Thank heavens for the book proposal. One of mine saved me hours of time and a lot of stress this week. How?
Well, I think you know that one of my books has been accepted by a publisher. I’ll tell you more about that as we get further into the process. I can say, however, that I signed the contract last week. Yesterday, I received a 3-page Author Questionnaire from the marketing department and a note stating their deadline.
Yikes! I’m leaving on vacation TODAY. I had a lot to do yesterday. But I knew I had to give that questionnaire my attention and attempt to complete it before leaving. I began studying the questions and then it dawned on me that my book proposal said it all. Most of the questions they were asking are addressed in my book proposal. I was so thankful that I had written a detailed proposal—which, of course, was instrumental in my landing the publishing contract to begin with. What I didn’t understand, though, was why the proposal, with all of this pertinent information about me, my platform, my connections, my marketing ideas, etc. hadn’t been passed along to the marketing department.
Another bit of information requested in the questionnaire related to magazines where we might get the new book reviewed. The marketing department wondered if I knew of a few. I referred to my binder where I list around 60 writing/publishing-related magazines and newsletters and their contact information and quickly compiled a list for them.
Within an hour or so, that 3-page questionnaire had grown to 16 pages!
This is a good lesson for us all as it demonstrates the value of putting and keeping our ducks in a row when it comes to our book projects.
Do you have a book in the works? Whether you will be approaching traditional publishers, self-publishing or going with a pay-to-publish company, it will behoove you to write a detailed book proposal. First, it will show you whether or not you actually have a book at all. It will help you to determine how you will promote it. It will point out where you are lacking in your platform and, perhaps, prompt you to start building on it.
Of course, your book proposal could be the reason a publisher accepts your book for publication.
And, as I was reminded yesterday, it can also become a very good resource for filling out that all-important Author’s Questionnaire from your publisher.
I’m traveling this week and may not post to this blog every day, but I will try to post a few times while I’m away.