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Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Pitching » Page 12

Pitching

When Proposing a Series of Novels

By Steve Laubeon March 27, 2017
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“Are today’s publishers more interested in an individual novel or a trilogy? Also, when submitting a proposal for the completed first novel in a planned trilogy, is it better to focus on the first novel or give an overview of the complete trilogy? Is there an upper limit to how many books should be in a series?”

These are some excellent questions submitted by both Peter and Esther.

Stand Alone versus Series

There is no firm “rule” about this. There are too many variables to be definitive. The only thing to remember is that committing to a multi-book proposal by a publisher is a long commitment. So if you are a debut novelist and the publisher is a little skittish but still wants to publish you, they may offer only a one book deal.

Are you writing a series or a serial set of books? This is an important difference. Must they be read in order? For example, Sharon Hinck’s “Sword of Lyric”, is a multi-book fantasy epic. Each story builds on the previous. These kinds of books are often numbered on the cover somewhere to indicate their serial nature.

Or can each book stand on its own? I’m thinking of Deborah Raney’s “Chicory Inn” books. Her series is five books all set in the same town but each stands on its own. They are designed to be read in any order. The setting is the connection for the “series” not the course of events. There are other “series” where it is the character that is the connection. The main character, for example, is the continuity between books. (Can you think of examples of this?)

Many authors strive to make each story complete in and of itself even when writing a serial. In other words, the novel doesn’t have a hanging ending, with a “to be continued in my next book which comes out a year from now!”

The question is “is there more interest” in one or the other? The right answer is “it depends.” Each proposal stands on its own merit.

How Many Books Can be in a Series?

The norm is three. Why? Because it is hard for a publisher to commit to more than that. Especially when sales for a series tend to be fewer as each book is released. Book one may do okay but book two traditionally sells less, and book three less than that.

There are exceptions, of course, but generally the commitment by a publisher is for three books when evaluating a series. (But to contradict myself, this year we contracted a two book series (serial), a three book trilogy (serial), and a four book series of stand-alone “connected” books.)

Another exception is when a series takes off and each subsequent book sells more than the previous. This is what publishers hope for. When it happens, greater things can happen.

The “Left Behind” series was originally a trilogy. But sales demand was so great the trilogy eventually became 13 books before it ended, published between 1995 and 2007.

A debut author will rarely get more than a three-book commitment. So don’t pitch a four or five book series to an agent. You’ll receive the above lecture.

How Do I Pitch a Series?

Focus on the first book. Follow the guidelines for a novel proposal and make that first book amazing.

But if it is a series, say so from the beginning. Then include at least a half page synopsis of the other books in the series. That way the agent or editor gets to see your talent on full display for the opening book, but also can see where your creativity is going for the rest of the series.

Reminder: If you are a debut author have the first book completely finished.

Your Turn

For our experienced readers, what has been your experience?

 

What do you think it would take for a publisher to “break the rules”?

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Category: Book Proposals, Genre, Get Published, PitchingTag: book proposals, Series, Stand Alones

WHAT Were They Thinking??

By Karen Ballon March 8, 2017
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You know, one of the things I’ve learned since becoming an agent is that people have an odd sense of what’s appropriate. Happily, quite a lot of what I receive is well prepared and enjoyable to read. But I’d have to say that anywhere from a fourth to even, on a bad week, a third, of what comes in falls squarely in the “I don’t THINK so” camp. So here, just to help you avoid such things, are some …

Read moreWHAT Were They Thinking??
Category: Book Proposals, Humor, PitchingTag: book proposals, Pitching

Should an Author Query by Phone?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 12, 2017
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Recently I was asked by an author (not a client) if I could spend “ten minutes” talking on the phone about a book before I see the submission. I prefer to see the work first. Some questions may enter the author’s mind in response to that. Here are my answers. What’s the matter, are you too “busy” or snobby to talk to authors? No, I am not. In fact, I believe most people find time to do what they …

Read moreShould an Author Query by Phone?
Category: Book Proposals, Get Published, Pitch, Pitching, The Writing LifeTag: Agents, book proposals, pitch

How Long Should You Wait for an Answer?

By Steve Laubeon October 31, 2016
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You have sent your project to an editor or an agent. Their guidelines state “We will respond within 6-8 weeks.” Do you mark your calendar on day 56 and send that person a query the minute the deadline passed? This past week one of my clients set a personal record for waiting. She was contacted by a magazine asking to publish a poem she submitted…in 1990. You read that right. …

Read moreHow Long Should You Wait for an Answer?
Category: Agents, Book Proposals, Pitching, The Writing LifeTag: Agents, book proposals

Work First, Book Second

By Dan Balowon September 27, 2016
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For successful authors of non-fiction, no one career or life-path is common. Family situations, upbringing, education and experiences are unique to each person. Listening to an author explain how they became successful is always a combination of things someone else could never duplicate perfectly. It’s like someone giving a business seminar titled, “This is how I did it.” It is rarely an exact …

Read moreWork First, Book Second
Category: Book Proposals, Branding, Marketing, Pitch, Pitching, PlatformTag: Nonfiction, Pitching, Platform

Choosing a Good Title For Your Book

By Dan Balowon August 23, 2016
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Placing a good title on a book is not as simple as one might think. In fact, some prominent books have had rather circuitous journeys to their final title. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice started out as First Impressions. Tolstoy’s All’s Well That Ends Well released to some yawns until it was re-titled and published as War and Peace. On the Road to West Egg; Under the Red, White, and Blue; …

Read moreChoosing a Good Title For Your Book
Category: Book Proposals, Branding, Craft, Get Published, Marketing, Pitching, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Titles, Writing Craft

Do You Have Perfect Pitch?

By Karen Ballon June 13, 2012
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Thanks so much for all the ideas for my mini-conferences. I’ll put those together soon.

Speaking of conferences, while I was at a writer’s retreat awhile back, I was struck, as I always am when in the company of writers, by the power of the right word used in the right way. On the first day of the conference, I had group meetings with the writers. This is where a group of writers come in, sit …

Read moreDo You Have Perfect Pitch?
Category: Book Proposals, Conferences, Get Published, Karen, PitchingTag: Conferences, Pitching, Proposals, Query Letters

Charmed, I’m Sure

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 16, 2012
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Dear Editor:
You really should meet this author! He knows all the best places to dine. I couldn't believe the fabulous meal we were served at a hole-in-the-wall place I'd never heard of until I made his acquaintance. He has also been quite generous and charming to my family. My husband and my kids have nothing but great things to say about this wonderful author!
In our meetings both in person …

Read moreCharmed, I’m Sure
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, Pitching, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Editors, Pitching, Proposals, Rejection, Tamela, Writing Craft
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