You’ve spent months and months writing a book. In fact, maybe it has been nagging you to be written for years. Finally, you sit down and put it on paper (or up on your computer screen). You finish it, show it to your spouse, best friend and oldest child—they all love it and encourage you to have it published. You begin the search for a publisher and start making plans to retire on your royalties.
If only it was that easy. Well, it looks easy. You know published authors. There’s one in your writers’ group. And you met several of them at a local book festival. You hear authors being interviewed on the radio and see people talking about their books on TV talk shows. So you know that ordinary people can become published authors.
Some of them talk about these fabulous publishing companies that will produce your book quickly for a few hundred dollars. Yes, that sounds like a dream come true. There’s no hassle of dealing with crabby publishers who want everything done their way. You just plunk down the money and the company will “self-publish” your book for you. You’re in control. You’ll make more money that way, too. Right?
Wait. Hold your horses. Let’s back up this truck. Before you follow the perceived yellow brick road to publishing success, you really do need to make sure, before making any publishing decisions, that you understand a few things about publishing and about the market for a book like yours.
I harp a lot about studying the publishing industry. I still want you to do that, but today I want to urge you to take a closer look at your book while it is still in manuscript form.
What is your book about? Can you describe it in one or two brief sentences? If you can’t, the scope of your book might be too broad. And books that cannot be easily described—pigeon-holed, if you will (whether fiction or nonfiction), are difficult to market and sell.
Ask yourself, who will want to read this book? Now be realistic and honest. Is this a book for history buffs, individuals who are suffering a particular malady, people who want help in a certain area, folks who like a good laugh, men, women, children, young adults? If you say, “It’s for everyone who likes a good book,” or “It’s for Maryland and California residents, those suffering from alcoholism, history buffs, teens and adults who love boating and parents with unruly kids,” you’re on the wrong track already.
What is the purpose of your book? What do you want to accomplish with your book? What do you want to give to the reader? Or have you even thought about the reader at all? You might say, “Oh, it’s a humorous book, but college grads will want to read it because it tells the story of a graduate and his struggle finding a job. Women who like a good romance will like it because there’s a great love scene in it. And it will help people who have shyness issues to come out of their shell. Oh yes and I’ve included a genealogy sketch of one of our early presidents for anyone who is interested.”
No, no, no. There is no such thing as an all about book for every reader. Here’s what you need to know before you etch your book in stone:
• Focus, focus, focus. If you can’t describe your book in one or two sentences, you don’t have a handle on your book’s purpose and this should be a big red flag for you. Eliminate or minimize the numerous elements in your book and focus. Or learn to pick out the most important aspect of your book. Is it a how-to book, a genealogy/biography, or just an entertaining story? You must be able to describe it succinctly and accurately in order to promote it to the right audience and, by the way, the right publisher.
• Become intimate with your audience. Know who they are, where they are and why they will want to read your book. Keep them in your mind while you are writing this book. Write this book for them—not for yourself, not for everyone, but for your target audience. What do they want to know, what concerns them, frightens them, thrills them, interests them, tickles their fancy, makes them laugh, will help them?
Concentrate on just these two things as you write your book or, if it’s already written, when you do your final edit (before sending it off to a professional editor) and you will likely write the right book for the right audience and maybe even be able to retire on the royalties.
For additional help in all areas of writing and publishing, order your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book NOW. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html