There’s a reason genre fiction is called popular fiction. Those who love genre fiction, from thriller to romance to horror and fantasy, are among the most loyal and voracious readers. If you are a genre novelist without a literary agent, check out the following small presses that welcome unagented submissions.

If you once had a collection of Metallica albums or Kurt Cobain posters, then you’ll understand why romance author Christa Maurice writes about rock stars. She admits to being that rare first grader who knew about Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult. In this Q&A, she talks about her latest book, “A Gift to be Simple,” and what she likes about being a hybrid author.

Whether it’s in the supermarket or the airport or the dentist’s office, we all eavesdrop. But it’s likely to be a passing experience. Not so for independent writer Audrey King. A conversation she heard in a gift shop combined with the romantic atmosphere of the town where the shop was located inspired her latest romance book, “Love As It Seems.”

In Mae Clair’s latest book, Halloween is scorching hot. “I always wanted to write a tale centered on that holiday,” she said. The result is “Myth and Magic,” a romantic suspense and mystery novel inspired by her childhood fascination about a haunted house in her neighborhood.

When Erin Fanning was learning how to knit a few years ago, she happened to read an article about an Italian woman who occupied herself by knitting when she got trapped underneath her bed after an earthquake.

You can make your novel come to life by engaging the reader using all five senses—sight, touch, smell, sound, and taste. You don’t have to be a foodie to indulge your reader’s sense of taste. I no longer remember much of “Chocolat” by Joanna Harris about a chocolate-shop owner in a small French village and “The Book of Salt” by Monique Truong about a Vietnamese cook, but I do remember their effective use of food. It’s a lesson I’ve kept in mind all these years.

Palmistry and an odd mark on author Daisy Banks’s palm sparked the idea for “Marked for Magic,” her new release. Banks, a former teacher, has written 10 other books in the “spicy” romance, historical, paranormal, and fantasy genres.

In novels like “High Fidelity” (Nick Hornby) and “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” (Rachel Cohn and David Levithan), music is central to the story. But even if your novel doesn’t focus on music, you can use it to establish the mood of a scene or strengthen your depiction of a character.

Most authors have been writing since childhood—not romance author Jen Colly. “Writing never once crossed my mind. I didn't even like to read,” she said. Her resistance wasn’t because she didn’t like books, she just didn’t like being told what to read. Luckily for us, Colly eventually took up reading and writing.

Romance author Sandra Cox is giving away unique raffle prizes to celebrate the release of her fantasy paranormal book, “Love, Lattes and Mutants.” Even with several books under her belt, Cox continues to learn about the publishing process, which she describes as “ever evolving.”