I turned away work this weekend; and I feel good about it. Why? Because neither of the book manuscripts the clients brought me were ready to be edited.
The author of one nonfiction manuscript was still ambivalent as to the organization of her book. She wondered where she should put the boring data needed to backup the information and anecdotes in her book or whether she should do away with it altogether. I suggested that she think about her audience—college students. Get into their heads and determine how they would best accept and assimilate the concepts in her book. After we discussed the possibilities, I recommended that she complete the organization of her manuscript and then send it to me for editing.
The other client wants me to organize her nonfiction book. But as I began to read through her roughed-out chapters, I realize that she doesn’t have a clue as to her audience. She is addressing four different groups of people and I explained to her that this just won’t work. I told her that she must have a specific audience in mind and write her book for that audience. Sure, others who are in need of this information will benefit from it, as well, and she can include chapters for readers in other specific groups, if she wants. But she has to write for one well-defined audience.
For example, a book on breeding Persian cats might be of interest to someone who wants to start a breeding program as a business, people who just want to raise one litter at home, folks who want to show Persians and people who are already breeding these cats, but who have some questions and concerns about their breeding programs. A peripheral audience might be people wanting to adopt or purchase a Persian cat. You can see how confusing it would be to try to write this book for all of these people at once. In order for this book to make sense, you’d need to choose a primary target audience—beginning Persian cat breeders, for example. Write one chapter for the customer who is seeking to buy a Persian cat or kitten and maybe a chapter on showing Persians. This book, then, would be marketed to those who want to start a breeding program with Persians but, since it would include information about Persian conformation, troubleshooting for breeders, health issues for Persians, etc., a secondary audience might be those who are already breeding these cats, anyone who wants to know more about this breed for show or for pets.
Another thing to consider when identifying your target audience is your marketing plan. Who will you promote this book to? Do you have access to a particular group of people? In the Persian cat breeding scenario, the author might belong to a Persian cat association. She might attend conferences and shows, for example. Maybe she’s the organization webmaster and membership chair. Obviously, she would have access to Persian cat breeders, if this was her audience of choice.
How do you know when your book manuscript is ready for editing? I guess some of you don’t until you get an evaluation from a good editor. But you can consider the following and, perhaps, be more well-prepared to approach an editor:
• Be crystal clear as to your target audience. Narrow this down as precisely as you can.
• Make sure that your target audience is substantial. Instead of writing a book for people who like starfish, consider expanding it to include all (or several) tide pool creatures. It could be a children’s (or parents’) guide to tide pools along the west coast. Rather than a book featuring your elderly loved one’s day care experience, consider a review of local senior day care facilities with a chapter on how to start one.
• Know how to access your target audience. In fact, choose to write your book for the audience you can access as these are the people you will be promoting to.
• Determine whether this book is actually needed. Before writing any book, research other books in this category and ascertain how yours will fit into the scheme of things.
• Is the book well-organized? Some editors will help with this.
• Have you self-edited and proofed your manuscript to the absolute best of your abilities?
If you have concerns or questions about any of these suggestions, read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html.
My next online article-writing course starts July 24, 2009. The class is 20% full. Reserve your space today at
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm
Questions? PLFry620@yahoo.com