We all like samples and examples. Today, I’m not talking about food samples like you get at the grocery store, but examples to illustrate a certain process in writing or publishing.
How much does it help you to write your query letter when you see an example of a query letter posted someplace? When you read someone else’s market analysis, does it help you to write yours? Some authors just get more confused by seeing examples from material that doesn’t exactly relate to what they are writing. But reading the instructions for writing the proposal or query letter, for example, doesn’t quite bring the process into focus for them, either.
If this is you, let me see if I can help. Before trying to follow a model or a set of instructions, find out what purpose the query letter or book proposal has. What is its function? What is it supposed to accomplish for you? Key in on how the query letter or the synopsis is supposed to benefit you—what its job is.
What is the job of an author’s query letter? To sell a publisher or agent on your project and on you. For example, a query letter will:
• Introduce your book project.
• Succinctly describe it to a publisher or agent.
• Help the publisher/agent understand why this book is important/needed.
• Identify the proposed audience and how large it is.
• Explain why you are the person to write this book.
• Describe your platform—what you have to offer toward promoting this book.
The publisher wants to know that he will make some money on your project.
When you write a query letter or an entire book proposal, you need to think like a savvy publisher not an emotional author. You need to know what his concerns are, what’s important to him and what it takes to convince him to consider a project like yours. If you don’t have a clue about any of this—you’ve been more concerned with what you want to write, how writing makes you feel, what you want to get out of publishing this book, etc.—you may not get a second look from a publisher or an agent.
Spend some time thinking about this concept this week. Practice thinking like a publisher when you ponder your project, while you’re writing, and especially while you work on your book proposal and your query letter. Keep in mind that a publisher is more interested in his bottom line than he is in your good writing or your feelings. It may surprise you to discover (through this exercise) how much your approach to your query letter, your proposal and your book changes.
Personal Note
I hope I stopped an author from blindly rushing into the first publishing contract she received for her book this week—from a pay-to-publish company. It is one that Mark Levine, in his book The Fine Print of Self-Publishing lists under “Publishers to Avoid.” Thankfully, she visited my blog first and contacted me. She is rethinking her rash decision.
If you are new to publishing and you have a book in the works or ready to publish, please, please read Mark’s book first.
And read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book to learn all of your publishing options. After reading the first three chapters, you will have a much greater understanding of the publishing industry and how you might fit into it. The remainder of the book will help you to choose the right option for you and for your project and it will guide you every step of the way through publishing and beyond no matter which option you choose. It will also prepare you for the largest, most intense part of producing a book—promoting it. YES it is up to the author to promote his/her book no matter which publishing option he chooses. This book tells you how.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Do you need an editor? http://www.patriciafry.com
Are you unsure whether you should produce your book at all? Sign up for the NEW ebook at this site. 50 Reasons Why You Should Publish That Book.