by Tara Luebbe
Today I’d like to jump into a time machine and beam forward to February 1. You have followed the brilliant advice of my fellow authors and have some great new ideas. Now let’s talk about that next vital step…
Last fall, Tara (Lazar) and I discussed how we often see writers spending too much time polishing, revising, and perfecting a manuscript that, frankly, is not a good idea to begin with. It doesn’t matter how beautiful your prose is or how much you polish every word. If it is not a marketable or unique idea, it won’t sell. So how do you take your Storystorm ideas and assess them for marketability and selling potential?
I’ve been given a gift like the kid in The Sixth Sense, but instead of dead people, I see marketability. My gift was honed through working retail; from the sales floor to the buying offices of big retailers, to wholesale distribution, and finally to owning a book and toy boutique. Buying and selling picture books gave me an astute understanding of what works…and what doesn’t.
In your eyes, your book is your baby, your masterpiece, your blood, sweat and tears, your soul. And yes, it IS all of those. But to the retail world, your book is a product, a SKU—inventory to be turned. Is your idea strong enough to be crafted into a sellable product? I don’t draft an idea into a manuscript unless I can envision the sales pitch. Not everything I write sells, of course—far from it. But I start with an idea that I am confident has marketability, and that is half the battle.
Not every published book falls into the parameters I suggest below. But, when I was trying so hard to break into the industry, writing marketable picture books was my golden ticket. If it is an approach you’d like to try, here are my recommendations to evaluate your ideas for marketability:
- One obvious place to start is your topic. Does your book have a topic that kids actually like? You would not design any other product that doesn’t appeal to the target market, and books are no different. Can you imagine Pottery Barn trying to sell plastic lawn ornaments or Chia Pets? But yet, a lot of people write about topics that aren’t very interesting to the target market—kids. Kids like trucks, dinos, outer space, ninjas, princesses, pirates, cupcakes, art, monsters, animals, fairy tales, tutus, dance, etc. Popular topics make a book more marketable. BUT, this also means you need to research to make sure your story is DIFFERENT than existing books on your topic, or this won’t matter at all. (Tara Lazar has a brilliant list of 500+ things kids like in case you need help.
These books were recent favorites and are perfect examples of popular subject matters handled in fresh, new ways.
- Walk into a children’s toy store or boutique with your manuscript. Look around. If you had to merchandise your product (book) in this store (not on a bookshelf, but with toys and merchandise), where would you put it? Does it have an obvious place? This is a picture from my former store. There were lots of books that I could merchandise in my “pink, fairy, tea party, ballerina” section. My upcoming book, I AM FAMOUS, would have fit in here, right next to Nancy and Bree. If you can’t see an obvious place for Grandma’s Childhood Tales of Eating Vegetables, you might want to rethink it.
- Think of the changing front table displays at any gift retailer. Does your idea fit one of the themes that rotate throughout the year? The major holidays? The minor holidays? Back to school? Fall? Winter? Spring? Summer? Graduation season? Beach season? Snow season? Your book does not have to be a “holiday book” to be included here. Bunnies and chicks are associated with Easter; monsters, bats, or zombies can fit in with Halloween; love stories for Valentine’s Day, etc. When a retailer needs to create a themed front window or table display, can your “product” be included? Make a list of the holidays and themes that might work.
- Are there any specialty retail stores you can envision your book fitting into? Does it belong in a zoo gift shop? An aquarium? The National Park gift stores? Pet boutiques? Pregnancy boutiques? Hobby stores? Museum gift shops? Educational or teacher stores? Craft stores? Cat stores? Specialty catalogs? Besides a bookstore, where else would your book fit seamlessly on the shelf? My book SHARK NATE-O is perfect for aquarium gift shops, and, in fact, we added non-fiction backmatter to make it even more attractive to this group. Bookstores are our bread and butter, but adding specialty retailers to your marketability factor is extremely helpful for sales. Make a list and see what you get.
- Are there any special interest groups that would love this book? Scientists? Bilingual households? Families expecting a sibling? Military families? Pet adoption advocates? Marine biologists? Cryptozoologists? Potty trainers? Sloth aficionados? Flat earthers? Cosplayers? Teachers and librarians? Slot car racers? Grandparents? Yarn bombers? These subsets all are a part of the book’s marketability. I believe my forthcoming book, CONAN THE LIBRARIAN, may really resonate with teachers and librarians because of the literary message. Any marketing plan for your book should include these special interest groups.
- Are there any special occasions or events that would tie in with your idea? Consider major events like the Olympics, Shark Week, a presidential election and Earth Day. Also think of regional events, like the Indianapolis 500, the Kentucky Derby, the Moose Poop Drop, the Polar Bear Plunge, etc. What about anniversaries of historical events? Black History Month? School celebrations like Poem in Your Pocket Day? The 100th day of School? The first day of school? Make a list. SHARK NATE-O is ready for Shark Week!
- And the last great piece of marketability: a high-concept title. A high-concept title is one that tells a buyer what the book is about by title alone. A great title allows a book to be placed on a pallet in the middle of Costco, with no pretty merchandising and no sales help, and sell itself. As a retail buyer, I immediately get a sense of a book just by looking at the title and cover in a sales rep’s catalog. Can you give your manuscript a high-concept title?
I hope you find something in this post helpful as you sit down with your list of shiny new Storystorm ideas. While reviewing them, run each through the above checklist. Maybe one idea will jump off the page as an obvious place to start. Or maybe two ideas can be combined into something more marketable for an editor or agent. Oh, and watch Shark Tank if you don’t already—it’s brilliant for understanding marketability.
Tara Luebbe is an ex-retailer turned picture book author. She co-writes with her sister Becky Cattie. They are the authors of the forthcoming I AM FAMOUS, illustrated by Joanne Lew Vreithoff, (Albert Whitman March 1, 2018); SHARK NATE-O, illustrated by Daniel Duncan, (little bee books April 3, 2018); I USED TO BE FAMOUS, illustrated by Joanne Lew Vreithoff (Albert Whitman Spring 2019); and CONAN THE LIBRARIAN (Roaring Brook Press Spring 2019). She is also the founder of Writing with the Stars, a free mentorship program for aspiring picture book writers. You can learn more at beckytarabooks.com and you can find her on Twitter @t_luebbe.
To keep it all about retail, Tara (Luebbe) is donating a $20.00 gift certificate to Chapters, an Indie bookstore in Seward, Nebraska, for one lucky winner to buy whatever they like. The winner will also receive a signed copy of I AM FAMOUS upon release on March 1.
Leave ONE COMMENT on this blog post to enter. You are eligible to win if you are a registered Storystorm participant and you have commented once below. Prizes will be given away at the conclusion of the event.
Good luck!
525 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 21, 2018 at 10:54 am
tanyakonerman
I always take my Storystorm ideas one step further: I research them a bit as well to see if they’re worth my blood, sweat, and tears. This is a great list of additional filters to use! Now, on to learning more about the Moose Poop Games!
January 21, 2018 at 1:52 pm
kittyluebbe1
I had Tara correct it in the post, it is the Moose Poop Drop in Talkeetna AK
January 21, 2018 at 10:54 am
June Sengpiehl
This is a valuable post. It is another piece of the puzzle in trying to write and sell a picture book.
January 21, 2018 at 10:54 am
Mary Warth
Thank you so much Tara! Deciding which ideas to spend time on is such a perfect topic to share with us right now. Your suggestions are perfect. This post is a keeper!
January 21, 2018 at 10:56 am
sherilyncook
My mind is racing! What a fantastic post!!!! Thank you for so many ideas and a focus on creating my unique path with my books. HUGS!!!!!
January 21, 2018 at 10:57 am
MD Knabb
What an incredibly useful post, Tara. Make your topic hot from the beginning.Thanks!
January 21, 2018 at 10:59 am
Rita Antoinette Borg
This topic is hard fro me to conceptualize. I am not a market person even though we, new writers, are made to get used to the idea. Good way to kill all your bad other ideas.
January 21, 2018 at 11:01 am
Polly Renner
Thank you, Tara, for your insight into marketability being vital to selling picture books. This is valuable information for newbies like me trying to break into the industry. I will read and reread this post as I re-evaluate my manuscripts:>
January 21, 2018 at 11:03 am
Kellie DuBay Gillis
One of my fave Storystorm posts. Going to run my existing manuscripts through these various marketability tests, as well as my new ideas. Thanks Tara (and Tara)!
January 21, 2018 at 11:04 am
amshahen1
I think this is the hardest concept for writers to get behind, but like Tara said, one of the most important! Great post!
January 21, 2018 at 11:04 am
Jennifer B Bower
Oh dear. I don’t think my favorite picture book idea has any of those marketable qualities. Back to the drawing board! Thanks for a great, and helpful, post!
January 21, 2018 at 11:06 am
Jane Serpa
As a third grade teacher for the last 18 years, I know kids like to read the same topics or genres from year to year. It’s the new twist on a subject or story that they love and keeps them reading and wanting more. Thank you for sharing your insight. I will definitely keep this in mind as I go through the writing process.
January 21, 2018 at 11:07 am
C.L. Murphy
This is one savvy post and so valuable! Thank you for the reality check, Tara. How wonderful that you co-write with your sister.
January 21, 2018 at 11:09 am
Linda Chavez
Man oh man, Tara! Wish I had your 6th sense for marketability! Thanks for sharing some of these ways to assess. This is immensely helpful!
January 21, 2018 at 11:09 am
Janie Reinart
Tara you rock! Excellent article. Congrats on your upcoming book babies❤️
January 21, 2018 at 11:10 am
Sherry Howard
Sometimes it’s hard to determine the marketability. I envy Tara’s ability to do that well! This article was a great reminder of ways to assess that! Thanks!
January 21, 2018 at 11:10 am
yangmommy
Not only are these great tips when constructing ideas, they’re also highly useful when writing that query/submission letter. Printing out for a visual reminder and taking a closer, more-marketing eye when I look at retail space 🙂
January 21, 2018 at 11:11 am
Lori Mozdzierz
Stellar story marketability post!
A define writer’s toolbox addition.
January 21, 2018 at 11:11 am
Lyn Miller-Lachmann
I’ve found opportunities writing for hire, putting words to ideas that others have come up with and tested. But I’m still hoping to land a great idea of my own! And, yes, I spend lots of time in toy stores because I’m a Lego enthusiast.
January 21, 2018 at 11:12 am
karianngonzalez
Great suggestions! I had not considered the depth of marketing that should be considered before actively pursuing a MS. Thank you for sharing!
January 21, 2018 at 11:12 am
Jim Chaize
This is a very helpful post for me as a writer, and will help me look at my manuscripts with new eyes. Thanks, Tara.
January 21, 2018 at 11:13 am
willowwrites
Gosh, there are so many voices pulling at us writers. This one makes a lot of sense (and cents) and is quite practical. I suppose we should write some stories just for us and some for the market…but always with kids in mind. Thanks Tara! ~Vicki
January 21, 2018 at 1:56 pm
Tara Luebbe
I also believe that once you sell a few, you get more freedom to write about other things. Established writers seem to be able to do this. Not so much with new people IMO.
January 21, 2018 at 11:13 am
Charlotte Offsay
Such a great point. I have spent a lot of time on a ms that at the end of the day isn’t marketable. Important to remember from the beginning. Thanks for the words of wisdom!
