Writing To Sell: Knock ’Em Dead!

Intrigue

Captivate
Thrill
Enthrall
Grip

What do these words mean? In this case, they’re synonyms for “knock ’em dead.”

Of course, you don’t want to literally eliminate your readers. Writers need all the fans (aka readers) they can get. But the idea of “knocking” them into a chair with your book in their hands and holding them in place with your compelling story does have considerable appeal.

A man who read my latest novel recently said to me, “I want to talk to you about your book.” Looking me straight in the eye, he offered no hint of a smile. Oh, oh, I thought, here it comes. Then he continued. “I started reading it at one o’clock one afternoon and finished at one o’clock the next afternoon. I couldn’t put it down.” I let out the breath I’d been holding. He went on to say that he’d stopped reading only long enough to eat and sleep and he absolutely loved the story.

My first novel had been aimed primarily at women readers. This one, a psychological drama, targets a wider audience. I wanted to appeal to the men as well as to the women who read that genre.

When writing non-fiction, you may have an obvious niche—health care workers, organic food enthusiasts, pet lovers, travelers, retirees, sanitation workers—the list goes on and on. This “built-in” readership can guarantee sales if your book is well-written, fills a need, and is effectively promoted.

Fiction, on the other hand, appears to be another animal…but is it really? What if your protagonist or other main character is a retiree, traveler, sanitation worker, etc.? You, too, have a “built-in” audience. And what if you offer to speak to groups of these people, putting together a well-planned program that addresses their needs/concerns/interests and even includes a little humor? You can encourage audience participation, and you definitely want to have plenty of books on hand to sell. My novel features three lawyers, who, like doctors, intrigue readers. This approach is a bit different from the typical niche, but it never hurts to observe the professions that interest people and include a character or two who works in one of those fields. Whatever route you choose to capture readers, be sure to “knock ’em dead” with the power and quality of your book. Keep ’em in that chair, reading!

The publishing industry has undergone dramatic changes. In the past, it promoted writers and their works. Now book promotion falls on the shoulders of writers themselves. How do you address that new responsibility? When you start to plan your next book, do you consider your audience? How do you slant your writing to appeal to that audience? What do you do to garner sales when you have the finished product in hand? How do you “knock ’em dead”?

Editor Linda Lane has returned to her first love—writing—while maintaining her editing work. Her novels fall into the literary category because they are character driven rather than plot driven, but their quick pace reminds the reader of genre fiction. They also contain elements of romance, mystery, and thrillers. You can contact her through her websites: LSLaneBooks.com and DenverEditor.com.