They say that timing is everything and this is fact in many scenarios. How often have you been aware of this truth in your life? Perhaps you recall a time when you missed a travel connection and it turned out to be a good thing. Maybe you won (or lost) in an important game or contest or missed (or got caught) in a horrific accident all because of timing.
Timing is important in publishing, as well. How?
1: You must come up with the right book at the right time. It seems that J.D. Rowling did with her Harry Potter series. You may have a book in mind, but if the market is inundated with books on that subject or the public isn’t ready for a book of this kind, the timing is not right.
I sent queries out to some TV producers in the 80s with regard to a series featuring past life scenarios. I was told over and over that the timing was wrong—this concept would not click with the general public. So I waited and then got busy and never followed through with my idea. I believe there currently is or recently was a series similar to this on TV. I missed with that idea, but have certainly been on target with others.
2: Learn about the publishing industry before getting involved. Too many people jump in and become published authors without knowing what is involved. Most of them (as statistics prove) fail. I keep teaching and preaching that publishing is not an extension of your writing. While writing is a heart thing—a craft, publishing is a business and must be approached as such. Folks, study something about the publishing industry before entering into it. One excellent way to become better equipped for authorship is to read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html. In fact, I wrote this book precisely for hopeful authors whether they want to try landing a traditional royalty publisher, go with a fee-based POD “self-publishing†company or self-publish (establish their own publishing company).
3: Study the competition prior to publication. Find out what else is out there like your project. Scrutinize the differences. Discover how these books are being received. What makes them good? Is the market inundated with books like this? How can you make your book stand out? Of course, you’ll want to gather this information before you ever start writing your book instead of after, like so many misguided (or unguided) authors do. This is what you would do if you were contemplating opening a business in town, right?
4: Determine your target audience. Again, this is a common practice for anyone starting a business and publishing/authorship is a business. Who will most likely purchase a book like the one you propose? Could you attract a wider audience by tweaking your idea? The best time to consider your audience is before you write the book, not afterward—when sales are lagging and you don’t know why.
5: Create a marketing plan. Yes, do this before you start writing the book. Wait until the book is completed and you will miss out on the marvelous opportunity to build promotion into your book.
Folks, if you’re planning a book, stop, look and listen. Stop writing. Look at your project from a business standpoint and listen to what the experts are saying. If it sounds as though I’m telling you AGAIN to write a book proposal, you’re right on.
If your book is already published, order my special report The Post-Publication Book Proposal. PLFry620@yahoo.com