High-Concept vs. Low-Concept Stories

Is your story high-concept or low-concept? Understanding this difference can help you refine your pitch, strengthen your storytelling, and position your book effectively in the publishing industry.

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Overthinking Couch Topics:

• What makes a story high-concept
• What defines a low-concept story
• How to tell which one you’re writing and why it matters
• Examples from books and films to illustrate both concepts

As always, I’ll share the latest publishing industry news, including trends, controversies, and shifts that could impact authors.

• 7 Literary Conflicts Explained (Clip Show #11) - Writing Break
• New Jersey Star-Ledger will end print edition in 2025
• ‘Sign our own death warrant’: Australian writers angry after Melbourne publisher asks them to sign AI agreements | Australian books | The Guardian
• Demand for page-turning ‘romantasy’ fuels boom for books
• Waiting for the Paperback? Good Luck - WSJ
• Gains in the religion and adult fiction segments helped to offset softness in other areas, leading to a 6.5% sales increase at publishers who report to the Association of American Publishers’ StatShot program.
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks