I believe that the Market Analysis (or competition) section of your book proposal is one of the most important for you (the author) and for a potential publisher. Why? It helps determine whether your book is needed. Does it fill a void or will fit into a known popular genre? Is there a market for this book or is the market already saturated with books like yours, for example?
Here are some tips for conducting research for the competition section of your proposal:
1: Start your search by looking for books on the subject of your book.
A. Search your bookshelves at home.
B. Search amazon.com.
C. Visit your local mega-bookstore.
D. Do a Google search to locate obscure books that are out there but not sold in the usual stores, etc.
2: Read those books that seem most similar to your own. At least read the description of these books, look at the table of contents. Discover the scope and focus of these books and determine how yours compares.
Here’s what the publisher wants to know:
• What makes your book different—special?
• What specific value or benefit does your book offer the reader that others don’t?
• Why will a consumer purchase your book instead of the others?
• Why would a consumer purchase yours as well as the others? (which is often the case with fiction, for example.)
It is necessary that you are absolutely clear as to why your book is different and why it should be published. And it is up to you to be convinced (if you will self-publish) or to convince a publisher.
For assistance writing your book proposal, sign up for Patricia Fry’s online book proposal course: http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookproposal.htm