January 21, 2018 at 11:18 am
supermario6
So much to think about! Sound advice!
January 21, 2018 at 11:25 am
lmconnors
Great advice! While we must write what we love, we cannot ignore the market if we want our love out there in the hands of kids.
January 21, 2018 at 11:26 am
Li'vee Rehfield
Thank you Tara for giving us so much wisdom, and the courage to examine our marketability…
January 21, 2018 at 11:28 am
Tracy Hora
This is brilliant!!! Another post to print and keep handy – thanks!
January 21, 2018 at 11:29 am
denarose
Thanks for this post! Besides giving us good guidelines for marketability, you’ve also shared great strategies for finding ideas in the first place. Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 11:29 am
Andria Rosenbaum
It’s scary to run your beloved ideas through a marketability test –but well worth the trouble! Thanks, tara
January 21, 2018 at 11:31 am
David McMullin
So much great information, Tara. Thanks so much!
January 21, 2018 at 11:32 am
jeni614
Love me some Shark Tank!
January 21, 2018 at 11:35 am
Lindsay Maeve
Wow, these posts keep getting better and better. Tara, thanks for sharing this information with us- hopefully we can use it to choose the best, most marketable ideas from our Storystorming.
January 21, 2018 at 11:36 am
stiefelchana
Such a great post–and generous giveaways. One thing I would add is that even if you have a marketable idea and get published, don’t depend on your publisher’s marketing team to sell your book. You need to become your own marketing machine even if that’s not in your skill set.
Thanks for the inspiration, Tara & Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 2:02 pm
Tara Luebbe
Very true. But that is a different topic for a different audience. I am doing all of that now in the pre-launch stage, but knowing the marketability of your book and the audience and retail space it belongs in is very helpful here too in working with the publicity and marketing teams. I have been able to suggest things to them based on my knowledge of the retail industry which is helpful for all of us.
January 21, 2018 at 11:37 am
nrompella
Thanks for helping us sift through our ideas!
January 21, 2018 at 11:37 am
Lindsey McDivitt
Fabulous post Tara! I’m excited to use to not only evaluate my ideas, but to brainstorm marketing my picture books. Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 11:37 am
Midge Ballou Smith
Thank you Tara! Excellent advice!
January 21, 2018 at 11:37 am
christinerodenbour
Woa. Packed post of vital information for all of us. Thank you, thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 11:38 am
Maria Bostian
Hi Tara,
I’ve heard you mention marketability in critique group meetings, but not to such an extent. This is an amazing post and I really appreciate your insight. While I have tried to think of markerability such as target audiences, cover appeal, etc., you gave me some other ideas to consider.
Guess what I’ll be doing this afternoon? Looking over my SS list for marketability!
Thanks so much for the great post!
January 21, 2018 at 11:38 am
Lindsay Metcalf
So funny and insightful. Thanks, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 11:40 am
Lucy Staugler
Tara, thank you for this business advice! Amazing! Love having different sides of the brain working together!
Right Brain + Left Brain = Winning MS & Toys!
January 21, 2018 at 11:41 am
judyrubin13
Thank you, Tara for your insight and for a perfect reason to visit bookstores and children’s shops.
January 21, 2018 at 11:44 am
.CAROLE CALLADINE
To Market, To Market! Thank you for this great post on creating what sells.
January 21, 2018 at 11:44 am
writersideup
Tara, this is one of the most helpful, useful, complete article I’ve read on this subject and appreciate it SO much! I intend to make a bullet-point list (just need to make the time somehow!) of your many topic suggestions as a base for reference that I can add to. Thank you SO much for this! 😀
January 21, 2018 at 11:45 am
writersideup
P.S. Thank you for mentioning Tara (Lazar)’s “500+” list ’cause I didn’t have it! 😀
January 21, 2018 at 2:03 pm
Tara Luebbe
Thanks!
January 21, 2018 at 11:45 am
Jennifer Phillips
Very valuable advice. Running through my book ideas and works in progress now with this mindset. Thanks!
January 21, 2018 at 11:45 am
poppywrote
“The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing.”
Tom Fishburne
January 21, 2018 at 11:46 am
Lori Dubbin
CONAN THE LIBRARIAN would definitely be a book I would pick up off the shelf! Thanks for giving us more agility with marketability.
January 21, 2018 at 11:46 am
diciui
Thank you for the wake-up call to remind emerging writers of what a key component marketing is to our books. Your post was both educational and inspirational and a valuable lesson.
January 21, 2018 at 11:46 am
carmelamccainsimmons
I was amazed to hear an agent describe the marketability of my ms. ” very saleable.” In crafting my work I never considered my story that way. I am a writer, but she is a salesperson. Ultimately, I need to step back and look at my work as a product as she had. Thanks for reminding me.
January 21, 2018 at 11:47 am
Carol Gwin Nelson
What a great post! These points made me really think about how my manuscripts would fit into the real world of marketing.
January 21, 2018 at 11:48 am
Robin Brett Wechsler
Thank you, Tara. I really appreciate your straight-talk! Keeping your suggestions in mind will surely help as I write and revise. I can’t wait to read your books when they hit shelves. (Thanks also for running the WWTS contest, by the way.)
January 21, 2018 at 2:05 pm
Tara Luebbe
Your welcome! Glad you liked it.
January 21, 2018 at 11:49 am
Claire Wrenn Bobrow
It’s helpful to get this much-needed dose of reality before diving in to a month’s worth of story ideas. But now I desperately need to find out what the Moose Poop Drop is! I wrote one for the flat earthers already. Thank you, Tara 🙂
January 21, 2018 at 11:49 am
junesmalls
This is fantastic. There is a science to retail and displays that we can’t afford to overlook as artists! Great advice.
January 21, 2018 at 11:56 am
authoraileenstewart
Great things to think on 🙂
January 21, 2018 at 11:57 am
Nancy Ramsey
This is a great post! Thanks for all the helpful information and congratulations on all your success!
January 21, 2018 at 11:58 am
Debra Shumaker
Such great advice here! Thank you so much!!!!!
January 21, 2018 at 11:58 am
paulinetso
Terrific, terrific, terrific post! Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 11:58 am
singebinge
This is so insightful! I personally write novels, but most of that is still SUPER helpful – thanks!
January 21, 2018 at 11:59 am
rosecappelli
Such a helpful post! Thank you.
January 21, 2018 at 11:59 am
Danielle Dufayet
Love this post! So often I come up with ideas that I think are pretty great, but then I ask myself will kids really like this? Will they relate? If I can’t answer with a resounding YES, then I know not to pursue it. Thank you and congrats!
January 21, 2018 at 12:00 pm
Prairie Garden Girl
Thank you, Tara, for sharing your sixth sense on markability of picture books.
Suzy Leopold
January 21, 2018 at 12:01 pm
Cotton Wright
What a great post! There’s nothing more frustrating than spending all your time and effort on something only to have it go no where. This was a great way to think about the other side of the equation without being prescriptive. Thanks so much!
January 21, 2018 at 12:01 pm
Aimee
Moving marketability high up on my checklist for pursuing or not pursuing my PB ideas. Thank you for this post😊
January 21, 2018 at 12:02 pm
storyfairy
Very helpful post. I look forward to seeing where my books fit in.
January 21, 2018 at 12:05 pm
Carrie Tillotson
Thank you so much, Tara! You’ve given us a lot to think about.
January 21, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Catherine F
This is a really thought provoking post Tara, definitely one to bookmark. Thank you so much 🙂
January 21, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Shelley
Excellent information! Thank you.
January 21, 2018 at 12:10 pm
DaNeil Olson
Outstanding post! You have given me a new way to approach the brainstorming process when I sit down with my Storystorm idea book. I will be bookmarking this post as well as Tara’s 500+ Things Kids Like. Thank you! 🙂
January 21, 2018 at 12:10 pm
Earl @ The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer
As much as we all want to think our ideas are original, it’s good to find comparable title. It’s a useful sales technique.
January 21, 2018 at 12:10 pm
Denise Wilson
Thank you! Such good advice–I need to spend more time in toy stores. No complaints about that! 🙂
January 21, 2018 at 12:14 pm
Kathy Mazurowski
Great advice! My wheels are turning!
January 21, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Karin Larson
Superb post and advice, thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
I have long consider marketability in my process, but not with this much specificity. Thanks for the new eyes!
January 21, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Krissy
Great advice!
January 21, 2018 at 12:19 pm
Jessica
This is very good advise. Thanks for sharing your experience. Congrats on the upcoming book releases!
January 21, 2018 at 12:20 pm
Juliana Jones
Thank you so much for your words of wisdom and common sense advice. First and foremost, we writers need to remember that this is a business. I’ll be printing this out to put into my Never Forget notebook.
January 21, 2018 at 12:20 pm
Brenda Huante
You have a ton of great ideas…thank you, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 12:21 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Great advice Tara! I ran through my manuscripts in my head as I was reading your post to see if they fit in your checklist.
January 21, 2018 at 12:24 pm
illustratorm
Great post from an important point of view.
Thank you Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 12:25 pm
Rosalind Malin
I’ve been at this a while and taken a considerable number of classes, webinars, and workshops. This include marketability. But walking in to bookstore and trying to find a shelf for your book is the best tip I’ve been given. Your whole post is full of great information. Thanks for sharing.
January 21, 2018 at 2:07 pm
Tara Luebbe
Wonderful!
January 21, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Stephanie G.
Such great advice. Thank you! Also, I am really looking forward to reading Conan the Librarian.
January 21, 2018 at 12:28 pm
lindaschueler
There’s a moose poop drop?…Thanks for writing about a subject many writers, including me, don’t think about too much.
January 21, 2018 at 12:32 pm
Kirsten W. Larson
I go through a similar process, Tara, especially since I write nonfiction which requires so much research. I also add classroom connections to my considerations.
January 21, 2018 at 12:33 pm
Lindsay Robinson
This is a lot of good info to think about! I always find the idea of marketability easier to identify in the work of others…and harder to pinpoint in my own writing. Definitely something to work on!
January 21, 2018 at 12:33 pm
Kim Pfennigwerth
Thank you for the list to help us all consider the marketability of our stories.
January 21, 2018 at 12:33 pm
Maritza M. Mejia
Excellent points. Thanks!
January 21, 2018 at 12:35 pm
Janice Woods
So much great information to think about! Thanks, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 12:36 pm
Michelle Howell
SO helpful!! Coming from a marketing background, marketability is usually my first check for a story idea. Love your checklist and will use it to look through my storystorm ideas… Thsnks again for the great post!
January 21, 2018 at 12:39 pm
paulajbecker
Definitely things I had not thought about! Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Sharon Mayhew
Outstanding post! It really makes me think about the value of my ideas.
January 21, 2018 at 12:48 pm
Sara A
Thanks for sharing your perspective on something I don’t think enough about.
January 21, 2018 at 12:49 pm
Lorraine Bonzelet
Thank you for the insight into marketing and sales. Interesting question: where would the book fit in a book store? Excellent questions to ponder.
January 21, 2018 at 12:50 pm
Lorraine Bonzelet
ha! in a *toy* store, not book store. Where’s the edit button?
January 21, 2018 at 12:50 pm
Susan Macartney
Tara – Hello! And thank you for this timely reminder to take an informed and critical look at our literary “babies”! Perfect timing in our StoryStorm journey for your geyser of practical advice – a wonderful post!
