Why Would Someone Want to Read Your Book?

You probably know why you’re writing your book. But do you have a good handle on what would make someone want to read it?

It’s important for you to not only know this, but make sure it comes through any time you’re talking about your book — pitching it, writing a query, writing a proposal — the WHY must come through loud and clear.

This has occurred to me as I’ve been taking pitches at several online writers’ conferences lately. I can see that the writer is passionate about their topic. I can see why they wanted to write about it. But they haven’t convinced me that anyone is going to want to read it. They haven’t convinced ME that I want to read it.

Take a step outside of yourself. Understand who your target reader is. Figure out how to talk about your book in a way that makes that reader say, “Wow — I REALLY want to read it!”

Unfortunately, many of the pitches I hear sound uninteresting, or unoriginal, or so personal and specific that it would be hard to find an audience outside of the writer herself.

Between the title/subtitle, the hook or elevator pitch, and the brief overview (or back-cover copy), it should be obvious who your book would appeal to and why they’d want to read it.

It’s a challenge! It takes some thinking.

So, tell me. Why would someone want to read your book?

If you should decide to invest in some personalized counsel, I offer coaching for unpublished authors here: My Coaching Services

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