This is Part One of a Two-part Blop Post. See Part Two HERE.
Here’s My Personal Experience/Success Pitching Books: I am a National Endowment for the Arts Grant Winning-Author. You can read my first novel, North Port 1999 (genre: Smalltown Horror), HERE on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BodhiTheMovieMaker
I have pitched my novels multiple times, including at a fascinating “Pitching Festival” called Pichorama, which I will tell you all about below.
As a result, an indie publishing company (which, due to NDAs, will remain unnamed at this time) is now working with me on my novel series, and my novels will be published through them. Also, my first novel, North Port 1999, is up for three awards, including a literary award at the Catralsyt Content Festival ( the world’s largest TV festival ). Fingers crossed on that one!
First Things First
GLOSSARY:
“Pitching” is a general catch-all term I use for any time you attempt to pique someone’s interest in your book.
“Querying” refers to act of sending a “Query Letter,” which is a brief written pitch document to a Literary Agent, Publisher, or other Literary Industry Professional. (Expanded Definition Below)
“Book Proposal” is a different type of written pitch document, more relevant to non-fiction writers which focuses a bit more on subjects like market analysis, target audience, and timeline to completing your manuscript than a Query Letter. (Expanded Definition Below)
FAQ:
Question: Does a book need to be complete to begin pitching? Answer: No, in fact, the process of traditional publishing basically necessitates that copious changes will be made to your manuscript. As the author you work for the Editor, who will request whatever changes they see necessary to make your book into the best product. Agents, Editors, and Publishers will want creative input and control. So a final draft is not necessary or preferred even.
But you do want to have a complete and professionally edited draft of your entire manuscript before you start sending out your manuscript.
Defining The Different Types of People, You Might Want To Pitch/Query To
- Literary Agents:
- Who They Are: Literary agents represent authors and help them secure book deals with publishers. They act as intermediaries between authors and publishing houses. Note: They can be a very important legal barrier, helping establish a legitimate channel to prevent your IP from being stolen.
- Why You Query Them: Agents have industry connections and expertise, and they can negotiate favorable deals for authors. Many publishers prefer to work with agented submissions. Note: Back to the legal barrier I mentioned earlier, this protection goes both ways. Some publishers will only accept submissions of IP via an agent to protect themselves from copyright infringement lawsuit shenanigans.
- Editors at Publishing Houses:
- Who They Are: Editors work for publishing houses and are responsible for acquiring and overseeing the production of books.
- Why You Query Them: If you choose not to work with an agent, or if you’re submitting to smaller publishers that accept direct submissions, you would query editors directly.
- Acquisition Editors or Commissioning Editors:
- Who They Are: Acquisition editors, sometimes called commissioning editors, are responsible for acquiring new manuscripts for their publishing houses.
- Why You Query Them: These editors evaluate manuscripts and make decisions about which books their publishing house will publish.
- Independent Publishers:
- Who They Are: Independent publishers are smaller publishing houses that operate independently of major publishing conglomerates.
- Why You Query Them: Independent publishers often accept direct submissions from authors. They may specialize in niche genres or topics.
- Literary Journals and Magazines:
- Who They Are: Editors of literary journals or magazines focus on publishing shorter works, such as short stories, essays, or poems.
- Why You Query Them: If you’re submitting shorter works or looking to establish a publication record, literary journals and magazines are potential outlets.
- Freelance Editors or Manuscript Assessors:
- Who They Are: Freelance editors offer editorial services to authors on a freelance basis. They may help with manuscript development, editing, and feedback.
- Why You Query Them: If you’re seeking professional feedback on your manuscript before submitting to agents or publishers, you might consider querying freelance editors.
- Writing Contests or Competitions:
- Who They Are: Organizers of writing contests or competitions are individuals or organizations that run contests where writers can submit their work for a chance to win prizes or publication.
- Why You Query Them: Participating in writing contests can be a way to gain recognition and potentially get your work published or noticed by agents and editors.
How To Find People To Pitch/Send Your Query Letters To
A common way is to first identify books that have a similar genre and target audience as your book, and then read the back cover, copyright page, and special thanks page, to identify the publishing company and literary agent. (You can also do this by sleuthing online.)
