Before we get into the really meaty stuff let me make a point about selecting the right topic.
When I announced that I was writing this report I was adviced that it was not neccessary to include any material on how to select a suitable topic for a paperbased book, but I feel it is such a crucial part of the process that I have to say a few words about it.
The quality of the work that you do in the selection of a book topic has a massive impact further down the line. You need to know the topic is popular. You need to know where the market buys these books and you need access to those outlets.
It is the easiest thing in the world to get a book printed. Anyone can do that. The hard part is getting the book out there in front of people who are interested in reading it.
We did two titles recently. One book had all 3 elements clear cut and easy. It was also less competitive so we could command the price we wanted for the book. It's flying off the shelves.
The second book is a novel and it is the best trashy novel ever written and has the power to change the lives of those that read it - for ever! We were so dazzled by the quality of the writing and the compelling storylines that we went ahead with the project without sorting out all the other parts of the preparation process. We knew where it would need to go. But we could not get it on their shelves. So we try another outlet, and another and another with the same result. Novels are popular, but near impossible to get into the traditional ways. But the subject matter is such, that it would only ever be read on reccommendation. We should have realised that before we printed the first short print run and taken that into consideration. We also had to price the book competitively so the profit is really not there either.
So all I am going to say is this
PICK YOUR TOPICS CAREFULLY
AND
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE
F U L L ACCESS
TO A HUNGRY CROWD
BEFORE
YOU GO AHEAD
