• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Interview with Steve Laube
    • Statement of Faith
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Guidelines
  • Authors
    • Who We Represent
    • Awards and Recognition
  • Resources
    • Recommended Reading
    • Christian Writers Market Guide Online
    • Christian Writers Institute
    • Writers Conferences
    • Freelance Editorial Services
    • Copyright Resources
    • Research Tools
    • Selling What You Write
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Twitter
  • FaceBook
  • RSS Feed
  • Get Published
  • Book Proposals
  • Book Business
  • Writing Craft
    • Conferences
    • Copyright
    • Craft
    • Creativity
    • Grammar
  • Fun Fridays
Home » book proposals » Page 8

book proposals

Selecting the Right Comp Titles

By Dan Balowon November 10, 2015
Share
Tweet
17

Whenever you write a proposal for an agent or editor, you are asked to include a section of previously published books that are similar in theme or style to yours.

In the guidelines section for proposals submission on our website (link provided below), we say it this way:

“A listing of other books available that are similar to yours and a brief explanation of how yours is both different and/or better.”

Being aware of the “competition” should be important as you write your book and take the next steps to publication.

Identifying appropriate comparable titles is tricky. It is much more of an “art” than simply looking something up online. Here are some suggestions to get started with your list:

  1. Do it online – going to a physical store to browse for comparable titles will be time-consuming and never truly helpful to you. Stores do not carry as many titles as Amazon. The book jacket is not as important as sales rank and reader reviews.
  2. Use Amazon Advance Search – it is in the toolbar there in the book section. You can look for key words, check lists of best-sellers and come up with a nice initial list. You can sort the search results using various criteria.
  3. Take time to do it right – read at least one of the closest comparable titles, especially if the closest comparable title is a well-known book.
  4. Don’t use Indie-pub titles as comparables – few have significant enough sales or credibility to make an agent or editor impressed. Remember, you are talking to agents who sell to traditional publishers. Using indie-published titles as comps does not communicate good information. Unintentionally, you might be stating all the titles most like your book are not published by traditional publishers.
  5. Don’t compare to really old titles. Twenty years should be a cutoff. That’s after 1995. (In a few months shift to 1996!)
  6. Find titles that have sold relatively well and have some good reader reviews – If every title you select has just a few reviews and an Amazon rank in the seven digits, you are not helping yourself.
  7. Include the title, author, publisher and year of release in your list.
  8. Don’t get too negative about a comp title – putting something down to elevate your book is never attractive.
  9. Don’t get too positive about your book – be very specific how your book differs or compares. Use fewer adjectives than you might want in your explanation. Less hype, more business-like.
  10. Be reasonable – major best-selling titles are a double edged sword as comps. Favorably comparing your title to Harry Potter will be dismissed by everyone and not helpful. It could actually work against you as agents or editors feel you are unrealistic. Unless of course, you are writing a fantasy series for kids about a training school for wizards.

Why do we ask for comparables?

We desperately want to categorize your book, much to your chagrin I am sure, because in your mind, your work is unique.

No matter how creative you are, we need comp titles. Everyone needs to know what and how to think about your book and the best way is to compare it to something else that is reasonably familiar.

Every book ever written is like another book in some fashion.

Comparable titles are a key element in the proposal process. Take time to do it right and the drive toward publication might speed up a little.

And when other authors start using your book as a comparable title for their work, the circle will be complete!

See more at: https://stevelaube2.wpengine.com/guidelines/

Leave a Comment
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Comparisons

What Makes You Special?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 10, 2015
Share
Tweet20
17

Authors have many reasons for writing a particular book. Sometimes those reasons feel so natural you don’t stop to think about them. However, in this market, it’s important to distinguish yourself from other authors and submissions. For nonfiction, you want to show you are an authority on your topic, or that an authority is willing to endorse you. Examples: You are a Christian psychologist using …

Read moreWhat Makes You Special?
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Get Published, Qualifications

Proposals: Comparing Your Writing to Icons

By Karen Ballon September 2, 2015
Share
Tweet
7

Awhile ago, I was reviewing a proverbial stack of nonfiction and fiction proposals. As I read them, I noticed something. And I saw that something again just recently as I read over proposals during a series of 15-minute meetings with conferees at a writers’ conference. What was that something? In their proposals, more and more writers are comparing their work to icons in publishing. As in: “My …

Read moreProposals: Comparing Your Writing to Icons
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Comparisons

Authors: Seeking Approval

By Dan Balowon July 28, 2015
Share
Tweet
27

Depending on my current situation or environment, I might see something entirely different than another time when I read a passage of Scripture. The Bible is a like a diamond, with light of different colors shining through various facets depending on how you turn it and look through. I am turning one Scriptural “diamond” today to see something in a little different light. When Jesus walked to the …

Read moreAuthors: Seeking Approval
Category: Awards, Book Proposals, Branding, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Endorsements, Get Published