January 21, 2018 at 12:51 pm
Linda Mitchell
I am printing this post out. It is so stinkin practical. It really takes me by the pencil-grips and gets me to be more REAL! Thank you.
January 21, 2018 at 12:52 pm
Nancy Riley
Thanks for this, Tara! And you had cryptozoologist in your list of special interest groups which is a concept in one of my manuscripts. I even know where Seward, Nebraska, should I be lucky enough to win. Congratulations on I Am Famous.
January 21, 2018 at 2:09 pm
Tara Luebbe
My husband is from Seward originally, and I was fortunate to connect with the bookstore owner there Carla this summer.
January 21, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Brittanny Handiboe
I think only a few of my ideas are marketable. I write a lot of sad manuscripts that I’m not sure if kids would like to read about (like dealing with divorce and death, losing an imaginary friend) I might have a market somewhere but it’ll be difficult.
January 21, 2018 at 12:58 pm
Laura Purdie Salas
Yes, yes, yes, to every single thing you said. Thanks for saying it all in such a practical, friendly way. Will be sharing!
January 23, 2018 at 10:00 am
Tara Luebbe
Thanks Laura!
January 21, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Janice Milusich
Thanks for the ideas
January 21, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Megan Whitaker
Thanks for your post-always a good reminder! Congrats on your upcoming book(s)!
January 21, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Nancy Ferguson
This is exactly what I needed to read today. I will save this. Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Bethany | Biracial Bookworms
Can’t wait for I am Famous!!! Curly haired girls on the cover makes my heart flutter! Representation matters!! Safe advice, thank you Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 2:18 pm
Tara Luebbe
Thanks! Joanne really got it right!
January 21, 2018 at 1:00 pm
Viviane Elbee
These are all wonderful suggestions Tara. Thank you for sharing them. Can’t wait to see your books out in the wild! 😀
January 21, 2018 at 1:02 pm
shirley301
A great way to look at ideas. Thanks for the advice.
January 21, 2018 at 1:04 pm
Caren Cantrell
Brilliant idea – running out to my local toy store now!
January 21, 2018 at 1:08 pm
Maria Marshall
Great post Tara. Thank you for adding marketability to the discussion. Thinking of “self-selling” titles will make for a great Sunday afternoon.
January 21, 2018 at 1:17 pm
bevbaird
Thanks for the great advice.
January 21, 2018 at 1:17 pm
Counsel Langley
So helpful and good timing for me to have this filter for focusing in on what to spend time polishing — thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 1:18 pm
katrinamoorebooks
What a helpful post! Thank you, Tara! So excited for your debuts 🙂
January 21, 2018 at 1:23 pm
Deborah Allmand
Tara,
I think your post was perfectly placed right after the one about seeing your manuscript visually. Seeing the marketability is just as important. Thanks so much for the post. So glad to see a post from a fellow SCBWI Carolinas member.
January 21, 2018 at 1:24 pm
deborahholtwilliams
Thank you for a very thought-provoking post. Do I want to write lyrical stories from my heart, or do I want to write about a ninja dinosaur princess because it has a better chance of selling?
January 21, 2018 at 2:21 pm
Tara Luebbe
Well I am NOT telling you what to write. You can write those stories all day but if you are having trouble selling them, consider my option. I also believe that established writers can write what they want to more freely. But breaking in is hard and marketable subjects can help you do that.
January 21, 2018 at 1:25 pm
Darshana
Fantastic post Tara! Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Congrats on your books, can’t wait to read them.
January 21, 2018 at 1:26 pm
tootienienow
I am famous looks adorable! Your suggestions are great. I’m drawing black lines through my list of ideas, so great to whittle down my list to ideas that will work!
January 21, 2018 at 1:26 pm
Lauri Meyers
Super Tara! My mattress is only firm on the side where the not really marketable but still loved manuscripts are hidden.
January 21, 2018 at 1:28 pm
bonzerb
Thanks for the great advice and for your contest. I’ll keep that in mind for 2019…
January 21, 2018 at 1:31 pm
Author Yvona Fast
Thank you, Tara, for the reminder that we need to keep marketability in mind. “It doesn’t matter how beautiful your prose is or how much you polish every word. If it is not a marketable or unique idea, it won’t sell.”
January 21, 2018 at 1:33 pm
Gretchen McLellan
Fantastic checklist, Tara! You ground us while letting our imaginations fly. Who doesn’t dream of plush merchandise for their picture books? An additional question about what kind of swag a writer would have at a book birthday party or signing event would be good food for thought too.
January 21, 2018 at 2:23 pm
Tara Luebbe
Yes, good point. I had that in there too but cut since I was over the word limits! Your swag can help visualize it as a product too.
January 21, 2018 at 1:34 pm
F. G. M. Kalavritinos
Wow—such great information—lots of things I need to keep in mind with my story ideas. I will have to learn how to sharpen my marketability sense!
January 21, 2018 at 1:34 pm
Margaret Greanias
Excellent post, Tara! Great practical advice on how to evaluate our ideas!
January 21, 2018 at 1:36 pm
MaryAnn Cortez
This is great advice to keep in mind while we create charracters.
January 21, 2018 at 1:40 pm
Kimberly Marcus
Thank you for your post – really eye opening and an education of the business side of writing.
January 21, 2018 at 1:44 pm
Ann
Tara, so many things to consider. An invaluable article, thank you.
January 21, 2018 at 1:45 pm
moviemommie
Thank you for your sharp analysis. It’s a perfect compliment to considering how to narrow down the list of storystorm ideas!
Jenna Feldman
January 21, 2018 at 1:46 pm
Sue Heavenrich
We write the stories because they want to be written – but yeah, we gotta keep one eye on the market potential.
January 21, 2018 at 2:59 pm
Tara Luebbe
I hear you but at the end of the day it is still a business. But the good news is that once you are established, there seems to be a bit more leeway with writing quieter stories etc. Get in the door first.
January 21, 2018 at 1:47 pm
Louann Brown
I’m printing out your post to keep it handy. Great topic! Very helpful.
January 21, 2018 at 1:49 pm
Kimberly Hutmacher
This is handy info to keep. Thank you so much for sharing.
January 21, 2018 at 1:50 pm
Mary York
Always interesting to get a “retailer’s” perspective. Thanks, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 1:51 pm
Peg e. Monley
Thank you Tara, for this powerful posting.
You have given me a totally new view on my ideas! (Some of which I love, but might be crap). Super interesting.
🙂 wow.
January 21, 2018 at 1:52 pm
Cathy Ogren
Excellent post, Tara! You provided so many so many worthwhile ideas related to books and how and why they sell. Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 1:56 pm
Lisa Billa
Tara, thank you for a valuable post! This is just what I needed- advice on what to do with this pile of ideas at the end of the month! Some may be marketable, some may just be intriguing to me and fun to write anyway, but I’d rather think that through before I spend my time.
January 21, 2018 at 1:57 pm
willowspring
Wow, Tara, I love how you packed your post with ideas to really get us thinking. And I love the pic of your store!
January 21, 2018 at 1:58 pm
heidikyates
Thank you for this fantastic post on marketability Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 1:58 pm
Lynn A. Davidson
Thank you, Tara, for this helpful post. I have printed it off for reference.
January 21, 2018 at 1:59 pm
jenabenton
Holy buckets! This post is gold! I need to print a copy to keep as a reference. Great advice!
January 21, 2018 at 2:04 pm
Darlene Ivy
Pure gold! Post is printed and on the bulletin board for further reference. Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 2:05 pm
Lynne Marie
An AMAZING post. So chockfull of ideas and inspiration. Thank you so very much, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 2:08 pm
Buffy Silverman
Great post–I took lots of notes AND bookmarked Tara’s great 500 things kids like list.
January 21, 2018 at 2:10 pm
matthewlasley
Great information. It is often hard to think of your book that way. When I went to pitch my first book (not my first pitch, but sold book) my mentor told me to include its marketability in my query. I was targeting a specific publisher for a book that I believe is to be marketed in a certain way in a certain area. That marketability and expressing it helped sell the book to the regional publisher who bought it!
January 21, 2018 at 2:11 pm
mona861
I lovvvvveeee this post. It’s not about how I write but what I might write. Stop! Look! then Write!!! Thank you, thank you!!!
January 21, 2018 at 2:12 pm
chardixon47
Tara, thank you for these great tips concerning marketability of an idea. I’m keeping this post handy while I research my ideas. I look forward to reading your forthcoming books 🙂
January 21, 2018 at 2:14 pm
Lynn Alpert
Great post on something we all need to keep in mind!
January 21, 2018 at 2:15 pm
Sheri Radovich
This really was one of the most helpful posts to make sure an idea fits a marketable theme. I came up with 4 new ideas this morning having been stuck for 3 days. I have so many manuscripts that wouldn’t sell well because they don’t fit these marketable categories. So I need to toss or rethink them with an angle to make them sing to buyers. And thank you for your mentorship program for authors to help out new authors.
January 21, 2018 at 2:23 pm
Paula Puckett
Thanks for these comments. The information will help me as I research what’s on the market, and how my story could be alike AND different.
January 21, 2018 at 2:27 pm
Janet AlJunaidi
Thank you Tara. This is so helpful for those of us who DON’T have a marketing sixth sense!
January 21, 2018 at 2:27 pm
jhkmomx4
Insightful! Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 2:27 pm
Jane Hawkins
Wouldn’t everyone love my book??? Actually, no. Ha. Thanks for being real and giving guidelines on marketability.
January 21, 2018 at 2:34 pm
carolmunrojww
Excellent information! Thanks, Tara! (Off to write about Moose poop right now! OK, yes. I’m actually not doing this. lol)
January 21, 2018 at 2:37 pm
Penny Parker Klostermann
Wow! This post is super valuable, Tara! Thanks so much for giving us a really clear look at marketability!
January 21, 2018 at 2:40 pm
Rebecca Colby
Marketability is so important! Loved your post! Thanks for sharing, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Tara Luebbe
You seem to have figured this out quite well! Pirates, Transportation and Witches!
January 21, 2018 at 2:41 pm
Michelle Mullen
Tara thank you for covering the marketing angle of our PB’s. It’s a fun way to also work backwards by seeing a marketing niche and then being inspired to write about it. Love your energy!
January 21, 2018 at 2:43 pm
Faith Kazmi
I love this post – practical and brilliant! Thanks so much, I can already tell this info will be useful in sorting out the many ideas generated this month.
January 21, 2018 at 2:47 pm
Kaye Baillie
I needed to hear this, thanks for such a great checklist, Tara. Love your book covers.
January 21, 2018 at 2:49 pm
Marge Gower
Thank you, while reading your post, my mind was already working on ideas. One is already written and I thought of a new one. This is a great idea. I will also watch my granddaughter’s playtime to see what toys are her favorites. I appreciate the time you all have taken. Been a great idea reaper this year. Thanks again
January 21, 2018 at 2:49 pm
Debra Daugherty
This post opened my eyes. Marketing a PB is as important as writing it. Thanks, Tara, for sharing.
January 21, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Andrew Lefebvre
Thanks so much! Another angle to think about.
January 21, 2018 at 2:55 pm
sharischwarz
Great list of things to consider! Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 2:57 pm
rimna
Great, post, very helpful – thanks!
