If you've been eyeing romantasy or hockey romance or whatever's blowing up on BookTok right now and wondering if you should pivot, this episode will save you months of second-guessing. Because the conflict you're feeling isn't about making more book sales. In episode 7, I'm breaking down why certain trends blow up, what readers are really craving beneath the surface elements, and how to figure out whether a hot niche genuinely fits your writing or if FOMO is calling the shots.

You'll learn:

1. Why Fifty Shades of Grey didn't succeed because of BDSM, and what readers were actually hungry for
2. The difference between copying a trend's surface elements (legendary heroes, fae politics, hockey rivalries) and understanding the emotional core that makes it work
3. How to tell whether you'd be writing for an audience you don't understand, before you spend six months finding out the hard way
4. A set of honest questions to evaluate whether any given niche fits your author brand and loyal readers

This 20-minute episode is for romance writers who feel pressured to chase the hottest new trend but aren't sure if a pivot is smart or just fear talking. By the end, you'll understand what actually drives mega-success, and you'll have an exercise to make that "Should I write this?" decision with confidence instead of from FOMO.

Resources from this episode:

1. Live workshop: Cake, Not Chaos: The Moment To Moment Method (March 27, 2026) → hi.suebrownmoore.com/cake
2. Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts
3. More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn

• Enemies To Experts™ - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it.
• Get your ticket - Join Sue for the live workshop, Cake, Not Chaos: The Moment To Moment Method on March 27, 2026
• More resources - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn

Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.