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The Book Genre Literary Agents Want (That Few Writers Are Writing)

Outlier score4.1×Overperformer

308,866 views vs a median of 75,913 across the channel's last 8 long-form uploads · as of Oct 30

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Former publishing professional Alyssa Matesic analyzes database trends from QueryTracker revealing that upmarket fiction is the third most requested fiction genre by literary agents, despite not appearing in the top ten genres queried by authors. She defines upmarket fiction as a sweet spot combining literary craft and character development with commercial hooks and accessible pacing. Matesic also highlights horror and speculative fiction as other underrepresented opportunity genres and offers guidance on how authors should position their manuscripts.

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8chapters10on-screen captures18people9claims and stats26references in all
Source: Everyone Loves This Genre. But No One Is Writing It. · Alyssa Matesic
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    The explainer

    What the video says, with a link to every moment

    A 1-minute read. Each underlined phrase opens the video at that second.

    Understanding market dynamics is essential for aspiring authors navigating traditional publishing. Former editorial professional Alyssa Matesic examines data from QueryTracker genre statistics1:01 to demonstrate a notable discrepancy between what authors are submitting and what literary agents are seeking. While fantasy ranks first in both submissions and requests, creating an intensely crowded market, upmarket fiction ranks third1:50 among agent requests despite failing to break the top ten genres written by authors using the platform.

    chart
    Top 10 Most Popular Fiction Genres *1 Fantasy2 Children's3 Young Adult4 Literary Fiction5 Science Fiction6 Thrillers/Suspense7 Historical8 Picture Book9 Romance10 Middle Grade* Based on all the manuscript genre information which QueryTracker users have supplied. More manuscripts are for these genres than any others.Top 10 Most Requested Fiction Genres *1 Fantasy2 Thrillers/Suspense3 Upmarket4 Literary Fiction5 Horror6 Romance, Fantasy7 Romance, Contemporary8 Young Adult, Fantasy9 Speculative10 Romance, Comedy* Based on all the manuscript genre information which QueryTracker users have supplied in the past year. Agents have requested to read more manuscripts of these genres.View Top 10 Nonfiction Genres
    ▶ 0:59
    On screen at 0:59

    To help authors determine whether they might be writing this in-demand genre without knowing it, Matesic draws on literary agent Carly Watters's framework explaining upmarket as a hybrid2:57 of commercial and literary fiction. While commercial fiction emphasizes plot3:14 and swift pacing, and literary fiction prioritizes craft3:29 and language, upmarket fiction occupies the space between them. It pairs accessible, high-quality prose and thoughtful, character-driven themes with a distinct, compelling commercial premise. A practical heuristic for identifying upmarket fiction is its suitability for book club discussion4:32, which drives word-of-mouth sales, major celebrity club endorsements, and lucrative screen adaptations.

    quote
    Ask five different industry members and you'll get five different answers. But what really is "upmarket"fiction?I've spent the last thirteen years helping writers get book deals and the last two years on our podcast TheShit No One Tells You About Writing helping unpublished writers learn how to categorize their work andI have an answer to this. Upmarket fiction is a blend of commercial fiction and literary fiction, but how itgets blended is where writers and industry members can't always agree.
    ▶ 2:51
    On screen at 2:51

    Popular novels illustrate this intersection clearly. Books like Little Fires Everywhere6:42 by Celeste Ng, Such a Fun Age7:04 by Kiley Reid, and Lessons in Chemistry7:28 by Bonnie Garmus combine fast-moving narratives with deeper explorations of class, race, and societal expectations. To sharpen an author's understanding, Matesic presents a comparative exercise showing that Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead represents literary fiction, John Grisham's The Widow epitomizes commercial fiction, and Matt Haig's The Midnight Library8:27 represents upmarket fiction by combining an imaginative premise with universal emotional themes.

