Also, titled...
"Questions Every Manuscript Must Answer"
As an editor, one of my responsibilities is to review or critique manuscripts to determine if they are ready to be published and their potential salability. Over the years, I have probably reviewed thousands of book proposals and manuscripts and have only published a small fraction of them. In many instances, as I approach the proposal or manuscript, I am unable to effectively review or critique the work because the author has not adequately answered some very simple but important questions that must be answered in the beginning (preface, introduction, or first chapter) of most nonfiction books. If these questions are not answered in the first few pages, I am already able to draw a conclusion: "Author, you have some work to do if you want this to be a book that will sell."
As you begin to formulate the main topic of your book and your target audience, these are the other equally important questions you, your book proposal, and your manuscript should be able to answer for the editor you are submitting your book to and the reader who you may plan to sell directly to if you are self-publishing. They are not in any particular order:
1. What qualifies you to write this book? Why should the reader believe that you have unique and credible knowledge about what they are reading? Why should they trust you?
2. Who is this book for?
3. What do you want the reader to gain from your book?
4. What are the ways, methods, steps, tips, suggestions, or anecdotes that will get them to where you want them to be? What bridge will you build for them throughout your book to get them from where they are to where they want to be?
5. Why are you writing this book? What is your goal? What do you hope to see this book accomplish in the world or your sphere of influence? What will it add to a person’s life?
6. What kind of book are you writing? Self-help, personal testimony, how-to, memoir, etc.
7. Why is your message special/important? What is your unique selling point?
I have reviewed manuscripts where none of these questions could be answered. So as far as I could tell there was no book, and as I read it I felt confused and lost. And if I felt that way, how would the target reader feel? The writer has to be clear on the end result. What do you want your readers to feel, do, think, or look like by the end of your book? Let them know what you hope they will take away from your perspective on a particular issue or topic. Readers like to know initially what they are getting into. If they can't know this up front, they won't buy. And if you can't answer these questions either, you may not have the well-organized, well-written book you hoped to have.
Developing a book concept takes time and wise strategy. There are many self-helps to aid you. They may come in the form of great blogs, books, workshops, conferences, and more on how to write an awesome book. You can even join a writer's group or hire a professional. It is not that you are expected to know everything upon declaring, "I want to write a book!" It's that upon that declaration, you will seek out the resources you need to make a dream a successful reality. No one sets out to fail. With research, hard work, humility, and a hunger that is hard to satisfy, you can develop a fantastic concept that wows editors and meets the need of the people who need your book the most.
Your being able to know your book and your audience better than anyone else is your way of saying, "I believe in my message. I know my book matters. I know it will change lives in a special way. Here's how."