Publishing a book takes more than writing a manuscript and finding an editor/publisher to accept it. Long before a manuscript gets accepted, editors look for a strong proposal. Mine, as readers are aware, took months. In developing the proposal I answered questions like, what is the book about? Why did I write it? What other titles in the market were similar?
Once my proposal was accepted and my manuscript was submitted, my editor let me know she would be sending me an author questionnaire. She warned me saying, "it's extensive." She was right. While some questions were straightforward, others required hard-thinking. I even had to reach out for help to a friend who's far better connected to the digital world of ministry/theology influencers than I am (thanks Tim Good!).
The questionnaire is really meant for those working in book design and marketing. They want to do their best to help me get my book into the hands readers. Therefore, the questionnaire asks questions in five areas:
1. My publisher wants to find out about me. Who am I and how am I situated in the world? Where do I currently have influence? For example, do I blog or have a substack? Where do I work and what are my affiliations and areas of influence? Am I connected any particular groups, schools, churches, or denominations?
2. My publisher wants to know about my audience. Who did I write the book for? What journals do they read and where do they "hang out" digitally? Which podcasts might they listen to? I think this is to help the design and marketing people to understand how to design and feature my book so that my audience will know it's written for them.
3. My publisher wants to hear what I think my book is about. Why did I write it? What do I want readers to feel when they read? What contributions does it make to the scholarly field? All of these questions help the marketers figure out how to frame the messaging to those I've identified as my primary and secondary audiences.
4. My publisher wants to know how to title and design the book cover. What is the book's vibe (yes, that's an actual question!)? Are there book covers that I'm drawn to? What illustrations and metaphors best represent my book? The front and back cover designs are the first thing people see when considering whether to read a book. If the front cover images and summary blub on the back cover appeal to my audience then they are more likely to read it.
5. My publisher wants to know how they can help me engage with my audience. Am I already connected to events where my audience gathers? Are there podcasts where I could be interviewed? What about recognized bloggers who might review my book? Do I speak anywhere? Am I open to speaking? All of these questions are meant to figure out what I am willing to do to get the message out.
I cannot say enough good about the process so far. With my first book I had very little support in getting my book into the hands of my audience. This time around, I'm with a different publisher and they are actively soliciting information that will get the word out. Even if many people don't end up reading it, just knowing they know it exists, will be great.
Here's an image of a book cover I love. I haven't read the book but I added it to the questionnaire as an example.
