What makes your book unique? Our experts show you how to research "comp" titles and peg your niche!

Even (or especially) when your book is just a twinkle in your eye, researching what "competing" or "complementary" books are published can help you refine your niche and identify your readers. And doing comparative title research is usually a must when crafting a pitch, query, or book proposal to a traditional or hybrid publisher. 

It's a delicate dance - you need to identify how your work complements, without exactly duplicating, best-selling titles. Although fiction market genres are fairly well defined — murder/mystery, thriller, sci-fi/fantasy, literary fiction — the nonfiction market has a nearly infinite number of niches, so more consideration is required when you make the decision on how to position your nonfiction book. 

Host Mary Catherine Jones explores the subject along with guest experts Pam Sheppard, publishing coach, and her client Teri Rider, independent publisher.

CREW:

• • Producer, Charlotte Pierce, Pierce Press
  • Host, Mary Catherine Jones, Voice Over Vermont & IPNE
  • Web services, Laura Williams, GoodInklings
  • Tech Director, Samara Jones