what kind of stories are in with editors

[huxley]

what are the kinds of sotries that editors are looking for.

basicaly : like is mystery down, is sc-fi up. stuff like that. like who are the best sellers.

[BookStop]

Looking at The New York Times best sellers, it's a good mix, although mysteries may be ahead by a nose.

[Lucien21]

Da Vinci code rip offs, but hopefully the bubble of that trend will burst soon (if it hasn't already)

[Teresa Edgerton]

Large publishing houses are divided into imprints or lines, which focus on different types of books. So editors working for science fiction/fantasy imprints continue to be interested in science fiction and fantasy, at romance imprints they still want romances, and so forth, no matter what's going on with the bestseller list.

Maybe you mean to ask what sort of books are publishing houses interested in at the moment. That's difficult to say, since the books that are being published now were generally acquired a couple of years ago, and the books they bought this year won't be seen until the end of next, or the year after that. The only way to know would be to ask an editor or an agent.

If you are looking to write a book based on what is selling now, there is a good chance that by the time you could write it and sell it the trend would be fading fast.

[jenna]

I wouldn't know what the publishers are looking for, but I can tell you what I've seen around on my many regular trips to browse the stores.
I've noticed Historical Fiction is quite in vogue right now, mostly ancient history type stuff. Anything remotely linked to the Da Vinci Code is still being published, but I'm seeing a lot of it ending up on the bargain tables. Sci-Fi and Fantasy are still tottering along, I think there'll always be a decent sized niche market for that, as long as what you've got is good (actually, even if it's not very good! You all know the guys I'm talking about!)
Also, fast-paced books that read like action movies are doing pretty well, ie Matthew Reilly's Seven Ancient Wonders.

[Hiro Protagonist]

Just write in whatever genre you are most comfortable with/like the most. Don't let genre dictate your story, but rather, let your story dictate the genre.

[huxley]

you thinkthat a "james bond" type or a "stainless steel rat" type

a sort of character that could go again and again on different missions.

you think editors you like a book like that. it could be in series.

what are you're thoughts.

[SpaceShip]

Originally Posted by Teresa Edgerton

Large publishing houses are divided into imprints or lines, which focus on different types of books. So editors working for science fiction/fantasy imprints continue to be interested in science fiction and fantasy, at romance imprints they still want romances, and so forth, no matter what's going on with the bestseller list.

Even though the editors for different publishing houses accept their favoured stories, it is still very difficult to get a toe in the door, even if you are writing in that particular genre. Does anyone have any tips on how to push that door open?

[Teresa Edgerton]

I merely answered the original question as stated. How one goes about getting a particular novel accepted (in whatever genre) is quite another matter.

The most obvious answer is to write a perfectly wonderful book, and send out a clean (that is, virtually error free) manuscript or proposal in professional format. Send it only to agents or editors who have stated an interest in your particular genre, and make sure that you submission meets their guidelines. Keep sending it out even after you have received you first rejection. If you receive several rejections, take a long hard look at the manuscript and ask yourself if there are any improvements you might make before you send it out again. In any case, do not give up after a mere handful of rejections. Many (though not all) of the people who tell you how impossible it is to get published gave up very early.

One more thing, and it is much more important than a lot of writers think: learn to write a great synopsis. It's only 1-3 pages (depending on what the agent or editor asks for) so the temptation is to think it's something you ought to be able to knock out in a couple of days. It's a vitally important piece of writing and it deserves more attention than that. The synopsis is your first chance to get an editor interested and excited.