Writing is one of my favorite things to do. Whether it be for my blog, a client’s media outreach letter, a book or even a marketing plan on a napkin when I’m out for dinner, I love to write.
Decades ago, when I first dreamed of being a successful author, little did I realize there were so many options available on how I generate revenue.
Opportunity Abounds
I’m in a great position as an author. I have lots of opportunity. One reason is due to my love of writing. Another reason is my marketing background. Yet another is my passion for sales. The combination of the three is perfect.
As someone who will never stop learning, I am on to another avenue of writing; my memoir.
Writing a memoir is very different than other forms of writing I’ve done and continue to do. When I began the actual writing of the first draft of my memoir in March of 2017, I had no idea how emotional the process would be. I’ve had several stops and starts. Yet, in spite of it all, I continue on.
Another Level of Writing
Currently, I am working on developing a proposal for my memoir. Prior to the full proposal comes the query letter.
From all I’ve researched, a query letter is one of the most difficult and most important parts of finding an agent or publisher.
According to technical writer, professional book editor, literary intern, and the former managing editor of Writer’s Digest Books, Cris Freese, “The process of agent acquisition is not a slam dunk: It requires a second, and relatively brief, learning curve as you shift from “telling” your story to “selling” your story. Why is this necessary? Because your target audience has changed from a potential book purchaser to a potential business partner (agent) who seeks product (manuscripts) to sell to book manufacturers (publishers) to order to generate revenue.”
Darn, just when we think we have it all figured out, there’s more to learn. Having been self-published many times over, as well as working with a hybrid publisher, the process of putting a proposal together is one that is sure to make me question my sanity.
Steps Involved
As previously mentioned, prior to sending out a full-blown proposal, it’s necessary to write a query letter. 
From all the research I’m doing, I’ve come to realize that the shorter the document, the harder it is to write. It’s the same with speaking. It’s more difficult to have a tight 15-minute presentation than it is a full day workshop.
Why? Because you have very little time to grabbing the listener, or in the case of a query letter, reader’s attention.
What you create must be engaging, tight, to the point and something that gets an agent interested in the full proposal.
A query letter is a one-page letter sent to literary agents in an effort to get them excited about your book. You have one page and 300 words (or less) to woo a literary agent into falling in love with your story and then requesting your manuscript. https://nybookeditors.com/2015/12/how-to-write-a-darn-good-query-letter/
What’s Included
There are several elements to a successful query letter including your bio, marketing plan, competition, overview and sample chapters.
In the full proposal, I will include a detailed marketing plan. In the query, this is not possible. However, it is possible to give an overview of my actual platform as an author and speaker.
An author’s platform is their actual position, reach and visibility. My platform includes my website and blog traffic, level of engagement and visibility on social media, podcast and Internet radio experience (on both sides of the mic), blogging and guest blogging, webinars and teleseminars, live speaking engagements and several very successful Amazon campaigns.
Off to the Races
I feel like I’m in for an amazing experience as I put all the pieces together. As with anything, I must keep in mind this is a process and it takes time, effort and commitment.
