Ever wish you could sit down with a super-accomplished person and ask, “What does it take to break into your industry? What’s it like to be you? And when you’re looking to hire someone, what does it take to impress you?” With Pick My Brain, that’s exactly what we do. Enjoy this week’s installment featuring author, columnist and workshop leader Alexandra Franzen.
Question:
I want to get a book published, but I don’t have a “fan-base” or a “following” yet. Will publishers be interested in me and my book, if nobody knows who I am?
Answer:
Yes and no … but mostly, yes. Publishers LOVE when they receive a proposal from an aspiring author who already has a built-in fan-base, because that often translates into more book sales! But at the end of the day, publishers are looking for a book that is likely to sell, period. If you can prove that you’ve got a book concept that people are hungry for … or if your book is covering a topic that’s timely, topical and trendy … or if your novel is so page-turningly-delicious that nobody will be able to put it down … then you’re likely to catch a publisher’s attention. A good book is a good book, regardless of whether the author is “already famous” or not. Plus, certain publishers like to discover fresh talent — so that they can be the first to debut a breakout star!
Bottom line: if you already have thousands of fans who adore everything you write + will buy anything you sell, terrific. But if you don’t, don’t let that stop you from pursuing your dreams of having a published book on the shelves. You can do it. (Of course, self-publishing is always an option, too! But that’s a whole ‘nother Pick My Brain. 🙂 )
Images: Leslie Plesser and Thea Coughlin.