Blogger: Rachel Kent
Writing a nonfiction book that has been on your heart is great, but figuring out if that book has an audience and who those readers are is essential before you decide to pitch your project to publishing houses and agents. Putting your readership in your proposal as “women” or “men” isn’t good enough. You need to put thought behind your audience to really give the publishing house a sense of who you believe will read your book. Here are three ways to help you come up with a better definition of your readers.
1) Take a look at you. Often the author is a good representative of the audience for a book. What in your life qualifies you to write this book? Are you a horse-lover? Pastor’s wife? Missionary? Stay-at-home dad? Christian? Often your audience will fit in with one or two of the ways you would describe yourself.
2) Check out the bookstore. Where would your book be shelved in a bookstore? If there was going to be an end cap at a store with your book on it, which books would be next to it based on topic? What audience do those books appeal to?
3) Turn your computer on and look online. What interest groups are you a part of? Do you think those people might be your audience? Think about the kinds of websites your book could be advertised on. What types of people would look there for your book?
What other methods do you use to define your audience?
Does figuring out your audience come easily to you?
Do you think these tips apply to fiction audiences as well?
I finally figured out how to describe my audience when I figured out the need my book is meeting. It’s for 20-30 somethings who feel defeated by life’s struggles and are searching for hope.
Very nice! I’m glad you were able to find your people. 🙂
I write to an imaginary audience of real people. This group includes a young man damaged by childhood abuse, a bitter woman who sees God in the image of her incestuous father, an elderly gentleman who maintains a strictly rational relationship with the Almighty, a coworker who sees all religions as equal paths to peace, a friend who dismisses any Scripture that doesn’t fit her worldview.
*I write to believers who lack a deep personal connection with the God of the universe. I write to people whose souls long to touch the Divine, whose minds keep him at arm’s length.
I LOVE this, Shirlee! Except for the first two, you describe beautifully what I hold as a large part of my target audience as well.
“We teach best what we need to learn.” – Richard Bach
I think that’s an excellent concept for guiding the writing process as well as for identifying the market, Andrew
Andrew, you just gave me an idea for something I probably should write about. Thanks!
Great quote!
I think No. 1 applies to fiction audiences too… What I write, hoping to tell a transformation story, must first transform me…
So true, Michael. Only the one who knows how to swim can be a lifeguard for the drowning.
Yes, I think those tips could apply to fiction audiences. # 2 is something I do quite often. On Thursdays I have an hour available in my schedule which I devote to Books-A-Million or Lifeway. I spend that time researching books in mainstream YA and Christian fiction. I study the jacket’s design, what it says and usually read the first page of the story to see if voice and content pull me in. I’m not only gathering information for comparison with my WIP, I’m also shopping for a good read.
What a great idea, Lara! If it weren’t a 24 mile drive to the nearest bookstore, I’d seriously consider doing this myself. My comparison shopping is usually restricted to Amazon sales pages. Searching on categories and keywords doesn’t really give the same information you’re getting..
Oh, yes, that is bit of a drive, Carol. I’m fortunate to currently live in a metropolitan area, although I do wish our town had an independent book store as well.
Yes, after I finished the blog, I looked back at the list and thought it could apply to fiction as well. I agree with you!