Being a great writer is no longer enough if you plan to score a big publishing deal, especially as a nonfiction author.
Particularly if your book idea falls into the how-to or self-help categories, you not only have to sell your terrific writing, but you also have to sell yourself as the books conduit to the world.
Publishers want to minimize their risks, so they dont haphazardly award big book contracts to unknown writersunless, that is, the writer is the total package. What constitutes this package?
PLATFORM
Increasingly, publishers look for authors who have platforms. A platform is your megaphone to shout your books message to a mass audience. Famous people have automatic platforms; if Julia Roberts were to decide to write a book tomorrow, you can bet that shell have publishers clamoring. Why? Because they know that the media will go wild to tell the public about it, and shell have the ability to get as much air time as she wants all over TV and print.
But lets assume youre not quite so famous. Thats okay. You can build a platform in a number of waysa good start is by writing articles for newspapers and magazines. Work toward becoming a columnist (even at a freebie community paper), then work on syndicating your column.
Although some writers will thumb their noses at this suggestion, if your main objective is platform-building, I advise that you get your column out there to as many publications as will have it, whether they pay well or not at all. You may also choose to put your free articles on websites such as www.articlecity.com and www.articlecity.com.
Other ways to build platforms:
MEDIA EXPERTISE
It's not unusual for publishers to ask for proof of your media capabilities before buying your book. One publisher asked me for a 5-minute videotape that showed clips from my appearances on Lifetime TV and news programs. I also included a copy of a radio show where Id recently been a guest, and a headshotpublishers dont need beauty (unless youre writing a beauty book!), but they do like to see that your appearance wont make people scream with abject horror if you do public talks.
To become more media-savvy, you can practice your speaking skills at a local Toastmasters club (www.toastmasters.org), an international association meant to help people overcome public speaking fears and speak more effectively.
You can also practice by having a friend ask you questions on cassette or videotape, then paying attention to any bad habit's you have (yknow, umm, fiddling with your hands, running your hands through your hair, babbling). Work on your sizzling sound byte (the few sentences you want to get across to entice someone to hear moreor, if thats all the time youll have, to entice them to run out and get your book to read more!).
The keys to being a great interviewee? Be passionate. Be enthusiastic. Speak clearly and in short sentences. Let your body language and/or voice reflect a well-collected, happy, engaging attitude. Dont refer people to your book or website every three secondsbe there to genuinely teach the audience something, and know that if you enthrall them, you wont have to do a hard-sell to get them to follow you. Dress well for TV interviews (avoid white and beige if you have a light complexion; head for blues, purples, and pink; avoid flashy prints; avoid jangly, reflective jewelry and other distracting clothing and accessoriesyou want the attention on your words, not your wardrobe). Know how to lead an interviewer to ask the right questions if he or she goes off topic, and to turn negatives into positives.
If youre interested in media training resources or coaching, try these:
PROVEN PROFESSIONALISM
How will the editor know that you will turn in your work on time, that you will not be a huge pain in the rear to deal with, and that your work will be clean, on target, and on word count? If you have no other book credits to your name, youll need other credentials that show you know how to be a professional.
Credentials that prove you're an expert are one thing-- having a special degree, professional association membership, or teaching expertise can help establish that you know your subject matter, but you still need to prove that you know how to handle the writing and publishing process.
Articles in impressive publications certainly help. A regular column helps even more, because it shows an editor that you were able to meet deadlines week after week or month after month and that another editor liked you enough to want to work with you regularly. A contributing editor spot on a magazines masthead works in your favor, as does any prior experience on staff in the publishing world.
Although rarely requested, nobodys ever hurt by a letter of recommendation-- er, testimonial-- from a past editor or boss in a publishing field. Ive been known to throw in a few sentences from my editors that comment on how easy I am to work with, or how reliable I am, or how their audience always loves my work.
EAGERNESS TO HELP
Even if your platform leaves something to be desired, you can make up for it with a solid publicity plan and an eagerness to take an active role in publicity and marketing. Give concrete plans for who will interview you, review your book, or otherwise give you a spotlight... and why. Telling your publisher that youre sure this book is perfect for Oprah or that itll be right up the New York Times alley is useless unless you have a reason for them to believe yousuch as a contact at these places.
