#63 Write the Book and Sell It Too: How Writers Use Comp Titles to Attract Agents and Publishers
Publishers and literary agents receive countless book pitches everyday. How can you use comparative titles to help your book stand out?
Hello,
Welcome to The Book People, a weekly newsletter on the business of media and storytelling.
If writing is cake pitching is the delicate icing on top. You’ve written the book but there’s a little chance of your book coming in the world if your pitch doesn’t get through. Last month, Bound hosted a pitching workshop with Jayapriya Vasudevan, the Founder of Jacaranda Literary Agency. One key takeaway from Jayapriya was the importance of comparative titles, or "comp titles." She advised each participant to mention two comp titles in their pitches.
So what are Comp Titles?
Comp titles are published books that you can compare your manuscripts to. These titles help to provide context for your work. They give a clear idea of the book’s potential, its market and its target audience.
While ‘unique’ and ‘new voice’ are compliments at the review stage, describing your manuscript as unique, can pose challenges during the pitching process. Publishers, agents, and readers need to understand where your book fits in the current literary landscape.
Comparative titles help publishers and agents gauge where your book stands in the ever-changing publishing world and identify its right audience.
Editor and literary agent Lauren Scovel notes, “Comparable titles are a huge plus for me. They not only give me a preemptive sense of your work, but they also show that you have that clear vision for how your book fits into the marketplace, while also showing me that you are a reader yourself."
For writers, choosing comp titles encourages them to think about their work in the broader context of publishing. Writer Star Wuderman says, “It took me two months of diligent work to come up with my comps. A lot of it felt like ‘wasted’ time—going down internet rabbit holes only to come up empty. But none of it was actually wasted as I emerged far better educated about the marketplace I’m preparing to break into. Engaging in the literary world and discovering what books are out there is always beneficial. Consider the comp hunt both a rite of passage and a learning opportunity.”
How do you pick Comp Titles for your manuscript?
Finding a comp title can take time, and the do’s and don’ts of selecting one are not always clear. Here are some tips to help you pick the right comp title.
Pick recently published titles
While it might be tempting to compare your book to classics like Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre or the Mahabharata’s epic drama, comp titles should be relevant to today’s market. Ideally, select books published within the last five years to ensure your comparisons resonate with current trends.
Balance popularity and obscurity
Avoid extremes when selecting comp titles. If the book is too obscure, it might not serve its purpose of positioning your manuscript in the market. On the other hand, comparing your book to a bestseller like John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars can raise unrealistic expectations. Aim for a balance by choosing titles that are recognizable but not overly popular, allowing your book to stand out without being overshadowed.
Use online tools
Platforms like Goodreads and Amazon can help you find the right comp titles. For example, if you’re writing a crime thriller set in Mumbai, search for ‘Crime Thriller’ on Amazon and use additional filters like language, region, publication date to narrow down your results.
Use the books you’ve read
If your manuscript is inspired by books you admire, use them as comp titles. This approach can be particularly effective, as it shows a genuine connection between your work and established titles. Just be sure to articulate how your manuscript echoes these stories in terms of style, plot or genre.
Don’t give too many comp titles
While one book can be many things giving more than three comp titles can confuse the person you’re pitching. Be selective and ensure the titles you choose closely align with the sample chapters you’re submitting in the pitch.
By thoughtfully selecting comp titles, you not only help agents and publishers see the potential success of your book, but you also position yourself as a well-read writer in the market. Taking the time to research and identify the right comps can make all the difference in turning a great manuscript into a published book.
Job Board
Discover the best opportunities in India’s publishing and creative industries.
The Caravan - Junior Graphic Designer - Delhi-based
Requires a bachelor’s degree or diploma in Visual Communication/Graphic Design, 1 to 2 years of experience in publication design; preferably magazine design.Interested candidates can apply by sending their resume, portfolio, and cover letter to careers@caravanmagazine.in
Katha - Executive-sales - Chennai and Bangalore-based
Minimum 2 years of sales experience in Children’s Book sales, with a successful track record of meeting sales quotas.Interested candidates can apply by sending their CV to careers@katha.org
Weekly Learning
Deepen your knowledge and develop your skills with a new resource every week.
Five Ways to Get Ahead When It Comes to Pitching Your Book
Found this useful? Subscribe for weekly updates and share this newsletter with your friends.
If you have any writing-related questions for the Bound editors, comment below, or reply back to this email!