Books are big projects. The business novel I’m currently writing will keep me occupied for the next year or two. But even short books, like Zapp, take nine to twelve months just to write the manuscript. In addition to the manuscript itself, there are contracts, proposals to publishers, dealings with agents and editors, promotion campaigns to be planned, all kinds of “little” things like quotes for the back cover, and so on. Therefore, I do not enter quickly or lightly into agreements on books. And you should not either.
Now, that said, what am I looking for? The three major criteria are …
First, the right idea. It has to be a concept that can make a big impact, a concept benefiting lots and lots of people - ultimately hundreds of thousands, if not millions of readers. It has to be something they really want to know about or, preferably, have to learn. If the book is to be a novel, then the idea also has to be concept that involves human drama, something around which I can weave a story. The idea is paramount.
Second, the right person. While I can and will deliver an engaging, readable, page-turner of a book, it is up to the lead author - the person whose name is first on the cover - to get out there and sell it. Now, I always do my part even after the book is written, but the lead author has to take the lead. So I’m looking for someone who loves being in the spotlight, someone who does a lot of public speaking, someone who can attract the media, someone either at the top of the field professionally, or just breaking out with fresh thinking that is attracting plenty of attention. Having a sizeable organization behind you with a sales force that will get the book in front of hundreds of clients will augur strongly in your favor, with me and with a publisher.
The right terms. I can honestly say that money has never been the primary driving force in my life or my career. But like everybody else, I need some, and to get me to commit a couple years of my life to a book, I need a six-figure guarantee and a fair percentage of the royalty stream. I also need to have credit for what I’ve done, for being the creative writer on the project. There are lots of other things that are spelled out in the agreement, but basically, that’s what it takes.
Because of the current project, I will not be entertaining any new collaborations until mid-2009 at the earliest. But if you feel that you have all the right stuff - the huge idea, the leadership personality, and the resources to finance the project properly - see the page entitled “Contact Information,” leave a comment briefly stating your case, and I’ll be in touch.