Achieving the “It Factor” in Publishing

            You may have heard the term “it factor” used to describe people in industries such as sports or entertainment. On reality singing competition shows, such as The Voice, judges will occasionally comment about a certain contestant having this “it factor.” In this case, the judge may describe the singer as having a certain stamina and charisma—as well as a standout voice—that is admired in the music industry. The singer may also have a good feel for who he/she is as an artist, as well as a natural stage presence.

            All of these components play into the term “it factor” in the music industry. I would assume this helps industry professionals weed out the highly competitive market and only sign with those who have it. 

            In the publishing industry, however, authors don’t exactly need charisma or a stage presence in order to stand out amongst their competition. (Or a singing voice—thank God!) However, there are still other components that separate the “pros” from the amateurs.

            You might be thinking,“But in order to be an author, I only need to write a good book. Right?”

            Maybe in the past. But if you haven’t noticed, the publishing industry has shifted significantly over the past couple of decades. The marketplace is swarmed with writers who are vying for attention from agents, or authors who are vying for attention from readers. Because of this, a writer’s craft is not the only factor taken into consideration when an agent/editor reviews a proposal. There are simply too many high-quality books out there, and unfortunately agents/editors can’t sign them all.  There are a plethora of factors that can play into whether an agent/editor accepts or rejects your proposal.

So how is an aspiring author supposed to stand out in the midst of the crowd?

Having the “it factor” helps. Here’s how I’d describe it:   

            Aspiring authors have the “it factor” when they work hard at honing their writing skills. They also keep up with the state of the industry, read widely, and understand where their book fits into the marketplace. They’re willing to keep up with the changes of the industry.

            These aspiring authors also know who their audience is and how they can reach them (through social media and/or speaking). They are familiar with how to market a book and will work hard to ensure it reaches the hands of the right readers.

            These writers can easily brand who they are as a writer as well. Even if they’re unpublished, these aspiring authors understand that branding helps them to come across as remember-able. They understand that branding is directly connected with the reputation they have on social media and within writing/book communities.

            The writers who have the “it factor” can also take constructive criticism on their work and apply it to their writing, and they don’t allow rejections to keep them from moving forward. Their perseverance, grit, tough backbone, and passion are what keeps them moving forward.  

            If you don’t believe you’ve attained the it factor yet—based on this definition—please don’t be discouraged! Simply take it one step at a time.

            (For instance, if you’re unfamiliar with how to market a book, then you might want to consider signing up for an online course on the topic.)

            Fortunately, the it factor in publishing is not something you’re born with. It takes time, effort, dedication, and a willingness to learn and grow for an aspiring author to reach this point. But once it’s achieved, trust me when I say that it will make a difference with how you’re perceived within the industry—and it will help you stand out amongst other writers as well.

            In this new column, I want to help you achieve that it factor. I’ll share posts that will help you sharpen your craft, understand the industry, build your brand, craft a marketing plan, and more. Plus, I’ll offer encouragement that will inspire you to keep going when discouragement settles in. 

            How would you define the it factor in publishing? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Tessa Emily Hall writes inspirational yet authentic YA fiction to show teens they’re not alone. Her passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as an Associate Agent at Hartline Literary Agency, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. Tessa’s first teen devotional, COFFEE SHOP DEVOS, will release with Bethany House in 2018. She’s guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 116 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, decorating her insulin pump, and acting in Christian films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is by connecting with readers on her blog, mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: tessaemilyhall.com.