So, you’ve got a killer story idea, but you’re not sure where it fits, or how to make it shine in a crowded genre. Before you panic-Google “What even is gaslamp fantasy?” let’s talk about the power move every successful writer makes: researching your genre. It’s the blueprint that helps you shape your story, meet reader expectations, and stand out in a crowded market. But how do you actually research a genre?
Genre research goes way beyond reading a few books (though that’s still key!). It’s about soaking in the tone, tropes, and expectations that come with the storytelling territory. Whether you’re writing your first novel or refining your next big draft, understanding your genre inside and out can save you from major rewrite stress. This will help your story find the right readers.
Genre Research 101: More Than Just Reading Books
Reading within your genre is essential but it’s not the only way to learn. Researching genre can be engaging, surprising, and even fun. It’s about immersing yourself in the patterns, beats, and emotional rhythms that define your chosen space—so you can write something that feels both familiar and fresh. Here are other fun (and seriously useful) ways to dig deep:
1. Watch Movies and TV Shows
Visual storytelling is a great crash course in genre conventions. Whether it’s the slow-burn tension of a thriller, the emotional arc of a romance, or the epic scale of fantasy, TV and film make it easy to spot pacing, tropes, and character types.
Watch for:
- How conflict builds and resolves
- The structure of emotional highs and lows
- How themes are communicated visually and through dialogue
- Character growth (or deliberate lack thereof) across arcs
Try watching a few different adaptations of the same genre to see what patterns emerge. If you’re writing a mystery, for example, compare Knives Out to an Agatha Christie adaptation and a cozy mystery series. What stays the same? What’s different? This kind of genre-savvy viewing will help you zero in on must-have elements—and spark ideas for making your story stand out.
Pro tip: Turn on subtitles and read the dialogue. As a result, you’ll notice how pacing and tone vary from one genre to another and how each line of dialogue is tailored to the genre’s mood.
2. Read Reviews—Even the Angry Ones
Yes, glowing reviews are helpful, but critical ones often reveal genre expectations that weren’t met. Reader reviews especially the passionate ones, are a goldmine of insight into what audiences expect from your genre. Whether it’s a rave or a rant, reviews often spell out why a book resonated—or fell flat.
Look for patterns in:
- Praise or complaints about pacing, character depth, or predictability
- Emotional beats that landed—or missed entirely
- Reactions to twists, endings, or specific tropes
You’ll start to see which genre elements are considered “must-haves” and which ones feel tired or overdone. For instance, readers might love a morally gray villain in a fantasy novel but feel short-changed if there’s no clear internal struggle. These are the unwritten rules that will shape how your book is received.
Don’t forget to check multiple platforms, Goodreads, Amazon, TikTok, and even forums like Reddit. And yes, the negative reviews matter just as much as the glowing ones. They reveal what frustrates readers and how you might improve or flip the script entirely to better understand your genre.
Tune In to Storytelling Podcasts
Podcasts are like mini writing workshops you can take on the go. Many shows dive into specific genres, story structures, character arcs, and publishing trends. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what’s working in today’s market—and why.
Try searching for:
- Genre-specific writing shows (like “Science Fiction & Fantasy Marketing Podcast” or “The Shit No One Tells You About Writing”)
- Storytelling breakdowns (e.g., “Writing Excuses”)
- Author interviews from your favorite books
You’ll hear directly from authors, editors, and readers about what resonates and what falls short. Plus, podcasts often highlight common pitfalls, tips for staying fresh in a crowded genre, and case studies of breakout hits.
Even better? These insights often come with examples. You’ll hear someone explain why a twist worked, or how a character arc felt satisfying. That’s genre literacy in action.
Join Reader and Writer Communities
Hop into online spaces where fans and writers gather. From Reddit threads and Facebook groups to Discord servers and Substack comment sections—genre communities are thriving. Fans love talking about what they’re reading and why they love it. For this reason, you’ll discover popular tropes, rising subgenres, and what readers are really craving next.
These groups can help you:
- Spot trending subgenres and hot topics
- Understand reader lingo (yes, “grumpy x sunshine” is a thing!)
- Ask questions and get recommendations
- Participate in trope discussions and genre challenges
Being in the room (virtually) with passionate readers helps you see how deeply people engage with their favorite genres. As an added bonus, these spaces often spark unexpected inspiration—like a single post about a “reverse heist” that suddenly unlocks your next plot.
Some communities are more fan-based, others are craft-focused. Dip into both. You’ll walk away with a sharper instinct for what your genre thrives on.
Why Bother with All This Genre Research Homework?
You might be thinking, “Can’t I just write the story I want and figure it out later?” We get it. You just want to write. But trust us, this kind of genre study for writers doesn’t slow you down, it supercharges your story. Moreover, genre research gives you an edge. It helps you:
1. Avoid Painful Rewrites
When you understand your genre’s typical beats—those familiar moments and turning points readers expect—you’ll have a stronger roadmap for your story. Of course, this means fewer detours, less confusion about pacing, and a much lower chance of needing to tear your plot apart during revisions. Instead of constantly second-guessing where your story is going, you’ll write with more clarity and confidence from page one.
2. Develop a Stronger Voice
The more you read and observe within your genre, the easier it becomes to identify tired tropes or clichéd character arcs. But instead of avoiding them entirely, you’ll learn how to give them a fresh twist. That’s where your voice shines. You’re not just copying what works—you’re building on it and making it yours.
Great genre stories don’t just follow the rules; they play with them. Furthermore, your voice becomes more confident when you know which boundaries you’re pushing against—and why.
3. Keep Readers Coming Back
Readers love when their expectations are met—and love it even more when they’re cleverly surprised. By understanding the rules of your genre, you can choose when to deliver what readers expect and when to turn things upside down. That keeps readers engaged and emotionally invested.
Do it well, and you won’t just satisfy readers—you’ll turn them into loyal fans who can’t wait to see what you write next.
Final Thoughts: Research Is Your Secret Weapon
Understanding your genre is like learning a melody. In fact, once you know how the tune usually goes, you can remix it into something that’s all yours. You’re not writing inside a box. You’re writing with a toolkit that helps your story land with the audience it was meant for.
So grab that book, stream that show, scroll those reviews. Your story deserves to hit the right notes—and genre research is how you make that happen.
You can check out why researching book genre matters by Finding Your Niche to further help improve your story. Additionally, more information can be found here in our Genre Know-How for First Timers as your guide to know more about your genre inside and out.
