Category: Heard It Through The Hartline

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Heard It Through The Hartline

Choosing the Best Book Title

Recently a client and I went back and forth several times until we settled on a title for her fiction book.

Our goal was to choose the best book title that connected the plot and storyline to the reader. We felt it important to make a strong connection.

Authors are often tempted to choose an esoteric or uber creative title, but better than a “woo woo” title is a plain and simple one. Choosing a line from the book is often a good choice.

Nonfiction titles can be easier, but not always. Ask yourself what the “take away’ is for your reader and create a title that is most likely to connect with that.

It has been said a reader takes two seconds to choose whether to buy a book or not.

[bctt tweet=”It takes a reader two seconds to choose whether to buy a book or not. #title #writer” via=”no”]

Avatar, Twilight, The Help, Jesus Calling, Eat, Pray, Love, and Situation Maid are all examples of one to three word titles that worked well.

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. The Time Travelers Wife, The Memory Keepers Daughter. Great titles that solidly connect to the subject of the book and hint to the reader what the book is about.

The cover photo helps out as well as the back of the book blurb, but the title is the most memorable.

And always remember, read it out loud. Does it sound good?

The Map Across Time and The Unraveling of Wentwater, fairytales by C. S. Lakin, are two well named in her Gates of Heaven series.

We All Married Idiots – 3 Things You Will Never Change About Your Marriage & 10 Things You Can by Elaine Miller certainly catches the eye and hearts of those passing by.

Remember the childhood autographs that went something like this:

He Fell Off the Cliff by Eileen Dover

Rusty Bed Springs by I.P. Freeley

Help With Math by Cal Q’later

Enjoy this page: Books That Were Never Written from the Boy Scouts Trail blog. I like this one best, I think: ‘Sitting on the Beach’ by Sandy Cheeks

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Heard It Through The Hartline

What I look for when considering a client

There are a few basic requirements I require in order for me to strongly consider a prospective client.

They must understand the basics of writing a proposal and present their work in a professional manner. It does not need to be perfect but show me they have researched our submission guidelines and have a good idea of industry protocol along with what type of material I represent.

Once I receive their proposal, and take a look at their one sheet, I will google their name and see where they show up. Basic social media sites I do require are active Face Book and Twitter accounts. If these basic sites are not present, then I know I will have to invest too much time in teaching this author about the usefulness of social media and I no longer have the time to do so. HUGE pluses are when I find the author is also active on Pinterest, has a strong presence on Goodreads and an Instagram account. All of which have been shown to strengthen an authors platform and help an authors area of influence.

After they have passed this initial step, then the process turns to whether they are a nonfiction or fiction writer.

In the case of a nonfiction proposal, I will be looking for a marketable subject. Existing platform including of course strong numbers on social media sites, blog followers, and a nice number of already scheduled speaking engagements lined up for that year. Strong affiliation with organizations related to their topic is very helpful. Big question: Are they an expert on the topic they are writing about? What qualifies them to write this book? I especially enjoy Creative Nonfiction writing.

In fiction, I look for a genre there is a strong market for, social media participation, and clean writing. The clincher for me is a story that I do not want to put down.

When I find an author that I am interested in considering, I will schedule a phone call with them and go over my expectations of them and ask them what their expectations are of me. One of the questions I always ask is what else they are writing, and what future book projects they have in mind. Usually in such a conversation, I get a good sense whether the author and I will be a good fit.

If I like what they have to offer and they indicate they would like to work with me, I will then send them an agency contract to look over. We then schedule another call to go over any questions they have, and once we are all on the same page, we go to contract.

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Heard It Through The Hartline

Matchmaking and a Good Proposal

Book and knowledge concept

Agenting is a lot like being the matchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof. We have the job of searching for a suitable match between you, the author, and the right publishing house for your writing. A publisher that can provide a long-standing relationship where the author can flourish and mature.

As the publishing houses continue to recover from the economic changes the digital revolution brought about, it is more important than ever for authors to present an agent with a good proposal. Each portion of the proposal convinces the publisher to make a financial investment in you. For example, the competitive analysis helps an editor decide if there is a large enough reader-ship for titles such as yours that make their investment worthwhile. In the case of nonfiction titles, this list helps them determine if your book has something to say that has not been said before, or if it says it in a unique and marketable way.

[bctt tweet=”Agenting is a lot like being the matchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof. #agent #amwriting” via=”no”]

Be sure to take advantage of the writing conference schedules available in your areas, many of them offer great workshops on preparing a stellar proposal. A few of my favorite resource titles are; A Writers Survival Guide by Terry Burns, Author 101- Bestselling Book Proposals, Frishman & Spizman, and of course Terry Whalin’s Book Proposals That Sell.

Nonfiction authors must meet a large ‘platform’ challenge. With so much free online material and a plethora of blogs on every conceivable topic, having huge numbers of followers in their social media stats is very important. A publisher must be assured that the nonfiction author can help promote and sell their book through a strong network, and a speaking platform, where back of the room sales can take place.

When I am asked in reference to a nonfiction title, what should come first, the book or the platform, I encourage the platform. For without it, I will not be able to place your book with a publisher.

Romance novels continue to be an open door for new authors at Harlequins Love Inspired imprints. Authors must adhere to their submission formula or they will waste their time and receive a rejection. Many male authors are trying their hand at romance writing in an effort to get a published foot in the door.

Christian book sales continue to be good, although there are fewer slots open or titles being published, publishing houses are still buying. Be encouraged, God is in the process, and He is still on the throne.