    Beyond upmarket fiction, Matesic identifies two additional genres with high agent demand and low writer supply: horror fiction9:32, which has transitioned into the mainstream through acclaimed bestsellers, and speculative fiction9:57, specifically narrative thought experiments exploring alternate reality scenarios without conforming strictly to traditional sci-fi or fantasy worldbuilding. While Matesic cautions against artificially chasing trends, she emphasizes that accurately classifying your manuscript11:07 gives writers a decisive strategic advantage when querying agents.

    Highlights
    1. 0:36QueryTracker data reveals agent demand
    2. 1:50Comparing writer supply versus agent requests
    3. 3:01Defining upmarket fiction via Carly Watters
    4. 8:00Genre quiz: Demon Copperhead vs The Midnight Library
    5. 9:29Secondary opportunity genres: Horror and speculative fiction
    Chapters across the 12:29 runtime
    How it's told

    A data breakdown uncovering publishing market opportunities

    Format: Explainer. Alyssa Matesic leverages QueryTracker statistics to contrast author submissions with literary agent requests, pinpointing high-demand, low-supply genres like upmarket fiction, horror, and speculative fiction. She defines upmarket fiction using industry criteria and novel case studies before offering guidance on genre positioning.

    Story arc

    1. 0:00The Market DisconnectAlyssa introduces the premise that one of publishing's most requested genres is rarely queried by authors.
    2. 0:41QueryTracker Data AnalysisComparing the top 10 genres requested by agents versus queried by authors reveals upmarket fiction at #3.
    3. 2:38Defining Upmarket FictionUsing Carly Watters's definition, Alyssa explains upmarket fiction as a blend of commercial pacing and literary craft.
    4. 4:13Hallmarks of UpmarketShe details the core traits of upmarket novels, emphasizing book club appeal and emotional resonance.
    5. 5:27Developing Writing CraftAlyssa discusses the importance of strong craft fundamentals and introduces Skillshare creative writing courses.
    6. 6:38Case Studies and Novel QuizAnalyzing titles like Little Fires Everywhere and testing viewers on commercial, literary, and upmarket distinctions.
    7. 9:23Horror and Speculative FictionExamining horror and speculative fiction as two other high-demand, low-supply categories on agent wishlists.
    8. 11:04Strategic Publishing AdviceCautioning against chasing trends while introducing her co-authored querying guide.

    Setups and payoffs

    1. 0:15Setup Teases an in-demand genre that writers may have never heard of
      ↳
      1:52Payoff Identifies upmarket fiction as holding the #3 spot on agent requests while absent from author query lists
    2. 2:34Setup Mentions two other untapped opportunity genres to be revealed later
      ↳
      9:34Payoff Introduces horror (#5) and speculative fiction (#9) as under-queried agent priorities
    3. 4:36Setup Identifies suitability for book club discussion as the ultimate test of upmarket fiction
      ↳
      5:08Payoff Demonstrates how selections by Reese Witherspoon, Jenna Bush Hager, and Oprah propel upmarket commercial success
    4. 7:56Setup Proposes a three-book genre identification test
      ↳
      8:20Payoff Reveals Demon Copperhead as literary, The Widow as commercial, and The Midnight Library as upmarket

    Devices

    • Rhetorical QuestionEngages viewer curiosity about market supply gaps and self-categorization.1:458:49
    • Data VisualizationQueryTracker comparison tables contrasting author submissions against literary agent requests.1:001:509:36
    • Spectrum FrameworkExplains upmarket fiction as occupying the middle ground between commercial fiction and literary fiction.3:113:49
    • Interactive QuizChallenges viewers to categorize three distinct bestsellers before breaking down their genre cues.8:06
    • Case Study DemonstrationAnalyzes successful titles such as Little Fires Everywhere, Such a Fun Age, and Lessons in Chemistry to illustrate upmarket balance.6:427:037:29

    From the video's own structure, matched to the transcript and on-screen text.