January 21, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Tina Barbour
Thank you for this very helpful post! You have given us a great way to consider whether or not an idea is worth loads of our time.
January 21, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Gayle Veitenheimer
Great post! Thanks for sharing.
January 21, 2018 at 3:05 pm
fspoesy
A great post on what is a little-understood and under-addressed topic in the picture book writing world. Thank you, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Gabi Snyder
Thank you for the wealth of great suggestions to consider when thinking marketability, Tara. I especially love (and need to implement) your suggestion for giving manuscripts high-concept titles.
January 21, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Cheryl Malandrinos
Thanks for this helpful advice. One thing I did last year is attend a local author’s fair. I brought a poster board with me that had my ten favorite ideas on it and asked kids to vote on their favorites. That gave me insight into what they were interested in.
January 21, 2018 at 3:10 pm
Pam Miller
Instead of making my story “perfect,” I’ll try for perfectly strong and perfectly marketable. I’ve already changed one title. Thanks for this wise post.
January 21, 2018 at 3:14 pm
marty
Tara, I can’t tell you how helpful this was. Such an important, and often overlooked, part of the idea generation and decision process, especially when it comes to which ideas merit the most consideration. Appreciate your insights. Many thanks!!!!
January 21, 2018 at 3:16 pm
kathalsey
Tara, this is a perfect list for assessing all those ideas after this month! Very good way to assess marketability. On another rote, I want to thank you for creating WWTS.
January 21, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Joanne Sher
Gret reminder we don’t hear about enough. Thanks so much, Tara! (and Tara :D)
January 21, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Brianna Zamborsky
Tyrannosaurus Rex Vs Edna was my Christmas gift to every kid I know this year! I adore it. Thanks for your post, Tara.
January 21, 2018 at 3:22 pm
Tara Luebbe
I know, very clever way to incorporate the fact chickens came from Dinosaurs. Love it.
January 21, 2018 at 3:22 pm
Bethany Roberts
Great advise and an extremely valuable post. Thanks, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 3:23 pm
Pat Miller
This was JUST the answers I needed for my question about, “What next?” Thanks!
January 21, 2018 at 3:25 pm
pathaap
Lots of good ideas to think about it, Tara! Thanks for the informative blog!
January 21, 2018 at 3:25 pm
Candice Conner
Excellent topic! Thank you for sharing your sixth sense, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 3:26 pm
Jenifer McNamara
Enjoyed your post. Off to market on my ideas.
January 21, 2018 at 3:26 pm
Annemarie Guertin
Thank you for all those great ideas!
January 21, 2018 at 3:35 pm
Candy Barnshiel
This is my first year doing this challenge and it has been eye-opening. I’m a mom of two toddlers and time can certainly get away from me but this challenge has kept me focused on idea creating. Thank you!
Even after this challenge is over, this is something I am going to continue to do on a daily basis because it keeps me connected to my craft and out of these ideas I’m writing down- one just might spark into a flame!
This is the year!
January 21, 2018 at 3:42 pm
Candy
To market, to market, to buy a new book! 🙂
January 21, 2018 at 3:43 pm
Vasilia Graboski
Thanks for the great tips!
January 21, 2018 at 3:44 pm
Cathy C. Hall
I always watch Shark Tank, exactly for the reason you stated–it’s invaluable!
January 21, 2018 at 3:50 pm
Elizabeth Brown
Such great information in your post! Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 4:01 pm
Marianne Kuzujanakis
It always comes down to marketability. The almighty dollar. 😀
January 21, 2018 at 4:03 pm
Jen Bagan
Awesome advice, Tara – I will definitely keep these marketability ideas in mind when moving forward with story ideas!
January 21, 2018 at 4:05 pm
Pamela Harrison
What a great tip! It will help me with my next step–choosing ideas from my list to turn into picture books.
January 21, 2018 at 4:05 pm
Meli Glickman
This critical reminder about idea/concept marketability is so critical, especially since it’s something I’ve not focused enough on. This post helps push me into gear to concentrate my energy developing ideas that I believe could sell. Thanks for sharing your insights!
January 21, 2018 at 4:09 pm
Alice Carty Fulgione
I really loved this post. Marketability is something I need to consider carefully when I begin to pick the story ideas I decide to develop.
January 21, 2018 at 4:10 pm
Shaye Wardrop
This advice is gold, Tara. Thank you so much!
January 21, 2018 at 4:14 pm
ManjuBeth
This is why STORYSTORM is vital. Focus on marketable concepts not purple prose. Thanks, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 4:47 pm
Tara Luebbe
The prose and polishing can be fixed later. Get the hook right first. I am not a “pretty” writer or gifted with craft at all. I get help from CPs on that stuff.
January 21, 2018 at 4:16 pm
seschipper
Fantastic post! Zeroing in on the marketability of your PB is so important.Thanks for all of the valuable “reminders”!! 🙂
January 21, 2018 at 4:20 pm
anitajjones
This is one of the most useful posts I’ve read! What a range of valuable information! So many things to consider, but I love all the suggestions…..(even though I may not understand what “yard bombers” are?) Thanks Tara!!
January 21, 2018 at 4:21 pm
anitajjones
Sorry…”yarn” bombers!
January 21, 2018 at 4:48 pm
Tara Luebbe
I was being a bit silly with that one but it is a thing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarn_bombing
January 21, 2018 at 4:23 pm
setwiggs
Tara,
A most helpful post. i will definitely look at my ideas and think marketability!
January 21, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Susan Johnston
Great tips! I was just telling someone in my critique book that I can picture her book in planetarium and science museum bookstores, so I think that’s a major plus for her story.
January 21, 2018 at 4:33 pm
Amy
My recent editor/agent critiques have included a “marketability” section and it has been extremely helpful to me. Thank you for all of the tip!
January 21, 2018 at 4:42 pm
celticsea
Definitely will create a checklist from these recommendations and ask myself these questions. (Which I was doing as I was reading them in relation to an idea I came up with yesterday!) Thanks Tara!! You rock!
January 21, 2018 at 4:46 pm
Darcee Freier
Thank you! Thank you! For addressing the marketability topic and giving us a helpful checklist.
January 21, 2018 at 4:48 pm
viviankirkfield
I love that your post focused on what comes after…that is…after you get the idea. Should you pursue it? That’s a question I haven’t always pondered on with an eye on the marketability…but I definitely should have! Great post, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 4:51 pm
Cassie Bentley
Great ideas that I forget about while writing. I’ve seen picture books at National Parks bookstores. I also forget that bookstores sell more than books. Writing with the Stars is a great program. Thanks for you and Becky for starting it.
January 21, 2018 at 4:58 pm
shelleykinder
Wonderful advice. My husband and I were just talking about the marketability aspect of writing the other night. It’s essential to think about these things if a writer wants to be traditionally published. I love your title Conan the Librarian…can’t wait to read it!
January 21, 2018 at 5:00 pm
Janet Smart
I love this post. I’m going to have to start making some lists and check out my ideas and manuscripts that I already have.
January 21, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Cindy Williams Schrauben
This was so very helpful, Tara. I want to refer back to it again and again.
January 21, 2018 at 5:11 pm
Tina Cho
Lovely list, Tara. Thanks for sharing all this knowledge! I was wondering how u knew so much about marketing in our Epic 18 group!
January 21, 2018 at 5:16 pm
Sandy
Excellent post! Thanks for the reminder about the kid-appeal factor!
January 21, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Cedar Pruitt
Oh man! I was hoping the prize was a marketability assessment. This is fantastic and highly useful – thank you.
January 21, 2018 at 5:28 pm
Tara Luebbe
LOL I thought about that for a second but decided I didn’t want to crush someone who I don’t know personally—only my CPs get their hopes crushed weekly.
January 21, 2018 at 5:22 pm
Cynthia Harmony (@cynthia_harmony)
Brilliant post, considering marketability is so necessary. Thank you Tara! This is exactly what newbies like me should be reading.
January 21, 2018 at 5:25 pm
swimwarrior60
Thanks for such a useful post! I often fall in love with my story and cannot see that it is not a story that will “sell”, beyond family members. Good suggestions!
January 21, 2018 at 5:28 pm
Barbara Senenman
Great ideas for thinking about how marketable is your idea! Thank you.
January 21, 2018 at 5:33 pm
Doreen E. Lepore
Excellent marketing advice – thanks!
January 21, 2018 at 5:34 pm
Suzanne LaLiberte Lewis
Wow! This is some reality check–THANK YOU! So informative and valuable to move to the next step!
January 21, 2018 at 5:34 pm
Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator
I love hearing about the marketability of books. It’s not something many authors think about when they are writing.
January 21, 2018 at 5:37 pm
tiffanydickinson
Tara, this is brilliant and helpful. As a new pre-published writer, I get so enthralled with my own ideas I often don’t look down the road at marketability. This really nails it. Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 5:37 pm
LaTonya Richardson
Marketability is essential, thanks for reminding us.
January 21, 2018 at 5:41 pm
laura516
Brilliant! Thanks.
January 21, 2018 at 5:43 pm
Judy Sobanski (@jkspburg)
This checklist is very helpful in considering the marketability of PB ideas. Thanks, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 5:45 pm
Krista Maxwell
Thanks for the advice. I love that you mentioned Shark Tank!
January 21, 2018 at 5:47 pm
Stephan Stuecklin
Thank you, Tara, for balancing out our writerly head in the clouds with two solid boots on the tarmac!
January 21, 2018 at 5:50 pm
Rhonda Whitaker
Tara, LOVE your post! This is such a huge idea to keep in mind! Thank you for your wonderful ideas ! 💕
January 21, 2018 at 5:52 pm
jheitman22
This is an incredibly useful post, Tara and Tara! Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 5:52 pm
Johnell DeWitt
Great advice!
January 21, 2018 at 5:53 pm
denitajohnson
Thank you so much for your suggestions, this helps a lot.
January 21, 2018 at 6:03 pm
Sue
Great, practical post, Tara. We need that reality check — to think about what titles and concepts will entice readers.
The example of grandma’s favorite vegetables did make me smile!
January 21, 2018 at 6:05 pm
Dianne1234
Great info, Tara. Thank you. I’m printing this post out to refer to later! Also printing the other Tara’s 500+ Things Kids Like.
January 21, 2018 at 6:12 pm
Heather Pierce Stigall
Wow! What a handy check list! I’ll run all my ideas through this from now on.
January 21, 2018 at 6:12 pm
Linda Hofke
Keeping marketability is mind is very important. Thanks for the reminder.
January 21, 2018 at 6:21 pm
Kathy Doherty
I learned this lesson the hard way . . . I held on to a manuscript forever before I realized it would NEVER in a million years sell.
January 21, 2018 at 6:22 pm
Amanda Sincavage
Tara, this post is wonderful! Time to revisit my polished manuscripts through the marketability lens. Thank you for these thorough examples!
January 21, 2018 at 6:22 pm
KASteed
You’re suggestions were really helpful. Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 6:22 pm
Michelle gajda
Many great ideas to consider! Thanks!
January 21, 2018 at 6:24 pm
Hilda Burgos
Great ideas! Thanks so much for sharing!
January 21, 2018 at 6:27 pm
Tracey Brown
Marketability is so important and sometimes not thought about when I craft a manuscript. Thanks for your post, Tara
January 21, 2018 at 6:29 pm
Michele Helsel
Wow, I wish I had that sixth sense! I’ll test my titles with your criteria! Thanks!
