The Ink Tree Report Publishing Newsletter

Book Proposals (June 2004)

The Ink Tree Report - June, 2004

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Brought to you by Ink Tree Ltd., your source of help for
anything related to publishing and book marketing.
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Marketing, Marketing, Marketing

The Ten Most Common Reasons Book Proposals are Rejected —
and What These Reasons Really Mean

by Marcia Yudkin


1. The market is too small.

Translation: We don’t know how to make money publishing your book.

Remedies:

• Add market numbers to your proposal.
• Add specific marketing suggestions.
• Try a smaller, niche publisher.

2. It doesn’t fit our list.

Translation: We haven’t published a book in your category,
of your format, or for your audience, and aren’t about to try.

Remedy: Try elsewhere.

3. This type of book doesn’t sell.

Translation: Books like this haven’t sold in the past.

Remedies:

• Research this assertion through Publisher’s Weekly.
• Compare your book to something that has sold.
• Try a more specialized publisher.

4. It’s not right for us.

Translation: We didn’t like it.

Remedies:

• Get your proposal reviewed professionally — it may be sloppy or unpersuasive in ways not obvious to you.
• Keep trying. Tastes differ.

5. It’s too narrowly focused.

Translation: We sell more general books to the general public.

Remedy: Try a more specialized publisher.

6. It’s already been done.

Translation: You didn’t convince us your book differs enough
from what’s out there.

Remedies:

• Re-research your competition.
• Differentiate your book better in the proposal.
• More carefully define your readers.
• Change the angle, audience, approach of the book.

7. It’s an article, not a book.

Translation: You didn’t persuade us that you can fill 150-250
printed pages with meaningful material.

Remedies:

• Lengthen the book to at least 60,000 words.
• Write it as an article.
• Approach publishers specializing in short books.

8. There’s too much competition.

Translation: You didn’t convince us there’s an unfilled niche
out there waiting for your book.

Remedies:

• Do/cite market research on the need for your book.
• Rewrite your proposal’s analysis of competition.
• Try a publisher without any titles on the topic.

9. It’s too costly to produce.

Translation: We can’t make a profit publishing your book.

Remedies:

• Reduce requirements for photos, unusual format.
• Cite evidence that your market will pay more.

10. You’re not an expert in your field.

Translation: We can’t book you credibly on talk shows.

Remedies:

• Find a co-author with the credentials you lack.
• Get more credentials.

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Copyright 2001 Marcia Yudkin. All rights reserved.
The above is excerpted from “So You Want to Write a Book”,
a special report that provides a comprehensive introduction to
getting a book published. Learn whether or not you really need
an agent, how to get one, how the money works in publishing,
the top questions you need to address in a book proposal,
and much more.
 Click Here for Details 

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Tips You Can Use

Literary Agents Database --

We just found out about this and we love it! It’s a huge
database of literary agents. Many authors who start out
self publishing move to publishing houses at some point
so they can continue working on new books.

It’s a great resource. Here’s the link:

Literary Agents Database

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Have You Heard?

We’ve had a LOT of requests lately from authors
who want more information on how to
write great news releases and how to create
professional quality media kits that get noticed.

In light of this, we’ve set up a great little set of tools
for you to make your publicity campaign work and
take you closer to earning thousands of dollars in
free publicity.

Check it out here:

Publicity Made Easy

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Interesting Stuff

At some point in your publishing journey, you’re going
to need legal advice from a professional. Wayne Logan
at Logan Law specializes in intellectual property and
publishing law. When we need help with our publishing
contracts, we turn to Logan Law.

Find out more here:
www.remarkablelaw.com

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Inspiration

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what
makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because
what the world needs is people who have come alive."

Harold Whitman

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Affiliate Program

Increase your revenue by helping other authors get
published and achieve success. Sign up for our affiliate
program and get paid to help others here: http://www.inktreemarketing.com/affiliates.htm

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Please submit your own tips, articles and experiences to
us for possible inclusion in future newsletters. We'd love
to hear your stories and share your advice.

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For more information on Ink Tree and our services for
authors and publishers, visit us at:
www.inktreemarketing.com
 
We can show you how to publish a book!

Member of SPAN and PMA

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