    Teardown

    This video exploded because it reframes creative writing as an objective supply-and-demand market with an untapped gap, backed immediately by industry logos and hard data.

    A real overperformer: 4.1× its typical views (308,866 vs a median of 75,913 across the channel's last 8 long-form uploads, as of Oct 30) · Long-form explainer · 37 days old

    The promise

    Writers will discover an untapped book genre with massive reader demand and almost no competition.

    Packaging

    How it looks in the feed

    Show the feed as
    12:29

    Everyone Loves This Genre. But No One Is Writing It.

    Alyssa Matesic308K views · 1mo agoThe first 500 people to use this link will receive a one month free trial of Skillshare! https://skl.sh/alyssamatesic09261 ORDER MY QUERYING GUIDE…

    Views and age as of the teardown, Oct 30, 2026. Other videos are blanked out.

    • 4/5Thumbnail imageThe white outline separates the creator cleanly from the background graph. The red curved arrow immediately directs the viewer's focus to the dramatic spike in interest.Creator in center with hand on chin looking quizzical, placed over a Google Trends graph with a bright red arrow pointing to a sharp curve upward.
    • 4/5Thumbnail text“What the data shows”Four words that reframe a subjective writing opinion into an objective analytical finding. The yellow fill with heavy black drop shadow ensures legibility.'What the data shows' centered across the top in yellow serif lettering with black drop shadow.
    • 5/5TitleA classic two-part paradox that creates an irresistible market opportunity for authors. It conceals the exact genre name to force the click.'Everyone Loves This Genre. But No One Is Writing It.'
    • 5/5Title + thumbnailThe title presents an enticing supply-and-demand mismatch while the thumbnail provides hard evidence that backs up the claim. Together they make the opportunity feel urgent and verified.Title claims nobody is writing a popular genre while thumbnail shows a Google Trends chart labeled '+120%' with 'What the data shows'.

    Curiosity gap: Which specific book genre is experiencing a surge in reader interest that writers have completely overlooked?

    The three hooks

    The title, the thumbnail text and the first words spoken each make a promise, and each does a different job.

    • Title“Everyone Loves This Genre. But No One Is Writing It.”Curiosity gapCuriosityOutcomeIt makes the writer want to identify the low-competition genre so they can write an easy hit.
    • Thumbnail text“What the data shows”AuthorityProofCuriosityIt makes the viewer want to see empirical market research rather than personal opinion.
    • First words spoken“I've worked in book publishing for a decade, first reviewing queries at a top literary agency, and then working with authors at the country's biggest publishing house.”AuthorityProofCuriosityThe opening words immediately establish ten years of insider gatekeeping experience, making the viewer trust that the market trend about to be shared is credible insider intelligence rather than guesswork.
    • PairingDifferent jobsThe title introduces the commercial opportunity gap while the thumbnail provides visual data proof to validate it.
    • StakesFitsFor querying writers, categorizing a novel correctly can mean the difference between getting rejected in the slush pile and landing an agent.
    • UrgencyManufacturedWhile framed as a current market surge, book publishing moves over multi-year timelines, and the creator herself admits at 11:10 that chasing immediate trends is a losing battle.

