As the title said, I am wondering how the preference of the female reader demographic varies. Are they only interested in reading CEO, romance, and smut novels? Or will they also be interested in reading cultivation and martial arts type novels?

I wanted to get an opinion before I release my next book. I can guess its reception in the ML demographic. But, I want to know the FL reader's opinions as I plan to release it under FL.

    Overlord_Venus
    I'm really into oriental culture, settings and fantasy, ancient and modern, and in martial arts, but I don't like cultivation novels, generally speaking.
    Like, I cant see me paying for 2000 chapters of cultivation.

    The aspect of "being the best of all" or focusing in "reaching imortality" or "transcendence" is completely lost to me.
    I can respect the idea but it's unappealing to me.
    I like complex political plots, some combat and of course, personal relationships influencing events and outcomes. Because that's how life goes.
    For instance, I really liked the series of The Legends of Five Rings novels, starting by Clan Scorpion. Talk about plot twists!

      Overlord_Venus I don't think I've really sought to read contemporary FL books. Add in romance and CEO, reading one means you've read 90% of most. I am a sucker for transmigration and reincarnation though, so that's how I usually end up reading those.
      I'm a fan of fantasy and adventure, but I'll avoid most CN ML novels since they tend to have no respect for women or humanity in general. CN FL novels are almost as bad, but they at least pretend to have some respect for life. However a lot of series end up with flat characters with superficial character growth which makes following to the end really difficult. Most protagonists are also in some of their most malleable ages for character development, so it really makes no sense for their world views to be already set.
      Having a FL generally lends itself to showing more emotion throughout the story, so that's probably a draw. I do love reading about strong females who can thrive independently of men, but relationships are important in life, so they shouldn't be too detached from love.

      Anyways, I second BLIP's recommendation of It's Not Easy to be a Man,
      and I would throw in My Disciple Died Yet Again (not on this site) by the same author as My Master Disconnected Yet Again (on this site).
      One of my all time favorite authors is Tamora Pierce. She's one of the founders of Sheroes Central, and her most popular series is probably "The Song of the Lioness" quartet.

      A word of caution though: I don't know if the forum users have the same demographic as the majority of readers, so take our prospectives with that in mind.

          KoraL I have a story in mind. It is martial arts-based, set in ancient civilization. Honestly, the reason I am trying to write an FL novel is that it is challenging, to me at least. I won't try to write any straight-up romance novels though. I can't write that. I don't have the necessary skillset :sweat_smile:

          Thanks for the recommendation. I have read My disciple Died yet again and loved it. I am still researching ways to convey my story better to the FL audience.

          @SrtaA Yes, pure cultivation is something ML readers enjoy. So, do FL readers enjoy books like "Cheating men must die" and "My senior brother has a pit in his brain"? I just want to know their basic preference. Considering my style, what I write will end up being a niche. But, still, ahaha

              Overlord_Venus Pretty much a niche. But does it refrain you from writing what you want to write? I'm pretty much in the same dilemma, I have a story in my mind but I don't have a public for it.

                  Overlord_Venus I could be wrong. Hopefully. I guess I'm only speaking from my own experience. Statistically speaking, I've never had a lot of success with action heavy stories aimed for the FL reader. The story needs to be steeped in romance. Almost to the point of being a focus.

                  As SrtaA has said. Don't let it stop you from writing the story you want to write anyway. You never know. It might end up a success.

                    What does FL (female lead) even mean? Stories with a female protagonist? Stories targeted at female readers? Does a fantasy story about a female knight slaying dragons count as a FL story (but no romance)? Does a CEO story where the protagonist is a male CEO/the story is told from the male CEO's perspective count as a FL story?

                      7 days later

                      Overlord_Venus Forge of Destiny (not on WN) is a really good example of a cultivation world with a female protagonist :) It's quite adored. Your dilemma is like the opposite of me introducing CEOs to Male Lead genre lol

                      As long as you make a great world, I bet people will enjoy it!

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