When writing a manuscript and preparing it for publication, it’s important to see your work as more than just text on paper. Your book will be a packaged product that must appeal to very choosy readers. In addition to getting your manuscript professionally edited prior to publishing, there are several things authors can do to make their published book the best it can be. A well-polished book doesn’t just rely on good writing—it needs to be presented in a way that entices readers to make a purchase. Here are eight ways to enhance your manuscript prior to publication, to ensure your book will stand out in the crowded marketplace:
Pop-out quotes—also known as pull quotes—are a great way to break up text and add an extra layer of interest to your book. These are carefully selected excerpts from the book that are highlighted in a larger or different font on the page. They can serve multiple purposes:
• Emphasize a key point• Highlight important dialogue• Capture a compelling description
When carefully chosen, pop-out quotes can draw readers in and encourage them to keep reading. If your book is non-fiction, pop-out quotes can help highlight key points or actionable advice, making it easier for readers to skim and get to the core takeaways. For fiction, they can be used to highlight particularly gripping or thought-provoking lines of dialogue or description.
To use pull-quotes effectively in your book:
1. Select impactful, short phrases or sentences from your text2. Visually separate them from the main body copy by using a larger font size, bold formatting, or a different typeface3. Place them strategically on the page to grab the reader's attention
When carefully chosen, pop-out quotes can draw readers in and encourage them to keep reading.
By incorporating pop-out quotes into your manuscript, you not only enhance the book visually, but also give it a more professional and polished feel. In addition, these quotes can be used on your book’s cover, in your marketing materials, or on branded merchandise.
An endorsement, also known as a testimonial, is a statement of support from an expert, thought-leader, or established author that lends credibility to a book. When authors include one on a book’s cover, in the front matter, and in marketing copy, it can increase reader respect for the work and encourage them to consider making a purchase. Endorsements act as social proof, boosting your credibility and increasing the chances that an agent, publisher, or reader will take your work more seriously.
Getting a meaningful endorsement can be as simple as just asking for one, but most of the time it requires careful planning, research, and composing a thoughtful request. Some groups of individuals to consider researching and contacting for an endorsement include established authors in your genre, relevant industry experts, and social influencers.
Another way to start building credibility for your book and provide social proof is to garner early reviews from beta readers, bloggers, or professional review outlets. Reviews differ from endorsements because they are objective, meaning they are unbiased critiques. Acquiring feedback from these sources can help you refine your manuscript while also providing valuable content for your book cover and marketing initiatives. For example, positive critiques from early readers can be included in your book blurb, social media posts, and pitch materials, showing there is interest in your book and creating a buzz for its release. When submitting to a literary agent or traditional publisher, having positive reviews can show your work has an audience and is marketable.
Beta Readers: These are individuals you ask to read your book manuscript and provide feedback before you send it off for professional editing. They may be from your network of followers, fellow writers, coworkers, clients, and more. These readers are the perfect candidates to provide an early review.
Bloggers or Influencers: A book blogger is defined as an avid reader who writes or blogs about specific book genres on a regular basis to a constantly growing audience. Social media influencers are often “vloggers” with a large following who are recording videos about the books they read, and sharing these videos on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
Professional Review Outlets: Reputable outlets like newspapers and trade magazines or online journals provide independent reviews that are trusted by librarians, agents, and book buyers to guide them in their book acquisition efforts. Some of the more popular outlets include Kirkus Reviews, Publisher’s Weekly, Foreword Reviews, and Booklist.
The “book blurb” is the summary that goes on the back cover of a book and is typically 200-words or less. While the book’s front cover has the important role of grabbing attention with a catchy title and imagery, the back cover has the challenging task of “closing the deal” with an enticing blurb. A great book blurb gives only enough details to intrigue potential readers while leaving them wanting more.
Fiction and memoir authors need to “hook” potential readers with their blurb by identifying what is most unique or interesting about their story’s plot or characters. It should allude to the main character’s conflict and what is at stake in the story, allowing them to tap into the emotions of readers. Nonfiction authors need to make it clear in their blurb whom the book is intended for and the benefits to this reader. It should “hook” the potential reader with something unique or interesting about the topic or subject being explored, or the problem being solved.
The “book description” is the expanded version of the back cover blurb and is typically found on the online sales page for the book or on the author’s website. Authors should have multiple versions and lengths of the book description to address different needs.
The "About the Author" or author biography can be just as crucial as a book blurb in convincing a reader to buy your book. It is a valuable tool that helps agents, publishers, media outlets, or potential readers get a sense of who you are and why your book will be a great read. This is your chance to convey not only your relevant qualifications, but also your passion for writing.
