So at my last SCBWI meeting, we had a presentation on how to increase your book’s marketability. It applied for both query pitches and for those already published. There was definitely some good advice in there, like “think like a teacher” and “think of it as Pandering 101.” Some other good tips:
*Indicate a marketing platform in your query; even one sentence helps
*Come up with a teaching guide and market to history and world culture classes
*Use your network and get endorsements from fellow writers/illustrators/field professionals
*Look for clubs and societies willing to offer awards for your book. Find a “hub” and push the book on it
*Get postcards and mass mail things at the beginning of the school year. Libraries may purchase the book, or possibly invite you for a visit if you indicate you’re open for it.
Good knowledge, all. But, these were all middle or YA historical, animal, or contemporary fiction. Things that easily slip into the niche of school. But me, being a fantasy author, raised my hand and voiced my one pressing question: “What if you’re writing things like fantasy, sci-fi, or horror? None of those genres lend themselves to the whole school thing very well.”
The lecturer blinked and said, “Fantasy? Well, you’ve got you’re work cut out for you.” That was kind of it. She moved on to the finer points of how having a variety of food in your stories can help you find that marketing niche.
So … fantasy can’t be taken seriously from an educational standpoint? What a downer. I mean, I have to admit even in professional writing circles, fantasy feels like “Oh, you write fantasy? That’s so neat.” Neat meaning “cute” or some other four letter word. I got the gist of what she was saying, and I know it can be applied to the fantasy genre, I’m just dismayed that so-called “make-believe” genres were so easily dismissed out of hand. That’s not to say schools wouldn’t have their own similar bias, too, but I’d like to point out that the fantasy writers who don’t abide by the “A Wizard Did It” rule do their research. Lots of it.
I myself have done extensive reading on medieval horse breeds, their armor, and their training, which would allow me to market to historical societies, ren faires, and equine conventions. I know about the Mongols, about how war dogs were used, successful battle tactics, medieval weaponry and black power weapons, and a LOT of mythology and history. But because I use it in fantastic context, it can’t be taken seriously? I don’t believe that. And I don’t think anyone else writing should, either. The same tactics mentioned above can be used; just like everything else, you can find your hub.
I guess you should just be prepared for more resistance than usual.
