How to Establish Your Writing Niche

Dr. Kevin McCarthy, who taught Linguistics, Modern English Structure, and History of the English Language at the University of Florida before his retirement in 2005, spoke at WAG’s February meeting on “Finding Your Niche.” McCarty took “Floridiana” as his niche, and has published 30 books having to do with Florida.

His WAG presentation was organized around topics beginning with the letters of the word
R E A C T I B L E S.

R = Research. McCarthy discussed Research in relation to both fiction and nonfiction. When writing about a region, he visits local bookstores, talks with residents, and buys books about the area, which he studies to learn what transfers to his own writing. “Learn what books already exist about your area. What movies?”
E = Expertise. “Specialize in one thing.” After choosing your niche, what is your own area of expertise? Leverage that.
A = Accuracy. This applies to both the content and form of your writing, and to your letters to publishers, editors, etc. Make sure all content, grammar, and spelling are correct. Especially the recipients’ names.
C = Canvas the market. Study Writer’s Digest. Look in bookstores – what publishers are doing books in your area? Read Writer’s Market (available from the library).
T = Timeliness. Does your topic correspond to certain points in the calendar? You can time the release of your article or book to match heightened level of interest on those dates. What countries celebrate holidays on what days? McCarthy has done books on black history, releasing them just before February. The lead time for magazines is about six months, so be ready in June to be published before Christmas. His book Christmas in Florida sold well in October and November.
I = Illustrations. In his nonfiction books, McCarthy includes illustrations on almost every page. You can get stock photos from fotolia.com, CanStockPhoto.com, or other stock photo sites. (Search for “Royalty-free photos.”) You can use these photos, with appropriate attribution, royalty-free after converting them by camera or scanner to high resolution. Also, many libraries have digitized back years of local newspapers, and these images are available for free. One book on Minnesota history consists of little more than a collection of such images. The Library of Congress has a digitization project.
B = Byline. McCarthy shared a story about the thrill he felt when he saw his name as the author of a story his mother asked him to write as a youngster.
L = Legality and Logistics. In your query letter be sure to include:

1. The idea

2. Why you?

3. Who are your external experts in the field?

4. When will it be ready?

5. Size?

6. Why should they support this?

7. How will you market this book?

8. Does a similar book exist and how is yours different?

E = External Experts. Talk with them and learn from them.
S = Sell, sell, sell! McCarthy has found ready markets for his 30 books published under Floridiana, his chosen niche.

After this well-received talk, a lively Q&A session was followed by chats up front and a book signing. His “Floridiana niche” includes 30 published books, including Florida Lighthouses (1990), The Book Lover’s Guide to Florida (1992), Thirty Florida Shipwrecks (1992), African Americans in Florida (1993), The Gators and the Seminoles (1993), Twenty Florida Pirates (1994), Baseball in Florida (1996), Guide to the University of Florida and Gainesville (1997), Native Americans in Florida (1999), and Christmas in Florida (2000).