Pitch Your Book

Positioning your book is critical. Where does your book fit in? Whose books are similar to yours? Once you've determined the proper genre and sub-genre,consider contacting one of the authors whose work is similar to yours and ask them for a blurb. (Blurbs benefit both parties.) Where would the book be shelved at the book store? What kind of cover might best signal your position? What kind of cover copy?

The best way to broadcast what your book is about is by providing a description as concisely as possible, using the best words possible. It can be identical to the query letter and your spiel at book signings, and should include:genre, protagonist, story line, why your book is different than others, and why you are the person uniquely qualified to write it. Do all of this in one or two sentences.

When pitching your book, don't tell the story. Use ideas and current events to make it attractive, even compare it to highly successful authors' books. You only have a limited window to grab the readers' interest. Use it wisely. Remember, you have to be entertaining--it's all about getting your work into the hands of others. The work of selling you book begins when you get the idea to write it and then continues well past publication.