Another great way is by Googling “Your Book’s Genre” followed by “Literary Agent” and “Publisher”. This will bring up relevant websites with contact information you can use.
Once you have a list of publishers and literary agents, research each of them and their past work to use for making a personal connection, such as, “I really enjoyed (book title) that you worked on. Because you worked on that book, I think you might be interested in mine.”
NOTE: You may want to utilize phrases such as, “During my research in [x genre], your name kept coming up,” and “You come highly recommended.” However, in the case that someone actually did recommend this person to you, rather than you just found them via research, you may want to refrain from saying who recommended them to you, because the natural question they may ask themselves at that point is, “Why did ‘so and so’ pass on this book?”
Query Letters And Book Proposals
Here are the expanded definitions and the differences between the two types of documents.
Book proposals and query letters serve distinct purposes in the process of getting a book published, particularly in the traditional publishing industry. Here are the key differences and similarities between the two:
Query Letter:
Purpose:
- Purpose: The primary purpose of a query letter is to pique the interest of literary agents or acquisition editors and entice them to request more material (such as sample chapters, a synopsis, or the full manuscript).
Content:
- Brief Overview: A query letter provides a concise introduction to your work, including the title, genre, and word count.
- Hook or Personalization: It often includes a hook or a personalized element to capture the recipient’s attention.
- Synopsis: A brief synopsis or summary of the book is included, providing an overview of the main characters and central conflict.
- Author Bio: A short author bio is included, highlighting relevant credentials, achievements, or personal connections to the material.
- Closing: The letter closes with a polite expression of appreciation, an offer to provide more materials, and the author’s contact information.
Book Proposal:
Purpose:
- Purpose: A book proposal is a comprehensive document designed to provide a detailed and thorough overview of a non-fiction book project. It is typically used for non-fiction works, especially in academic, self-help, or niche markets.
Content:
- Introduction: An introduction section usually includes information about the author’s background and qualifications to write the proposed book.
- Overview: A detailed overview of the book, including its title, genre, target audience, and the problem or question the book addresses.
- Market Analysis: A discussion of the target market, including the audience and competing works, to establish the book’s commercial viability.
- Unique Selling Points: An exploration of the unique aspects that make the book stand out in the market.
- Table of Contents: A detailed table of contents that outlines the structure and content of the book.
- Author Platform: Information about the author’s platform, including their online presence, social media following, and speaking engagements.
- Comparable Titles: A list and analysis of comparable titles in the market to demonstrate where the book fits within the existing landscape.
- Manuscript Status and Timeline: Information on the current status of the manuscript and an estimated timeline for completion.
- Conclusion: A polite closing expressing gratitude and openness to provide additional materials or answer any questions.
Similarities:
- Professional Tone: Both query letters and book proposals should be written in a professional and polished tone.
- Author Bio: Both often include a brief author bio, although the level of detail may vary.
- Contact Information: Both typically include the author’s contact information for follow-up.
In summary, while both query letters and book proposals aim to capture the interest of agents or publishers, a query letter is a shorter and more focused introduction for fiction works, aiming to prompt a request for more material. In contrast, a book proposal is a detailed document, primarily used for non-fiction works, providing comprehensive information to help publishers assess the potential of the project.
Are Book Proposals For Fiction A Thing?
While book proposals are more commonly associated with non-fiction works, they are generally not a standard requirement for fiction submissions in the traditional publishing industry. Fiction manuscripts are typically submitted to literary agents or publishers with a query letter and, in some cases, a specified number of sample chapters or the full manuscript.
Fiction submissions are often evaluated based on the strength of the writing, the narrative, and the potential market appeal of the story. Unlike non-fiction works, which often require a detailed proposal outlining the book’s concept, market analysis, and other elements, fiction manuscripts are generally expected to stand on their own merit.
That said, it’s essential to carefully review submission guidelines provided by literary agents or publishers, as requirements can vary. Some agents or publishers may request additional materials, such as a synopsis or an author bio, along with the query letter and sample chapters. Always follow the submission guidelines provided by the specific agent or publisher you are querying.
