Are you an aspiring author? Are you a published author? Are you a non-author that’s always wanted to ask an editor a question?
Well, today is your lucky day. Deb Werksman is an Acquiring Editor for Sourcebooks Casablanca. She is answering your questions today and is going telling you how to pitch your book (among other things). Here’s a little of what she has to say:
First of all, I’m acquiring all the time, in all subgenres. So don’t try to “time” the market. As we all know, the subgenres in the romance category cycle, and as a subgenre gets overpublished, that subgenre starts to decline. But I believe that doesn’t mean the readership has gone away; it means there’s too much competition and now you have to stand out in the category even more. So the “hook” is really, really important. (So is knowing/understanding your reader really well.)
The “hook” is a 2-3 sentence (basically 30 seconds or less) articulation of what the book is, that will make someone want to read it. The “hook” should distinguish the book from all the other books that are out there. It’s essential at every point in the selling process. I use it at the editorial meeting where I pitch your book and recommend that we publish it, our salespeople use it when they present the book to the buyers, the booksellers use it to sell it to the reader.
Check out the rest of what she has to say and ask your questions here. I should mention that for non-writers (like me, for example), she’s not offering to make you a writer. If only…
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