Imagine Your Reader & Say What You Need to Say
Your ideal reader is waiting for you. Registration for my group sprint closes Saturday at midnight
This is The Book Case, the newsletter of Dinah Laprairie, Book Coach & Reader’s Advocate.
If you’re just joining me here, you are welcome. I write about the practice of writing and the practice of delight, and write book reviews that measure how successfully a book engages its readers, from cover design to the final page. Sometimes, like today, I tell you about what I offer as a book coach and editor. It’s delivered on a whim — or when I can squeeze it in. You’re always welcome to respond — and share!
I’m a life-long student. I love taking classes and trying on new skills and concepts. And I love to make things. I love to tinker away at projects and find creative ways to solve problems. Maybe that’s my genetic inheritance from Dad, who can put things together and wire them up to address a need. (There was this one time when my friends and I were watching a movie. Unexpectedly, in a moment, we were blinded by the car headlight hiding behind the TV. He had hooked it up to the doorbell in case he couldn’t hear the bell downstairs. We all jumped out of our skins when it flashed. You never saw teenagers move so fast!)
All this to say, this spring I wanted to tinker. I wanted to make something. I wanted to bring people together.
That’s why I created Your Imagined Reader, a short group course to address one of the most difficult leaps of imagination writers must make at some point in book development: analyzing the reader.
It’s really a mental stretch to move from the perspective of writer to the perspective of a reader. That’s why we need editors. But before the editor arrives to work on the manuscript – usually late in the revision process – a writer needs to think about the future handoff of the book to the reader. And before that, to the publisher. Or the agent. To the marketing folks. To the book browsers, who have so much choice nowadays.
A writer needs readers. And there’s a perfect reader out there for you. Do you know who it is?
What is it your ideal reader is seeking?
How can you reach them best?
What will convince them to say, This book is for me.
Readers love books because they want to understand the world better, and they look for it in all kinds of books: in works of fiction, how-to books, history books, and self-help. Readers need writers, too. It’s a conversation, in the future.
That’s what we’re focusing on in Your Imagined Reader. Over four days, Sunday, June 23 to Wednesday, June 26, I will guide writers through exercises and prompts to uncover their ideal readers. (Everyone’s got one!) We’ll talk about how to connect the message of the book to the reader, whether it is through genre choice, tropes, storytelling techniques or book structure.
No, I’m not saying you must change your book concept for the sake of sales. What you must say to the world must be honoured. I believe in art as a way to speak truth. What we are doing in Your Imagined Reader is looking for the best way you can delivery your heart’s message to the world of readers.
Your investment of time is one hour a day, over four days, and a registration fee of $49. By next Wednesday, you’ll have spent time in the perspective of your reader. This work can help you:
make decisions about book structure
stretch towards new creative decisions in revision
understand the market for your book before you move into publishing
We begin in 3 days. I’m closing registration Saturday at midnight. If you want to do this work with me, I’m here to support you. (It’ll be fun, too!) But you need to register now and let me know you’re coming. It’s only $49 to join.
Go to: https://bit.ly/your-imagined-reader to sign up now.
Got questions? Get in touch! Hit reply and ask. (And go ahead — share this message with someone who needs it. The share button is below)
I hope to see you Sunday!
PS. Reader analysis is only one step in book planning. If you have an idea you are ready to explore, get in touch. Book a free 30-minute call with me to find out more about book coaching. I’ll explain what I do and you can decide if it’s what you need. I have availability for new clients beginning late July.