Tuesday Tips: Timely Themes, Hot Topics & Global Concepts

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Tuesday Tips: Timely Themes, Hot Topics & Global Concepts

Welcome to my new series on nonfiction book proposals. Over the next several Tuesday Tips I'll cover some of the meat-and-potatoes of choosing topics, researching ideas, and putting together a winning nonfiction book proposal. While I write primarily about pets, the same ingredients for your nonfiction book stew are the same–it's just the seasoning and presentation that may vary. I've given this talk at any number of writers conferences over the years. After writing 23 nonfiction pet books, I've experimented with several ways of creating nonfiction proposals and some work better than others. Once I found something that worked, few of the basics have changed.

Last week discussed the IDEA TREE. Today we're covering topic choice.

Can't...keep...the secret...any longer!

TIMELY THEMES, HOT TOPICS

"Where do you get your ideas?" That's a question every author I know gets asked time after time. Because all of you bling-followers are such fantastic folks and know how to KEEP A SECRET (shhhhhhhhh!), I'll share with you how every successful author gets their ideas. Lean close to the computer now, and read quietly and pinky-promise you won't spill the beans. Because we authors are stingy about who we let into the club and not even bribes (CHOCOLATE) with spectacular benefits (BLING-ICITY) and good taste (CHEETOS and SPARKLY CAT SOCKS) will get you this info anywhere else. Are you ready? Here's the secret.

Successful authors get book ideas from the IDEA BOOK, and you only get a copy and key to the inner sanctum by joining the club and paying dues (chocolate, bling, cheetos et al).

Okay, I'm a sick, twisted puppy and had my little fun. Now on to the real answer.

Authors get ideas anywhere and everywhere. Ideas trip you up crossing the street or falling asleep or arguing with your kid/pet or watching a sunset. Ideas gob-smack you when least expected. When looking for nonfiction topics there are three prime fishing holes for me:

1. Newspapers, Magazines, Media

What's in the news? Read headlines, not just the first page but the back of the book. Often the best ideas are those buried deep in the magazine or in some esoteric blog link or online article. Several years ago, cloning pets was the biggest NO-SH*T??? concept around. With the Missyplicity Project and CopyCat Program in my own back yard in Texas, it had to go in a book. Oh, and on the Pet Peeves radio show Cloning Around.

"And then he said...and then I said...and are you LISTENING?!"

2. Eavesdrop

Hey, fiction writers do this all the time. They listen for dialogue, emotional tags, quirks of conversation and more that offer texture and realism to a made-up-story. Nonfiction authors should do this, too. But rather than just listen for the dialogue or how X's eyebrow caterpillars his brow when excited (okay, that's a bit much…), listen to WHAT they talk about. Water cooler conversations are rich in what interests the masses. Is it a topic that could be a book? or part of a book? If people are talking, you should listen.

3. Fairy Gifts

I'm talking serendipity–not my cat's name but those "happy accidents" that just happen. Watch out for unexpected opportunities. How many people shared funny cat (or dog) pictures and created silly captions for holiday or other events? ICANHAZCheezburger took that concept to the next level with website, blog, and books galore.

Big ideas mean a larger readership.

THE GLOBAL CONCEPT

Once you have your idea (from your own persona IDEA BOOK or whatever) ask yourself these questions:

Is it "Big Enough" for a book?

My pet cloning idea was great but seriously, could I write a whole book about the subject? No. It became a part of a larger work that encompassed a variety of "cutting edge" care for pets. But that cloning concept still made for a great hook and marketing bullet that got some attention when Pet Care in the New Century appeared.

Competition

Are other books on the topic available? That's actually a GOOD THING because it means an audience exists. When existing books already do a good job of covering the topic, you'll need a "fresh take" on this proven subject.

Beware book ideas that have never been done–there's usually a very good reason why. Perhaps the topic is too narrow to interest a large readership. Or perhaps there have never before been experts able to bring the topic to public attention. Are you that expert? If not, are experts available that you can access?

Where do you find your book ideas? If you write articles, are there topics that stick in your brain and won't let you go–is that a potential starting point for a book? For columnists and bloggers, do your followers clamor for more and more? Would a compilation of your work make a great book? Remember, "Marley & Me" evolved from previously published newspaper columns.

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