If you read much fiction, you’ll notice that most stories are written in either first person or third person point of view.
There are other narrative forms, but they tend to appear more often in literary fiction than in genre fiction. Genre fiction still carries reader expectations—sometimes subtle, sometimes rigid—and those expectations influence not only how stories are written, but what gets published and what sells.
That hasn’t changed in 2026.
Publishing trends still move in cycles. A genre rises, publishers look for more of it, then attention shifts elsewhere. Westerns, for example, still come and go in waves. What’s selling now shapes what publishers acquire for the next year or two.
But point of view isn’t something you should choose based on trends alone.
It’s a craft decision.
First Person Point of View (1st POV)
First person point of view uses “I” or “we” and places the reader inside a single perspective.
Usually, this is the main character—but not always. The narrator can also be someone closely observing the central story.
In first person:
- The reader only knows what the narrator knows
- Thoughts, emotions, and opinions are immediate and personal
- The story unfolds in real time from that perspective
The narrator cannot:
- Know what other characters are thinking
- See events happening elsewhere
- Have knowledge beyond their direct experience
If Uncle Joe’s body is buried somewhere, the narrator only knows where it is if they were involved—or discovered it.
First person remains especially strong in:
- Young Adult (YA) fiction
- Psychological thrillers
- Character-driven mysteries
In 2026, readers are still drawn to immediacy and intimacy, which is why first person continues to be popular. It creates a closeness that’s difficult to replicate.
But that closeness comes with limits.
Third Person Point of View (3rd POV)
Third person uses “he,” “she,” or “they,” and allows the story to move beyond a single perspective.
There are variations (close third, omniscient), but at its core, third person gives the writer more flexibility.
In third person:
- You can follow multiple characters
- You can show events happening in different places
- You can shift perspective between scenes or chapters
This is why it’s still the most commonly used point of view.
Romance is a clear example. Readers want access to both characters—the moment one falls in love, the moment the other resists it, and everything in between. That dual perspective is difficult to achieve in first person without feeling constrained.
Third person allows the story to expand.
What’s Trending in 2026 (and What Hasn’t Changed)
Point of view still trends within genres—but trends are not rules.
- YA often leans toward first person for emotional immediacy
- Romance still favors third person for dual perspectives
- Thrillers move between both, depending on tension and structure
What has changed is reader awareness.
Readers in 2026 are more accustomed to:
- Mixed media storytelling
- Faster pacing
- Stronger narrative voice
They notice inconsistency quickly. A weak or mismatched point of view stands out more than it used to.
But the core truth remains:
A well-told story matters more than the trend it follows.
Choosing the Right Point of View
Writers sometimes try to match what’s currently selling.
That’s understandable—but it’s not always useful.
The better question is:
What does this story need?
- Does it require intimacy and a single emotional lens? → First person
- Does it need scope, contrast, or multiple perspectives? → Third person
Some stories even blend approaches carefully, though this requires control and intention.
The point of view should serve the story—not the market.
The Work That Matters
Point of view is a tool.
It shapes how the reader experiences the story, but it doesn’t replace the work of writing it well.
If you’re writing genre fiction, understand the expectations—but don’t let them override the needs of your story.
Trends shift.
A finished, well-written manuscript still matters more.