The first step in getting your book sold to a publisher is putting together a proposal so that potential publishers know why they should invest their resources in bringing your idea to the marketplace. Here's what you need to communicate:
1. The 'overview' or need for your particular book on the crowded retail (or online) bookshelf. Why would readers reach for it versus other books on the same topic? Why is this book concept timely and relevant to today's reader? Why are you the author to write it as opposed to others? What makes you the expert on the subject or why would readers relate to your particular point-of-view?
2. The Table of Contents and Chapter Outline. This is probably the section that you'll struggle with the most, but once it's complete the book will practically write itself. You'll need at least ten chapters to be considered 'meaty' enough for publication. Once you decide on the message of each chapter, write an engaging title for each. Then, craft a lead paragraph to demonstrate your unique 'voice' to your writing.
3. The Introduction. Take a little time to look over this section in existing non-fiction books to get a feel for the purpose of the Introduction. They vary, but in general this is where the author explains what he or she is setting out to do in the chapters that follow. This is also where you can announce any caveats that may exist. For example, "My advice here can't replace medical attention from a vet, but my twenty years of training stray dogs has taught me that"
4. Target Markets. This is where you take off your author hat and become all business. Publishers want to know that you understand the audience for your message. How old are they? What is their disposable income and why would they spend it on your book? Provide statistics to support your findings (and beef up the argument that your book is needed!).
5. Competitive Titles. Unless you've somehow reinvented the wheel with your subject, there are already several books on the shelves that are similar. Find three or four of them, read them, and offer a paragraph about their content. Then point out how your book differs and fills the need in a much better way.
6. Author Background. Once the publisher is convinced that your book is marketable, you need to prove that you have what it takes to write it. What is your background with regards to the title and your work ethic in general? Granted, you may never have published a book before, but you've worked in business for twenty years, meet deadlines and exceed expectations on a daily basis. You also should know that a publisher seeks to sell at least 10,000 books in order to consider a book from a first-time author a success. How will you as an author support this number? Do you teach dog obedience every Saturday? Have you written a related column in your local newspaper? In short, if you can prove that you have a built-in audience; this is where you do it.
7. Promotions. Gone are the glory days when authors were sent on posh book tours and the marketing was done by a department. Unless you're already a best seller, that is! You need to think outside of the box and help your publisher spread the word about your book. This is the section where you share your brainstorming ideas for book promotion. Would you print the title on #2 pencils and offer them to students on test days? Would you offer parents a forum on a web site to ask questions about parenting? Think outside of the box here and convince publishers that they would have a marketing partner in you.
1. The 'overview' or need for your particular book on the crowded retail (or online) bookshelf. Why would readers reach for it versus other books on the same topic? Why is this book concept timely and relevant to today's reader? Why are you the author to write it as opposed to others? What makes you the expert on the subject or why would readers relate to your particular point-of-view?
2. The Table of Contents and Chapter Outline. This is probably the section that you'll struggle with the most, but once it's complete the book will practically write itself. You'll need at least ten chapters to be considered 'meaty' enough for publication. Once you decide on the message of each chapter, write an engaging title for each. Then, craft a lead paragraph to demonstrate your unique 'voice' to your writing.
3. The Introduction. Take a little time to look over this section in existing non-fiction books to get a feel for the purpose of the Introduction. They vary, but in general this is where the author explains what he or she is setting out to do in the chapters that follow. This is also where you can announce any caveats that may exist. For example, "My advice here can't replace medical attention from a vet, but my twenty years of training stray dogs has taught me that"
4. Target Markets. This is where you take off your author hat and become all business. Publishers want to know that you understand the audience for your message. How old are they? What is their disposable income and why would they spend it on your book? Provide statistics to support your findings (and beef up the argument that your book is needed!).
5. Competitive Titles. Unless you've somehow reinvented the wheel with your subject, there are already several books on the shelves that are similar. Find three or four of them, read them, and offer a paragraph about their content. Then point out how your book differs and fills the need in a much better way.
6. Author Background. Once the publisher is convinced that your book is marketable, you need to prove that you have what it takes to write it. What is your background with regards to the title and your work ethic in general? Granted, you may never have published a book before, but you've worked in business for twenty years, meet deadlines and exceed expectations on a daily basis. You also should know that a publisher seeks to sell at least 10,000 books in order to consider a book from a first-time author a success. How will you as an author support this number? Do you teach dog obedience every Saturday? Have you written a related column in your local newspaper? In short, if you can prove that you have a built-in audience; this is where you do it.
7. Promotions. Gone are the glory days when authors were sent on posh book tours and the marketing was done by a department. Unless you're already a best seller, that is! You need to think outside of the box and help your publisher spread the word about your book. This is the section where you share your brainstorming ideas for book promotion. Would you print the title on #2 pencils and offer them to students on test days? Would you offer parents a forum on a web site to ask questions about parenting? Think outside of the box here and convince publishers that they would have a marketing partner in you.
About the Author:
Julie Clark Robinson is a staff writer for the American Educational Guidance Center, publishers of college search, online college, school search, scholarship, online degree, and athletic scholarship websites.
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