Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
You probably know why you’re writing your book. But do you have a good handle on what would make someone want to read it?
It’s important for you to not only know this, but make sure it comes through any time you’re talking about your book — pitching it, writing a query, writing a proposal — the WHY must come through loud and clear.
This has occurred to me as I’ve been taking pitches at several online writers’ conferences lately. I can see that the writer is passionate about their topic. I can see why they wanted to write about it. But they haven’t convinced me that anyone is going to want to read it. They haven’t convinced ME that I want to read it.
Take a step outside of yourself. Understand who your target reader is. Figure out how to talk about your book in a way that makes that reader say, “Wow — I REALLY want to read it!”
Unfortunately, many of the pitches I hear sound uninteresting, or unoriginal, or so personal and specific that it would be hard to find an audience outside of the writer herself.
Between the title/subtitle, the hook or elevator pitch, and the brief overview (or back-cover copy), it should be obvious who your book would appeal to and why they’d want to read it.
It’s a challenge! It takes some thinking.
So, tell me. Why would someone want to read your book?
Why would someone read my book?
Why is it a worthwhile buy?
Because of all the time it too,
and ’cause I’m such a smashing guy!
Back-cover prose, well it’s not stellar,
and the hook, it’s kinda stealthy,
but c’mon, make me like Rockefeller;
happy and extremely wealthy!
Buy the thing in droves and droves,
tell the tale by word-of-mouth,
read in parks and dark alcoves
from icy north to humid south,
and if you do, cover-to-cover,
I promise I won’t write another.
AND if you read my book, you’ll get a game included…’Find The Typos’, like ‘took’ missing a ‘k’ in the thrid line.
First person to find them all gets a second copy of the book, for use as gift or doorstop!
It’s the escape. It’s not that someone wants to read, it’s that they want to escape.
A read is a cigarette
A good read is 420
A great read is cocaine
An istatic read has no adverse side effects. Yet takes the reader with-it, alone, emersed, above, free, escape, soaring, ingrossed, captivated, wanting to help, not needing help, lifeless, yet completely alive.
Why will someone want to read my book?
– Nostalgia/Greek culture: I have a worldwide audience garnered via 18 years in Greek-American media. My story centers on a Greek immigrant family in Chicago, with some actual places, Greek culture — and an actual historical happening of which people know, but little is written. Greeks and PhilHellenes alike will want to read this story for the cultural references. They’ll see their own family in the story and relate to it. Children of immigrants will identify with this story as well. My non-Greek critique partners who come from immigrant families tell me they relate. Though specific customs are different, immigrant families, no matter where they’re from, have shared values, hopes, and dreams for their children.
– We all know someone like the protagonist: Have you ever met someone who’s bitter, angry with the world? Have you ever wondered why? I’ve met many such people and the greater percentage appear to have an enviable life. You think they don’t have on reason to be that way, though you see something isn’t right. In this story, we see what happened to one such person, what made her that way. She could never shake the past, robbing her of happiness–and others close to her. In her story, we can imagine what others have endured. I also see it as a vindication for these people. They aren’t angry with the world because it’s enjoyable. Something happened to them, that held them prisoner. I also hope people will read this and then look at people in their own lives with a new perspective.
Walk Alone with Me
[500 miles across Spain memoir]
My solo adventure forced me to release control and decisions to God, showing me signs and miracles in snow, rain, spring wildflowers and new friends. Start walking your own journey. Life is too short to work too hard. Boredom is not fun. Stretch out of your comfort zone. You were created for more excitement.
Oh my! Back to the drawing board! You have made such a great point and oddly enough, one that I hadn’t considered. (I mean, it’s all about me, right?!) Thank you for presenting this so clearly. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that God gave me the story. Now to let the reader know!
Hmmm … why would you want to read my story? Let me see …
It is a little-known fact that an eight-week-old Newfoundland puppy is approximately the same size as a full-grown Scottish terrier. Most perspective pet owners can easily tell the difference … almost every single time.
