I’ve edited quite a few book proposals lately, and am noticing a common thread among authors. They are so passionate about their projects that they tend to lose their focus when attempting to pitch their books to agents or publishers.
Sometimes an author is so in love with the concept of her book and the way she presents it that they can’t appropriately pitch it. She sees it as a classic piece of literature—a fabulous story that must be told or a meaningful book needed by many. Of course, the publisher is more interested in the economics of the project. He looks at it as a product. He needs to know if this book is worth his investment in time and money. While the author views her manuscript as a work of art, the publisher sees it from a commercial point of view. And, authors, this is what you must understand while compiling your book proposal—even your query letter.
The query letter and the ultimate book proposal are the means through which you communicate with the publishers of your choice. In preparing these, you must think more like a publisher (an investor) than an author who is passionate about her project. Save the flowery description of your inspiration for your writers’ group. Reserve the comments from your mom, sister, husband and friends for your Facebook page or your diary. Omit, altogether, your wildest dreams of a movie contract with Julia Roberts playing the lead.
The publisher wants to know what this book is about, how it differs from other books like it on the market, who the target audience is and how large it is, what is your platform (your following, your connections) and how do you plan to promote this book. He is interested in his bottom line: “Will this book make me some money?”
Get help with your book proposal from an industry professional before sending it out to an agent or a publisher. I can’t tell you how many proposals I see that simply miss the mark. Authors sometimes spend weeks or months perfecting their proposals only to have them fail where it counts—with the publisher. When I get a proposal from an author, typically, I change only one aspect of it—a major aspect. I tone down the passion and help the author to focus on the publisher’s concerns.
And I know how hard this is for most passionate authors. They become so attached to their passion for their projects that they simply can’t shift gears and think like a businessman/woman.
If you are struggling with a book proposal, you might find help and guidance through my online book promotion workshop. Learn more about it here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookpromotion.htm
Or contact me directly: PLFry620@yahoo.com.