26/11/2024
From a publisher's point of view, the focus often shifts from the craft of writing itself to the marketability, consistency, and potential of a manuscript.
While creative elements still matter, publishers are looking for books that will connect with readers and succeed in a competitive marketplace.
Here are five common mistakes authors make from a publisher's perspective, and tips for how to avoid them:
1. Not Understanding the Market
Many authors focus on writing what they feel passionate about without considering whether there is a market for their book. Publishers want to see that a manuscript has potential readers, whether itâs a niche audience or mass-market appeal. Writing in a genre or topic that doesnât have significant demand can make it harder to find a publisher or for that book to succeed.
How to Avoid It:
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Do Your Market Research: Before starting your book, understand the trends in your genre. Who is your target audience? What are publishers currently looking for in your genre or subject area?
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Read Comparable Books: Identify books that are similar to yours in style, tone, and content. Understand how those books performed in the market, and think about what makes yours stand out or how it fits within the current landscape.
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Define Your Niche: Even if your book is unconventional or doesnât fit into a traditional genre, being able to clearly define your target audience is key.
2. Weak or Unclear Genre Positioning
Publishers need to know how to categorize a book to make it appealing to the right readers and booksellers. If an authorâs manuscript is difficult to categorize, or if it straddles too many genres without clear focus, it can be hard to market effectively.
How to Avoid It:
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Be Specific with Genre: Whether youâre writing fiction or non-fiction, be clear on the genre and subgenre (e.g., historical fiction vs. literary fiction, self-help vs. memoir). Donât try to mix too many genres unless you have a strong reason.
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Craft a Strong Hook: Even in a crowded genre, publishers want to know what makes your book unique. What is the core idea or hook that will attract readers and distinguish your book from others?
3. Lack of a Strong Author Platform
Publishers often look for authors who have an existing platformâa following, expertise, or visibility that can help sell the book. This is especially true in non-fiction, where publishers want authors who are already recognized as experts or influencers. For fiction, publishers also appreciate authors who can market themselves effectively.
How to Avoid It:
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Build Your Platform Early: Whether through a blog, social media, speaking engagements, or media appearances, start building your author brand early. Having a solid online presence or a built-in audience can make your manuscript more appealing to a publisher.
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Leverage Your Expertise: If youâre writing non-fiction, make sure you highlight your expertise in the area youâre writing about. Publishers want to know you have credibility in the subject matter.
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Engage with Your Readers: Create a community around your writing. Engage with potential readers before your book is even published to create anticipation and buzz.
4. Underestimating the Importance of Professionalism in Submission
Many authors submit manuscripts that are poorly formatted, lack a professional presentation, or are not adequately proofread. A sloppy submission can make a bad impression on an editor or agent, who may not even get to the content before dismissing it.
How to Avoid It:
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Follow Submission Guidelines: Always adhere to the publisher's specific submission guidelines, including word count, formatting, and required documents (query letter, synopsis, etc.).
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Professional Editing: Before submitting, ensure your manuscript is polished. Even if you are self-editing, consider hiring a professional editor for a final review. This will help you catch errors or inconsistencies you might have missed.
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Polished Query Letter and Proposal: Your query letter or book proposal is often the first thing a publisher sees, so make sure itâs well-crafted, clear, and succinct. It should communicate why your book is a good fit for their list.
5. Not Being Open to Revision or Feedback
Authors sometimes view their manuscripts as "finished" and are resistant to feedback or edits, which can be a significant barrier to securing a publishing deal. Publishers often expect authors to be open to revisions, whether itâs for pacing, character development, or commercial considerations.
How to Avoid It:
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Be Open to Critique: Understand that publishing is a collaborative process. Be open to feedback from agents, editors, and other professionals, even if it means revisiting large sections of your manuscript.
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Understand the Commercial Realities: Publishers may ask for changes that will make your book more marketableâthis could include adjusting tone, removing controversial content, or tweaking the structure. While itâs important to stay true to your vision, be flexible when it comes to making your book more commercially viable.
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Know When to Let Go: If your book is going through rounds of edits and revisions, recognize when itâs time to accept changes and move forward. This is part of the publishing process and can ultimately make your book stronger.
We hope this helpsđ Feel free to reach out to us for all your publishing needs.
