When should you be unique in the Literary Market?

Question

Does anyone know when it is good and when it is bad to be unique in the Literary Market? (In terms of the content of the book you are publishing)

Answer 1

When you become a trail-blazing iconoclastic avant-garde in terms of ideas, that would the best of lucrative times. When you become like what Nietzsche called "the sheep-like majority" worshiping and glorifying the status quo, then that would be the worst of desperate times in the literary market.
Great writers over the ages have often been controversial, going against the flow of the tide. Some like Joseph Conrad had to flee their homelands to save their tails, others like Ovid were forced into exile because of their controversial ideas. DH Lady Chatterley's Lover was taken to court and the prosecutor questioned defense-witness, Dame Rebbecca West about its literary merits. Its author was accused of biting the finger that fed him, was declared an outcast and ran up to Mexico where he died.
In short, for writers, the worst of times for the author eventually turn out to be the best of times for their literary productions. Jean-Paul Sartre commented that Paris was much freer during the Nazi occupation of France!
Writers become unique when they become disgusted with and start questioning the status quo.


Good luck

Answer 2

I would like to say that it is good to be unique. However, I've visited too many agent websites recently and I'm starting to doubt it. "We're looking for more vampire fantasies, heartwarming chick lit and self-help books," they say-- or whatever else they think is "hot" or "exploding."
However, it does seem like they are looking for unique angles within those categories. So, if you have some unique twist to put on a vampire fantasy... you're too late, because by the time you write the book, find a publisher and get the book on the shelf, the craze will be flying ninjas.
I haven't figured out all this myself; so many writers on blogs I've read keep saying things like, "The market is vampires! I have to see what I can come up with!" But that sounds crazy to me.
Ideally, when should you be unique? Always. Besides, you may decide to write a book about killer squirrels, and by the time you get it done, it's part of the next craze.
But it's not an ideal world, and it seems like some good books are probably passed over while others are accepted because they have a boy on a quest or something. I'd still be ashamed to write anything I didn't believe in.

Answer 3

It is always good to be unique. Otherwise publishers are just putting out the same things over and over.
----
They're, Their, There - Three Different Words.

Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.

Pax - C

Answer 4

When you don't feel like selling any copies until after you're dead?
Lol, my cynicism is intended to be funny (this time).
Have a great night!