I Just Deleted Your Proposal without Reading It

By Karen Ballon July 22, 2015
Share
Tweet
48

A caveat: I realize those of you who read our blog on a regular basis likely don’t need the following information. You guys do it right. But if nothing else, now you have a place to direct all those folks who ask you, “How do I put together a professional proposal?” Okay, on with the blog. A month or so ago I sat down to tackle a gargantuan number of proposals that had been awaiting review. I …

Read moreI Just Deleted Your Proposal without Reading It
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Get Published, Rejection

Setting Yourself Apart

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 25, 2015
Share
Tweet25
23

Unfortunately, even though I’d love to represent each writer I’m fond of and enjoy hanging out with, I can’t represent everyone for a variety of reasons. That’s okay. CBA has many agents and authors, and God has a plan for all of us. But let”s say you hope your proposal rises to the top of my stack. Here are a few tips when submitting: 1.) Please follow our …

Read moreSetting Yourself Apart
Category: Book Proposals, Conferences, Get Published, MarketingTag: book proposals, Get Published

Your Publishing History: Tell Me Everything

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 4, 2015
Share
Tweet14
13

When I review proposals, one element often missing is publishing history. How do I know this? I own a computer. With a Keyboard. And a Search Engine. Guess What? So do All The Editors. Granted, not every proposal piques my interest enough for me to do a search. But when I get that far, I must search your name to see your publishing history whether you have offered it or not. Because believe me, if …

Read moreYour Publishing History: Tell Me Everything
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Get Published

Wanted: Authors (Apply Within)

By Dan Balowon June 2, 2015
Share
Tweet34
18

A book proposal sent to an agent is like applying for a job as an author. Comparing how applying for a job and pitching an agent for your book proposal are similar is my task today. I think some authors believe that pitching an agent is a mysterious process involving passwords, magical keys or some sort of ceremonial sacrificial offering. It couldn’t be further from the truth. Sometimes a …

Read moreWanted: Authors (Apply Within)
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Get Published

Ramp Up That Book Description!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 19, 2015
Share
Tweet32
10

Today, let’s try a fun exercise to ramp up your book description in your proposal, which may in turn help your publisher’s marketing team ramp up your book sales! Bland: When a man gives a woman a large ring, she is torn about telling him about her past. What she doesn’t know is that he has a secret, too. Note that this example doesn’t hint at the book’s setting or …

Read moreRamp Up That Book Description!
Category: Book Proposals, Branding, Get Published, MarketingTag: Book Descriptions, book proposals, Marketing

But My Book is Unique!

By Dan Balowon January 20, 2015
Share
Tweet37
9

Excerpt from author cover letter: (not real) “Dear (Agent or Publisher), The enclosed book proposal contains never-before-seen information to help the most important of all human relationships. It identifies six different kinds of languages of love, combines the findings of extensive studies from all cultures and is endorsed by every important person living within one hundred miles of my home. It …

Read moreBut My Book is Unique!
Category: Book Proposals, Creativity, Get Published, Writing CraftTag: book proposals, Get Published
  • Previous
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 6
  • Page 7
  • Page 8
  • Page 9
  • Page 10
  • Page 11
  • Next

Sidebar

Get Blog Updates

Enter your email address to get new blog updates delivered via email. You can unsubscribe at any time.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Grow as a Writer


Find Out More →

Popular Posts

Top Posts on Book Proposals
  • Hints for a Great Cover Letter
  • The Keys to a Great Book Proposal
  • What Steve Laube is Looking For
  • Book Proposals I’d Love to See – Tamela Hancock Murray
  • What I’m Looking for – Bob Hostetler
  • What I’m Looking for – Dan Balow
  • What I’m Looking for – Lynette Eason
  • What’s the Best Way to Submit My Self-Published Book?
  • What Is the Agent Doing While I Wait?
  • God Gave Me This Blog Post
Top Posts on The Business Side
  • When Your Book Becomes Personal
  • The Myth of the Unearned Advance
  • How Long Does it Take to Get Published?
  • What Are Average Book Sales?
  • Can You Plagiarize Yourself?
  • Never Burn a Bridge
  • Who Decides to Publish Your Book?
  • That Conference Appointment
  • Goodbye to Traditional Publishing?
  • Who Owns Whom in Publishing?
  • Ten Commandments for Working with Your Agent
  • Writers Beware! Protect Yourself
Top Series
  • Book Proposal Basics
  • Publishing A-Z
  • A Defense of Traditional Publishing
Top Posts on Rejection
  • The Slush Pile: Enter at Your Own Risk
  • Even the Best Get Rejected
  • Five Reasons Why You May Never Get Published
  • The Unhelpful Rejection Letter
  • Writers Learn to Wait

Blog Post Archives by Month

  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Interview with Steve Laube
    • Statement of Faith
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Guidelines
  • Authors
    • Who We Represent
    • Awards and Recognition
  • Resources
    • Recommended Reading
    • Christian Writers Market Guide Online
    • Christian Writers Institute
    • Writers Conferences
    • Freelance Editorial Services
    • Copyright Resources
    • Research Tools
    • Selling What You Write
  • Blog
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 · The Steve Laube Agency · All Rights Reserved · Website by Stormhill Media