Is Your Book Idea Worth Pursuing? Here’s How to Find Out
A writer’s job, above all else, is to satisfy their readers. Without readers, we might as well be journaling. A book is a product. And products need an audience to sell to! While I absolutely love the idea of writing the book you want to read, it’s also extremely necessary to make sure we’re writing something that other people are going to want to read.
I think it’s incredibly important to acknowledge that learning how to write a book is a process. For most writers, it takes more than one attempt to truly understand how to craft a compelling narrative. It might even take a few novels before everything clicks. And while every book you write will teach you something new, wouldn’t it be great to have confidence that you’re on the right track before you commit to a full draft?
Before you spend months, or even years, writing a novel, how can you be so sure your idea will resonate with readers?
Start with what interests you, then think about your readers.
Let’s not lose sight of why you were drawn to the idea in the first place. What excites you about it? That passion is what fuels your writing.
But once you've found your spark, the next step is to consider your audience.
Steven Pressfield sums this up perfectly in Nobody Wants to Read Your Shit:
“When you understand that nobody wants to read your shit, your mind becomes powerfully concentrated. You begin to understand that writing/reading is, above all, a transaction. The reader donates his time and attention, which are supremely valuable commodities. In return, you the writer must give him something worthy of his gift to you.”
Writing is, at its core, a relationship between you and your reader. It’s not enough to love your own idea—your story has to give readers a reason to care. When you develop the ability to switch between your perspective as the writer and the reader’s point of view, that’s when the magic happens.
Ask yourself:
Is this idea exciting enough to hold the reader’s interest?
Does my concept offer something fresh or thought-provoking?
Can I sustain my reader’s attention across an entire novel, or is this concept better suited to a short story, blog post, essay, or other short form?
How to Validate Your Book Idea
Here are a few ways you can test your story idea to make sure it’s worth pursuing before you dive into a full draft:
1. Conduct market research:
Take your idea and vet it against other books in the genre. Has this idea been done before? Are there similar themes or tropes that readers love?
More importantly, are you putting a fresh, exciting spin on something familiar? Study books that have been successful in your genre and see how your concept fits—or stands out—in that landscape.
Tips for conducting market research:
Browse bestseller lists in your genre to understand what’s popular. What common elements do these books share? Are there recurring themes or story arcs?
Read reviews on Amazon or Goodreads: These will give you insight into what readers loved (or didn’t) in comp books. Pay attention to what readers mention as a draw—whether it’s plot, characters, or themes.
Find comparative titles (comps): Look for 2-3 books that are similar to your concept. These “comp titles” will help you gauge if there’s an audience for your idea, and what they expect. Ask yourself what your book does that’s different or unique compared to these comps.
2. Identify your target audience:
Create a reader profile: Imagine your ideal reader and create a profile for them. What do they enjoy reading, what themes speak to them, and what emotional experience are they seeking from your book? For example, if you're writing a fast-paced thriller, your reader might enjoy twists, cliffhangers, and moral dilemmas.
By identifying your target audience early, you’ll not only make the writing process easier but also set yourself up for success when it comes time to pitch your book to agents or publishers
If you’re thinking your book is for "everyone," it's actually for no one.
Many new writers make the mistake of thinking their book can appeal to all ages and every type of reader. But no book can be universally loved. Trying to please everyone means you risk pleasing no one because your story will lack the specificity and focus that resonates with a particular group of readers.
This often happens when writers don’t fully understand the importance of age categories and genres. If you're aiming for an audience that spans from teenagers to adults, or from fans of romance to lovers of thrillers, you might be trying to reach too wide a spectrum. The key to a successful book is to know exactly who you’re writing for.
Why Age Categories and Genres Matter:
Books are divided into categories and genres for a reason: they help publishers, agents, and readers understand where your book fits and who it’s meant for.
Let’s break this down a bit:
Age Categories:
Picture Books (ages 2-7): Simple stories with strong visual elements that appeal to very young children.
Middle Grade (ages 8-12): Focused on pre-teen readers, these stories often deal with friendships, adventure, and self-discovery.
Young Adult (ages 13-18): YA novels usually revolve around coming-of-age themes, identity, and first experiences, like love or loss. The protagonists have to be teens. Teens usually read “up,” so there aren’t very many YA books with 14-15 year old protagonists.
New Adult (ages 18-25): Fiction similar to young adult that can be published and marketed as adult. Keep in mind this is a newer category that isn’t as widely accepted in publishing just yet.
Adult Fiction: Written for readers 18 and up, these books can explore a wider range of themes, emotions, and complexity. The protagonists can be any age.
If your story feels like it could appeal to a wide age range, ask yourself: Who is the protagonist, and how old are they?
Readers tend to gravitate toward characters who are close to their own age or who are experiencing life stages they relate to. Trying to write for both 12-year-olds and 40-year-olds, for example, makes it difficult to land on themes, language, and pacing that will satisfy either group.