    The first 20 seconds

    TimeWhat you seeWhat you hearWhat it does
    0:00Creator talks directly to the camera in front of bookshelves."I've worked in book publishing"Establishes industry background instantly without a greeting.
    0:01Creator continues speaking straight to camera."for a decade,"Adds a concrete timeframe to establish credibility.
    0:02Creator gestures with hands while speaking."first reviewing queries at a top"Specifies gatekeeper experience at an agency.
    0:03The Bent Agency logo appears on the left side of the frame."literary agency,"Provides visual proof of the literary agency claim.
    0:04Creator speaks with agency logo still displayed."and then working"Bridges to her editorial publishing background.
    0:05Agency logo remains on screen."with authors at"Emphasizes hands-on author collaboration.
    0:06Penguin Random House logo replaces the agency logo on the right side."the country's biggest"Displays high-status publisher credential.
    0:07Penguin Random House logo stays visible."publishing house."Solidifies top-tier publishing authority.
    0:08Publisher logo remains on screen as line ends.Brief breath pause.Lets the credential sink in.
    0:09Logos disappear; creator looks intently into lens."And something"Pivots focus from credentials to current market trend.
    0:10Creator speaks with animated facial expression."really interesting is"Builds anticipation for an insider observation.
    0:11Creator maintains steady eye contact."happening right now."Injects timeliness and urgency.
    0:12Creator pauses briefly before the reveal.Brief pause.Holds the beat to increase tension.
    0:13Creator uses small hand gestures."Because one of the most"Starts defining the specific subject.
    0:14Creator speaks deliberately to the viewer."in-demand genres"Directly matches the promise of the video title.
    0:15Creator leans forward slightly."is one that you"Shifts focus onto the viewer's knowledge gap.
    0:16Creator smiles subtly while speaking."may have never"Teases that the answer is counterintuitive.
    0:17Creator emphasizes final words."even heard of."Completes the curiosity loop about the genre's identity.
    0:18Creator pauses briefly, holding eye contact.Brief vocal trail off.Lets the open loop linger.
    0:19Creator prepares to deliver the next point.Short intake of breath.Signals the payoff is coming immediately next.
    0:20Creator transitions into explanation.Beginning of next line.Keeps momentum moving forward.
    Click confirmation
    The title promises a genre everyone loves that no one writes. By 00:14, she explicitly talks about one of the most in-demand genres that viewers have likely never heard of, confirming the click within 14 seconds.
    Time to the point
    0:17
    Hook
    bold claim
    Reason to stay
    The viewer wants to know what this obscure, high-demand book genre actually is and why publishing houses want it.
    Missing on purpose
    No greeting, no channel name, no animated intro sequence, and no call to subscribe before the premise is stated.
    Pace and texture
    Steady talking-head shot with two clean brand logo overlays in the first seven seconds, driven entirely by vocal pacing and intentional pauses.

    Story map

    Explainer. An aspiring fiction writer wants to know what publishing gatekeepers actually want so they can break through the slush pile, but industry terminology is obscure and confusing. The video pays off by pinpointing the exact gap using QueryTracker data and teaching how to identify and pitch it.

    TimeSectionNew tensionStakesTurnLoops
    0:00 –0:35The Credibility & Paradox HookWhat is the massive reader genre that agents want but writers aren't submitting?RiseThe creator establishes decade-long credentials at Penguin Random House, but claims writers are missing out because they don't know the industry name.Opens: What is this mystery high-demand genre?
    0:36 –2:20Data Reveal: Agent Demand vs. Writer SupplyDoes the data actually show a market failure or just a fluke?RiseFantasy is #1 across both supply and demand, therefore competitive; but upmarket fiction is #3 for agents and unranked for writers.Opens: Why aren't authors writing upmarket fiction, and what are the two other mystery genres?Closes: Identified upmarket fiction as the mystery genre.
    2:21 –5:25Defining Upmarket FictionHow do you know if your book qualifies as upmarket fiction?HoldUpmarket lacks a single dictionary definition, but sits on a spectrum between commercial pacing and literary craft.Opens: How does an author execute this balance in actual practice?Closes: Defined upmarket fiction and explained agent interest (book club sales).
    5:26 –6:39Craft Fundamentals & Skillshare IntegrationCan you learn to write at this level, or is it innate?FallWriting is a craft skill rather than innate talent, therefore accessible via structured courses.
    6:40 –7:59Case Studies of Hit Upmarket NovelsWhat makes real-world bestsellers fit this exact mold?HoldThese titles aren't just one genre, but span suburban drama, contemporary race issues, and historical science.Opens: Can the viewer correctly diagnose their own manuscript against these titles?Closes: Illustrated upmarket characteristics with concrete bestsellers.
    8:00 –9:28Interactive Categorization QuizCan the viewer accurately separate commercial, literary, and upmarket fiction?RiseMost writers misclassify their books as women's or contemporary fiction, but correct genre positioning changes agent receptivity.Opens: What are the other two under-queried opportunity genres promised earlier?Closes: Tested viewer understanding with three book covers and explained correct placement.
    9:29 –11:05Secondary Opportunity Genres: Horror & SpeculativeWhat if a writer's project isn't upmarket fiction?HoldHorror and speculative fiction also show severe supply shortages, therefore offering parallel entry points.Opens: Should writers drop current projects to write into these trends?Closes: Revealed horror (#5) and speculative fiction (#9) from agent request charts.
    11:06 –12:29Strategic Caveat & Next StepsHow do you act on this market data without falling into a trend-chasing trap?FallPublishing moves slowly, so chasing trends fails; therefore, focus on positioning what you already write and sharpening your query.Closes: Resolved the strategic application of market data.

