When an agent or a publisher looks at your novel or book proposal, what they’re really thinking is, what has this author got to say to a reader?
Ask yourself these questions and be confident that you’ve effectively addressed them before pitching your idea.
•What is there in your story that only you know about in the way that you know it?
•Is it a story – whether fiction or non-fiction that is untold?
•If it’s been done before, what’s your fresh spin on it?
•Who are you to tell the story?
•Why are you telling this story rather than any other?
•Why will people out there be interested in this story?
When you have the answers, look to your writing and your proposal to be utterly sure you convince others that you know the answers.
You really need to make clear the reason why you’re pushing your book out into the world and why anyone would want to read it.
Jacq Burns
Literary Agent, Co-director of London Writer’s Club and Very, Very Cold.