How to get a book deal

Everyone has a book in them… The old saying may well be true but having a great story to share with the world isn’t the same thing as actually getting a book published and displayed on bookshelves around the country.

We try to help people who have sold stories through us explore book opportunities and have compiled some of our top tips to help you turn your dream of being a writer into a reality.

Do your research!

It is really important to do your research when you are trying to get a book published. Look for literary agents and publishers that deal with real-life books – you may have a great idea for a book but if you send it to a specialist poetry publisher, you aren’t going to get very far!

Check out the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook. Available in both print and online, this famous directory lists contact details for publisher and literary agents, making it a great place to being your search for representation. The website is also packed full of expert advice and informative articles.

It can be a struggle to stand out in the “slush pile” of unsolicited book proposals publishers receive, so try looking for an agent first. Having someone who knows the publishing industry inside out on your team can be an extremely valuable.

Presenting your proposal

Once you’ve made a list of potential agents and visited their websites to help you get a feel for what they do, its time to start preparing your proposal. Most agents will tell you exactly what they need from you on their website. This often includes a short synopsis of the book you want to write, a sample chapter, a covering letter and some biographical details about yourself.

Make sure you follow their instructions exactly. Failing to do so can make you look like you aren’t really invested in getting your book published and can be extremely frustrating for busy agents.

When you are writing your synopsis, remember to clearly explain your story. Make sure your synopsis is clear, accurate (no typos!) and engaging. You want your agent to sit up and take notice, not shrug with indifference.

Be persistant

Hopefully, your fabulous book proposal will attract the attention of the first agent you send it to and you will soon be signing a book deal with a reputable publisher. But even the strongest writers may not find instant success.

If an agent rejects your book, try not to be too disheartened. It may be that the book simply wasn’t right for their list or they recently accepted a book on a similar topic.

Rejection is unpleasant but it is part of the writing business. Remember that twelve publishers turned down J.K Rowling’s manuscript for the first Harry Potter book before one finally accepted it. You’re book might not be Harry Potter but the principle holds. Keep your chin up and keep trying!

Useful links:

The Andrew Lownie Literary Agency – One of the leading non-fiction literacy agencies in the UK. Andrew’s website contains lots of fascinating articles for aspiring writers.

Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook – An amazing resource for anyone who hopes to publish a book.

HarperTrue – One of the most prominent publishers of real-life books in the UK.