Whether you are a new author or a more established one, there are four main things you should try to accomplish with your author biography:
Establish your authority: Share any credentials, areas of expertise, or awards that validate your ability to write on the topic or tell the story.Reveal your “why”: Let readers know why you chose this topic or story, and why your perspective on it matters.Share something personal: Are there interesting or relevant aspects of your background that might be intriguing to readers? Or, do you have hobbies or passions you want readers to know about? Sharing something personal allows readers to connect with you. Point to where they can find out more: If you have an online presence – and we highly recommend you do – include your author website address or a couple of your social media handles at the end. This important “call to action” will hopefully entice readers to learn more.
A succinct, well-written author biography that communicates who you are, what you’ve done, and why you’re qualified to write the book will give you an edge. As with a book description, authors should have multiple versions and lengths of their author biography to address various needs.
A book’s title acts as a first impression for potential readers, and, in just a few short seconds, they will decide whether or not they are interested in turning the book over to learn more. The title of a book also factors into how discoverable it is online. Here are four key elements of an effective book title
Genre accuracy: Some genres are known for using one or two-word titles while others use longer, more descriptive titles. There are even font types that are used by certain genres. When paired with the cover artwork, your title should clearly indicate what type of book the potential reader is purchasing.Relevancy to the story or topic: Your book’s title must be relevant to the content contained within, or you risk disappointing readers and getting negative reviews.Keyword discoverability: Keywords are the words or phrases that potential readers will type in the search bar on platforms like Google or Amazon to look for a book like yours. Think about the words that someone would use to describe your book, and consider using a keyword or two in your title or subtitle that will lead readers to your book.Memorable and intriguing: One way to make your book stand out is to use a title that is catchy and easy to remember. You can do this by using techniques such as a play on words, alliteration, popular phrases, or even humor. To create intrigue, think about your book’s “hook” that is going to grab readers.
Nonfiction book titles typically have a short main title and then a longer subtitle that is more descriptive. The main title should draw the potential reader in and the subtitle should “hook” them with the specific benefits of reading the book. Fiction book titles allow for a little more creative freedom. The book’s genre should factor into titling a novel, and authors can look to their characters, setting, time period, plot, or main conflict for inspiration.
Before submitting your book for publication, we recommend doing thorough research into what books are selling well in your genre. Look carefully at the cover artwork, title, and interior design of these books. Are you seeing some commonalities? A great cover design isn’t just visually appealing, it also clearly conveys the book’s genre and tone, and entices the potential reader to learn more about what’s inside. Once they open the book, they should see a well-designed interior with the appropriate front and back matter, clear headings, and easy-to-read fonts. How the content is packaged and presented are key to creating a great reader experience.
This research can also help you build a list of comparable books. These are books similar to yours that appeal to the same audience. This list will help you identify your target readers, make decisions about how you package your own content, and strategize how you will reach these readers. If you do plan to pursue a traditional publishing path, literary agents and publishers will likely ask for your list of comparable books to confirm there is a market for your work.
As you are researching book covers and interior layouts in your genre, be sure to document the elements and designs that appeal to you and can apply to your book. Consider factors such as color choices, fonts, imagery, and overall composition. Does a minimalist design appeal to you more than an intricate one? Do you prefer covers that use illustrations or photography?
Understanding what resonates with you can help guide your decisions as you prepare your manuscript for submission. When working with cover and interior designers later on in the process, whether freelancers or in-house designers, knowing what appeals to you will give you a clearer vision of how you want your book to be presented. You’ll want to be prepared to communicate the following to your designers:
• A summary of what your book is about (themes, key messages, major plot points, or characters), and how your cover might reflect that• The colors, fonts, and other design elements you prefer• At least 3 examples of covers in your genre that you like and want to emulate• Your budget and the ideal timeline for completion• What formats and trim size you are publishing and how they will be published (different printers and online platforms may have different file requirements)• Your ISBNs and any other information required for barcodes
Enhancing your book prior to publication isn’t just about perfecting the text. It’s about packaging your content in a way that maximizes its potential in a competitive marketplace. These eight strategies will help you take your manuscript and published book from good to great, and increase your chances of building a readership. With careful attention to detail and presentation, you’ll be putting your best foot forward as you move to the next phase of your publishing journey. Ready to start building your author platform? It’s never too early! Check out this Ask Sheila post.
Enhancing your book prior to publication isn’t just about perfecting the text. It’s about packaging your content in a way that maximizes its potential in a competitive marketplace. These eight strategies will help you take your manuscript and published book from good to great, and increase your chances of building a readership. With careful attention to detail and presentation, you’ll be putting your best foot forward as you move to the next phase of your publishing journey.
Ready to start building your author platform? It’s never too early! Check out this Ask Sheila post.
Photo credit: alano design via Getty ImagesPhoto credit: 1001Love via Getty ImagesPhoto credit: herstockart via Getty ImagesPhoto credit: M_a_y_a via Getty Images
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