January 21, 2018 at 6:32 pm
Colleen Dabney
Very helpful! Thank you for your valuable perspective.
January 21, 2018 at 6:33 pm
Jeanine Potter
Thank you very much for an invaluable set of considerations to consider regarding our manuscripts.
January 21, 2018 at 6:35 pm
mcdonaldrae
Thank you for the heads up to really be serious about marketing! So appreciated.
January 21, 2018 at 6:36 pm
Becky Scharnhorst
Thanks for the great post, Tara! I’ve been trying to determine which of my ideas/manuscripts are marketable and which are not. These tips will really help with that process. My writing time is precious and limited so I want to make sure I’m pursuing the right ideas. Thanks again!
January 21, 2018 at 6:37 pm
Laura Rackham
These were such basic, really good strategies! (That I never really think about!)
January 21, 2018 at 6:43 pm
Tasha Hilderman
My family runs a retail store and I buy for the kids and baby department. I can totally picture what you are saying and just need to connect the wires in my brain between the retail side and the writing side. The marketability is such an important thing– when we are buying products, we want something that can “sell itself.” Any gizmo or gadget that needs a demonstration or long winded explanation is going to be harder to move and therefore I’m less likely to buy it. Same for writing. Thanks for the great post, Tara.
January 21, 2018 at 8:01 pm
Tara Luebbe
You have an advantage.Just look around you at work. Think about your displays!
January 21, 2018 at 6:50 pm
mamabalza
I plan to use your checklist for marketability. You article was terrific.
January 21, 2018 at 6:51 pm
annabrookswriter
Thank you for the new perspective! I wish I had your sixth sense, but it’s great to at least be aware of that important part of the process.
January 21, 2018 at 6:56 pm
kirsticall
Great post! I’m glad to get some tips on how to make sure my story is marketable!
January 21, 2018 at 6:58 pm
theresenagi
Thanks Tara for sharing a great post! I am going to rethink my subject matter before digging in to it.
January 21, 2018 at 7:00 pm
mariagianferrari
Thanks, Tara. I especially love the title Conan the Librarian–so funny and punny. Congrats on your success & thanks for the retail-oriented pointers!
January 21, 2018 at 7:13 pm
Martin Segal
Thank you for the great post, Tara! Wonderful insights to keep in mind about marketability!
January 21, 2018 at 7:18 pm
Melissa Koosmann
Thanks for this insider perspective on marketability, Tara. Very helpful!
January 21, 2018 at 7:32 pm
Cathy Breisacher
Oh my goodness…this post is extremely helpful! I got so many ideas for stories even while I read it! Thanks for pointing out these valuable insights.
January 21, 2018 at 7:32 pm
Lori Alexander
Thanks, Tara! Trying to come up with high concept PB ideas is the toughest part (for me, at least!). Your tips are very helpful. Thanks again.
January 21, 2018 at 7:44 pm
Angie
This is a great list! Very helpful! Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 7:44 pm
writeremmcbride
Tara, this post is incredibly helpful! Thank you so much! You give me hope that my holiday book is not automatically cursed for being a holiday book! Your many filters are very informative! And we all need to remember that when we see the perfect spot/venue for our fellow writers’ books, we should share that recommendation with the writer and vendor!
January 21, 2018 at 7:49 pm
Kathy O'Neill
What helpful ways to think about choosing stories to write. Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 7:51 pm
STORYSTORM 2018 Day 21: Tara Luebbe Has a Sixth Sense | Love, Laughter, and Life
[…] via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 21: Tara Luebbe Has a Sixth Sense […]
January 21, 2018 at 8:08 pm
Rebekah Lowell
Currently stuck on a title for this exact reason. Thank you for the wonderful advice on how important it is to consider marketing. My wheels are turning.
January 21, 2018 at 8:13 pm
Danielle Hammelef
Thanks for the insight into marketability.
January 21, 2018 at 8:15 pm
StephMWard
Such smart advice. Really appreciate the opportunity to put on a business/marketing hat and think about a project in a whole new way. Thanks!
January 21, 2018 at 8:16 pm
Peter
Makes sense. Thanks for sharing!
January 21, 2018 at 8:21 pm
Beth Stilborn
Good advice, Tara! Thank you. When I start looking at my StoryStorm ideas to decide what to work with, I’ll try your marketability measures on them. And I just have to say, the little girl on the cover of I AM FAMOUS is adorable!
January 21, 2018 at 8:23 pm
julielacombeauthor
That great advice!
January 21, 2018 at 8:26 pm
ingridboydston
A powerful post! Thank you Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 8:28 pm
Juliana Lee
Brillant advice! Many in my writing group call acquistions ‘the place where stories go to die’… meaning that a well crafted story that cannot be sold will not see the light of day.
January 21, 2018 at 8:30 pm
loriannlevyholm
What a fabulous way to start brainstorming!
January 21, 2018 at 8:31 pm
Latasha Vernon
This is such helpful information! Thank you Tara for your insight and marketing advice. Your store display was cute by the way! It would’ve definitely caught my daughter’s eyes especially since she wants a princess tea birthday party this year.
January 21, 2018 at 8:34 pm
Latasha Vernon
And I just checked your website. I missed the deadline for the WWTS contest. I’m marking this information for next year!
January 21, 2018 at 8:32 pm
Teresa Robeson
What an invaluable post! Thanks so much for sharing your retail wisdom, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 8:35 pm
Marlene Rohr
Thank you Tara for your valuable insights!
January 21, 2018 at 8:36 pm
betlw
Tara, what a fabulous list of places to help us think up stories. Many of them I would never have thought of myself. Thanks for the retailer’s view on picture books. This information is invaluable.
January 21, 2018 at 8:41 pm
Amanda Davis
Thank you for the insights, Tara! It is such an important part of the creative process that can sometimes be overlooked. I love the 500 + list of things kids like too! I will definitely be referencing that!! 😁
January 21, 2018 at 8:41 pm
Abi Cushman
Excellent post, Tara! You are so right about assessing the marketability of the idea first.
January 21, 2018 at 8:49 pm
Brenda Maier
Tara, I love how you condense all of this knowledge & highlight the most important things. Brilliant. Thanks for sharing your marketing mojo!
January 21, 2018 at 8:51 pm
jeanjames926
Great post Tara, thanks for the helpful advice.
January 21, 2018 at 8:53 pm
Sarah Momo Romero
Wow, what a wealth of ideas to start with. Thanks so much for sharing, Tara! This is a great list to turn to as a starting point for ideas. Great post!
January 21, 2018 at 9:03 pm
Christine Blaisdell
Thanks, Tara! Great stuff to think about!
January 21, 2018 at 9:17 pm
Sherri Jones Rivers
I see myself in that category of working on something that will never see the light of day. Such wise words and so helpful to us as we look over all our possibilities. Thank you for your insight!
January 21, 2018 at 9:17 pm
M Lapointe Malchik (@imartytweet)
Brilliant, Tara! This is such a great post at this point in the idea generating process. Now I have several litmus tests to use when deciding which ones to spend time writing and revising. Looking forward to reading I AM FAMOUS. Love your gift certificate to an indie bookstore for one of your giveaways. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS POST!!!
January 21, 2018 at 9:19 pm
Jennifer Broedel (@JBroedelAuthor)
Wow, this is perhaps the most striking post we’ve enjoyed so far! Thanks for these priceless insights!
January 21, 2018 at 9:20 pm
Natalie Lynn Tanner
TARA: I SO appreciated this unique perspective from someone with marketing know-how! It’s SO IMPORTANT for we writers to look at ALL aspects of the children’s book world. THANK YOU for the WONDERFUL insights!!!!
January 21, 2018 at 9:22 pm
Allison Alley
This is an extremely helpful post. Definitely one I’ll be rereading. Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 9:25 pm
Heather
Love this practical approach! Thanks, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 9:31 pm
Amanda Davis
Thanks for the insights, Tara. Such an important factor to consider in the creative process. The list of 500 + things kids like is so helpful too! I will definitely be referencing that!
January 21, 2018 at 9:35 pm
Christine Pinto
Thanks for a great list of questions to ask when deciding what to take to the next step. You are so right – don’t spend a lot of time on something that will go nowhere. And it’s so hard to think about that when all you are thinking about is how much you love your idea. Thanks for a way to get a reality check. I’m bookmarking this page!
January 21, 2018 at 9:36 pm
Emmie R Werner
Thanks so much for the next step information ❤️
January 21, 2018 at 9:41 pm
Trine Grillo
This is an extremely helpful post. Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 9:42 pm
Laurie L Young
Bookmarking this post. And looking for ways to make common topics like dinosaurs and pirates fresh and new.
January 21, 2018 at 9:44 pm
Jennifer G Prevost
Excellent post! Thanks for giving us all a glimpse of the “other side” and helping to keep our feet on the ground.
January 21, 2018 at 9:46 pm
Hélène Sabourin
Great post! Thank you for all the info
January 21, 2018 at 9:46 pm
Jennifer Hunt
A lot of good marketability points to consider! Thanks for the direction.
January 21, 2018 at 9:58 pm
suzannepoulterharris
Great advice, Tara, to examine our StoryStorm ideas for marketability. A manuscript will not get past acquisitions unless it is marketable.
January 21, 2018 at 10:00 pm
Lucretia Schafroth
Thanks for the fabulous insights! Excellent post!
January 21, 2018 at 10:02 pm
Artelle Lenthall
Saving this post. Thanks Tara 🙂
January 21, 2018 at 10:15 pm
saputnam
Great post, Tara!! Thank you for talking about marketability and how it is vital to selling ones picture books. I love the idea of walking in to bookstore and trying to find a shelf for your book to fit onto
January 21, 2018 at 10:19 pm
writeknit
Tara, thanks for the great marketing tips!
January 21, 2018 at 10:29 pm
Amy Harding
I LOVE this useful list of questions and am bookmarking this post to refer back to! Thanks for a great resource!
January 21, 2018 at 10:31 pm
Carleen M. Tjader
Excellent post! Marketability is just as important as polishing, Thank you. I like your tips to help accomplish this, too.
January 21, 2018 at 10:37 pm
Megan Taraszkiewicz
Great tip, Tara! Thank you!
January 21, 2018 at 10:57 pm
Sharon Coffey
Tara, what a great post. Marketability is paramount. Thank you for spelling it out and giving us so many different angles to look at to see if our book is marketable. Awesome things to keep in mind.
January 21, 2018 at 11:01 pm
hmmmmm
Such great stuff here for the non-market-enough-oriented among us, Tara. Thanks so much for this post.
January 21, 2018 at 11:01 pm
sharongiltrow
Thank you Tara for helping me choose which ideas to spend my time on.
January 21, 2018 at 11:11 pm
Val McCammon
Terrific ways to look at our PBs/topics through marketability specifics. Thanks, Tara!
January 21, 2018 at 11:25 pm
Kristen Browning
Thanks for your post–such great advice. Now to be brutally honest about some of these ideas…
January 21, 2018 at 11:40 pm
Joni Nemeth
Update to earlier comment – do you offer any (paid) services to discuss marketability of a book (idea)? I have plenty of ideas (thanks Storystorm) but I always struggle with deciding which one to focus on. I know there is “Would you Read This” but I’d love to have some resource for input on my brainstorming before I get too far down the road.