    Payoff: delivered fully at 1:54. Reveals upmarket fiction as the #3 most requested genre by agents that does not appear in writers' top 10 lists, followed later by secondary bonus genres (horror and speculative). Ending: A practical reality check against chasing trends, pitching her querying handbook, and routing directly to a query critique video featuring QueryTracker's founder.

    Leaks

    Where a viewer might leave. Guesses from watching, not retention data.

    • 5:35 The transition into a Skillshare sponsorship slows narrative pacing right after promising book examples.
    • 11:05 The creator cautions against trend-chasing, deflating the urgency built up in the opening ten minutes.

    Steal this

    1. Side-by-side supply vs demand comparison Pitting what buyers want directly against what creators submit makes an invisible market gap immediately obvious. 1:19
    2. Multi-tier loop delaying secondary payoffs Teasing 'two other opportunity genres' at 02:32 keeps viewers invested through the definition and examples before paying off at 09:29. 2:32
    3. Visual diagnostic quiz Presenting three book covers and pausing for the viewer to classify them converts passive watching into an active skill test. 8:00

    Skip this

    • Relying on major publishing house name-dropping in the first 7 seconds Displaying Penguin Random House and literary agency credentials works because the creator has legitimate editorial background, which cannot be faked without real institutional authority.

    Open questions

    • Did viewers who queried upmarket fiction see an actual increase in agent request rates compared to standard categories?
    • How much of the initial CTR came from the Google Trends thumbnail arrow versus the QueryTracker database hook?

    Teardown by Avail.video from the thumbnail, the title, the first 20 seconds and the report's notes on the whole video.

    On screen

    Everything the video showed you

    Slides, frameworks, quotes and formulas, captured verbatim with the moment they appeared. Tap any card to jump there.

    Reference shelf

    People, ideas and things mentioned

    Said means mentioned aloud; Shown means it appeared on screen.

