Stare deep into the crystal ball...what do YOU see?

My selection for Juli Fennell's 'I Love Your Blog Award' goes to The Seekers, an awesome group of writers who hang out in Seekerville http://seekerville.blogspot.com. Chuck full of timely information, tons of encouragement, lots of guests--and lots of laughs, Seekerville is a must for your list of favorites! Stop by and tell 'em Bullet Hole sent you!

Now to today's blog.

As many of you know, I'm at a crossroads in my writing career. With my Calamity Jayne series on hiatus (sadly despite the daily emails I get from readers begging me to continue the series) I'm branching out in several directions--and all at the same time. (Think the literary version of Twister here. So not a pretty picture.) I'm retooling a western historical romance, the very first book I wrote. I'm doing rewrites on a hard-boiled, police procedural/women's fiction series opener. I'm writing a two stand alone romantic mysteries. I'm waiting for a YA editor at Penguin-Putnam to read my Young Adult Middle Level book. And I'm working on a children's book series with my kid.

How do you say diversify?

When I got to thinking about it, writing strategy isn't all that different from investment strategies. Our financial gurus are constantly preaching the wisdom of broad asset allocation and cautioning against putting all our eggs in one basket. So, maybe the same theory holds true for selling in today's increasingly competitive writing market. Look for new and promising opportunities and get in on the ground floor. So to speak.

In publishing, the million dollar contract question, has always been how do you predict what the next exciting trend in publishing will be. What genre(s) will be best represented on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists two year down the road. What type of fiction will capture the rapt attention of multitudes of readers? Will paranormals crash and burn? Will rom-com make a comeback? Will historicals reign supreme?

So many questions...so few answers.

Hence the crystal ball and seer at the top of the page.

There is some evidence that all is not doom and gloom for those of us who write romance or many of its sub-genres. Recently Jay Leno observed that while book sales may be down due to the tough economy, there is one exception: Romance!

It makes sense. Historically during difficult times in our nation's history, there is a renewed sense of family and more focus on the simple pleasures to be found in loving relationships.

There's no doubt folks are hurting in America. And it's likely to get worse before it gets better. But we all know there's no greater escape from our troubles to be found than on the pages of a good book. But escape to WHERE?

So, grab your crystal ball, tarot cards, oracle bones, or use the wisdom and savvy you've acquired by writing and reading (or both) stacks and stacks of books and weigh in with your prediction about what readers will be looking for most in the stories they select or buy.

I'll go first. All-knowing and all-seeing Psychic Kathleen (snort) predicts that inspirational romances will see a jump in sales, as well as historical romances as readers will seek an experience that takes them away from the trials of contemporary life. I also predict a new, less restrictive sub-genre of inspirational stories that includes fewer taboos and more contemporary implications and applications will emerge. Perhaps surprising, I also see a re-emergence of political thrillers, as well as mysteries, on the publishing horizon.

Now it's your turn, seers of seers. Prognosticators of prognosticators. Make your predictions on the future trends of publishing. What's in. What's out. What's hot. What's not.

Okay. You're wondering whether Psychic Kathleen sees any more Calamity Jayne stories in the future? Right?

Wait just a second.

Shake. Shake.

Okay, Bullet Hole's Magic 8 Ball says, 'Reply hazy. Try again.'

Stay tuned...

~Bullet Hole~