Fringe Fiction Unlimited discussion

Mark asked a great question on the Your Reading Habits thread that I would love to hear more feedback on.

Books have gone through many trends recently, wizards, vampires, zombies, etc... What do you think the next trend will be?

Hey, thanks M.D. I appreciate both your interest in the question and a chance to answer it.
I think it's the environment. I know this sounds weird, but hear me out. Pollution, climate change, your carbon footprint, these are all things that people talk about, and young people seem to be more concerned about the environment than the people in charge of the country.
I think the next big trend could be fantasy stories that revolve around the Earth being uninhabitable or nature fighting against us, or any number of things. Perhaps magic will be involved in some (what is more tempting then taking a huge problem and waving a magic wand at it to make it go away) some might be more slanted to realism.
There is a huge potential for a moral in these stories-YA novels are filled with morals-and this might hit on both a real-life threat and the escapism of the fantasy genre.

Hard-boiled/Noir + SF, fantasy, or horror seems to be gaining (or regaining) popularity now.

Identity issues or what is the measure of a human being. It seems like a lot of that keeps creeping in as subtext or flat out amnesia plots.

With the continuing fascination with both zombies and serial killers, I can't help but wonder if a cannibal trend might occur. Hannibal might just be the gateway drug for mainstream audiences.

I'll go with that Patrick. Cannibals are at a high right now and I could definitely see it's popularity rising.

I'll also say Werewolves, We had Vampires, Zombies and I would say Werewolves are next in line.

Dude, cannibals could be cool. Seems like a lot of serial killer stuff floats around too

Serial killers have a lot of staying power. Many readers/viewers get more freaked out by monsters grounded in reality than the supernatural kind. I'm the complete opposite myself without some weird element thrown in, but I can understand the sentiment.

Justin wrote: "I'll also say Werewolves, We had Vampires, Zombies and I would say Werewolves are next in line."

I think werewolves had their day right on the heels of vampires. They came before zombies and angels. I vote for cannibals.

I like the environmental aspect too. I've seen a lot of dystopian books with some of that already. Across the Universe, etc.

And space/aliens seem to be (re)gaining popularity in ya lately.

Lena wrote: "And space/aliens seem to be (re)gaining popularity in ya lately. ..."

Oh LOL I'd love that! :P (but not only in YA or NA, but in adult fiction also...

I don't read those, but the genres tend to follow the same trends (at least with vamps, angels, zombies, etc).

The only thing though is, cannibals are real...if the popularity ever picked up lets just hope its only in books and movies and doesn't carry over into real life..we don't need any more Dahmers in this world.

I notice that robots and identity both came up. When we first got more complicated computer technology the combination went through a boom and the results still litter my families bookshelves, but I think the improvement of non-robot AIs will definitely bring it back.

Also, I would love a cannibal revival. I've got one or to on my reading list.

What about a cannibal/robot hybrid novel? Something about how A.I. gave rise to sentient robots there was a war, lack of food, etc...Humans had to resort to cannibalism to survive and the robots rebuild society, now becoming more like the humans that we once were and the former humans have been reduced to some kind of version of zombies, eating each other to stay alive and attacking the robots to protect their territory.

My two cents, and this is in general:

- Environements as a character (I've actually seen agents who are asking for that specifically).
- Fantasy with mythological creatures that are uncommon or rarely heard of.
- Humor, all genres, a lot more comedic takes on various common concepts such as, serial killer, hero facing battle, etc. Satire in essence.

On a personal note, having worked in publishing, I can tell you from direct experience that predicting trends are almost impossible. More often than not, something will become popular for no apparent reason and no one know why, it just happens.

Vampires are overdone for now, but in say 20 years, who knows? It could become super popular again at any time (I personally doubt it, just throwing out an example here).

I think if someone writes a more traditional vampire novel then it could shift the trend that way. While it feels like vampires are overdone, it's more that the stories have all gone that mushy romance trend. Vampires have always been a popular genre but how they are portrayed varies. I think vampires as villains (as opposed to love interests) could be that next trend.
I thought zombies would hold out better but it looks like it's on its way out (as a huge trend).

Vampires, Werewolves and Zombies have run their course and are definitely on the way out. More realistic creatures such as evil entities, serial killers and yes even Aliens may resurface as the next trend. Robots seem to be too boring to ever excel. It's like being terrorized by your washing machine or lawnmower. Anyway I'm just a writer, so what do I know?

Lawnmower Man!

I'd like to see a small trend or pick up in the Steampunk genre, that would be interesting.

I'm old and have Anheuser's disease, or is it Alzheimer's I don't remember. What is Steampunk?

Justin wrote: "I'd like to see a small trend or pick up in the Steampunk genre, that would be interesting."

I think that's already happening.

Robert wrote: "I'm old and have Anheuser's disease, or is it Alzheimer's I don't remember. What is Steampunk?"

Usually books set in the 19th century where there is an emphasis on clockwork and or steam powered mechanisms. For example, The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess

I really really hope it's adult non-erotica epic romantic fantasy.

(what I write)

Lol - Kyra, I think we all share your sentiments. Who wouldn't want to be on the ground floor of the hawt new thang?

Lily wrote: "My two cents, and this is in general:

- Environements as a character (I've actually seen agents who are asking for that specifically).
- Fantasy with mythological creatures that are uncommon or ra..."

There is an interesting theory that says social mood is patterned (Socionomics and Elliott Wave Theory). A study of movies noted a major trend change to horror as part of the depression in the 30s. This same theory predicts a major shift toward negative social mode (with well defined consequences). So there would be a big pick up in dark Horror (not humorous horror) like the Saw movies.

I think the new trend now is Dystopian

I am anxious to see what the new trend is. I'm about tired of tattoo'd bad boys falling for the sweet, innocent girl and redeeming themselves. I'm tired of billionaire bachelors falling for the plain Jane... AKA 50 Shades.

I guess this was more about what I've had enough of, rather than what's coming.