Finding Your Niche
- Apr
- 29
- 2015
- Posted by Tammy Ditmore
- Posted in Uncategorized
Who will read your book?
Who will purchase your book?
Who will refer your book?
Writers who don’t know the answer to those questions may find themselves with a wonderfully written, carefully edited, beautifully designed book that never sells. But writers and publishers who can answer those questions are on their way to finding buyers for their “ultimate niche product.”
Although speakers and experts at the Independent Book Publishing Association’s Publishing University 2015 never downplayed the difficulties of publishing today, many of them were eager to share their wisdom and point out potential paths to success.
The first thing they want writers to understand is that the publishing industry is a business. Writers frequently forget that point when they get so caught up in the world they have created with their words.
Again and again at PubU 2015, I heard speakers hammering home this point. Books aren’t like the baseball diamond in the Field of Dreams movie; you can’t assume that “if you build it,” readers will come. You must build your book for the readers you know will appreciate it and then take it to them.
In a session titled “Profitable Sales Beyond the Bookstores and Libraries,” Sharon Castlen of Integrated Book Marketing and Brian Jud of Book Marketing Works reminded authors and publishers that there are many avenues to book sales–when you understand where your potential readers might be hanging out. But you can’t know where to go find those readers unless you know who they are!
So they said writers have to start with the questions listed above. Then, according to Jud and Castlen, writers should consider these questions: “What do (your potential readers) read, listen to, watch and visit on the Internet? Where will they expect to find your book?”
Rana DiOrio of Little Pickle Press said in a general session titled “Indie Publishing: Who Holds the Power?,” that writers and small publishers should “find your consumer directly and create a passion in that community.” When you have done that, then you can deliver the great content that community wants.
It’s not hard to convince writers that they should create great content. Convincing them to consider their community can be a bit more difficult, which is why organization like IBPA and events like PubU can be so valuable.
Audio recordings of many PubU sessions can be downloaded or ordered from http://vwtapes.com/independentbookpublishersibpaconferences.aspx.
Search
Blog Categories
Contact
Testimonials
Tammy’s approach to editing was like telling a story to someone who listens very well and offers suggestions only when something is confusing or grammatically incorrect (or embarrassing).
Tammy is sensitive to my work and does a great job to maintain the integrity of my writing and my voice!
She worked with me chapter-by-chapter over the course of nearly a year to hone my writing through attention to style, organization, and mechanics. Her close reading and keen eye have been invaluable during my revision process. I learned important guidelines about preparing my manuscript for its final review through this pleasant experience of working with her.
Tammy has helped me become a better writer. I always look forward to seeing her email pop into my inbox. As I open the email and double click on the Microsoft Word file, I look forward with anticipation to reviewing her edits. Like a used target at a shooting range there are red marks riddled throughout the page. And the right column is full of thoughtful comments. I appreciate her precision and thoroughness. Because I know every word she cuts, every crooked sentence she straightens, and every p… Read more
Tammy Ditmore is an excellent editor. My writing improved grammatically, in structure, and clarity under her skilled eye.
I highly recommend Tammy Ditmore to you. She has edited three of my books in the past two years. Each time, I have been impressed with her professionalism, and pleased with her ability to provide a polished text.
Personally, I feel the editing process is the most important aspect of writing–it can be a nightmare if the editor and the writer are not on the same page. … Tammy knows what she is doing, she is easy to work with, and she delivers on time.
I had a book manuscript that had a thorough edit by a copy editor, but there were many changes made and I wanted another set of eyes to look at it carefully. So I hired Tammy Ditmore to do a “final” proofread and flag anything that she found awkward, confusing or ill-fitting. That is a difficult job—to look both for errors and to comment, but that is what I needed. Tammy took it on and did a great job. Tammy also understands a schedule and finished the work on time—even ahead of time. Thank … Read more
Tammy Ditmore’s timely, thorough, detailed and accurate proofreading made my book print ready. She delivers high quality work on schedule and is a pleasure to work with.
I wanted to take a moment and thank you for your wonderful work. I marvel at your eye for detail and your ability to make a written text so much better.