Comparable Titles: What They Are, Why Writers Need Them, and How to Find (and Pitch!) Ones that are Irresistible
11/02/22 • 37 min
After writing a book comes publishing it, and to do so (or if you want to do it well), you need to know your target readers and the market. One of the most important tools a writer, literary agent, editor, and publisher uses to give a quick, clear, and catchy idea of what a story is about—and what everyone can predict for sales—is comparable titles (or comps). That’s what Abigail covers in this episode. She pulls from her first-hand experience as an editorial intern and various insightful articles (linked below) to teach:
- 📖 What are comparable titles (comps)?
- 📖 Why do you need them if you want to publish your book?
- 📖 4 easy ways to find noteworthy comps
- 📖 4 essential requirements to verify if you have strong comps
- 📖 More!
Resources reference in this episode:
- Comp Title—An Elevator Pitch for Your Book by Andrea Bachofen
- How to Find Compelling Comps for Your Book by Star Wuerdemann
- 10 Ways to Personalize Your Query to Agents by Carly Watters
- Must-Knows When Picking Comparable Titles by Abigail K. Perry
Want to sign up for Book Notes (a virtual book club with Savannah Gilbo and Abigail)?
- Learn more (and join us!) at: www.savannahgilbo.com/book-club
After writing a book comes publishing it, and to do so (or if you want to do it well), you need to know your target readers and the market. One of the most important tools a writer, literary agent, editor, and publisher uses to give a quick, clear, and catchy idea of what a story is about—and what everyone can predict for sales—is comparable titles (or comps). That’s what Abigail covers in this episode. She pulls from her first-hand experience as an editorial intern and various insightful articles (linked below) to teach:
- 📖 What are comparable titles (comps)?
- 📖 Why do you need them if you want to publish your book?
- 📖 4 easy ways to find noteworthy comps
- 📖 4 essential requirements to verify if you have strong comps
- 📖 More!
Resources reference in this episode:
- Comp Title—An Elevator Pitch for Your Book by Andrea Bachofen
- How to Find Compelling Comps for Your Book by Star Wuerdemann
- 10 Ways to Personalize Your Query to Agents by Carly Watters
- Must-Knows When Picking Comparable Titles by Abigail K. Perry
Want to sign up for Book Notes (a virtual book club with Savannah Gilbo and Abigail)?
- Learn more (and join us!) at: www.savannahgilbo.com/book-club
Previous Episode
First Chapters: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
We're back with the final episode!
Abigail sits down with certified editor and book coach Savannah Gilbo to discuss and analyze the first chapter of HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS.
This is a particularly special episode in the series being the final Harry Potter book and first chapter episode, as well as Abigail's favorite book in the series.
In this conversation, Abigail and Savannah discuss how the first chapter sets up expectations for the big picture and delivers a well-structured scene on the micro level (or small picture). To do this, they use tools like the seven key questions to ask about first chapters (Paula Munier's THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO BEGINNINGS) and Story Grid's five commandments. Plus, Savannah and Abigail dig into other valuable topics like how this chapter is the most omniscient perspective in the series (and why this is important), the chilling and high stakes set up in this opening scene, and more.
Why do you think the first chapter in Deathly Hallows is great? We'd love to hear your perspective!
P.S. If you enjoyed these first chapter episodes, you might love Abigail and Savannah's virtual book club, Book Notes! Learn all about it (and join us!) here.
Connect with us:
Twitter: @abigailkperry | @savannahgilbo
Instagram: @abigailkperry | @savannah.gilbo
Website: www.abigailkperry.com | https://www.savannahgilbo.com/
Next Episode
Inside Interview: Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and 5 Big Writing Takeaways and Assignments to Apply to Your WIP
The first episode in a new Author Interview + Writing Tips and Assignments series on LIT MATCH!
In today’s episode, Abigail pulls one of her favorite interviews from her her old podcast (pub. 2020) and revamps it for the Lit Match listeners.
Abigail sits down with the bestselling author of the DIARY OF A WIMPY KID series, Jeff Kinney. Listen to this episode to get an inside look at the makings of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, writing comics, and other valuable writing tips.
Then, join Abigail for Part II of this episode, where Abigail explores five big takeaways from Jeff’s advice. Abigail follows each takeaway with a writing assignment that she encourages every writer to apply to their WIP, or at the very least, to their writing practice.
The 5 Big Writing Takeaways Include:
- Find inspiration from real events and then fictionalize them for fiction stories
- Develop characters who are human and relatable for a general audience
- Show how a character changes from beginning to end without altering the rules of their universe
- Apply the 3-Act Structure to every story
- Create a cast of various personalities
Find Jeff: www.wimpykid.com
Find Abigail: www.abigailkperry.com
If you like this episode you’ll love
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