7 Things Publishers Really Want: Book Business Plan

What publishers seek in an aspiring author doesn’t just involve your book idea or even your writing. You need a book business plan.

By producing a business plan for your book, you’ll have done the work to prove your idea is, indeed, one publishers want.

Business Partners

You have a product you want to market (book). You seek a financial partner (publisher) for the creation and production of that product. To land the deal, you present the potential partner your business plan (book proposal.) If acceptable, they offer you a contract, which, once signed, the two of you go into business together. You become Business Partners.

But how to you land a traditional publisher? Let’s examine what a publisher (acquisitions editor and book publishing review board) examine when considering your “book business plan.”

The 7 Things a Publisher Considers

Publishers are seeking aspiring authors who are also good business people. So, you must prove that you and your book idea are an acceptable financial risk.

Your book proposal should include all seven of the following:

1. Idea. Good idea unique and necessary in its category.
2. Market.  Your market analysis should indicate the potential for reader interest.
3. Competition. Similar books in your category must show a proven track record.
4. Credentials and author platform. A proven ability to write and a large built-in readership (platform) for your target audience.
5. Promotion Plan. A concrete, creative and extensive plan to use your author platform for sales in various ways (3-12 months and beyond.)
6. Plans to write more books. Publishers week multiple-book authors. The more you write, the more they sell. It is wise for the publisher to invest in authors who continue to produce products.
7. The manuscript or sample chapters. Prove you can produce a quality, well-written product that will sell.

Other reading:

• 7 Must Do Steps to Get Your Book Published
• Author Branding using Amazon Author Central Account

Think you have what it takes? Get Published.

This article  summarized from Writer’s Digest “Do You Have What Publishers Really Want?,” Nina Amir, April 8, 2014—accessed November 18, 2021.