Think Like a Publisher

33 Essential Tips to Write, Promote, and Sell Your Book

Randy Davila

• Publisher: Hierophant Publishing
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN:
  9781938289163
• eBook ISBN:
  9781938289170
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: Publishing
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

Straight Talk from a Publisher

The publishing world has changed! An explosion in printed books, E-books, and self-publishing has contributed to more new titles coming to market than ever before. With so much happening, how does a new author stand out from the crowd? Not to mention turn a profit.

In Think Like a Publisher: 33 Essential Tips to Write, Promote, and Sell Your Book, Randy Davila, President of Hampton Roads Publishing & Hierophant Publishing, explains the nuances of the publishing industry in plain English, and gives authors all the tools necessary to be successful in today’s rapidly changing publishing world.

Broken down into three easy to follow categories of Editorial, Marketing, and Business specific tips, Think Like a Publisher offers invaluable insight into how publishers think about manuscripts, marketing, and their partnership with the author.

You will also learn:

• What publishers (and readers!) look for in a manuscript
• The most common new author writing mistakes—and how to avoid them
  
• The makings of a great book title and cover
• The pros and cons of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing
• How to build your author platform and gain a following
• The ins and outs of the business side of publishing—contracts, royalties, agents, and more!

For any writer who has felt intimidated by the prospect of bringing a book into the world, Think Like a Publisher offers a one-stop guide to understanding the publishing industry and what it takes to make your book a success!

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Introduction
• TIP 1: A New Look at an Old Business
• TIP 2: Author Platform: What It Is and Why You Need One
• TIP 3: Focus, Focus, Focus: Know the Purpose of Your Genre and Stick to It
• TIP 4: What's in a Name? Only Everything
• TIP 5: Did I Mention the Importance of Focus?
• TIP 6: The Time to Start Building Your Platform Is Now
• TIP 7: Target Your Market
• TIP 8: Know Your Hook
• TIP 9: Pitch Your Book
• TIP 10: Most People Judge a Book by Its Cover
• TIP 11: Using Social Media to Build Your Platform
• TIP 12: The Importance of E-books
• TIP 13: Start Your Book with a Bang
• TIP 14: Clarity Is Key, Except When It Isn't
• BONUS TIP: Readers Love Anecdotes and Short Stories!
• TIP 15: The Benefits of an Early Readers Group
• TIP 16: Learn to Speak Effectively about Your Book
• TIP 17: The Role of a Book Editor, and Why You Need One
• TIP 18: Drown Your Darlings
• TIP 19: Speak Directly to Your Potential Readers
• TIP 20: Find the Right Editor for You
• TIP 21: What Makes a Book a “Best Seller”?
• TIP 22: The Return of the Brick-and-Mortar Bookstore and the Distribution Model
• TIP 23: Parlez-Vous Français?
• TIP 24: Understanding the Role of a Literary Agent
• TIP 25: The Benefits of a Coauthor (and What Is a Ghost?)
• TIP 26: Traditional Publishing versus Self-Publishing: The Major Differences Explained
• TIP 27: A Financial Litmus Test for Comparing Self-Publishing Companies
• TIP 28: Royalty Rates and Advances in Traditional Publishing
• TIP 29: Marketing Your Book via TV, Radio, and Print/Digital Media
• TIP 30: The Role of a Contract Publicist or PR Firm
• TIP 31: Start Selling Your Book before It's Published
• TIP 32: What's the Best Way to Advertise Your Book?
• TIP 33: The Author Business Model
• Final Remarks
• Acknowledgments
• About the Author