Writers Tricks of the Trade Volume 6 Issue 3

HOW TO GET A BOOK DEAL WITH A PUBLISHER Randy Peyser - Book Editor, Book Coach www.AuthorOneStop.com Do you want to find a publisher or literary agent for your book? RANDY PEYSER AUTHOR, INSTRUCTOR Every year, when I pitch literary agents and publishers with my clients’ book projects at the annual “feeding frenzy” for the publishing industry in the U.S. (www.BookExpoAmerica.com), agents and publishers ask me the same two questions (once they’ve quickly assessed whether 1) the topic is current, 2) they think there will be a sizable market for the book, and 3) they believe readers will buy, buy, buy your book). The two biggest questions publishers ask once they’ve made this lightning-fast discernment are: 1) How is your book different from every other book on your topic? 2) What’s the size of your platform? The market is flooded with books. For your book to stand out, you’ve got to contribute something new, or provide some unique twist on your topic. When an agent or publishers asks: What’s the author’s platform? Here’s how the math breaks down:  Platform = Publicity.  Publicity = Eyeballs. And  Eyeballs = Sales. One top literary agent who’s sold many of my clients’ books told me: “Randy, it’s all come down to publishers sitting with their calculators, comparing people’s numbers.” What numbers are they looking for? In this economy, the marketing departments are counting every bean to see if the numbers justify the purchase of your title. This means that in the “About the Market” section of your book proposal (a mandatory document to accompany your manuscript, http://authoronestop.com/proposals.htm), you must identify the market to support the sale of your book. You could write the best book in the world, but if the numbers don’t add up in a way that satisfies their marketing department, your book is toast. MAY - JUNE 2016 PAGE 10 WRITERS’ TRICKS OF THE TRADE

Writers Tricks of the Trade Volume 6 Issue 3 | Page 18