The Basics: Is Your Book Idea Ready for Traditional Publishing?

Kind Of A Big Book Deal

In this episode of Kind Of A Big Book Deal, host Meghan Stevenson breaks down the first key element of landing a traditional book deal: Potential. She explains how to determine if your idea is truly book-worthy, why having a built-in audience is crucial, and how to assess whether similar books have been successful. Meghan shares real-world examples, including an unusual book pitch she once received about stadium security fencing, and why not every idea is meant to be a book.

She also discusses the reality of book sales, revealing that women are the primary book buyers and how this impacts the types of books publishers are willing to take on. Additionally, she touches on industry trends, the role of competitive titles (comps), and why chasing trends in publishing can be risky. If you’ve ever wondered whether your book idea has a real shot at getting published, this episode gives you a clear framework to assess your chances.

Stay tuned for the next episode, where Meghan tackles the most asked-about topic in publishing—author platform.

Find the 3Ps freebie here: https://meghanstevenson.kit.com/50230df9e1

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:41) A real (and unusual) book pitch Meghan received
(3:27) The first P: Potential—What makes a book worth publishing?
(5:26) The importance of a fresh, unique angle
(6:26) Why audience size matters in publishing
(8:04) Who buys books? The data behind book sales
(10:16) How the publishing industry’s demographics impact book sales
(12:53) The role of competitive titles (comps)
(16:47) Recap: Three key questions to determine if your book has potential
(20:41) Looking ahead: Why author platform is the biggest challenge for writers
(21:07) Outro

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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanstevenson/
• TikTok: @meghan.stevenson.books
• Website: https://www.meghanstevenson.com/

Have a great idea for a book but don't know where to start?MeghanStevenson.com/quiz
Traditional publishing expert Meghan Stevenson blasts open the gates of the “Big 5” – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Macmillan – to share what every entrepreneur and expert needs to know about landing a book deal.
In episodes released every other Monday, Meghan shares wisdom and stories from 20+ years in publishing as well as interviews with authors, literary agents, and editors. She also answers questions from listeners like you.
Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur with an empire, or are just starting out – this podcast will help you understand what you need to do in order to turn your dream of being a bestselling author into real life.