#bookproposal
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Choosing the Right Comps for Your Book
One of the things I look for is a potential author’s list of competing titles. I want to know who you see as your competition; and quite often, first-time authors get it wrong. They list national bestsellers by authors whose platforms are five times the size of theirs, self-published books at a low price point… Continue reading
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Recognizing that Launch Day Is Just the Start
While launch day is a huge deal, it’s just the very beginning of your book’s journey to reaching its audience. What do I mean? I’ll explain: many authors consider physical book sales as the ultimate goal. But they are only one piece of a wonderfully expansive puzzle.Your publisher continues to work for your book long… Continue reading
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Building a Business Before the Book Deal
Having a massive social media following is great, but let’s get real: does it actually translate into a business? The answer is no, and traditional publishers know it. Publishers are smarter than ever. We aren’t just looking for vanity metrics or a viral moment that lands you ten thousand new followers overnight. We vetting authors… Continue reading
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Finding a Home for Your Scholarly Monograph
I ran into some old scholarly publishing friends and felt a post to that community was warranted. The following are tips for scholars looking to get that first monograph signed. If you’re a scholar looking to turn your dissertation into your first monograph, here is the cold, hard truth: The book is the business of… Continue reading
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Securing Your Book’s Long-Term Success: 6 Tips
I’ve given advice on everything from preorder incentives to finding a press. But what about the journey itself? To stay on track, I’m sharing the following six tips to for your toolkit: Clarify your publishing goals: Before signing that contract, get crystal clear on your goals. Is your book a lead magnet, a tool to… Continue reading
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Untangling Success From Bestseller Status
I typically post 1-2 times each month, but this topic really hit me. Recently, I’ve heard two authors (including one of them mine) share that she felt like a failure because the book didn’t hit a bestseller list and she didn’t land an interview on a major podcast. I’ll tell any aspiring or published author… Continue reading
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Over-communicating with Your Editor is Your Best Strategy
When your manuscript moves from “contract signed” to “in production,” it’s easy to feel like you’ve been handed off to a giant machine. You might see my name pop up in your inbox at the start of every month for a status check, but I want to let you in on a secret: I am… Continue reading
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Achieving a Book with Long Life
Let’s clear the air about a common first-time author misconception: signing with a publisher doesn’t guarantee a strong-selling book and certainly not a bestseller. That contract is a professional partnership, and it’s only as strong as the parties involved. A publisher provides the engine, but you are the driver. If you want your title… Continue reading
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Understanding the “Support” Promises
Authors must realize that their network is not a monolith is the first step toward a successful nonfiction launch. When you announce your book project, the chorus of “Congrats! I’m buying copies” feels like a nice hug, but as an author, you need to trade that warmth for hard facts. I recommend getting this clarity… Continue reading
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Understanding why Your 500k Followers Might Not Make You a Bestseller
You’ve built a loyal following. Congrats—that’s no small feat! But here’s the truth: followers alone won’t move your book off the shelves. Some may cheer you on, but others are simply there for the bite-sized insights or free advice. That’s not a flaw in your brand—it’s reality. If you’re counting on your social media audience… Continue reading
