Today’s theme is the one-sentence challenge and the 30-second commercial.
But first—this just in:
If you’re considering the fee-based POD “self-publishing†route, I suggest you read Angela Hoy’s recent response to a question on this topic. http://writersweekly.com/the_latest_from_angelahoycom/004472_01162008.html
It has to do with AuthorHouse and their ability/willingness to help you market your book. This will be an eye opener for many of you—and one that could save you thousands of dollars.
And now back to our regularly scheduled program:
I promised you some tips for pitching your project to publishers, customers, booksellers, etc. I recommend two things—create a 30-second commercial and enter the one-sentence challenge.
It’s not easy to describe your book in one or two sentences, but I suggest that you figure out how to do so even before you start writing it. Why? Here are 4 good reasons:
• It will help you to focus on the scope of your book while writing it.
• It will become the theme for writing your synopsis.
• It may help you to decide upon a title and/or subtitle.
• It will be extremely useful in pitching and promoting your book.
If you can’t describe your project in one or two sentences, you probably don’t have a handle on the topic/theme of your book. Here are some examples:
Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book. A collection of low and no cost ideas for promoting your traditionally published or self-published book. (By Patricia Fry, Matilija Press.)
Fatherhood and Fathering, The Ultimate Guide for Today’s Dads. This book explores fatherlessness in America and its affect on our youth. It is also a guide for all fathers who want to be the best dads they can be. (Patricia Fry’s unpublished manuscript)
A Year of Sundays is the true story of my year-long travels through Europe with my blind wife and our cat. (By Edward D. Webster, VanderWyke and Burnham Publishers)
Ma Duncan, a true crime featuring an uncommonly evil woman whose incestuous relationship with her son impelled her to have her daughter-in-law and unborn grandchild killed. (By James Barrett, Pentland Press)
The 30 second commercial is little different animal than the brief, succinct descriptive sentence. This is a more detailed description of your book—a canned speech that you can use when meeting with a publisher, chatting with someone at a class reunion or business setting or when talking to potential customers at book festivals.
Here’s how I might word my 30 second pitch for my fatherhood book, “This book explores the history of fatherhood in America and chronicles how the different styles of fathering and fatherlessness are affecting our children today. This is a guide for loving, involved fathers and it’s a wake-up call for estranged dropout dads. This book is designed to create a lifeline to the millions of children who are suffering for the sins and the short comings of their dads.â€
Your assignment this week is to write a one-sentence description of your book and a 30-second commercial whether your book is in the planning process or already published. Contact me for assistance, if you like PLFry620@yahoo.com