What do you think will be trends in publishing in the coming year?
On the fiction side, I think psychological thrillers and domestic suspense novels will continue to thrive in the market. With the popularity of movies and TV shows that are slightly sci-fi and dystopian (like Bird Boxand Black Mirror), I do think we will see more books that are “soft” sci-fi. In addition, I believe, and hope, commercial stories with strong female characters and voices will attract more attention, as well. I think people will also pick up books that allow them to escape from the current, real world, so my bet is also on the fun, lighthearted, entertaining reads, as well, whether they are women’s fiction or just general commercial fiction.
What book/genre/topic would you like to see cross your transom?
I’m probably going to regret saying this publicly, but I actually would love to work on an epic historical novel. Previously, I have shied away from historical novels, but I have since been reading more and understand how invested a reader can get into a time period that is foreign to us in the present day. I would also really love to see commercial women’s fiction novels that have witty, unique characters and interesting storylines and twists.
What recently published books do you believe fit that criteria?
Ghostedby Rosie Walsh, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fineby Gail Honeyman, and One Day in Decemberby Josie Silver.
What topic do you never want to see again?
For me, personally, in my inbox? Probably military thrillers. I’m just not the right person for these types of stories.
In your last Word on the Street Q&A, you mentioned that that you were looking for “a great general fiction or women’s fiction novel that has a big love story but is not a romance” and “a book like the movie Fatal Attraction—a dark thriller/suspense novel that deals with the complexities of relationships, especially where morals are questioned.” Have you encountered either of these in the interim?
I still haven’t found my Fatal Attractionbook—I’m still looking, though! And I did find a women’s fiction novel: Rosie Colored Glasses by Brianna Wolfson, which was published by Mira in February 2018. I would love to find more books like this.
What would you like to change about the publishing industry?
I laughed out loud when I read this question. I think I would like to see the publishing industry change with the times. We are constantly reminded of the “old ways” of publishing, but I think we need to modernize the way we publish books. Things have changed—from the medium in which people read to the way authors are reaching their readers—and I’d love to see publishing change their thinking from “Well, we always used to do this, so this is what we will do” to “How can we change with the times?”
Kimberly Brower of Brower Literary & Managementfell in love with reading when she picked up her first Babysitter’s Club book at the age of 7 and hasn’t been able to get her nose out of a book since. She holds a B.S. in business administration from California State University, Northridge, and received her J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. Although she loves all things romance, she is also searching for books that are different and will surprise her, with empathetic characters and compelling stories. She takes great pride in her client list, from the debut authors to No.1New York Timesbestsellers, and likes to consider them all her favorite authors.She previously worked for over two years at Rebecca Friedman Literary Agency before starting her own agency. After spending 14 years in California, she is thrilled to be back on the East Coast living in New York City.
