Additional thoughts on book publishing

This week I would like to write on some don’ts in sending in a book proposal.  This is not meant  to discourage you from your book idea or dream of getting your thoughts on paper, but to simply think though how intricate this process can be.  Please know I am only scratching the surface here to give you some thoughts on proposal submissions.   Here are several thoughts for you to consider.

First, when working on your proposal to an editor, do not expect them to give you time and energy to assist you in writing it.

Second, do not assume there are no other books on the market.  There are great tools out there to help you research the market.   You would not wish to appear ignorant of other books that are on the market that you failed to mention.

Third, do not assume that you are a really good writer.  You might have some very good ideas that should be in written form, yet a co-writer or ghost writer might be needed to assist you.  That is o.k.  Most potential writers have a day job in which they utilize their God given talents and writing is more likely a secondary talent.

Fourth, do not overlook the publisher’s website to see what the editorial guidelines are for manuscript submission.  It is critically important that you submit your manuscript exactly to the specification of the publishers.  And when submitting do not send it “to whom it may concern” but find out who is the proper editor at the publishing firm.

Fifth, do not overlook your own market research.  If this is a book on adopted children then know how many children in the United States are adopted, know how many are scheduled to be adopted in the next year, and know the major adoption conferences, etc.  Thus, be able to articulate the market and give the publisher the impression you know it well.

Finally, do not overlook the true importance and value of a well-written proposal.  The proposal is the only chance you have a making a truly good first impression and you might not get a second chance.  There are some fine services that can help you craft a proposal and they are well worth the money and effort.

As I stated in the opening paragraph I have no desire to discourage you.  Yet, the main point I would like to make with these  two blog articles is for you to to know the publishers, know how to submit a manuscript to them, know the size of your market, and then be able to articulate why you are the best person to write your book.

Do's in sending publishers your book proposal

Greetings,
Many of you will be attending the Together for Adoption Conference this weekend and I hope you might be inspired to consider doing some writing. Adoption and orphan ministry  is an area that needs books and many attending this conference have capability of writing quality and helpful books that the adoption and orphan community could benefit.  Yet, many do not know how to contact publishers with their book idea or do not do it very well.  Thus, their thoughts will not be published.  In this blog I will write some “do’s in contacting publishers and in a follow-up I will have some don’ts.

First, send them your very best work and not something you started and wanted to “throw by” an editor to get their thoughts.  Second, give them a compelling reason why you are the very best person to write this book. This is not bragging and please do not stretch the truth.  Yet, publishers need to know why you are extremely qualified if not the most qualified person to write your book.  Third, go to the publisher’s website and read their proposal guidelines.  This will tell you how the publisher prefers the proposal, what to put in the proposal and what to keep out.  Fourth, give the publishers several weeks before contacting them on the status.  Fifth, it is o.k. to submit your proposal to more than one publisher.  This is called multiple submissions. Yet, do let the publishers know that other publishers are also reviewing your proposal out of courteousy.  Finally, do your research on what books are in the marketplace that has a similar theme or topic.  If there are several out there, then you will truly need to think through what makes your book truly unique. If there are no books on a similar topic, then you will have to consider if there is either an untapped market or no real market at all.  The best word I use to sum up this blog is research.  It is vitally important you have thoroughly researched why you are the most qualified, why the publishers will want to publish your book,, how to submit a first-rate proposal to the publisher, and what like-minded books are in the market.

In my next email I will have some thoughts on what not to do when sending your proposals.

A call to publishers to consider the orphan and adoption community

This post is my encouragement to publishers to strongly consider publishing addional resources in the areas of orphan ministry and adoption.   I am certain on a daily basis you have those who come to your editorial team or send proposals with the latest and greatest book idea that they know all readers want and their book or their client’s book will be high on the best sellers list.  God has blessed me to work in publishing for close to twenty years; however, one of the true blessings God has given me is my two adopted girls from China.  This has opened the doors for me to attend two orphan ministry and adoption conferences.  The first is the National Orphan Summit which by the Christian Alliance for Orphans www.christian-alliance-for-orphans.org and the second is the Together for Adoption Conference www.togetherforadoption.org which happens to be occurring this weekend in Austin, TX.  These conferences are very similar to your national ETS and SBL meetings in which there are keynote speakers, breakout sessions, many displays, and lots of social interaction.

Yet what has struck me about this group is with the exception of the very fine book by Russell Moore titled Adopted for Life there has been very little published by the leading Evangelical publishers.  Yet, those who attend these conferences (heads of agencies, pastors, and adoptive parents) are truly key gatekeepers who would more than likely know the potential author because they sat the author’s session.  Plus, the end result of writing, reading, and implementing these books is one of God’s children who have no home finding a blessed home with a family who will love and care for him or her. 

In upcoming blogs I would like to share specific book ideas that I believe would do well for you.   I would like to share with those in the orphan/adoption community how to properly contact the acquisitions editors concerning their book idea.  In the meantime I would encourage you to check out some of the live video streaming of the upcoming conference www.togetherforadoption.org.

In Him