In an interview in The Writer magazine,
top writer Robert Crais (“Hostage,” “Demolition Angel”) gave this insight on
what publishers want—and why you shouldn’t pay attention:
“…publishers chase heat just like TV networks chase heat. Y’know, if a small-town lawyer show suddenly becomes a break-out hit series…small town are suddenly in, big cities are out.”
He wasn’t aware that “white guy detectives set in LA” were out when he wrote one of them (“The Monkey’s Raincoat”). Everybody told him to forget it, but “fortunately everyone was wrong. That’s why I tell aspiring writers never—never—chase heat. You must write what you love.”
That gives me renewed encouragement for my novel, “Hollywood Max.” I’ve been told nobody wants Hollywood-based stories unless they’re written by a celebrity, but I’m going to hang in there.
(For more on conventional wisdom--and how to avoid it--see my book, "Your Writing Coach," published by Nicholas Brealey Publishing and available at online and offline retailers.)