    People18

    • Alyssa MatesicBook editor, author, and video host.0:00Said + shown6:09Said + shown11:37Said + shown12:00Said + shown12:16Said + shown
    • Carly WattersLiterary agent who wrote a defining breakdown of upmarket fiction.2:44Said + shown3:54Said + shown4:14Said + shown
    • Jane FriedmanPublishing author and industry expert whose website hosted Watters's post.2:47Said
    • Reese WitherspoonActress and founder of Reese's Book Club.5:09Said + shown
    • Jenna Bush HagerJournalist and host of the Read with Jenna book club.5:11Said + shown
    • Oprah WinfreyMedia mogul and founder of Oprah's Book Club.5:12Said + shown
    • Mary KarrMemoirist, poet, and Skillshare instructor.6:00Said + shown
    • Celeste NgAuthor of the bestselling upmarket novel Little Fires Everywhere.6:42Said + shown
    • Kiley ReidAuthor of the upmarket novel Such a Fun Age.7:04Said + shown
    • Bonnie GarmusAuthor of the historical upmarket novel Lessons in Chemistry.7:30Said + shown
    • Barbara KingsolverAuthor of the literary novel Demon Copperhead.8:08Said + shown
    • John GrishamNovelist known for commercial thrillers including The Widow.8:11Said + shown
    • Matt HaigAuthor of the upmarket novel The Midnight Library.8:14Said + shown
    • Grady HendrixHorror novelist.9:50Said + shown
    • T. KingfisherFantasy and horror novelist.9:52Said + shown
    • Margaret AtwoodAuthor of The Handmaid's Tale.10:48Said + shown
    • Emily St. John MandelAuthor of speculative fiction novels Sea of Tranquility and Station Eleven.10:53Said + shown
    • Patrick McDonaldFounder of QueryTracker and co-author of the querying guide.11:38Said + shown12:07Said

    Things on screen8

    • QueryTrackerOnline database and tracking service for querying authors and agents.0:36Said + shown0:42Shown1:01Shown
    • SkillshareOnline learning platform featuring classes on creative writing craft.5:55Said + shown
    • The Modern Guide to Querying Literary AgentsBook by Alyssa Matesic and Patrick McDonald providing querying strategies.0:08Shown11:33Said + shown11:37Shown
    • Little Fires EverywhereBestselling upmarket novel by Celeste Ng adapted into a Hulu series.6:42Said + shown
    • Such a Fun AgeUpmarket novel by Kiley Reid exploring race and privilege.7:04Said + shown
    • Lessons in ChemistryHistorical upmarket novel by Bonnie Garmus.7:30Said + shown
    • The Midnight LibraryPopular novel by Matt Haig featured in the genre quiz as upmarket.8:10Said + shown8:14Said + shown
    • GoodreadsBook review and recommendation website hosting the Goodreads Choice Awards.9:50Shown
    Video description

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    1,346 / 5,000 characters
    By the numbers

    What YouTube shows about this video and its channel

    As of Oct 30, 2026. YouTube's public numbers first, then Avail.video's own arithmetic on them.

    The video

    Views
    308.9K
    Likes
    7K
    Comments
    722
    Published
    Sep 22, 2026
    Length
    12:29
    Category
    Howto & Style
    YouTube's topics
    Knowledge
    Captions
    No
    HD
    Yes
    Language
    English
    Paid promotion
    Declared
    Made for kids
    No
    License
    Standard YouTube

    Creator's tags

    • authortube
    • how to write a book
    • publishing advice
    • book publishing
    • how to get published
    • writing a book
    • getting published
    • traditional publishing
    • literary agency
    • big five publisher
    • how to get a book published
    • how to publish a book
    • book publishing process
    • book publishing industry
    • how does book publishing work
    • booktube
    • publishing trends
    • big five publishing
    • book publishing trends
    • book publishing 2026
    • how to publish a novel
    • book genres
    • upmarket fiction

    The channel

    Alyssa Matesic@alyssamatesic
    Subscribers
    198K
    Videos
    1.2K
    Total views
    19.6M
    Channel age
    6 years (since Aug 2020)
    Country
    United States
    Uploads
    about every 12 days
    Across the last 8 long-form uploads
    Before this video
    8 days after the previous long-form upload

    Calculated by Avail.video from YouTube's public numbers

    Outlier score
    4.1× · Overperformer
    Views against the median of the channel's last 8 long-form uploads
    Views per subscriber
    1.56
    Likes vs the channel's usual
    0.7× the channel's usual
    2.3% of views vs a usual 3.1%
    Comments vs the channel's usual
    0.4× the channel's usual
    0.23% of views vs a usual 0.58%
    Rank among recent uploads
    #1 of 9
    By views: this video and the channel's last 8 long-form uploads
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    Watched by Avail.video · 2026-10-30