Top Book Genres That Are Selling in 2025

Stay ahead of trends. Discover the bestselling fictional, non-fictional, and children’s eBook genres dominating 2025 — and how authors can tap into these growing markets.

What readers are buying — and what that means for authors and publishers

If you’re an author, ghostwriter, editor or simply someone involved in book publishing or ebook publishing, knowing which genres are selling right now is critical. With markets shifting fast, especially thanks to social media, subscription services and global distribution, the right genre choice can make a big difference. Below, we explore the top-selling genres of 2025, why they’re hot, and how you can lean into them — whether you’re writing a fictional book, non-fictional book, children’s eBook or offering ghostwriting & book editing services.

1. Romance (and the Rise of “Romantasy”)

Romance remains the powerhouse of book sales. According to recent data, romance generated around $1.44 billion annually and continues to dominate both traditional and indie publishing. blog.arkhamhousepublishers.com+2publishingstate.com+2 In 2025, the sub-genre “romantasy” (romance + fantasy elements) is especially notable. badmanpublishing.com+1

Why does it sell so well? Romance readers are highly engaged, often binge-reading, and willing to pre-order. It delivers emotional payoff, escapism and reliability — all strong buying triggers. As one article puts it, romance “holds the crown” due to appetite, loyalty and volume. publishingstate.com

For authors: If you’re writing in this space (whether for business authors who pivot into romantic-fiction or for ghostwriters/editors), lean into strong tropes, audible emotional stakes and think about series. Also think about how you could tie in children’s eBooks (for younger readers) or spin-off ghostwriting services.

2. Thriller & Mystery

Thrillers and mysteries are always strong, and in 2025 they’re thriving. The data shows these genres deliver “bingeable” experiences — rapid page-turners, cliffhangers, strong hooks. publishingstate.com+1

For example, in self-publishing, authors who publish frequent entries in a thriller series often find success — thanks to digital formats and subscription models. - CodexObscurus.com+1

If you’re working on ghostwriting or book editing, this genre offers opportunity: tight plotting, lean characters, serialized releases. For a business author, even writing a non-fiction business-book with thriller-style narrative (e.g., “inside the boardroom scandal”) might tap into this trend.

3. Fantasy & Science Fiction

Fantasy has become more mainstream than ever in 2025, and science fiction is also moving ahead, especially with themes tied to tech, AI, climate and world-building. According to one source, fantasy has a market share of around 24% among top genres in self-publishing. badmanpublishing.com+1

Science fiction’s growth is also evident — from “lab-coat thrillers” to immersive futuristic worlds. blog.arkhamhousepublishers.com

These genres work because they offer escapism, expansive universes (which encourages series) and strong reader communities (especially online). For authors: If you have a speculative idea, or you’re editing/ghostwriting one, the trend continues to favour fantasy and sci-fi.

4. Young Adult (YA) & Crossover Fiction

YA remains a potent genre in 2025 — appealing not just to teens, but adults too. One report states YA annual sales around $730 million, with 78% of YA buyers over 18. blog.arkhamhousepublishers.com+1

The crossover appeal makes it strong: adults wanting nostalgic or emotionally charged stories; teens wanting fresh voices; both discovering via platforms like #BookTok. For publishers and authors, thinking in terms of YA with adult crossover gives greater market potential.

5. Non-Fiction: Self-Help, Memoirs & Business-Books

While fiction dominates many charts, non-fiction remains critical — especially for authors focused on expertise, business positioning, or services like ghostwriting & book editing. Recent data shows considerable market demand for non-fiction topics like trauma-informed growth, burnout recovery, and memoirs. blog.arkhamhousepublishers.com+1

For business owners looking to write a book, this is also good news: writing a non-fiction book in a trending topic can raise your profile and monetise your expertise. The key is: offer clear value (what the reader will learn or become), strong framework, and visibility.

6. Children’s Books & Diverse Representation

Children’s books, while sometimes slower in turnaround, remain resilient. One source estimates children’s book market value at approximately $2.1 billion annually, driven by repeat purchases and institutional sales (schools, libraries). blog.arkhamhousepublishers.com

In 2025, trends like diverse representation, interactive formats (AR, audiobook bundles) and early reading series are especially strong. For authors working in children’s eBooks or editing them, this is a space with both creative and commercial potential.

Why These Genres Are Winning and What It Means for You

• Community & Loyalty – – The genres doing best have reader communities (romance, fantasy, thriller). These readers buy more, talk more, and recommend more. Writers of the West
• Series & Repeat Purchase –Fantasy, romance, YA and children’s books often convert into series. That means each book helps sell the next.
• Social Media & Algorithmic Boosts –– Platforms like #BookTok are powerful in 2025. One news piece reported science-fiction/fantasy sales soared by 41.3% between 2023 and 2024 due to social media trends. The Guardian
• Format Flexibility – Ebooks, audiobooks, subscription reads multiply reach. According to one report, many of the top genres adapt well across formats. – Many top genres are broad (romance, fantasy) yet also contain micro-genres (LitRPG, dark romance) which allow authors to find their niche. badmanpublishing.com+1