Marcus is sure a new puppy will show his daredevil little brother that there are tons of amazing things to do, even from his chair. After months of research, Marcus wins Mom over. She only has a few demands. The dog must be small, easy to brush, eat inexpensive kibble, and be bold enough to chase away Rasputin, the world’s peskiest squirrel. Marcus gives Mom a huge stack of research on all the nearby puppies. Only, the papers get shuffled around. While Dad and Mom are away, Marcus brings home their new dog. She is twenty pounds larger than expected, incredibly hairy, will only eat organic lunch meat and drink from a China teacup, and is terrified of absolutely everything, including his brother’s wheelchair and the pesky squirrel. Can the boys convince Mom to let them keep their fuzzy princess long enough for her to grow into the dog they need? And who will win the insane battle that rages through their house: the rampaging squirrel or their puppy princess?
I have watched a busload of sixty campers, stressed out parents, school kids, elderly residents at a nursing home, and strangers on the street react to the soothing powers of our 110lb Newfoundland as she treats one and all like her new best friend. There is something special about a big fuzzy dog, but our furry friend doesn’t just bring calm stories of love and snuggles, she is also hilarious. From pretending she has to go outside so that she can steal my spot on the couch, to being terrified of a bag of chicken food, Princess Leia Freyja has brought some hilarious moments to our lives. After years of writing down these funny moments, and numerous requests from those who know and love our dog, I am overwhelmed with story sparks and simply had to start writing. Thus, Phooey Kerflooey was born. Like our dog, but even more so, she has taken on a life of her own that I hope will delight young readers for years to come. At the very least, it should make Princess Leia Freyja’s fans happy since they have been asking for this for a long time.
I love this question. My current WIP is a great story for anyone who enjoys reading a heartfelt story filled with a bit of suspense and unique characters who put their trust in the Lord. A young girl, wise beyond her years attempts to protect her family from danger.
People connected to my heroine, as she lost three sons during WWII and was widowed–all within three years. She lived several more decades, making a home for her own mother. I’m writing her Depression Era stories now. She embodies the same redeeming qualities as three more babies are born and lost (the twins to whooping cough, when all nine children come down with it), living on “the dole,” doing her best to make sure the seven surviving children earn high school diplomas. Another redemption story that men and women can relate to.
They are fun, interesting, topical, current and full of twists and turns. The characters are real people with actual lives and vulnerabilities. Sometimes acting super human, but usually just bumbling through, they are some times tragic, always endearing and full of good humor….
I would like to share a story about my past and present life the obstacles and the journey that I had to go through to get to where I am today as an African-American woman in society
I can’t tell if this is serious or just another internet scam, but I’ll give it a go anyway.😎
Aren’t we all sick of everyone writing “their book”?
Who am I ? Dostoevsky? Hemingway? Nietzsche ?
Everything has already been said, right ?
The Emerald Tablets of Thoth the Atlantean laid it all out 30,000 years ago.
I think my book should be titled:
Finding Intrinity
The lust for God
Or maybe just substitute the Bagavadgita instead? Can I do a better job than that ?
I discovered 3 in myself and everything else.
And as I have stumbled through life,I encountered it in a 300 year old cut out canoe on Lake Toba, at Racetrack Playa, and staring at me in the Louvre.
If you look at my website you can see the timeless symbol that was channeled through me.
It’s like I was chosen as a beacon of threeness but I have only created a few thousand of these.
I feel that my message can help heal this sick world..
I am a good writer,passionate, but with a sardonic wit.
Might I touch the world ?
Did I just write that to myself ?haha
Why would someone want to read my book?
Not everyone would.
Only those who love dark, twisted stories with dragons and magic and sacrifice will be drawn into the world I have crafted. Stories where good doesn’t always triumph over evil, where the darkness may indeed swallow up everything in the end.
A world where the line between hero and villain is blurred, and only the strongest survive.
The light will be put out.
The world will end.
Crafting a compelling narrative, creating relatable characters, or presenting groundbreaking ideas are all ways to draw readers in and keep them engaged. Ultimately, the reasons why someone would want to read your book lie in the inherent human desire for exploration, enlightenment, and entertainment. By understanding and tapping into these motivations, you can not only attract readers but also leave a lasting impact on their lives