Writing Lessons
1/10/23
Let's Netflix your book
AUTHORS are having to adapt and adjust with reader demands. That means you have to get tighter on delivering a book that is ‘on point’...
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AUTHORS are having to adapt and adjust with reader demands. That means you have to get tighter on delivering a book that is ‘on point’ with modern readers.
But this comes more into play in the packaging and selling
Who writes all those tight, clever blurbs and teasers that make you buy a book – or watch a movie? You do! Yes you, the author, delivers all the copy – teasers, blurbs, loglines, summaries. No big PR team. No clever copywriters. You.
You even do your own author interview for the publisher – I kid you not.
Publishers will send you a long author interview questionnaire and you have to fill it in and write your PR copy.
So, here’s a test. I want you to take your book and ‘Netflix it.’
Here’s what to do:
1.State your genre
2.Three words that convey the feeling / elements / sub-genre
3.Max 25 words to describe it.
I have given you some examples below:
The Firm (John Grisham)
Crime Legal
Slick. Suspenseful. Mastery
When a Harvard Law School grad joins a prestigious firm, he ignores the warning of his wife, who fears the lucrative deal may be too good to be true
The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
Thriller
Suspenseful. Exciting. Mystery
Mysterious murder. Iconic artwork. Cryptic clues. And a professor trying to unmask centuries of secrets and deception.
Seaspiracy
Documentary
Controversial. Provocative. Investigative
Passionate about ocean life, a filmmaker sets out to document the harm that humans do to marine species – and uncovers alarming global corruption.
Eat Pray Love (Elizabeth Gilbert)
Memoir
Sentimental. Romantic. Drama
After deciding to reshape her life after divorce, Liz travels around the world in search of good food, spirituality and true love
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Courtroom real life drama
Witty. Political. Controversial.
An unpopular war. A massive protest. A violent clash. They hit the streets to fight for justice. In court, they’ll make history
A Life on our Planet (David Attenborough)
Documentary
Intimate. Science and Nature. Inspiring.
Rainforests cleared. Species lost. Earth imperiled by climate change. But he knows what we must do to save the planet.
The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
Swoonworthy. Intimate. Emotional
Two young lovers are torn apart by war and class differences in the 1940s
Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn)
Slow burn. Dark. Psychological.
His marriage crumbling, Nick comes home one day to find his wife has vanished. As the police turn up the heat, shocking truths come to light.
Yours in writing,
Sarah Bullen
What are publishers looking for this year?
Once again, we turn our attention to the publishing market and the trends shaping the upcoming cycle. For authors, understanding what readers are buying is invaluable—particularly in non-fiction, which must tap into the mood of the times. That said, a book can also spark a global trend, unleashing a new concept and capturing imaginations in unexpected ways. The “Let Them Theory,” for example, demonstrates the power of fresh ideas, amplified by podcasters, social media, and celebrity influence.
Should you plan or just write?
Should you plan a book? In my view, there is only one answer: yes. If you want to publish, writing with intent matters.
In non-fiction, planning is especially critical. You will know exactly what belongs in your book, how the chapters build, and what material sits where. That outline becomes your proposal and, later, your compass for the entire manuscript.
Many writers assume novels are different. They aren’t. In fiction, your plan becomes your plot.
