Hey Authors! 
If you have been churning out book after book, you can end up staring at a blank page waiting for inspiration to smack you in the face.
Whenever I find myself in this spot, I go for a scout around the internet to find new ideas and get my brain pumping up the jam.
So, today Im going to spill the tea on how I find golden story ideas and keywords by mining resources like Reddit and online trends.
Spoiler alert—it’s easier than you think, and it can also boost your book’s discoverability on platforms like Amazon KDP.
Here’s how to turn your keyword research and trend-watching into a creative powerhouse. 
Why Reddit is a Treasure Trove for Authors
Niche Communities That Offer Real Insights
Reddit is packed with niche communities (called subreddits) where people confess their obsessions, dissect books, and share story ideas they’d love to see come to life. It’s like an open diary of your target audience’s thoughts.
Want examples? These subreddits are must-visits if you write erotica or romance novels (but the same rules apply across genres):
- r/eroticauthors
for writing tips, industry insights, and networking with fellow authors. - r/SluttyConfessions for detailed fantasies and situations readers love.
- r/RomanceBooks for everything from trope debates to fan recommendations.
Want to write fantasy or mystery? Check out:
Access to Constantly Updating Trends
Subreddits are like living and breathing focus groups. They reflect what’s popping off right now, whether it’s enemies-to-lovers arcs or morally grey anti-heroes. Best of all, you don’t need to guess at trends—Reddit users tell you directly what excites them or what they’re tired of.
Pro Tip: Read the comments! Discussions often reveal deeper insights than the original post—what readers loved (or couldn’t stand) in that last bestseller can spark your next big idea.
How to Search Reddit for Trends That Spark Ideas
Getting Started
New to Reddit? Here’s a quick how-to for setting up your account and finding relevant communities (subreddits):
- Hit reddit.com.
- Use the search bar to type terms specific to your work (e.g., “romance tropes,” “best fantasy books,” or “story ideas”).
- Bookmark the subreddits you want to stalk regularly.
- Lurk smart. Eventually, start commenting or posting for better insights, but lurking can still provide plenty of inspiration upfront.
Spot the Trends in Threads
Once you’re a member of some juicy subreddits, start browsing the posts for recurring tropes and themes. Look out for:
- Over-discussed tropes: These can spark fresh twists.
- Underdog ideas: Are users begging for more books about “gothic horror love triangles”? Add that to your brainstorming list!
Example: A quick scroll through r/SluttyConfessions might reveal a post like, “I wish there were more romance stories where the hero starts out as a total jerk but redeems himself.” That’s your cue to explore tropes like redemption arcs or enemies-to-lovers.
The Power of Comment Sections
Don’t just skim the post titles! Commenters often bring up other suggestions, nitpick clichés, or straight-up request books they want to read.
Example nugget you might find in a comment thread: “I wish someone would write a mafia romance with an actual good guy instead of the typical toxic crime boss.” Boom, plot twist idea right there!
Title Scavenger Hunt for Inspiration
One of my favourite Reddit hacks is what I call the Title Scavenger Hunt. Ever noticed how Reddit posts and comments are packed with spicy, clever phrases? Many of them are already dummy-proof starting points for your next book title or keywords.
Scanning for Attention-Grabbing Titles
Here’s what to look for while scrolling through posts or comments:
- Dramatic and specific phrases (“Heated Encounters at the Ski Lodge”).
- Buzzwords or tropes (“Why I love fake dating in books”).
- Catchy one-liners worth using or adapting.
Examples
Got steamy romance in mind? These Reddit-inspired snippets might give you title ideas:
- “Dark desires in the shadows” → A mystery-romance crossover.
- “Forbidden love in the library” → YA or NA with major swoon-worthy potential.
- “The billionaire’s gamble” → A classic, high-stakes romance setup.
Even if you’re not in the romance niche, seeing what phrases readers respond to can influence your positioning.
Engaging with Reddit Communities to Ask the Right Questions
Reddit isn’t just a library—you can be part of the conversation! Asking thoughtful questions in the community can yield incredible insights.
Great Questions to Spark Discussions
Try these the next time you visit your favourite subreddit:
- “What’s your guilty pleasure trope, and why do you love it?”
- “What theme do you wish more authors would explore?”
- “Are there any ‘bad’ characters that made a story more gripping for you?”
Pro Tip: Use their answers to craft plots and keyword lists. For example, if multiple users rave about “fairy-tale inspired slow burns,” you’ve just found an untapped niche.
Leveraging Online Trends Beyond Reddit
Reddit is a great start, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t put other trending tools to use.
Google Trends for Hot Topics
Head over to Google Trends and search for topics related to your genre or writing themes. A simple query like “Christmas romance” might show a spike every November—perfect timing to release that holiday novella you’ve been brewing.
Social Media Platforms
Platforms like TikTok (try #BookTok), Instagram, and even Goodreads are trend magnets for authors. What’s being shared, reviewed, or meme’d? Tap into it!
Example: If #ReverseHarem is popping off on TikTok, you might consider a fast-paced harem fantasy. #BeachReads trending in April? Time to dust off that summer fling idea.
Organising Your Research
Tools to Manage Your Ideas
- Trello: Great for keeping lists of keywords, tropes, and brainstorms.
- Evernote/Notion: Perfect for scribbling down phrases, titles, or plots from your title scavenger hunts.
- Plain ol’ spreadsheets: Organise keywords into columns like “tropes,” “settings,” and “reader-requested themes.”
Turn Inspiration into Stories
Once you’re drowning in ideas, it’s time to connect the dots. Use your notes to brainstorm unique twists on overused ideas (e.g., combining “mafia romance” with “found family tropes”).
Pro Tip: Stay ahead by tracking trends weekly. Allocate one Sunday hour to scrolling Reddit or Google Trends, no pressure!
Avoiding Pitfalls
Here’s what not to do when using Reddit and trends:
- Copy-Pasting Tropes: Originality is your selling point; trends are a guide, not a rulebook.
- Forgetting Reader Relevancy: Just because something trends doesn’t mean it fits your genre.
The goal is to match a trend with your unique voice.
Final Thoughts
Reddit and online trends are like a treasure map, showing writers exactly where reader passion points lie. These tools can get you unstuck creatively, boost your book visibility, and connect you to what your audience craves.
Time to lurk and brainstorm!
And check out my tools like my List of Free Keyword Research Tools for more ways to shine in the market.