From the Desk of...

A few more pointers for novice writers on how to get your book the attention you are looking for. 

 

1. Your book will be more marketable if you are writing for a specific audience.  Maybe there are trends that are working for a field…like kick-ass heroines or exotic aliens in space?  But, also keep in mind that you need to be very clear about what makes your book new and different from everything else.  The bottom line question is why would a reader (or editor) want to pick up your book instead of the competition?

 

2. Be able to give “sound bites” about your work—aka one awesome sentence that accurately explains your work.  Once you have peaked someone’s interest, they’re more likely to want to read your work.   

 

3.  As an editor I read a lot of very good, well-written submissions every day, but to discern the good from the great, I have to ask myself a few questions.  If I put a manuscript down after reading 100 pages, am I still thinking about it 12 hours later?  Do I care about and relate to the characters?  Will I put my life on hold because the story’s world is so vivid that I simply don’t want to leave it?  Is the story so compelling that I have no qualms about letting go of “what I know” to enter a new world where anything is possible?  If the answers to these questions are “yes” the manuscript stands a good chance of being considered for publication.          

 

 

--Emily       

Comments

[Paul E]

Hi Emily,
Just wanted to say I enjoy these posts. Please keep 'em coming as you have time.
Also, I'd love to see some examples of #2 that have led to successful book publications.
Thanks!
Paul