While fiction book proposals are not a standard requirement, writers working on non-traditional or genre-blending projects may find it beneficial to include additional information about the world-building, unique aspects of the story, or series potential in their query letters. However, the core of the submission for fiction remains the manuscript itself.
There Is No One Size Fits All Query Letter Or Book Proposal
Publishers and literary agents typically have submission guidelines that they expect authors to follow when submitting manuscripts or queries. These guidelines are essential for ensuring that submissions are organized and meet the expectations of the professionals reviewing them. Submission guidelines may vary among different agents and publishers, so it’s crucial to carefully read and adhere to the specific instructions provided by each.
Here are common elements included in submission guidelines:
- Query Letter Requirements:
- Some agents and publishers request a query letter as the initial contact. This letter often includes a brief introduction, a concise overview of the book, and a short author bio.
- Manuscript Format:
- Specific instructions regarding formatting, font size, spacing, and document type for electronic submissions or hard copies, if applicable.
- Sample Chapters or Full Manuscript:
- Clear guidelines on how many sample chapters should be included, or whether they prefer to receive the entire manuscript.
- Genre and Content Preferences:
- Information about the types of books or genres the agent or publisher is interested in representing or publishing.
- Author Bio:
- Guidelines on what information to include in the author bio, such as writing credentials, relevant experience, or personal connections to the material.
- Response Time:
- An indication of the typical response time, although this can vary widely. Some agents or publishers may specify that no response within a certain period means the submission is not accepted.
- Exclusive Submissions:
- Some agents or publishers may request exclusive submission rights for a specified period, meaning that the author should not submit the same work to multiple agents or publishers simultaneously.
- Simultaneous Submissions:
- Information about whether simultaneous submissions (submitting the same work to multiple agents or publishers at the same time) are accepted or discouraged.
- Submission Platform:
- Instructions on how and where to submit the materials, whether through email, an online submission form, or by mail.
- Additional Materials:
- Any specific additional materials requested, such as a synopsis, marketing plan, or author platform details.
It’s crucial to research and follow the submission guidelines of each agent or publisher individually. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in rejection without consideration. Agents and publishers use these guidelines to manage their workload efficiently and to ensure that they receive submissions in a format that allows for fair evaluation.
QUERY LETTER TEMPLATE
A query letter is a brief and professional letter used to pitch a book, article, or other writing project to literary agents, editors, or publishers. Here’s a template you can use as a starting point. Customize the template to fit the specific requirements of the agent, editor, or publisher you are querying.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Agent/Editor/Publisher’s Name]
[Agency or Publishing House Name]
[Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. My name is [Your Full Name], and I am writing to query you about my [genre] manuscript, titled [Title of Your Work]. [Optional: Include a sentence about why you chose to query this particular agent/editor/publisher.]
[Optional: Begin with a hook or brief personalization to capture the recipient’s interest.]
[Paragraph 1: Introduction]
In [1-2 sentences], provide a concise overview of your manuscript, including its genre and word count.
[Paragraph 2: Brief Synopsis]
Offer a compelling summary of your work, highlighting the main characters, central conflict, and the unique elements that set your project apart.
[Paragraph 3: Author Bio]
Share a brief author bio, emphasizing relevant writing experience, achievements, or personal connections to the material. Focus on what makes you uniquely qualified to write this book.
[Paragraph 4: Market and Audience]
Briefly discuss the target audience for your work and any comparable titles that have achieved success in the market. Explain why your book will resonate with readers.
[Paragraph 5: Closing]
Express appreciation for the agent’s/editor’s/publisher’s time and consideration. Offer to provide additional materials upon request and include your contact information.
Thank you for considering my submission. I look forward to the possibility of working with you and appreciate your time and attention.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Signature – if sending a physical letter]
BOOK PROPOSAL TEMPLATE & VERBAL PITCH INFO
See the Book Proposal Template and Verbal Pitch Info in the next Blog Post HERE
If you have any questions, please let me know in the YouTube comments or feel free to reach out via email: BodhiTheMovieMaker @ Gmail . Com
If you found this useful, please drop a like and let me know if this helped you in the YouTube comments.
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Bodhi Werner is a fiscal year 2023 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
