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