There are many variations on the old joke “How many _____ does it take to screw in a light bulb?” My question is instead, “How many people does it take to make a book?” Today a team is required to get a book to press, distinguish that book from others like it, and promote the book. Two of the key people needed to publish a successful book are the editor and the publicist. A literary agent is necessary if you plan on approaching a medium-sized publisher to release a book. Any sports coach will tell you that a team is not just individual players playing a game it is how they pull together to actually win the game. For your book to be a success, your team has to feel right to you intuitively and professionally.
Every writer needs a good editor to correct grammar, syntax, and flow. Without an editor your book will not be as reader friendly and saleable. A beautiful cover is essential to set your book apart and create name and title recognition. Instead of making the book alone, an author or publisher may choose to hire a book coach, or a book shepherd. Once the book is a finished manuscript an agent will “shop” your book to publishers. A publicist takes the final book product and develops a market for the book and promotes you, the author.
A literary agent is necessary if you are determined to be published by a sizable publishing house. There still is cache and possibly an advance with a publishing house who can secure publicity and distribution easier than a lone author. Hay House Publishers accepts only manuscripts submitted by a literary agent. Other houses like Red Wheel Weiser, welcome direct submissions from authors. Literary agent’s main responsibilities include: shop your manuscript around, secure a contract, confirm that the contract is beneficial for you and your book, and even solicit foreign rights. Some agents may help their authors find sponsors for the whole promotional campaign. However when the material in the book is time sensitive there is a deadline for getting the book to press. Finding the right agent to take on your book takes time. And there is always a queue for your book to be published; the queue can take 18 months to 2 years to see your book in print. Can you wait that long? And often publishing houses will determine in advance that they are not going to invest much in marketing your book, so your book will languish on shelves somewhere without a publicists help.
How did you find the book you’re currently reading? Was it recommended to you by someone you trust? Chances are a publicist made that connection either directly or indirectly. A publicist’s work can begin with your manuscript and help you create a more polished and marketable format. This is called book shepherding. Or a publicist can begin promoting you and your book 3-6 months before the book is released. At that time, effective publicists secure endorsements, build your platform, submit articles, or solicit pre-publication reviews. Because of the publicists experience and contacts they are able to secure the publicity for a book much more easily than a lone author. When your book is released, a publicist can create what’s called a “bricks and mortar” city tour, solicit radio and TV interviews, build a following through social networking, or get reviews of the published book. A publicist helps develop name recognition that will improve book sales, and enhance your author profile. Unless you are already famous, marketing your book is the most essential part of building your book.
Remember the movie “Field of Dreams” and the theme, “build it and they will come”? Your book is that field. Build a superior product with a great team and readers will be more magnetized to you and your book.