Everybody loves a contest. For writers and authors, winning a contest can help get the attention of the right agent or acquisitions editor, or add cache to your book proposal. And, yes, there are the prizes and the great fun of winning.
Authors also find that taking that step of declaring their book to the world helps them take ownership and gain momentum. Sometimes, you can get feedback on your idea which helps make your book even more compelling.
If any of those benefits resonate with you, enter the Pitch Your Book to Life Contest and see what opens up for you and your book.
Prizes
First prize includes: a free download of Lisa’s Quick Start to Kick-Start Your Book self study program, a 20 minute book concept consultation with Lisa, and the most recent edition of How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen, the top-selling book on how to write successful book proposals (worth over $340).
Runner up receives an audio download of Writing in the Zone: A Visualization for Writers.
Judges
In the first round, you get to enter and to judge! First round will be judged by the Bring Your Book to Life community, the public and your friends whom you invite. But this is not a popularity contest; we are looking for compelling and marketable books: second round will be judged by veteran literary agent and author of How to Write a Book Proposal, Michael Larsen, book publicity expert, Rusty Shelton, and book writing and book proposal coach Lisa Tener.
Enter Today
Do you have wisdom to share? Expertise on a topic that would make a great book? Enter the Pitch Your Book to Life contest by submitting a 3-5 sentence “elevator pitch” about your book topic and win the tools to help you write a compelling book in 2012. Contest begins 4/5, ends 4/15, and public vote will be held 4/13 through 4/16. Judges will hold final vote 4/17. Winners announced 4/18.
Voting criteria
- Is it fresh?
- Exciting?
- Is there a market for it?
- What makes you the perfect author for this book?
Back Story
As with any successful endeavor, my book coaching business relies on a vibrant team. I am very fortunate to work with two recent graduates of URI who are “up” on social media and for months now, Jamie Levitt and Rachel Horwitz have been urging me to hold a facebook contest.
After returning from Harvard Medical School’s CME publishing course and hearing dozens of compelling and intriguing book ideas while serving on the book pitching panel, I’m even more excited about this opportunity to hear your amazing book ideas, provide feedback and announce our lucky–and deserving–winners.
What a great idea! Notches things up a bit for me…from thinking about it, to telling select others about it, to putting something in writing to be judged. I feel the butterflies already. I’m in!
Great, Jeannie. I look forward to seeing your pitch in the contest!
I came close to having a “Big House Publisher” literary agent. In the end, she determined my “platform” was not large enough; she didn’t feel like she could “sell it to the big house publishers in New York.” After I spent a few days licking the wounds, I decided that she was only being honest. And if she did not have the self-trust that she could sell it, I needed to continue the search for an agent who did believe in her/his ability to sell it. In my heart I knew that I had something special, and so did the initial agent; she said so. What is missing is the built-in readership. Times have changed. We must not only write the books, but now we must also build platforms and learn to be master marketers. I’m left wondering how many authors give up, toss aside an opus? How sad is it that so much genius wastes away, dormant in the drawers while pop culture produces flash-in-the-pan “literature”? Culture suffers great loss when money for promotions and pocket lining is the sole thrust for what gets published.
Jan, I hear your pain. On the other hand, many of my clients have been surprised how much they enjoy “building their platform” once they get started–it’s all about connecting with your potential readers–and that can be fun, particularly blogging. I don’t think it’s fair to say that “pocket lining” is the sole thrust for what gets published. More accurate would be that publishers need to make a profit. Self-publishing has become a very appealing option for many authors and gateway publishers can lead to traditional book deals. I would encourage you to consider that rather than “toss aside an opus,” as you put it.
Ginger Moran is a great example of an author who had more than one agent who loved her book (and agented it) but was unable to sell it. Ginger has just published with a “gateway” publisher and another agent has said she thinks she can sell the book to a major house once Ginger gets a certain number of sales under her belt. Perhaps you can try a model like that. Here’s the post with more information: https://jodieburdette.net/lisatener/2012/02/how-to-get-published-by-gateway-publishers-an-interview-with-author-ginger-moran/
Hi Lisa,
My book idea is actually a story of part of my life and how i found
an ability to answer my own questions, after years of seeking out
psychics, mediums and fortune tellers of all sorts.
When i was 12 years old my grandmother passed away.
She returned to me in a “dream” and wanted me to come with her.
(which freaked me out at that age) it took me years to understand
why she wanted me to come with her, so she could show me things
about the other side, not to have me be dead too, which is what i believed
at the time.
At 18, i found myself unexpectedly pregnant, i chose to do what i believed was
the right thing, and i got married and set up house. My dream of a happily ever
after was not meant to be, as i lost this child, had a near death experience, and
had my marriage annulled all in a short 2 month time, again it took me years and
many teachers, to finally listen to that voice inside of me that gives me messages
for myself and sometimes others.
It is a short story of part of Hope’s life, the lessons along the way and hopefully
encouragement to anyone looking for answers, and inspiration.
I would like to include a reading list of favorite and inspirational books i have read.
Also, a page of resources for people to connect with instructors and self-help info.
I would also appreciate a feedback response on this, as i am very interested and finally
ready to write this story.
Thank You,
Hope Corbett