10 Different Types of Self-Help Books

If you’re looking to write a book that could sell well and make money, you might want to consider channeling your experience, career skills, and acquired know-how into a self-help book. Self-help is currently one of the top-selling and fastest-growing categories of nonfiction in the U.S., with annual sales topping 18.6 million units in 2021. Writing a self-help book is also an excellent way to put something positive out into the world; these books can be powerful tools for healing and growth, and their low cost makes them accessible to many people. But what might you write about? What could your potential self-help book genre be?

While you don’t have to be an expert in your field to write a self-help book, it helps to have some authority in the subject matter; this establishes credibility with your audience. A degree is not required, but degrees certainly lend weight to your words. However, the subject matter might be just as well served by the equivalent in life experience, such as a recovering alcoholic writing about addiction. And this might sound obvious, but you’ll want to write about something you’re interested in! Your passion for the material will make for a better book, and it’s perfectly acceptable and often a good idea to educate yourself along the way while writing it. Bearing this in mind, here are a few suggestions to assist you in picking a self-help book genre.

1. Personal development

Personal development books are what many people think of when they think of self-help. They include personal growth books which are focused on self-awareness and address the underlying causes of obstacles, and self-development books which are more about concrete actions that lead to self-improvement. Subtopics can include increasing your productivity, forming better habits, and learning how to move in the direction of personal success. Some classics of the genre are The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, Atomic Habits, and How To Win Friends And Influence People.

2. Mindfulness and inner peace

This self-help book genre overlaps with philosophy, new age, and spirituality. Generally influenced by Eastern philosophies and religions, books on mindfulness are often about applying Zen and Taoist principles to everyday life. Teaching meditation in some fashion, be it formal sitting meditation or breathing and walking practices, is usually a central theme. Often journaling and self-acceptance tools are also part of these books. Some well-known titles in this category are The Power of Now, The Art of Living, and The Gifts of Imperfection.

3. Health and wellness

Physical and mental health are perennially popular topics as the desire for this kind of self-improvement never fluctuates. From diet books and exercise programs to books that focus on attitude adjustment and therapeutic self-examination, often people will turn to this self-help book genre for its affordability. If you can’t afford a gym membership or a therapist, a self-help book is often the next best option. Famous titles include Good Energy, The Body Keeps The Score, and Becoming Supernatural.

4. Relationships and communication

If there is an unaddressed need in our modern society, it is effective communication. In this age of social media where we have more communication tools than ever before, communication skills themselves seem to be in short supply and are often a lost art. Improving communication will improve your interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. Along the way, you can acquire more emotional intelligence which will aid in your ability to connect to people. Suffice it to say, this is a solid topic for a self-help book with a dependable audience. A few of the best-selling self-help books in this category are He’s Just Not That Into You, Getting The Love You Want, and Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.

5. Career success and leadership

Most business gurus and publications agree that the most important quality for career success and leaders in today’s business world is self-awareness. It’s a foundation for empathy, improves your communication skills, and leads to better decision making and time management. For these reasons, self-help books in this category are seen as valuable tools in not just self-development but in improving businesses as a whole. If you’re going to be writing in this self-help book genre, some experience/success in the business world will make your thesis more convincing to a potential audience. Other variations on the topic include tips for networking and more specific focus on aspects of professional development. Examples of this kind of book include The Confidence Code, The Slight Edge, and What Color Is Your Parachute?

6. Financial advice

Most people would love to have more money. If you have credentials in the financial services industry, writing a financial self-help book might be very lucrative. These books can be aimed at those with money and helping them manage it through investing and planning, and also at those without money to help them earn more, work towards financial independence, and learn budgeting skills. Think and Grow Rich, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, and Rich Dad, Poor Dad are some classic examples of this self-help book genre.

