Last week I offered to do an Ask Me Anything about books, book proposals, and publishing. Thanks to everyone who commented or emailed their questions to me.
Question 1: Publishers and Ghostwriting
Hi Brette, my question for your next post is about publishers that accept proposals without an agent. Have you ever helped someone submit to Sounds True? They have a proposal outline and allow submissions. Besides them and Hay House through the contests, do you know of any more? Another question I have is about ghost writing. Any ball park estimate on the cost for a ghost writer?
Answer:
It can be hard to find publishers that accept unsolicited queries because the market is so glutted with pay-to-play publishers now, and many of them do not make it clear on their site what their model is. Here is a list of some options. Be sure to read their guidelines and understand the kind of books they publish. Pay attention to their submission requirements and follow them.
University presses are another avenue to pursue.
Reedsy has a database to go through. The Writer’s Center has a short list to check out.
Additionally, the Independent Book Publishers Association has a member’s directory you can search for publishers to submit to.
Writer’s Market offers details on publishers who accept submissions
Yes, in addition to book coaching and editing, I also work as a ghostwriter. The total cost really depends on the project and the extent of it. It also depends on whether we’re starting from scratch, with me pulling things out of your brain to get your perspective/knowledge/thoughts, or if you have something already in writing. It also depends on whether it’s something I can research or if it is based on your personal experience and memories. In general, plan for a ghosting project to cost about $5000 to $10,000, depending on all of these factors.
Question 2: Sample Chapters
I know I need at least one sample chapter. But do I need two? Or can I give pieces of a bunch of chapters? How long is this supposed to be?
Answer:
If your chapters are long (5K words or more) then just send one.
If they are shorter, send two.
As for sending pieces of several chapters, I don’t usually recommend this because the editor/agent can’t get a good feel for how your chapters flow.
I know there is a temptation to send two chapters even if they are longer, but you’re either going to hook them with what they’ve read to that point or you’re not. Adding a second chapter is not going to make the sale.
Question 3: Song Lyrics
I want to mention a song in my novel but do I need permission?
Answer:
You don’t need permission to use the title of a song, book, movie, or other creative work in your book. If you want to quote part of it though, that’s where things can get a little dicey. There’s no exact rule on this, but, in general, it’s ok to use a line or two without permission. This is allowed under the fair use copyright doctrine. But you have to be careful not to use too much of the song.
Here’s an interesting example for you. Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand is actually named after a line in the song “Stone in Love” by Journey. She mentions the song in the book and the line those words are from, and it was not a copyright issue. However, she probably would not have been able to title her book Stone in Love because that would not be a minimal usage of the song. She also didn’t include the entire lyrics of the song, just the line with “Golden girl, I’ll keep you forever.”
Just for Fun
In My World
Spring is fully here, and it’s lovely to have the windows open and go places without a coat. I moved my big wooly winter socks to the back of the drawer.
Last week, I did some fun work for a textbook company on financial literacy for grade schoolers. I helped a client hone her query letter so she could start submitting her proposal. I also consulted with a new client who wrote a book and wanted information about self-publishing.
Obsessed With…
I’m watching the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale and will be sad when that’s over. Will they ever get Hannah out??
I’m also watching Etoile on Prime. The show is a bit slow at times and a bit clunky, but I’m staying for the ballet. My exposure to ballet mostly involves The Nutracker and Swan Lake, neither of which thrills me. There is a performance in this show called “Bound to” which is absolutely incredible and now has me interested in modern ballet.
Good Goods
I’ve started using cloth napkins at the dinner table. Not only does it reduce our use of paper (and I just toss them in the wash with the towels so it doesn’t create any more laundry), but it makes it all feel much more civilized even when I’m just serving defrosted soup from the freezer.