Episode 19

Mick Silva

Evaluating Your Book Idea

As a long time editor and writing coach, Mick knows how to spot a good idea, and he knows how to help clarify your idea into a book project worth working on. Mick joins me to share his questions for evaluation.
As a long time editor and writing coach, Mick knows how to spot a good idea, and he knows how to help clarify your idea into a book project worth working on. Mick joins me to share his questions for evaluation.
00:00 57:59

Show Notes:19. Mick Silva — Evaluating Your Book Idea

As a long time editor and writing coach, Mick knows how to spot a good idea, and he knows how to help clarify your idea into a book project worth working on. Mick joins me to share his questions of evaluation.

Mick’s Vision Questions:

  1. 1. What is the 30-word summary of the one thing your book is about—the unique, compelling appeal? (Why would anyone read it over other books?)
  2. 2. What is the specific demographic and psychographic of the book’s audience? (35-to-50-year-old working mom with degree who wants solutions for balancing discipline and love in parenting.)
  3. 3. What is your reader’s felt need, i.e. the big problem? Also define the size of the need.
  4. 4. How will your book meet your readers’ felt need? What is your solution to their problem? Be specific. (Where are they mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and where will they be afterward?)
  5. 5. What support helps prove your market exists? (stats, research, trends, reports, etc.)
  6. 6. Survey the competition and compare the content of the significant competition in print. Find at least 3 similar titles and how yours is different.
  7. 7. Outline your writing experience and annual sales of your previously published works.
  8. 8. Summarize your education, experience and career background.
  9. 9. Explain your qualifications to write on this topic and your platform (speaking, ministry, affiliations, churches, groups, endorsers, friends/influencers in the industry, etc.). Provide endorsements and/or a foreword, and share how you will promote.
  10. 10. In 100 words, share why you wrote this book. What does it mean to you personally?
  • We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
  • Taco Tuesday. Yes, that is cheese sauce she is covered in. Who doesn’t like queso.
  • Well, it’s been a long season with lots of ups and downs, but I finally walked away the champion. Though my wife continues to remind me that it’s all pretend, this trophy is very real.
  • Need just a little more snow, or weight. #christmassledding
  • Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
  • Cold nights mean blankets.
  • Link in bio. It's the season of giving and we all know how hard it can be to buy gifts for men. This season, give the men in your life a gift to help them grow into better men. The 5 Masculine Instincts is great for husbands, sons, and grandsons and best of all, it fits perfectly into those fireplace stockings.

Even better, today, Moody is offering the book at 50% off! You can buy the book anywhere you shop for books.
  • Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
  • This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Taco Tuesday. Yes, that is cheese sauce she is covered in. Who doesn’t like queso.
Taco Tuesday. Yes, that is cheese sauce she is covered in. Who doesn’t like queso.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Well, it’s been a long season with lots of ups and downs, but I finally walked away the champion. Though my wife continues to remind me that it’s all pretend, this trophy is very real.
Well, it’s been a long season with lots of ups and downs, but I finally walked away the champion. Though my wife continues to remind me that it’s all pretend, this trophy is very real.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Need just a little more snow, or weight. #christmassledding
Need just a little more snow, or weight. #christmassledding
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Cold nights mean blankets.
Cold nights mean blankets.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Link in bio. It's the season of giving and we all know how hard it can be to buy gifts for men. This season, give the men in your life a gift to help them grow into better men. The 5 Masculine Instincts is great for husbands, sons, and grandsons and best of all, it fits perfectly into those fireplace stockings.

Even better, today, Moody is offering the book at 50% off! You can buy the book anywhere you shop for books.
Link in bio. It's the season of giving and we all know how hard it can be to buy gifts for men. This season, give the men in your life a gift to help them grow into better men. The 5 Masculine Instincts is great for husbands, sons, and grandsons and best of all, it fits perfectly into those fireplace stockings. Even better, today, Moody is offering the book at 50% off! You can buy the book anywhere you shop for books.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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