They are more impressed with solid plans, such as the fact that youve already spoken with local librarians who want you to come speak, the YMCA has asked you to come teach a seminar once your book comes out, two local colleges have courses in your subject matter and have agreed to check out your book for possible classroom use, a business organization is interested in buying copies in bulk, and youre happy to do a book tour of the southwest on your own dime (or will split expenses with the publisher).
If you plan to hire a publicist, thats usually a plus (rarely, the publisher would rather not have an outsider interfere with their publicity departments efforts). If youre going for media coaching, willing to attend book fairs, happy to do signings and readings, planning to buy many copies of your own book to sell during your seminars or workshops, etc.-- all of these are positives in a publishers eye.
Remember that you will wear many hats as a successful writer. To make it big, recognize that you are also a businessperson, a salesperson, and a public relations expert on your own subject matter. Work on becoming the total package, and youll cast your book proposal in a much more attractive light.
About The Author
Jenna Glatzer is the author of MAKE A REAL LIVING AS A FREELANCE WRITER, which comes with a FREE editors' e-mail cheat sheet directory for a limited time! Check out www.articlecity.com for details. She's also the editor-in-chief of Absolute Write (www.articlecity.com), the most popular online magazine for writers.
Copyright 2004 Jenna Glatzer. All rights reserved.
This article may be freely reprinted as long as my bio and copyright are included.
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carI love writing. I love the swirl and swing of... Read More
As an International language, English has been used widely in... Read More
Writing is a personal and introspective process. To share with... Read More
During the past few months I have received many questions... Read More
FIVE MINUTES ... Is All You Need ........to phone a... Read More
Sit back, and imagine what it feels like to be... Read More
Pictures they say are worth a thousand words, but many... Read More
All Writers need the press, especially new writers. As a... Read More
Hands up all those who'd like to have a successful... Read More
The Blogfest 2005 Writing Contest has only been running for... Read More
Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your... Read More
You have just completed a draft of an article. It... Read More
People want information, they want it quick, frequently in short... Read More
Rejection. This scary word plagues virtually every writer this side... Read More
If a writer considers writing to be a task, he/she... Read More
I've noticed a big shift away from traditional horror recently,... Read More
Have you ever considered writing a book? If so, maybe... Read More
Q and A.Best choice when subject is very verbal or... Read More
Typically when falling asleep in bed at night great thoughts... Read More
The big question. Do you submit directly to the publishers,... Read More
Names are important. Names give clues about us, where we... Read More
Writer's Block can strike like a King Cobra, paralyzing every... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?For a theme to work and the... Read More
Virgil, the great Roman poet, wrote "Practice and thought might... Read More
Is your book nearly finished, finished, published, or even in... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..When I was young, I used to talk to myself.... Read More
In one of the exercises in my "Getting Started as... Read More
Ever wonder why we refer to convincing an editor a... Read More
One morning, you open your inbox and find several e-mails... Read More
What is this annoying, insidious angst that permeates my psyche?... Read More
Writing papers and book reports has long been the bane... Read More
Mindmapping is better than linear outlining because authors can use... Read More
Based on the feedback that I have been getting from... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Our plotting stage is our testing area.Everything... Read More
Winning writing contests can provide several advantages to writers. For... Read More
On the first day of a bright and shiny new... Read More
Do you know what a query letter is? If so,... Read More
Rejection. This scary word plagues virtually every writer this side... Read More
Good writing is like sex. Two people are involved ?... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips:Your title is your selling tool. It's... Read More
Boost Brain Power Through WritingHave you ever noticed what happens... Read More
Our Image-Driven SocietyWe live in a new image-driven society. It... Read More
It was reported that the great American author Sinclair Lewis... Read More
So you've decided to crown yourself with a title that... Read More
Beyond three and four act story structure, lies the Hero's... Read More
You are far more likely to successfully write and publish... Read More
It occurred to me one day that I needed something... Read More
There's a little known secret we writers like to keep... Read More
|| Graphology & Graphotherapy ||Everybody wants to know more about... Read More
When one population in one century survived five wars, two... Read More
Writing |