The 5 Top Genres in Demand for 2025
The publishing landscape continues to evolve rapidly, driven by social media trends, changing reader preferences, and cultural shifts. As we progress through 2025, specific genres have emerged as clear market leaders, capturing both reader attention and industry investment. Based on recent industry data and publishing trends, here are the five most in-demand genres shaping the literary marketplace this year.
1. Young Adult (YA) Fiction
Young Adult fiction has claimed the top spot as the most sought-after genre in 2025. According to recent analysis of literary agent and editor profiles, YA dominated with 56 mentions across industry professionals, outpacing the second-place genre by seven selections (1). More than half of the agents and editors
analyzed are specifically seeking YA fiction, indicating unprecedented demand from publishers.
The YA genre’s dominance reflects its broad appeal beyond its target demographic, with adult readers comprising a significant portion of the audience. This crossover appeal has made YA particularly attractive to publishers looking for titles with maximum market potential. The genre’s success is further amplified by its strong performance on social media platforms, particularly BookTok, where YA titles consistently trend.
2. Romance and Romantasy
Romance continues its reign as a publishing powerhouse, maintaining its position as one of the most commercially successful genres. The romance category generates $1.5 billion in sales annually and accounts for nearly half of all mass-market paperback sales (2). In the self-publishing sector, romance remains the most popular genre, with 22.7% of authors identifying it as their primary genre (3).
The emergence of “romantasy”—a hybrid of romance and fantasy—has given rise to a particularly popular subgenre. This fusion has captured readers’ imaginations, combining the emotional satisfaction of romance with the escapism of fantasy worlds. The success of titles like “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros has demonstrated the commercial viability of this genre blend, with publishers actively seeking similar manuscripts.
3. Dark Academia
Dark academia has evolved from a social media aesthetic into a full-fledged literary genre experiencing significant growth in 2025. Publishers like HarperCollins are actively promoting dark academia titles, with comprehensive lists featuring “spiraling cobble streets and coloured, paned-glass windows, to daunting dragons and elite boarding schools” (4). The genre typically combines thriller elements with coming-of-age narratives set in academic environments.
The appeal of dark academia lies in its sophisticated atmosphere and morally complex characters. These books usually feature “secrets, sapphic tension, murder mysteries, and obsessive ambition in ivy-covered halls” with “morally gray characters, dangerous friendships, and the kind of intense intellectual energy” that
resonates with contemporary readers (5). The genre has been described as “part thriller, part coming-of-age, and part existential crisis with a vintage wardrobe.”
4. Fantasy
Fantasy continues to demonstrate remarkable staying power and growth, with search interest showing a 17% increase for 2025 (6). The genre’s dominance is evident across multiple market segments, from traditional publishing to self-publishing platforms. Fantasy’s broad appeal spans age groups and subgenres, from epic fantasy to urban fantasy to the previously mentioned romantasy hybrid.
The genre’s success is partly attributed to its adaptability and the endless possibilities it offers for world-building and character development. Publishers recognize fantasy’s potential for series development and multimedia adaptation, making it particularly attractive for long-term investment strategies.
5. Thriller and Mystery
Thriller and mystery genres maintain their position as evergreen categories that “continue delivering steady royalties year after year” (7). These genres benefit from their universal appeal and the consistent demand for suspenseful, page-turning narratives. The thriller genre’s flexibility allows it to incorporate elements from other popular genres, creating sub-categories like psychological thrillers, domestic thrillers, and the previously mentioned dark academia thrillers.
The enduring popularity of thrillers and mysteries reflects readers’ constant appetite for engaging, plot-driven narratives. Publishers appreciate these genres for their reliable market performance and their ability to translate well across different formats and media.
Industry Implications and Future Outlook
The dominance of these five genres reflects broader cultural trends and reading preferences. The success of hybrid genres like romantasy and dark academia suggests that readers are increasingly drawn to books that blend traditional genre boundaries. Industry professionals note that “genres like romantasy and dark academia dominate 2025” while traditional categories continue their steady performance (8).
Publishers are adapting their acquisition strategies to focus on these high-demand genres while also seeking fresh takes on established formulas. The influence of social media platforms, particularly TikTok, continues to shape genre popularity and drive publishing decisions.
For authors and publishers looking to capitalize on current market trends, these five genres represent the most promising opportunities for commercial success in 2025. However, industry experts caution that while “chasing fleeting viral trending book genres risks burnout,” completely “ignoring market shifts leaves money on the table” (9).
Sources:
- Matesic, Alyssa. “The Hottest Book Genres: What Publishers Are Looking For Right Now.” Alyssa Matesic, Professional Book and Novel Editing, March 13, 2025. https://www.alyssamatesic.com/free-writing-resources/trending-genres-2025
- “Top 4 Books & Publishing Trends of 2025.” Glimpse, 2025. https://meetglimpse.com/trends/books-publishing-trends/
- “10 Self-publishing Trends in 2025 You Can’t Miss.” MIBLART, December 16, 2024. https://miblart.com/blog/self-publishing-trends-this-year/
- “10 Dark Academia Thrillers for Summer 2025.” HarperCollins Publishers UK, August 2025. https://harpercollins.co.uk/blogs/reading-lists/10-dark-academia-thrillers-for-summer-2025
- “Romantasy, Anyone? These 11 New Book Genres Are Blowing Up the Charts.” Retiredom, July 14, 2025. https://www.msn.com/en-us/society-culture-and-history/books-and-literature/romantasy-anyone-these-11-new-book-genres-are-blowing-up-the-charts/ss-AA1IAxtP
- “2025 Trending Books: Fantasy Dominance & Must-Read Releases Revealed.” Accio, 2025. https://www.accio.com/business/trending_books_2025
- “Top-Selling Book Genres that Readers Buy Most in 2025.” https://www.accio.com/business/top-selling-book-genres-2025
- Admin. (2025, February 19). The most popular book genres of 2025. The Bookish Elf. https://www.bookishelf.com/the-most-popular-book-genres-of-2025/
- M, Z. (2024, September 16). 10 Top Book Genres in 2025: Diving into the Future of Reading | PublishingState.com. PublishingState.com. https://publishingstate.com/10-top-book-genres-in-2025/2024/