By Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

Agent’s and publishers scan the Competitive Analysis section of a proposal to see if your book is similar enough to published books, yet different enough to grab those reader’s attention. It provides information on how well your book might sell.

Publishers and agents love to a well-developed, well researched CA because it can be used in your marketing plan which in turn gives you a better chance to get a contract.

Before you create your CA ALWAYS read the agent or publisher’s submission guidelines. I’ve seen proposals rejected because the author didn’t follow guidelines.

Here are a few tips to creating your Competitive Analysis

• Research
• Make a list of 7-10 books that tell the same type of story or give the same kind of information as your book.
• Look for competing books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Christian Book and other online booksellers.
• Take a trip to a brick and mortar store or library to investigate what books are on the shelf where your book would be once it’s published.  Yes, add a few bestsellers to the list. Note that traditionally published books by a larger publisher are preferred.
• Stay away from self-published books unless they’ve sold thousands in the first year. Make sure the book was published within the last 5-7 years.
• Obtain the following information from the books you chose to compare and contrast.
• Title and subtitle
• Author
• Publisher
• Copyright year
• Number of pages
• Format (paperback, hardcover, etc.)
• Price
• ISBN

Answer these questions when you write the compare and contrast portion of each book.

• How is my book similar?
• How is my book different?
• What promise does the author make to readers?
• What promise does my book make that is different/similar from the other book?
• How are my credentials similar/different from the other author?

Never criticize the other book or author.

Creating a professional book proposal takes time and effort. Many agents and publishers look at the Competitive Analysis after the Marketing Plan, because they want to know the author is informed and ready to promote their book.

For more information on the top three sections agents and publishers https://www.blueridgeconference.com/top-three-thirty/

For a book proposal breakdown,  check out this blog. All the sections and links are listed at the end of the article.

https://www.blueridgeconference.com/book-proposal-basics-for-writers-part-6-three-chapters/

If the proposal seems too daunting, invest in hiring a professional to create one for you.

God called you to write and he will provide all your needs. If you haven’t joined the Blue Ridge conference Writers Community on Facebook, we’d love to answer your questions, pray for you and encourage you.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1731238910491977

Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award-winning writer, coach, editor, and speaker. As former managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest. Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. Her work in progress, Accidental Findings, won the first 10 pages award with, When Words Count Retreat. You can find her published in Blue Ridge Writers Blog, Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh, and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to award-winning, Get to the Margins-Author Anthology; Breaking the Chains; Heart Reno, Kiss Guilt Goodbye; and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books. Her latest book, Shine Don’t Whine, released October 2020. Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her eighteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 22 years. Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats. You will often find her on the beach sea glass hunting.