Other Categories and Niche Books
If you have a book in mind that doesn't seem to fit into one of the genres discussed in this chapter or you don't have a specific idea and none of these categories appeals to you, do not despair. There are many other categories of nonfiction books that publishers seek which you can consider. Many of these genres have hundreds and even thousands of books published every year. To get you started, consider some of the following categories:
Horticulture/gardening
Art/architecture
Business/economics
Cookbooks/dining
Government/politics/world affairs
History
Nature/environment
Music/dance
Hobbies
Military/war
Still haven't found a genre that arouses your interest and yet you still thirst to write that book-length project? Then return to the techniques discussed in Chapter 1 and mine the world around you as well as your own inner thoughts and feelings. No matter what subject you come up with, if that's what you want to pursue, you should go for it. Even if it's something as narrow as existentialism and the mind of Woody Allen or the fifty best public libraries west of the Rockies, it will probably find a home in what is referred to as the “niche” market for books.
The important thing to bear in mind if you want to write a nonfiction book is that if this is your goal, you should go for it. You can determine the genre before or after the project is complete, although at some time, before you finish the final proposal or manuscript and begin to seek an agent or publisher, it would be best if you have reached a decision. When all is said and done, what matters most is that you write the book you want to write, keeping in mind the techniques and elements of good nonfiction writing.