January 22, 2018 at 8:40 am
Tara Luebbe
I don’t have any official services at this time but email me at taraluebbe@gmail.com and I will see what we can work out.
January 21, 2018 at 11:41 pm
susanbruck
Thanks, Tara, for the good advice. This is definitely an area where I have a lot to learn, and this is very helpful.
January 21, 2018 at 11:45 pm
Stephen S. Martin
To market, to market, get in your car and park it.
January 21, 2018 at 11:59 pm
Corey Schwartz
Such a valuable post. I am sure I will refer people to it time and time again!
January 22, 2018 at 12:04 am
llambart
As a mom we get several book-gifts per year. After reading this post, I see that some of these books are marketed to grandmas and aunts… Not the kids! They’re good books to look at, but the kids don’t like them. Very good point to consider when writing.
January 22, 2018 at 12:05 am
wyszguy
Amazing advice! Thank you!
January 22, 2018 at 12:18 am
megcason1
Such a great reminder Tara! I appreciate your candor and advice.
January 22, 2018 at 12:30 am
Joana Pastro
Fantastic post, Tara! It’s going to my bulletin board. 🙂 thanks!
January 22, 2018 at 12:44 am
Christine M Irvin
Thanks for the great advice about considering the marketability of our stories. It’s an important thing to know and remember. Thanks, again.
January 22, 2018 at 12:47 am
8catpaws
So important to choose a kid-friendly topic!
January 22, 2018 at 1:03 am
angiecal76
Love your wisdom on marketability. You’ve given me a new perspective on how to analyze my picture book ideas.
January 22, 2018 at 1:06 am
Mindy Alyse Weiss
Thank you so much for your inspiring post, Tara. My brain is already whirling with ideas, and I can’t wait to look at all my StoryStorm ideas with your marketing suggestions in mind.
January 22, 2018 at 1:08 am
Zoraida
I have many ideas so this is so helpful! It will save me valuable time and allow me to focus on the manuscripts that may have more marketability and I feel are what I need to write. Thank you, both.
January 22, 2018 at 1:51 am
susanzonca
A very helpful way to look at writing from the other end.
January 22, 2018 at 2:05 am
Diana Calio
Thanks for such great advice! 🙂
January 22, 2018 at 2:20 am
Brenda Bokenyi
Great tips! Thank you.
January 22, 2018 at 3:29 am
Tina Hoggatt (@tinahoggatt)
So helpful. I love that your process is not only based on your retail experience but inquiry driven. Thank you!
January 22, 2018 at 3:35 am
Cheryl T.
Tara, this was very informative and honest, thank you so much. Your knowledge is full of great insight and helpful ideas. Yes, I think we do tend to over edit, polish and just plan try to make it perfect to the point we lose sight of our story through all the fussing over making it perfect. I can over think things at times, make chnages then realize it was better before my changes. There is a time to let our baby go and let someone else see it through fresh eyes. Thank you again for your honesty.
January 22, 2018 at 4:39 am
Rani Iyer (@iyerani)
Absolutely invaluable advice! Thank you!
January 22, 2018 at 5:31 am
Michelle Sumovich
Thank you for sharing this helpful perspective, Tara!
January 22, 2018 at 5:59 am
Carrie Fannin
What a practical & timely post–thank you. This is the type of information we all need.
January 22, 2018 at 8:04 am
Kimberly
The thought of worrying about sales is less overwhelming when considered early in the process. Thanks for the fresh perspective!
January 22, 2018 at 8:17 am
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
It is amazing how new ideas are always there waiting to be created
January 22, 2018 at 8:19 am
kiwijenny
I am taking this to heart. Why haven’t I tattooed this article on my husband so I can keep reading it?
January 22, 2018 at 8:38 am
aliciaminor
You’re the queen of the sixth sense of ideas. Well done. Wow, those are excellent tips to work for. I wish you more books to come. God bless…
January 22, 2018 at 9:07 am
Jean Richardson
Excellent, excellent details to consider when writing: Marketability! Thank you.
January 22, 2018 at 9:10 am
Patricia Alcaro
Marketability is a good place to start when you consider whether it’s time to continue with a story idea or scratch it. Thank you.
January 22, 2018 at 9:28 am
Debbie Austin
So helpful! I will be printing this post to keep with my idea notebook. Thank you!
January 22, 2018 at 9:31 am
Debbi Michiko Florence
Thank you for a fresh take on pursuing ideas!!!
January 22, 2018 at 9:43 am
Joan Swanson
You have made some very valid points. It is very hard to give up on a story you have put so much work into, but if it isn’t going to get published, maybe I should move on. Thank you for all your help!
January 22, 2018 at 9:50 am
booksbygee
I love this early reality check. Thank you!!
January 22, 2018 at 9:52 am
Paula Young
Thank you so much for your perspective! Very helpful information!
January 22, 2018 at 10:04 am
Ink Bottle Studio
Excellent advice! Thank you!
January 22, 2018 at 10:07 am
Elizabeth Tracy
Thank you Tara; this was great!
January 22, 2018 at 10:12 am
nancy armo
THIS IS A FABULOUS POST! I’m printing it out and placing it front and center near my computer to remind me what the end game is before I go to deep into a story.
January 22, 2018 at 10:21 am
Nadine Gamble
I don’t think I’ve seen marketability so thoroughly outlined anywhere else. Thank you!
January 22, 2018 at 10:37 am
Jennifer Lanette Manigo
Wow, you really gave us something to think about with this one. Thanks for the tips, I will be re-evaluating some titles today.
January 22, 2018 at 10:37 am
Pat
This is one of the most useful posts/articles on writing PBs ever! Thank you, Tara(s) for outlining some of the most important steps to get published.
January 22, 2018 at 10:41 am
Virginia Law Manning
I worked in children’s book sales too–on the publisher’s end. I think your post is fantastic. I’m going to print it out and keep it on my bulletin board. You and Tara are right. It’s silly to spend time polishing manuscripts that are missing a good hook. I’m going to put my ideas through your test from now on! Thank you!!!
January 22, 2018 at 10:44 am
aidantalkin
Tara, I’m lovin’ all these wonderful angles to think of. I’m sure I’ll return to it as a reference. We’ve had a couple toy stores in the family and I used to be the book buyer for one; it’s in my blood, though I hadn’t really appreciated my superpower, hiding there beneath the surface. Ha, thanks!
January 22, 2018 at 11:18 am
Anne Appert
Thank you for this incredibly useful post!
January 22, 2018 at 11:27 am
Genevieve Petrillo
Marketability doesn’t usually cross my mind when I’m writing a story. The story puts pressure on me to be written, so everything else comes later. I love the list – something concrete to use, even though I will probably use it after the fact.
January 22, 2018 at 11:38 am
Joann Howeth
Excellent advice! I am not that familiar with marketing in the retail setting, so bulleting each consideration has given me lots to think about. And your point about wasting time on a project that will not be marketable, while painful to acknowledge, is invaluable. I’ve already taken time to examine my Storystorm list-in-progress and see that I’ve got some ideas that are/would be fruitless. Thank you for your wise words.
January 22, 2018 at 11:47 am
Amanda Wilson
I learned sooo much by reading this. Great advice. I will now be sure to include “marketability” in my creative process.
January 22, 2018 at 11:56 am
donnacangelosi
Your advice is invaluable, Tara! Thank you so much!
In February I’ll be going through my new story ideas as well as my completed drafts to determine which are marketable. No more spending time on stories that won’t sell 🙂
January 22, 2018 at 12:05 pm
karammitchell
This information is key. At first it feels constraining. But it’s really a place to start brainstorming from. I’m a landscape designer. I found out years ago that working within parameters is actually easier and requires more creative thinking at the same time. The 500 things list is killer! Thanks so much , Tara!!
January 22, 2018 at 12:12 pm
Donna L Martin
I loved your idea, Tara, of having a “marketability list” for each manuscript…cuts down on revising a weak story idea.
Great post!
Donna L Martin
January 22, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Judy Bryan
Excellent post, Tara. Thank you for sharing your wisdom on marketability. So much to think about!!!
January 22, 2018 at 12:42 pm
rindabeach
I loved this so much that I pasted it at the end of a manuscript I’m working on. When done, I want to test it with your list, and then push to be better. Thanks for great advice!
January 22, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Cathy Biggerstaff
Wow! What an amazing list of things to consider in February and beyond. I’m going to print this one off and keep it handy. Thanks!
January 22, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Deborah Beauchamp
Great points to consider! Thanks for the post! Congratulations on all of your upcoming picture books!
January 22, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Sally Spratt (@SallySpratt)
Amazing ideas and view point. THANKS!
January 22, 2018 at 1:03 pm
Sara Gentry
Your work in retail definitely paid off! Congrats on the forthcoming book releases!
January 22, 2018 at 1:11 pm
Kassy Keppol
Thank you for sharing
January 22, 2018 at 1:12 pm
kimgjolly
I appreciate your candid, realistic advice! Although I have my heart set on a non-fiction story about visiting my flooded hometown after Hurricane Harvey and the loving, selfless volunteers who helped us, it may not be marketable except in that hometown schools and bookstores near there.
January 22, 2018 at 1:26 pm
Tara Luebbe
Well maybe Pelican Press would be a good fit for that one.
January 22, 2018 at 1:29 pm
Marcia Berneger
What a wonderful wealth of ways to look at my manuscript’s marketability! Thanks for sharing this with us!
January 22, 2018 at 1:37 pm
Sarah Maynard (@SarahDMaynard)
What a valuable post!! Thank you for this!
January 22, 2018 at 1:45 pm
Julie Rand
I think it’s time to take my marketing friends to lunch and see what they think. Thank you for sharing your information.
It gave me much to ponder.
January 22, 2018 at 1:52 pm
debobrienbookscom
I think most writers fall short on the marketing end. We get so caught up in our wonderful character, the story, or whatever it is that makes US fall in love with our own story, we forget the big picture. Thank you for that reminder, Tara.
January 22, 2018 at 1:56 pm
Lori Williams
At the end of this post, an idea just lightening zapped through my head. good thing, because I’m a little behind on the numbers game!!!
thank you!
January 22, 2018 at 1:57 pm
writingcygnet
Thanks for the practical and inspirational post. While we are always told not to write for the market, Tara shows us how to take what we are passionate about and to revise, rework, and edit with an eye toward the marketability factor. Brilliant! Susan Swan
January 22, 2018 at 2:01 pm
Meghan Burch
Thanks for these important considerations!
January 22, 2018 at 2:07 pm
Carolyn Kraft
Thanks for the amazing advice!
January 22, 2018 at 2:10 pm
Louise Aamodt
So much to consider! Thanks for the reminders of marketability.
January 22, 2018 at 2:40 pm
gingermeurer
Drat, there goes my idea for “Grandma’s Childhood Tales of Eating Vegetables,” unless I can convince the grocery stores to sell it in the produce section … hmmmm. But really, Tara, thank you. I think people forget that marketing has a huge voice in what gets published and what gets promoted. And if you don’t give them something to work with, it doesn’t matter how polished it is.
January 22, 2018 at 2:45 pm
Therese Kay
Great thoughts on marketability! Thanks!
January 22, 2018 at 2:47 pm
Mary Worley
Great advice. Thanks for broadening my thinking on this. I tend to think about it like a librarian doing book displays. Useful, but I could be doing much more.
