the market.

Best of luck. Happy writing.