7. Spirituality and purpose

Since ancient times, people have been seeking answers to the great questions of the meaning of life. What is our purpose? Why are we all here? Books helping to answer these questions can provide solace to searching minds and souls in these troubled times. Broader than the mindfulness category above, this topic would include books connected to organized religion and those with a more esoteric and spiritual focus. You don’t need a deep pedigree to write a book in this category, but spiritual community leaders and those in related fields like yoga and psychotherapy would have an advantage. Some of the best-known spirituality self-help books are Man’s Search For Meaning, The Four Agreements, and Be Here Now.

8. Creativity and inspiration

Artists, musicians, and creators of all stripes are always seeking new sources of inspiration. Exploring the creative urge itself can help any artist at any level of their craft to deepen their practice and move to the next level in their work. As a self-help book genre, it’s open for anyone with experience as a creator to assist others with their creative journeys – particularly if one has also been a teacher of some kind. Often books in this area will have tangible exercises and even workbooks which accompany the main book to provide hands-on engagement into untangling one’s creative process. Classic creativity self-help books include The Artist’s Way, Creative Visualization, and Make Your Art No Matter What.

9. Resilience and overcoming adversity

There is a saying in 12 step programs: “life on life’s terms.” This means that no matter our best intentions, the bad parts of life will occur regardless, and it is up to us to process them and incorporate their lessons. Life can be brutal; death, addiction, disease, disability, and despair are all part of the total package. Coping with traumatic events requires the help of professionals, but self-help books are a great adjunct to treatment. If you have experienced loss of this kind, your experience can be of great benefit to others should you choose to write a self-help book in this genre. Well-known examples include On Death and Dying, Resilient, and numerous books on addiction/recovery.

10. Happiness and life satisfaction

Much emphasis is placed on personal happiness in our society, but the psychology behind happiness is often misunderstood. Researchers and psychologists are beginning to prove what mystics and yogis have known for centuries: happiness is an internal condition often independent of external realities. Life satisfaction tends to derive from the pursuit of pleasurable activities and living with purpose, not from experiencing external rewards. This self-help book genre is open to anyone with a story to tell and enough life experiences to be able to distill universal themes. Rising Strong, You Become What You Think, and The Art of Happiness are some titles that exemplify this topic.

Which self-help genre sparks your imagination?

Within the broad umbrella of self-help, there are quite a few niches for an author to explore. Whether you are looking to write something tangible aimed at personal development or something more impalpable in the realm of spirituality or philosophical exploration, there’s probably a self-help book genre that your book will fit into nicely. If you contemplate the wheelhouse of your experience and interests, the category of your book will be obvious to you. Don’t be afraid to stretch a bit and educate yourself while telling your story to your readers; some of the best self-help books come from people who don’t seem to have all the answers but, like the rest of us, are searching and learning as they go along.

And when you’re ready to self-publish your self-help book, BookBaby is here with you every step of the way. From cover design and book editing to distribution and marketing, it’s all right here when you’re ready to get started.

Self-Help Book FAQs

1. What genre is a self-help book?
A self-help book belongs to the nonfiction genre. The primary goal of a self-help book is to provide readers with practical steps and insights to achieve their personal or professional goals based on one’s own personal experience.
2. Can I write a self-help book as fiction?
Yes, you can write a self-help book as fiction. This approach combines storytelling with practical advice, allowing readers to learn through the experiences of fictional characters. By weaving self-help principles into a compelling narrative, you can engage readers on an emotional level and illustrate concepts in a relatable way. This method can make the advice more memorable and impactful, blending entertainment with personal growth.
3. What’s the difference between a self-help book and a memoir?
The main difference between a self-help book and a memoir lies in their purpose and structure:

• Self-Help Book: Focuses on providing readers with advice, strategies, and tools to improve their lives. It is often structured around specific topics or issues, offering step-by-step guidance and actionable insights. Your personal experiences may be included as examples, but the primary aim is to help readers achieve their goals.
• Memoir: Centers on the author’s personal life experiences, offering a reflective and narrative account of significant events and moments. While memoirs can offer inspiration and life lessons, their primary purpose is to share the author’s story rather than to provide direct advice or guidance. Memoirs are more about storytelling and personal reflection, whereas self-help books are more instructional and goal-oriented.