|
Are you an expert with some aspect of dog or horses? Do you have a book idea you would like to present. Email your query letter and outline to alpinepubl@aol.com. Completed manuscripts or queries consisting of two or more chapters must be mailed to: Acquisitions, Alpine Publications, Inc., 38262 Linman Road, Crawford, CO 81415.
As you may know, the economic woes have affected publishing right along with other U.S. industries. Many publishers are temporarily ceasing new acquisitions for a time. Alpine Publications will continue to accept a limited number of new titles. However, after 34 years in the publishing business, Alpine Publications is returning to our roots. For the next few years our focus will be on very specific, in-depth non-fiction how-to subjects on dogs and horses for which there is a proven need.
We will not be accepting any broad-spectrum books and no fiction or non-fiction story books. A number of authors have contacted us about children’s books. We do not have a children’s book line at this time. However, if anyone is interested in having a children’s dog or horse story published at their expense, we will consider offering assistance and distribution through our regular channels.
HOW TO BEGIN
1. DO YOUR RESEARCH
Before you begin to write, survey similar available titles. Check for books on the same subject in Books in Print at the library first, then look on the web at Barnes&Noble.com, Amazon.com, DogWise.com, and other booksellers. If there are titles on the same subject that you are proposing to write, purchase or borrow a copy through interlibrary loan service. Find out if your approach is original, you have more current information, more depth of subject matter, more expertise in the field, or something else that will give your book a definite edge. If not, choose another subject for your book.
****TIPS FROM THE TOP*****
From AUTHOR101 (tm) by Rick Frishman and Robyn Freedman Spizman
Finding Your Niche as an Author
Before you begin to create your promotional plans, identify and understand your niche. Distinguish your book from the 300,000 titles that will be published in the same year; find the special features that make your book unlike anything else on the market. Research the competition and all similar books in your field to understand why yours is special, how it's different, and why it's better. Then concentrate on that niche in writing your book.
"Every day, the media receives tons of calls regarding authors," New York City publicist Brian Feinblum of Planned Television Arts, disclosed. "They're contacted about diet books; first-time novels; tomes on how to make money, improve relationships, and cook up 500 tasty recipes. In one week, it's not uncommon for a writer or producer to be hit on by several people regarding each of those genres. So make your book stand out by knowing and being able to explain its uniqueness. Think about linking it to your work, to who you are, to your experiences, your credentials, uniqueness, and personality. If you want to stand out, speak with a unique voice."
Writers who understand how their books fit in the market usually write and promote their books more successfully. "An author who understands where his or her book fits is a total asset," Danielle Chiotti, senior editor at Kensington Publishing, revealed. "My most successful authors are the ones with the clearest visions. They understand who their competitors are and what their market is."
As an authority, you are expected to know your field inside out. It's your job to know what's happening in your area and where your book will fit. "A writer writing a book should own or have read every book on the subject," Diane Reverand, editor at St. Martin's Press, declared. Authors must know what books will be sitting next to theirs on bookshelves and how their books differ. To create the most successful works, they should know the strong points of other books as well as their weaknesses. Then they can zero in on their own particular niche and write better books or attract different readers than their neighbors and competitors do.
Reprinted from "Rick Frishman's Author 101 Newsletter" Subscribe at: http://www.author101.com
2. MAKE AN OUTLINE
Begin with a statement of purpose—why you are writing and who you are writing for? Then make a topic outline of the subjects you want to cover. Circulate your outline among others in the field to see if they have additional suggestions.
3. WRITE A SUMMARY
Why is your book different, who will want to buy it and why, why are you the one best qualified to write it, and what "take-away value" will the reader get from the book, i.e., learn a skill, get never before published information, etc.
4. SEND A QUERY LETTER
Query first before you submit a manuscript, providing the information above. This will help the publisher make an educated decision about whether they want to consider your book.
TIPS FOR WRITERS
We recommend that you obtain a copy of the following books:
- The Chicago Manual of Style
, University of Chicago Press. (Available at most bookstores) This is the style manual that Alpine follows for all copy editing.
- Edit Yourself,
Bruce Ross-Larson. W. W. Norton & Co., NY. Very helpful. Includes instruction on making a style sheet, tightening your writing, and common errors to avoid.
- 1001 Ways to Market Your Book,
John Kremer. Open Horizons, Fairfield, IA. Read this because a book cannot truly succeed unless the author is involved with marketing.
|