January 22, 2018 at 2:48 pm
Hillary Homzie
This is such savvy advice. Thanks for sharing your retail wisdom!
January 22, 2018 at 2:48 pm
angie9091
Good advice! I’m going to go through my list of manuscripts and see which make the cut.
January 22, 2018 at 2:51 pm
triciacandy
This is great. I will save and refer back to this post.
January 22, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Carrie Finison
This is great advice. I had a story that I was told by a pro would sell “on title alone.” Well, it did sell – written by someone else, unfortunately. Lesson learned – when you think of a great title, get your story out there!
January 22, 2018 at 3:11 pm
Tara Luebbe
Hate it when that happens. Just had that last week too.
January 22, 2018 at 3:18 pm
barbarakparker
Great ideas for adding food to my writing.
January 22, 2018 at 3:19 pm
Krista Harrington
Tara, thank you for the great advice! I need to change titles on some of my manuscripts in deed.
January 22, 2018 at 3:20 pm
sharonwernerauthor
These are such great marketing ideas and really kicked off some book and article ideas for me too. Thank you!
January 22, 2018 at 3:29 pm
Laurel Abell
So many terrific ideas!! Thanks
January 22, 2018 at 3:58 pm
Lu Fiskin-Ross
Thank you for the suggestions! Marketing is a mystery to me and something I know I need to develop. Thank you!
January 22, 2018 at 4:31 pm
shanah salter
marketability is a great way to vet story ideas. thank you!
January 22, 2018 at 6:09 pm
Kristin Wauson
Really interesting perspective and great information. Marketability is not usually what we are thinking about when we are waist deep in a manuscript or picture book dummy. Thank you for sharing!
January 22, 2018 at 6:40 pm
Christine Fleming McIsaac
Thanks for the terrific advice! This is a great lens to see these ideas through on Feb. 1. I look forward to checking out your books, too.
January 22, 2018 at 6:44 pm
R.J. Koehn
I love the bulleted list Tara! I’m printing it out. Thanks for the great post!
January 22, 2018 at 6:50 pm
Maria Oka
Can’t wait to read “I am Famous”! Thank you for this post!!
January 22, 2018 at 7:08 pm
Summer Quigley
So much to consider and think about. Thank you, Tara.
January 22, 2018 at 7:33 pm
Ann Cronin Romano
Thanks for the insight into how to make sure the idea will be marketable. Definitely an important piece.
January 22, 2018 at 7:45 pm
Melissa Stoller
Thanks for a great post, Tara! Marketability is key! Looking forward to your upcoming books!
January 22, 2018 at 8:05 pm
Abigail Marble
Great advice — and it’s a point I don’t consider enough. Thank you!
January 22, 2018 at 8:06 pm
sharonkdal
So much good advice here. I’m going to have to read it again. Thanks, Tara!
January 22, 2018 at 8:48 pm
Jeanine Fondacaro Brown
That’s a great idea to look at a story concept from the perspective of marketing before getting “married” to the idea. Never occurred to me, so thank you for that!!
January 22, 2018 at 8:54 pm
Cherie Downey
This was a great reminder that the people who make publishing decisions are hoping to SELL BOOKS! So the books that we write need to be good stories which are also marketable.
January 22, 2018 at 9:06 pm
CeCeLibrarian
This advice was so very good and really made me think. What do you do when you feel married to an idea that is “your baby” but not really marketable? Do I set it aside to pursue a more marketable idea?
January 22, 2018 at 9:13 pm
Tara Luebbe
You put it aside until your name is Cece Barnett or Cece Santat or Cece Davis Pinkney and you can write and sell what you want because your name now becomes the marketable hook.
January 22, 2018 at 9:23 pm
CeCeLibrarian
Thank you!
January 22, 2018 at 9:11 pm
Carolyn Currier
Excellent points to keep in mind.
January 22, 2018 at 9:14 pm
Kirsten Bock
Awesome advice, Tara. Looking forward to reading your books!
January 22, 2018 at 9:33 pm
L. Michelle Quraishi
Thank you for this checklist – a wonderful tool!
January 22, 2018 at 9:42 pm
Diane Tulloch
Excellent post and great advice. Thank you Tara.
January 22, 2018 at 9:43 pm
Faith
Thanks for your post. Such practical and informed advice! Your perspective and thought-provoking questions are much appreciated.
January 22, 2018 at 9:43 pm
Alexandra Hinrichs
This is super helpful, and thank you for linking to Tara’s list! What a tremendous resource!
January 22, 2018 at 10:16 pm
Elizabeth Metz
So so so helpful. And though I know we should generally not “write to the market,” in this month of “gather as many ideas as possible,” this can also be a nice brainstorming tool.
January 22, 2018 at 11:11 pm
Andrea Mack
Wow! This is so extremely helpful! Thank you for your insights!
January 22, 2018 at 11:19 pm
Bronte L Colbert
Great ideas! Thank you!
January 22, 2018 at 11:51 pm
April Scott
This post was very informative and a great reminder to consider the marketability of an idea before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard!).
January 23, 2018 at 12:40 am
Ann Martin
Thank you, Tara, for a whole fresh slant on marketability. Very valuable!
January 23, 2018 at 1:06 am
Rani Iyer (@iyerani)
Great tip, Tara. Good writing may not always be marketable… unless someone wants to go self-publishing route. Thanks!
January 23, 2018 at 1:16 am
heavenlyhashformoms
Love it! What a great resource!
January 23, 2018 at 1:24 am
Pamela Courtney
Marketability. I do think of that when I happen upon an idea. I love a historical fiction idea I happened to see. I do wonder about the marketability of it. Will students want to read it? I know teachers will want to add it to their reading activities, especially guided reading. I hope from the teacher’s introduction, readers will fall in love with the mc and request the book over and over again.
January 23, 2018 at 7:51 am
mathbookmagic
Great info. Thanks for sharing.
January 23, 2018 at 8:46 am
justcomposeyourself
Tara,
My mind is blown!! I really appreciate this dive into marketability- what a fascinating new way to look at ideas☺️ Thank you!
January 23, 2018 at 9:41 am
Daryl Gottier
What helpful information! I work in a library and think in terms of the books that go on the changing seasonal displays or those that go into the topical “book bundles” like snow/holidays/dinosaurs/princesses/trucks etc. Thanks!
January 23, 2018 at 10:01 am
Tara Luebbe
Exactly the same concept!
January 23, 2018 at 10:42 am
rgstones
Brilliant post! Thank you.
January 23, 2018 at 10:52 am
Laurie Bouck
Thanks for your great insight into the marketability of ideas! 😀
January 23, 2018 at 11:12 am
Liz Steinglass
Yep. It’s all about the idea.
January 23, 2018 at 11:17 am
ammwrite3
So many fabulous points in one place. As a narrative nonfiction writer, I put the value of the story first. I have to remember the ‘who will buy it?’ and ‘who will read it?’ parts of the puzzle too. Thanks!
January 23, 2018 at 12:05 pm
CindyC
Terrific post, Tara! Marketability and kid-appeal is what we need to focus on in February.
January 23, 2018 at 12:10 pm
JEN Garrett
This comes at the perfect time because I’m one of those crazy writers trying to do Storystorm while polishing multiple projects. Today, I turned my thoughts to my projects and asked, “what would make them more marketable?” Guess it’s kind of cheating since Storystorm is about new story ideas, but anything that helps me write better stories is a win in my book!
January 23, 2018 at 1:08 pm
Wendy
WHY can’t I remember this??? Thanks for the reminder and fantastic prompts to get your points across. Seriously good stuff!
January 23, 2018 at 1:28 pm
Lauren Barbieri
Thank you for the reminder to stay attuned to the practical side of things and all the great suggestions related to doing so!
January 23, 2018 at 1:35 pm
Mary Jo Wagner
I have probably been choosing all of the wrong ideas to write 🙂 but now I have the insight and tools to review all my material for their marketability. Thanks!
January 23, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Anita
Great ideas for thought!
January 23, 2018 at 3:01 pm
McCourt Thomas
Great suggestions! I agree, as a children’s librarian I notice that the tried and true topics of interest to kids never seem to sit on the shelves. Thanks for the reminder!
January 23, 2018 at 3:28 pm
Angela De Groot
Wow! Lots to think about. Thank you for the idea-eval advice. It will be like looking through a different pair of spectacles.
January 23, 2018 at 3:39 pm
Laura Jean Watters
Such a great reminder to consider the retail perspective!!!
January 23, 2018 at 4:34 pm
Poupette Smith
Superb advice, thank you. I’m gonna copy your list and add to it, then think marketability as I incorporate appealing, popular topics into my writing; but do you feel that PB writers shouldn’t pursue less marketable ideas?
January 23, 2018 at 4:52 pm
Tara Luebbe
I think that is a personal question and depends on your goals. If you goal is to break into the traditionally published picture book market and you are not a celebrity, marketability makes it easier for sure. There are all sorts of books published that I would not call very marketable and they still get published. Marketability just makes your chances to attract an editor and get through that acquisitions meeting with the sales team so much easier. It is what worked for me. I also think that established writers can take more chances and write some things that may be less marketable because their name is the marketable hook at that point. Think like Oliver Jeffers and Mac Barnett. They can write things that I could never ever sell based on their track records. So for people trying to break in, yeah I think marketability can be a huge asset. I am not selling less marketable ideas won’t sell, it is just way harder.
January 29, 2018 at 3:27 pm
Poupette Smith
I get it, Tara. Thanks for your thorough explanation.
January 23, 2018 at 4:46 pm
Nicole Turner
Thank you for the great information. It is so important to remember we are making a product!
January 23, 2018 at 5:09 pm
Tina Lazar
I love these ideas on ways to think about where the story will go when it is written. That idea helps me think of where I want it to be seen! Thank you for this great advice!!
January 23, 2018 at 5:19 pm
nicolesharkeybooks
This was soooo helpful. I look forward to reviewing my ideas with a critical markability eye.
January 23, 2018 at 5:30 pm
Robin Bailey
Rich information to consider here. Thank you for the perspective! -Robin
January 23, 2018 at 5:59 pm
Linda J Thomas
Thanks, Tara, for this invaluable advice and approach to ideas!
January 23, 2018 at 6:07 pm
Marlene Farrell
Thanks for these ideas. It will help me prioritize my list of ideas that will hopefully become MS’s or maybe not! And I need to think more about titles.
January 23, 2018 at 6:10 pm
Melanie Ellsworth
Wonderfully practical advice, Tara! Your retail background has proven invaluable to your writing success. And your “Writing with the Stars” contest is an amazing gift to writers.
January 23, 2018 at 6:45 pm
Jacqueline Adams
This post will be helpful come February 1, but it also helped me come up with three new ideas while I was reading it. Thanks, Tara!
January 23, 2018 at 7:12 pm
Janet Frenck Sheets
Very practical advice. I’m going to print your list so that I’ll do better at recognizing marketable ideas.
January 23, 2018 at 7:39 pm
maryzychowicz
This was such a helpful post! I often wonder when I am spending time on revisions and submitting to my critique group if my idea itself is even good to begin with. I often ask them if they think so. But this is such good information for us to use to analyze our own work before we pour hours of time and thought and revision into it. It’s so nice to hear it from a retailer or marketing point of view. Thank you for sharing such practical suggestions.
