The Book Concept Summary is a concise, compelling text citing the central purpose of your book, the benefit(s) your target audience will derive from reading it, and why you are the one person most qualified to write it.
Your book idea doesn't have to be entirely original. It doesn't matter if there are similar books in the marketplace. It does matter, though, that your treatment of the subject is unique or superior.
Your book concept summary must show that you understand the needs and desires of your reader. Don't assume that you have to appeal to the largest audience to gain the interest of an agent or editor. It's ok to zero in on a specific segment without fear of suggesting too small a market as long as the physical and emotional characteristics of your audience are well-defined, their expectations believable, and the benefits of your work made clear.
If your book has methods or features, such as systematic instructions, detailed menus, appendices, a companion CD or DVD, or illustrations that help convey the benefit(s), they should also be mentioned in the book concept summary. These are the Features of the Book, those devices that will help deliver the benefits to your readers.
Finally, your summary should briefly assert your credentials. Equal to your book's unique concept, the agent or editor will be interested in your Platform. Platform is the term agents and publishers uses to describe an author's marketability, relevance to a target audience, recurrent public visibility, and the aptitude and willingness for self-promotion.
Composing Your Book Concept Summary
The lead paragraph of the Book Concept Summary is the most important with each subsequent paragraph supporting your premise. There are many ways to construct a powerful lead paragraph, but powerful doesn't necessarily mean flashy, superficial, or clever. You want to share information in a compelling, straightforward way.
Consider using some of the same techniques used for writing a magazine article by beginning with:
- An anecdotal lead sentence or short paragraph that tells a compelling story.
- A surprising statistic that supports your premise.
- A thought provoking quote by a public figure, celebrity, or authority relevant your subject.
Follow your situational opening by stating a complication or obstacle that is preventing something from occurring. This is why you are writing the book - to offset the complication and solve the problem. These are your observations that should then form the body of your book concept summary as you define your target audience, benefits, and platform.
Read press releases for examples of how to open with a hook, roll into a pitch, add body to a thesis, reveal one's credentials, and close with anticipation. Well-written press releases provide excellent structures and styles to follow for building out your book summary.
In the end, your book concept summary will have many uses:
- An abstract will serve as excellent copy for your query letter.
- Your literary agent will use sections when pitching your proposal to publishers.
- The publisher will use it as advertising copy for their bi-seasonal catalog or dust cover jacket.
- Online book distributors will use its content for the Book Description.
Given the extent of its use, take the time to refine and polish your summary so it is ultimately a creative, concise, and compelling premise to your work.
About this Author
Visit http://www.TheLiteraryCoach.com for more information and support on developing your book concept, preparing your book proposal, and achieving your dream of becoming a published author.
John Fayad
jfayad@theliterarycoach.com
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