"The Gentle Pen" What’s Trending in Publishing in 2025 — And Why You Need to Stay on Top of It!
- plowmanpublishing
- May 22, 2025
- 2 min read
By Liv McLean
🎯 If your story is on-trend (or even slightly ahead of it), you’re already ahead of the game.You can use popular comp titles, timely themes, and real-world news to show agents, editors, and readers that your story matters right now.
But if you're off-trend, your pitch might fall flat—even if your writing shines.
Top Publishing Trends of 2025
1 Uplifting Escapism
Readers want joy. They want laughs. They want to escape the stress of real life with heartwarming fiction.
Hot Genres:✔️ Cozy fantasy✔️ Sweet romance✔️ Feel-good friendship tales✔️ Slice-of-life small-town stories
“Write the kind of book that makes someone feel hugged.”
2 AI & Near-Future Speculative Fiction
Think less Star Wars, more Black Mirror with heart. Readers are obsessed with the moral dilemmas of tech and AI — and how it affects real people.
Hot Themes:✔️ AI ethics✔️ Future jobs & identity✔️ Surveillance & freedom✔️ Connection in a digital world
3. Climate Fiction with Hope
Eco-fiction is growing up — and it’s hopeful. Not doom and gloom, but solutions, courage, and connection with nature.
Hot Genres:✔️ Middle grade eco-heroes✔️ Futuristic farming or nature societies✔️ Quiet memoirs with environmental themes
4. Romantasy Rules the Charts
TikTok still reigns, and readers want romance with their dragons.
Hot Tropes:✔️ Enemies-to-lovers✔️ Slow burn✔️ Magical academies✔️ Dual POV with emotional stakes
If your fantasy has love in it, lead with that in your pitch!
5. Snackable Fiction and Novella Resurgence
Shorter books are thriving in our fast-paced world. Think binge-worthy, unputdownable reads.
Hot Formats:✔️ Novellas✔️ Episodic fiction✔️ Flash fiction collections✔️ Serial fiction on digital platforms
6. Authentic Representation & Diverse Voices
Readers are hungry for genuine, diverse stories. And not just in theme — but in voice, experience, and authorship.
Hot Markets:✔️ #OwnVoices YA & MG✔️ Neurodivergent narratives✔️ LGBTQIA+ joy stories✔️ Bilingual or culturally rich picture books
Positioning YOUR Book for Success
Even if your book isn’t perfectly trendy, you can still make it shine by:
Highlighting trending elements (romance, tech, climate hope)
Avoiding outdated tropes in your pitch (e.g., dystopian fatigue)
Using fresh comp titles from the last 1–3 years
Connecting to real-world topics to make your story relevant
✍️ Final Thoughts from Liv
Writing is a magical act. But publishing?
That’s about strategy. And understanding the market in 2025 is part of that strategy.
So stay sharp, watch the waves, and when you see one rising — grab your surfboard and ride it!
“Because your story matters — and the world is ready to hear it.”
Gently,
Liv McLean
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