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