January 23, 2018 at 8:02 pm
Sandi Lawson
I enjoyed reading your post. Thank you for your insight!
January 23, 2018 at 9:33 pm
Doris k Stone
Thank you for the marketing advice. It is very helpful and much appreciated.
January 23, 2018 at 10:02 pm
Erik Ammon
Oh, marketability…something I don’t think about too often, but really need to. Thanks for the ideas for thinking it through, Tara!
January 23, 2018 at 10:05 pm
deniseaengle
Marketability has not been on my mind. Wow! Rethinking so much. Thank you!
January 23, 2018 at 10:43 pm
Susie Sawyer
Oh this post is so helpful! Thank you for opening my eyes to marketability, Tara!
January 23, 2018 at 11:13 pm
Cindy Mims
The picture of your store is like a spinning wheel of ideas ready to be weaves into a pink story! Thank you for all your comments and ideas!
January 23, 2018 at 11:17 pm
julia dworschack
Great post. Helps keep some focus on the market. Gave me a lot of ideas for story a day writing. Thx
January 23, 2018 at 11:48 pm
ptnozell
Marketability: something on which I don’t focus enough attention. Thanks for sharing the useful checklist.
January 24, 2018 at 12:12 am
Patricia Toht
Great suggestions, Tara! And as well as helping you decide which ideas to pursue, your questions also give the outline to marketing plans for the ideas that get turned into books.
January 24, 2018 at 3:57 am
Anna Smith
This is a very helpful post. Thank you for all the different things to think about when I’m writing.
January 24, 2018 at 10:29 am
Kathy Cornell Berman
Excellent post. Thanks Tara for reminding us to focus on marketability and what’s important to kids.
January 24, 2018 at 10:49 am
Ryan Roberts
Excellent advice. Thanks! Also- printed out Tara’s list of things kids like. Thanks for that, too
January 24, 2018 at 10:49 am
bgonsar
Such an important topic to think about. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
January 24, 2018 at 11:07 am
Cinzia
Great post – very helpful. Thanks!!!
January 24, 2018 at 11:36 am
annettepimentel
Thanks for this wise advice!
January 24, 2018 at 1:57 pm
jessica shaw
Thank you, Tara! Wonderful post!
January 24, 2018 at 2:09 pm
jennagrodzicki
These are all excellent ideas. Thank you, Tara!
January 24, 2018 at 3:37 pm
Debbie Zapata
This is rich with the tools to help me hone an area that is not my strong suit. I feel better equipped to take that part of the literary life on. Thank you!
January 24, 2018 at 5:04 pm
Susan Schade
I love this post! Being able to see your book in different ways, will only make it a stronger project. Thank you, Tara!
January 24, 2018 at 5:23 pm
Ashley Pierson
Thank you Tara! This is such a great post, full of invaluable advice. Congratulations on all your success!
January 24, 2018 at 7:43 pm
blbachmann
This is GREAT advice. Thank you!
January 24, 2018 at 7:53 pm
Keila Dawson
Spot on! “Pottery Barn trying to sell plastic lawn ornaments or Chia Pets?” 🙂 🙂 🙂
January 25, 2018 at 8:24 am
Kim Chaffee
Excellent post, Tara! So so important to keep the marketability in mind. Thank you!
January 25, 2018 at 9:34 am
Rachelle
I really appreciate the practical nature of your post. Thanks for the specific questions.
January 25, 2018 at 11:37 am
Delfina Salimbene
Great suggestions for evaluating marketability! I’ve flagged this post and will be returning to it at the end of January (and throughout the year). Thanks, Tara!
January 25, 2018 at 1:39 pm
Meena
Marketability is the need of the hour. Thanks for reminding to have that sixth sense.
January 25, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Kelly
Great advice and congratulations on your books! I think I meet you at a conference in Pittsburgh and I love seeing success stories 🙂
January 25, 2018 at 4:21 pm
Tara Luebbe
I think so. I attended the WPA SCBWI in 2015. What a gem of a conference! Thanks for your comments.
January 25, 2018 at 5:12 pm
Bruna De Luca
Excellent insight! I so want to read Conan The Librarian – brilliant!
January 25, 2018 at 9:07 pm
Jilanne Hoffmann
I’ve just checked the box: needs improvement. Thanks for these tips about testing an idea for marketability. I worked in a bookstore for several years while getting my MFA, but I wasn’t very good at predicting what would sell unless it was exceedingly commercial–meaning princesses or trucks. Am starting to focus more on this. Thanks for thought-provoking post!
January 25, 2018 at 10:10 pm
LeeAnn Rizzuti
Marketability managed!! You just took something that always seemed a bit daunting and turned it into a straightforward and fun exercise. Thank you, Tara.
January 26, 2018 at 6:31 am
topangamaria
Looking for my shark tank state of mind, not my usual go to place. Thanks.
January 26, 2018 at 8:56 am
Nat Keller
Great post about the balance of ALL of the contributing factors that make a great picture book. Definitely worth keeping in mind when I’m sorting through all of my ideas- thank you!
January 26, 2018 at 9:34 am
Naana
Thank you Tara for an invaluable post on marketability! Great factors to consider when looking at a manuscript.
January 26, 2018 at 10:06 am
Helen Lysicatos
What a fantastic, informative post. This really helped put marketability in perspective. Thank you.
January 26, 2018 at 12:10 pm
sarita f
Really informative. Thank you!
January 26, 2018 at 12:42 pm
susanzonca
Rereading your post. Taking it beyond, is it worth illustrating, to is it worth printing and marketing? Great reminder.
January 27, 2018 at 8:17 am
Rick Starkey
Wow. Thanks for reminding us that not every story is marketable.
January 27, 2018 at 9:18 am
Kelly Vavala
Excellent!! What an inspiring post! Ideas just popping into my head as I read through. Jumping from holidays to space!! Love this and will save!! Thank you for sharing!
January 27, 2018 at 11:47 am
Tiffany Painter
Thank you for offering fresh ideas. All writers, young and old, get emotionally attached to their writing. It’s good to stop and remember it would be great if a book could actually be sold.
January 27, 2018 at 2:00 pm
Janet Halfmann
Thanks for the marketing tips–so useful!
January 27, 2018 at 3:51 pm
wendymyersart
Such a great post Tara! It’s painful to get to the end of a manuscript and realize you’ve nowhere to go with it. Great advice.
January 27, 2018 at 4:41 pm
Joannie Duris
Thanks for the marketing brainstorming session, Tara! That first step really is deciding if an idea is a diamond or a lump of coal. Envisioning the sales pitch (and checking out the local stores) is a great way to start.
January 28, 2018 at 12:57 am
kimberlyraglandwrites
You just totally blew my mind! My basic naive dreamer approach to life is to run around grabbing at random shiny objects, and I love that you just made me focus and start from a totally pragmatic place! Thank you for possibly saving me from years of frustration and questioning my own abilities!! Oh, and thank you SO MUCH for WWTS and even a CHANCE to work with such amazing writers!!
January 28, 2018 at 10:49 pm
Tara Luebbe
You are so welcome. I am glad it was helpful.
January 28, 2018 at 8:59 am
Rebecca Sheraton
Love the high concept title
January 28, 2018 at 4:49 pm
Marcy P.
I LOVE your marketing insight! THANK YOU!!!! More of THIS!
January 28, 2018 at 9:13 pm
Lisa Rogers
It’s super helpful to think about this perspective, Tara. I appreciate you sharing your marketing eye!
January 29, 2018 at 1:02 am
Barb Ostapina
Oh boy, bookmarking this one, Tara! Spot-on insight. If your story doesn’t get into anyone’s hands, it’s not much use.
January 29, 2018 at 6:57 am
@luvthatword
This is such great advice for how to focus my efforts. And I love that you write with your sister – an inspiration to me as my sister and I undertake our first official project together.
January 29, 2018 at 8:33 am
Jen Kraar
I love your tips for testing where, and if your picture book idea has a place in the world. Thanks!
January 29, 2018 at 10:09 am
Shell leDrew
Wonderful.
January 29, 2018 at 11:22 am
Michelle O'Hara Levin
SUCH good tips for marketability. Thank you.
January 29, 2018 at 7:38 pm
claireannette1
Great check list. I’m keeping this posted above my computer.
January 29, 2018 at 8:34 pm
DB Cote
I enjoyed reading your tips about assessing an idea for marketability and selling potential. Thank you, Tara.
January 29, 2018 at 9:32 pm
Steve Schwartz
Thanks for your marketing insights.
January 30, 2018 at 12:00 pm
laurazarrin
I love this!!!! You’re speaking my language! Thank you!
January 30, 2018 at 4:10 pm
Cindy Montoya
This is just what I need-a push to think about the business side of children’s writing.
January 30, 2018 at 5:34 pm
Heather Thurmeier
Fantastic ideas on different ways to think about our books even before we write them. Thanks!
January 30, 2018 at 6:54 pm
Ashley Bankhead
Great post. It’s important to look at the marketability of an idea. Thanks for your list and suggestions.
January 31, 2018 at 1:28 am
stephanieoplingerarts
Fantastic! I have been studying up more and more about marketing, and this post was a wonderful clarifier and filter for all those jumbled thoughts. Great resource list!
January 31, 2018 at 8:42 am
Sheri Dillard
Very helpful post! Thank you! And congrats on your upcoming books! 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 12:06 pm
tanjabauerle
Great suggestions! Thank you! T.
January 31, 2018 at 6:32 pm
Hannah Tuohy (@hannahlollman)
I’m constantly wondering about marketability with my stories. Thanks so much for sharing a great checklist to run through when reviewing ideas I’m mulling over.
January 31, 2018 at 7:32 pm
Mary Cox
I love this! A checklist to put all these new ideas through! I also need to go back now to a few and combine them:)
January 31, 2018 at 7:58 pm
Maria J Cuesta
You made me think. Thank you!
February 1, 2018 at 1:03 am
saritarich
Thank you for this brilliant advice!
February 1, 2018 at 1:18 am
Terri Sabol
Really good ideas! These will help me with my current book and future books. Thank you!!!
February 1, 2018 at 7:34 am
Anna Levin
Thank you Tara! very helpful.
February 1, 2018 at 5:10 pm
Melanie Lucero
Great, practical advice, thank you!
February 1, 2018 at 8:16 pm
Cheryl T.
Tara, in revisiting some of the articles this month, you have given food for thought and it makes a lot of sense. You are straightforward and make great points. I think your article will also teach some of us how to take great criticism. Thank you so much.
February 1, 2018 at 9:30 pm
jennloop (Jennifer)
This is just the kind of advice I’ve been looking for, much thanks! Bookmarking this so I don’t forget anything. And btw, the girl on the cover of “I AM FAMOUS” reminds me of a little girl I know, wonder if she’d like it. 😀
February 2, 2018 at 10:12 am
Tara Luebbe
I hope so and please let me know if she does!
February 4, 2018 at 12:45 am
Priya Gopal
Brilliant post. Good to review my ideas through this lens.
February 4, 2018 at 2:07 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
I got so much out of this post and am looking at all my manuscripts under the marketability lens. Thank you!
January 12, 2019 at 8:55 pm
Jennifer B Wright
Amazing info about seriously considering possible marketing ideas. Great stuff and very helpful! Thank you!