Genres:
Genres help readers know what kind of emotional experience to expect from a book. A mystery promises intrigue and suspense, while a romance guarantees emotional connections and happy endings. Understanding your genre gives you a roadmap for the type of story you’re telling.
Some examples of popular genres:
Fantasy: Magic, world-building, and epic quests.
Science Fiction: Futuristic settings, technology, and speculative concepts.
Mystery/Thriller: Puzzles to solve, suspense, and twists.
Romance: Relationship-driven stories with emotional highs and happy resolutions.
Literary Fiction: Often character-driven, these stories explore the human condition and tend to focus more on prose style and theme.
Each genre has its own expectations and knowing them helps you stay focused on delivering what your target audience is looking for. For example, someone picking up a thriller expects a fast-paced, edge-of-their-seat experience, while a literary fiction reader may be looking for deep, introspective character development and complex themes.
Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, focus on the specific audience that will love your book. Ask yourself:
Who will identify with the themes in my story?
What kind of reader enjoys books like mine?
Which age group or genre does my book fit into best?
By narrowing your focus, you’ll be able to write more intentionally, deliver a more powerful story, and attract the readers who are truly passionate about the kind of book you’re creating.
3. Test your idea with a hook:
If you can’t distill your book into a hook—a one-sentence pitch that captures its essence—it’s worth re-examining the concept. A strong hook not only grabs attention but also reveals whether your story idea has enough weight to sustain a full-length novel.
Here’s how to write a hook: Try to sum up your book in one or two sentences. Focus on the core conflict, stakes, and what makes your book unique.
Example: “A group of misfit teenagers must band together to survive after waking up on a deserted island with no memory of how they got there.”
Practice pitching your idea to a friend or writing group. If your hook intrigues them and sparks questions, you might be onto something. If it feels flat or confusing, it’s a sign the idea needs refining.
4. Test your story’s longevity by creating an outline:
Sometimes a great book idea is really a short story (or other short form content) in disguise. Creating an outline will help you determine whether your idea has enough depth and complexity for a novel. An outline can also reveal plot holes, weak points, or areas that need more development before you start writing.
You can start with common story structures like the three-act structure or Hero’s Journey to outline your book. These structures help ensure your idea has a strong beginning, middle, and end. I’d recommend Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody or The Plot Whisperer by Martha Alderson, but like all craft books, it’s best to read samples and see which voice you connect with best.
Next, test your character arcs. Are your characters dynamic? Do they grow or change* throughout the story? If not, that may be a sign your idea lacks the depth needed for a full novel.
*Note: some stories do not have change arcs—these are called flat or statics arcs and are where the world or other characters change as a result of the main character’s actions. For example, James Bond remains largely the same character with the same values and skills, but his actions drive the plot and influence other characters.
5. Share Your Idea Early
Many writers are hesitant to share their ideas too early, but getting feedback can be invaluable for testing whether your concept will resonate.
Use beta readers or critique partners: Share your hook or premise with a few trusted readers, especially those who fit your target audience. Honest feedback early on can help you refine your concept.
Find writing communities and online forums: Engage with online or in-person writing groups to bounce ideas off fellow writers. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can reveal strengths and weaknesses in your concept that you hadn’t considered.
6. Don’t Worry About Being Completely Original
Many new writers worry their idea isn’t original enough. Here’s the truth: very few ideas are 100% original. What’s important is your execution—how you bring your unique voice, characters, and perspective to the story.
Instead of stressing over originality, lean into the elements that make your story yours:
What’s your unique take on common themes?
How can your characters stand out, even if the plot is familiar?
Remember, even familiar stories can feel fresh when told through a new lens.
Plus, you can give ten writers the same story idea and you’ll end up with ten completely different books.
7. Test Your Story’s Longevity by Outlining
Sometimes an idea sounds great but fizzles out halfway through. Creating an outline can help you avoid this pitfall. By mapping out the key plot points, you can test whether your idea has enough substance to sustain a full-length novel.
I know a lot of writers tend to be allergic to outlining, so consider a synopsis if a full outline makes you break out in hives!
While the process of validating your book idea can feel intimidating, remember that every writer starts somewhere. The more you understand your audience, the stronger your story will be—and you’ll still get to tell the story you’ve been dreaming of. Ultimately, you want to craft a book you’re proud of and that readers will love.
Keep experimenting, keep learning, and trust that the process will guide you to the right idea!
Tiffany Grimes (she/they) is the founder of Burgeon Design and Editorial, a queer founded boutique editing and design house for the creatively audacious. At Burgeon, we specialize in book editing, coaching, and web design for the individualists, nonconformists, and trailblazers of the literary world. If you’re a maverick, outsider, rebel, renegade, dissenter, disruptor, or free spirit, you’ve come to the right place.
