| What is a book club sale? It is actually | | | | cooking club or to a mathematics club. |
| a rights sale or a licensing agreement: | | | | If your book is regional, it will not |
| you are granting permission to a book | | | | likely appeal to a general interest book |
| club the right to "borrow" your work. | | | | club, so submit that a regional title to |
| You have written a book, and now you are | | | | suitable specialty clubs. |
| allowing a book club to print and | | | | Tip #5 for increasing the odds: |
| distribute your book to its members. | | | | There are rules to follow when |
| You allow the book club to reprint your | | | | submitting your book to the book clubs, |
| book in a specific language, in a | | | | so following them carefully should avoid |
| specific format, for a specific period | | | | unnecessary rejections. |
| of time, in a specific geographic | | | | Here they are: |
| territory, to a specific group of | | | | 1. Send your manuscript to the Editorial |
| people. You ensure in your contract that | | | | department at the appropriate club(s). |
| you maintain ownership of the copyright | | | | 2. Include a cover letter that details |
| and of all other intellectual property | | | | the following information: |
| rights, such as electronic, movie, other | | | | - summary of the book contents |
| languages and territories, and serial | | | | - description of the book (size, |
| rights - to name a few. Always seek good | | | | binding, hard/soft cover, black & white |
| legal advice before signing a contract. | | | | or color) |
| There are many book clubs, but most of | | | | - expected selling price |
| the major clubs fall under the bookspan | | | | - number of pages |
| umbrella ( To find other book clubs that | | | | - number and type of photographs and/or |
| are appropriate for your book, do an | | | | illustrations (indicate if black & white |
| internet search: on your browser, type | | | | or color |
| in +(your book genre, e.g., | | | | - notation if the book will be part of a |
| cooking)+book+club. | | | | series |
| The chances of having your book selected | | | | - which volume the book is in an |
| by a book club are roughly one in ten, | | | | existing series and a sales history of |
| which is really quite good. Imagine if | | | | the series |
| your chance at winning the lottery was | | | | - intended publication date |
| that great! | | | | - plans for publicity and promotion, and |
| Tip #1 for increasing the odds: | | | | your intended budget |
| It is important to know that book clubs | | | | 3. Include a brief author biography |
| are always looking for new ideas to | | | | written in the third person. Be sure to |
| entice their members, so if your book is | | | | talk about any previous books published |
| well written and edited, has plans for | | | | and their sales histories. |
| professional graphic design, AND | | | | 4. Send photocopies of some of the |
| demonstrates a unique slant on your | | | | illustrations and photographs. Please do |
| topic, your chances of being selected | | | | not send original copies - they will NOT |
| rise considerably. | | | | be returned to you. |
| Tip #2 for increasing the odds: | | | | 5. Don't forget your contact information |
| In saying that, it is important for you | | | | and website if you have one. |
| to know that the earlier you submit your | | | | Unfortunately, you cannot contact book |
| book, the better. | | | | clubs to follow up on your submission. |
| Tip #3 for increasing the odds: | | | | It's a case of "Don't call us. We'll |
| Book clubs are much happier receiving a | | | | call you". Book clubs receive too many |
| typed manuscript six to twelve months in | | | | submissions to allow follow up calls or |
| advance of your publication date than | | | | letters. If they are interested, they |
| receiving a bound galley or finished | | | | will call you, usually within two to six |
| book close to the publication date. A | | | | months. |
| book club likes to introduce your book | | | | Do you think that a book club sale is |
| to its members near your publication | | | | worth pursuing? Absolutely! We |
| date in order to take advantage of the | | | | specialize in book club and other |
| reviews and publicity that you will be | | | | non-traditional book sales (more info |
| generating when your book is launched. | | | | here: Book Marketing Secrets). |
| The bigger the media splash you make, | | | | For very little effort you can achieve |
| the better everyone's sales will be. | | | | the sale of thousands of copies of your |
| Tip #4 for increasing the odds: | | | | book. You will likely be paid a minimum |
| There are many categories of book clubs, | | | | sum per copy, but you will also not have |
| so be sure to submit your title only to | | | | any production costs, and a small sum |
| the appropriate clubs. Do not send your | | | | multiplied by thousands can equate to a |
| book to every book club that you can | | | | very nice check. Your only effort will |
| find. Each club's membership has | | | | be to sign a contract, provide your book |
| specific interests so be sure to submit | | | | on disk and collect that check - and |
| your book only to clubs that might | | | | just think of the free publicity! |
| buy-you will again increase your chance | | | | Thousands of book club members will read |
| of being selected. | | | | about your book. You can't buy that kind |
| For instance, if you have a humor book, | | | | of publicity! |
| it's unlikely to be of any interest to a | | | | © Copyright 2004 Ink Tree Ltd. |