How to Sell What You Write
You've just completed your first masterpiece and are longing to get it in the
hands of an editor with a view to earning a bit of cash and much deserved
recognition for your efforts. But how do you do it?
Whatever your story, poem or article, they will undoubtedly have a
theme/subject which should be clearly recognisable to yourself from the start.
The theme/subject is important as this will determine the exact area of the
publishing market your work is best placed. In view of this, it is vital that
you know where and to whom you should send your finished manuscript.
Quite a percentage of first-time writers make the mistake of posting
manuscripts willy-nilly to any old editor/publisher and wonder why it is
immediately returned along with one of those all-too-familiar rejection slips.
The reason is simple: they simply failed to study the market first. It would be
just like a tooth paste manufacturer sending a sample new brand of tooth paste
to the members of a gardening club for scientific trials. Besides being the
joke of the month, they wouldn't get the right results. The exercise would be
futile in the extreme.
A stupid example, I know, but you get the message. Knowledge of the market
place is paramount to the success or failure of your work. Know it well and
you'll not go far wrong, even though you might come up against a few brick
walls along the way. Don't view these brick walls negatively, but rather try to
see them as a test of your integrity. Nobody is going to write you out a cheque
for an enormous some just like that; you're going to have to invest a great
deal of time and effort beforehand. And if that means receiving a few ,noes'
along the way, then so be it. You've got to be tough in this business if you
want to survive. Therefore, if you've got a piece of good material worth
selling, then you'll simply have to keep firing it in the right directions
until it `sticks'.
If what you write is horror, then make a diligent effort to amass as much
information about the horror market as you can. You will need to know both past
and current story lines, who publishes it and where it can be obtained. This
will involve a trip to your local bookshop or library where you will find
endless titles on the subject. Check to see if they mirror that of your own,
and then jot down the names and addresses of the publishers. This may seem
boring, but its an excellent way of familiarising yourself with what is
presently on offer in your area of interest, as well as getting to know more
about the competition you are up against.
The same applies to all other genres. If you don't know enough about the market
you're writing for, then don't expect to succeed.
I feel that far too much mamby pamby
material has been written about how easy it is for one to get published, that I
thought it was high time I set the record straight.
This article is all about being tough and being able to take the rough with the
smooth, a philosophy which applies in whatever line of business you happen to
be. It is also about knowing your market well and being able to communicate
your ideas, articles, stories and poems successfully to the right editors and
publishers.
The purpose of selling your work is to make money and generate subsequent
commissions. As mentioned, selling your first piece is not going to be easy.
However, by proceeding through the right channels, namely: ensuring that your
article is accurate in every respect and is appropriate to the publication;
that it fits the terms and conditions set down by the editor and is free from
defamation, then your chances of success will be increased.
An editor is constantly on the look out for new ideas that will inevitably
attract more readers and boost overall sales, which is why you would benefit
from reading both back and current issues of the publication you intend to
submit material.
Using the present story lines as your initial starting point is not a bad idea.
You may find that a specific article is lacking in a few areas and might be
improved if approached from another angle, so to speak. If so, then think
through your argument carefully before compiling your first draft. Even if you
are not sure about your initial idea, seek independent advice from a
professional who is not a relative, etc. When you are happy with the end
result, you will need to write your query letter.
What should your query letter contain? Susan Sheppard, editor for Harlequin,
Temptation, suggests: "Address your letter to the right person (preferably
someone who's still alive and working).
Do your homework first - know where your book fits in terms of tone, length,
story line, etc. then make sure these elements are included in your query. For
example: `Title' is a rollicking romp of 5,000 words that I have targeted
toward Love & Laughter.
Do try to come up with a catchy title that reflects the story. Keep the tone of
your letter professional, but not stiff. Allow your unique writing style to
shine through.
Do not write a full synopsis. Describe the key elements of your story in one or
two paragraphs, focussing on your `hook,' which means you have to know what
your `hook' is. If you can't get that across, you aren't ready to submit your
manuscript.
State whether or not the manuscript is finished. Briefly describe your writing
history and affiliations in the writing community. If you have experience that
directly relates to the subject of your article/book (you're a nurse and your
story is set in a hospital) then say so. Do not, however, get into details of
your personal life (your Aunt Martha thinks you're a wonderful writer.) Keep it
to one page if possible."
Here is an example:
Dear (editor's name)
Re: (subject)
Please find attached (if sent by e-mail) enclosed (if sent by surface mail) my
article entitled ... which 1 submit for your consideration.
The article tells the story of ... and was written in response to last week's
feature on ... an issue which has been a passion of mine for many years, and
which eventually earned me my BA from Oxford University in 1999.
Should my initial article be successful, then 1 propose the following three
themes as the basis for subsequent features:
* (theme I )
* (theme 2) and
* (theme 3).
I have written extensively on this topic for ... and have also published
additional articles in ... (clippings enclosed).
Meanwhile, I look forward to hearing from you, and in the meantime, would like
to take this opportunity to thank you for your generous time and attention.
Yours sincerely
(your name)
Enc.: (list enclosures)
Simple and to the point. Notice that it didn't include too much irrelevant
information about myself and why the editor should publish my article. The
facts spoke for themselves.
Yes, your query letter must be convincing and professional. Don't forget, you
are selling yourself, so do it well and to the best of your ability. Make the
wrong impression, and you may find it hard to rectify in the future.
Philip Francis Anderson
