How Literary Agents and Publishers Think

This week I heard from a writer who's pitched to agents and publishers without success. And the query reminded me how important it is for writers to be able to get inside the head of these important gatekeepers. Here's what I want not-yet-published writers to know about how agents and publishers think...

1. HOW AGENTS/PUBLISHERS THINK

When they're reading your proposal, the agent is thinking about what the publisher wants, and the publisher is thinking about what the reader wants. And the reader is thinking about...the reader. The BIG question you have to answer for agents/publishers is, "What's in it for the reader?" Whatever book you are writing HAS TO meet the felt need of the reader. Reader's don't buy books they "should" read, they buy books they "have to" read. Why is the book you're pitching a must-read?

2. HOW AGENTS/PUBLISHERS SEE

Without knowing what book you've written, I will hazard a guess that an agent/publisher has seen this book before. Maybe 100 proposals for this book and 5 that made it to market--saying the exact thing you're saying, in a slightly different way. While that can sound jaded, that's their reality. So whatever message you want to communicate--ideally, in the words of Stephanie Smith, a "timeless truth"--must have a FRESH FRAME. Whether you're communicating that "God is gracious," or "You are loved," or "Kittens are God's gift to the world," the agent/publisher must read your proposal and say, "Hmmm...I haven't heard it quite that way before." Are you saying something in such a fresh way that the agent/publisher wants to know more?

3. HOW AGENTS/PUBLISHERS DECIDE

The #1 rule of good writing is "show, don't tell." Your proposal needs to prove to agents/publishers that your project has FOUR THINGS: (1) a unique and compelling project, (2) a market of people who can't wait to buy this book, (3) a growing platform, and (4) mad writing skills. While I'd love to say that if they love your fresh idea, or if they think you're a great writer, they will take a chance and contract your book, I can't say that. They may WANT to, but to convince a publishing board to publish a book, they really need to see strength in all four areas. If you need to develop one or more of those areas, it might make sense to do that before pitching again. Does your proposal demonstrate that you are offering all four things a publisher needs to see?

The job of your book proposal is to convince the agent/publisher that your project meets the reader's need in a fresh and compelling way, and that you can sell books. To help writers do that, I've got a few free resources online...

1. An Author Inventory helps you mine and mention every asset you're bringing to the table.

2. An Annotated Book Proposal Template offers tips for each section of the proposal. (Not necessary to use this particular template, but do read the tips.)

3. The Book Proposal Checklist helps you review the first draft of your proposal, to make sure it's as strong as it can be.

Help agents and publishers say YES by offering them the strongest proposal you can!

Fiction Proposal Template for Christian Publishing Houses

When I want to know about Christian fiction, I turn to the experts. I'm excited to welcome Sarah Arthur to the wordmelon blog and am grateful for this special gift she brings with her for you! (Editors at a major Christian publishing house shared this fiction proposal template with Sarah, a preliminary fiction judge for the Christianity Today book awards, who's sharing it with us!)

A Fiction Proposal Template

Plot Summary

The acquisitions editor will have to describe your book to various people in the company who won’t have read your MS. Succinctly describe the protagonist and plot of your novel; include a condensed version of your hook if possible.

Fit & Mission

Read the mission or vision statement of the company you are hoping to publish with. How will your book help the publishers further their mission? What value will your book provide to readers?

Hook

What makes your book different from its competitors? What makes it stand out from other romance/mystery/fantasy/coming-of-age novels?

Audience

What age group is this book for? Is it for a primarily male or female audience? Is it for a Christian audience or a general audience?

Comparable Titles

What other titles currently on the market are similar to yours? How have those titles been received? What sets your book apart from those?

Author

What’s your background? What makes you interesting as both a writer and a person? Have you written other books in the past? Have you won any awards or been published in any magazines or websites?

Platform

Who reads your work? Who do you know? Who would be willing to help you get the word out about your book? What kind of social media presence do you have? Do you have a website?

Endorsers

Do you know anyone who would be able to provide an endorsement or blurb for your book? Obviously, recognizable names are a big plus here. Do you know any of the other authors this company publishes? Do you have a relationship with any well-known bloggers? Does your pastor have a following? 

Word Count

Write the number of words in your MS so editors will know how long of a book to expect.

Outline

Write a brief outline of the plot of your book so that the editors can see where you’re going.

Writing Sample/Partial MS

This is THE most important part of your proposal. A cool idea and catchy hook are great, but execution is ESSENTIAL in fiction. Two to four chapters is usually a good amount to include. Do NOT send in your first draft. Make those chapters as good as you possibly can. Solicit feedback on them from someone whose literary taste you trust. Read them out loud. Proofread them twice.

Check out my interview with Sarah, about what every aspiring fiction writer needs to know!