Book Positioning
Positioning is the decision about where your book sits in a reader’s mind: what it is, who it is for, and why it is worth their time. Everything else in a campaign depends on getting this right.
The problem this addresses
Many books are described differently on the cover, the retail page, the author website, and in pitches. Readers, reviewers, and booksellers receive mixed signals and move on.
Without a defined audience and a set of comparable titles, it is difficult to choose categories, write a description, or decide which reviewers and outlets to approach.
Who it suits
- Authors preparing for a launch who want a clear message before outreach begins.
- Published authors whose book has not found its readership and who suspect the description or category is part of the reason.
- Nonfiction and scholarly authors who need to explain a specialized subject to a broader audience.
What is included
- Review of your book, current description, cover copy, and existing retail listings
- Reader profile covering primary and secondary audiences
- Comparable title research and category analysis
- A positioning statement and core message
- Recommended short and long book descriptions
What you receive
- A written positioning document you can share with your publisher, designer, or publicist
- A list of comparable titles with notes on how your book relates to each
- Draft description copy for retail pages and pitches
What we need from you
Materials and permissions we ask for before the work starts.
- A final or near-final manuscript, or a published copy of the book
- Your current book description and any existing marketing copy
- Links to existing retail listings, if the book is already published
How the work proceeds
- 1
Read and review
We read the book and gather everything currently said about it.
- 2
Research
We study comparable titles, categories, and the readers who buy them.
- 3
Draft
We write the positioning statement, reader profile, and description options.
- 4
Refine
You review the draft by email and we revise it with your feedback.
The exact scope and timeline are confirmed in your written proposal. Read about our full process.
Questions about book positioning
Can positioning help a book that is already published?
Yes. Descriptions, categories, keywords, and pitch language can usually be updated after publication. We note which changes require your publisher or distributor to make them.
Will you rewrite my book?
No. We do not provide editing or manuscript changes. Positioning concerns how the book is described and presented, not its content.
Discuss book positioning for your book
Send a short inquiry by email. We will reply with questions or an outline of how we could help, and any work begins only after you approve a written proposal.