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?
  • In one month, I submit the draft of my new book, A More Physical Faith, to the publisher, NavPress. My first notes for this book go back to 2024. I share more personally in this book than anything I’ve ever written. Some people write and publish faster, but books usually represent at least 2 to 3 years of work for me. Just wanted to share this milestone. The book won’t be out until next year.
  • Joyeuse Fête des Mères à la meilleure maman qui soit. On t'aime et on a de la chance de t'avoir. Partons en France !
  • Happy early birthday to myself.
  • Hard to beat.
  • There’s a new tour open at Notre Dame in which you can take the stairs up through the bell tower to the roof. Pretty spectacular.
  • Back from France.
  • Tonight we lost my bird dog, Millie.

For thirteen years I followed her through woods and fields chasing pheasant and quail. She was there to welcome both of our kids home from the hospital. When I set up my writing LLC, I named it A Desk and A Dog because my dream was to write with her lying on the chair in my office. She did just that for years, resting beside me as I worked and helping me write several books.

There’s a reason so many country songs mention the bird dog they lost.

She was the best.
In one month, I submit the draft of my new book, A More Physical Faith, to the publisher, NavPress. My first notes for this book go back to 2024. I share more personally in this book than anything I’ve ever written. Some people write and publish faster, but books usually represent at least 2 to 3 years of work for me. Just wanted to share this milestone. The book won’t be out until next year.
In one month, I submit the draft of my new book, A More Physical Faith, to the publisher, NavPress. My first notes for this book go back to 2024. I share more personally in this book than anything I’ve ever written. Some people write and publish faster, but books usually represent at least 2 to 3 years of work for me. Just wanted to share this milestone. The book won’t be out until next year.
1 month ago
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1/9
Joyeuse Fête des Mères à la meilleure maman qui soit. On t'aime et on a de la chance de t'avoir. Partons en France !
Joyeuse Fête des Mères à la meilleure maman qui soit. On t'aime et on a de la chance de t'avoir. Partons en France !
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Happy early birthday to myself.
Happy early birthday to myself.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Hard to beat.
Hard to beat.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
There’s a new tour open at Notre Dame in which you can take the stairs up through the bell tower to the roof. Pretty spectacular.
There’s a new tour open at Notre Dame in which you can take the stairs up through the bell tower to the roof. Pretty spectacular.
There’s a new tour open at Notre Dame in which you can take the stairs up through the bell tower to the roof. Pretty spectacular.
There’s a new tour open at Notre Dame in which you can take the stairs up through the bell tower to the roof. Pretty spectacular.
There’s a new tour open at Notre Dame in which you can take the stairs up through the bell tower to the roof. Pretty spectacular.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Back from France.
Back from France.
Back from France.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Tonight we lost my bird dog, Millie.

For thirteen years I followed her through woods and fields chasing pheasant and quail. She was there to welcome both of our kids home from the hospital. When I set up my writing LLC, I named it A Desk and A Dog because my dream was to write with her lying on the chair in my office. She did just that for years, resting beside me as I worked and helping me write several books.

There’s a reason so many country songs mention the bird dog they lost.

She was the best.
Tonight we lost my bird dog, Millie.

For thirteen years I followed her through woods and fields chasing pheasant and quail. She was there to welcome both of our kids home from the hospital. When I set up my writing LLC, I named it A Desk and A Dog because my dream was to write with her lying on the chair in my office. She did just that for years, resting beside me as I worked and helping me write several books.

There’s a reason so many country songs mention the bird dog they lost.

She was the best.
Tonight we lost my bird dog, Millie.

For thirteen years I followed her through woods and fields chasing pheasant and quail. She was there to welcome both of our kids home from the hospital. When I set up my writing LLC, I named it A Desk and A Dog because my dream was to write with her lying on the chair in my office. She did just that for years, resting beside me as I worked and helping me write several books.

There’s a reason so many country songs mention the bird dog they lost.

She was the best.
Tonight we lost my bird dog, Millie.

For thirteen years I followed her through woods and fields chasing pheasant and quail. She was there to welcome both of our kids home from the hospital. When I set up my writing LLC, I named it A Desk and A Dog because my dream was to write with her lying on the chair in my office. She did just that for years, resting beside me as I worked and helping me write several books.

There’s a reason so many country songs mention the bird dog they lost.

She was the best.
Tonight we lost my bird dog, Millie.

For thirteen years I followed her through woods and fields chasing pheasant and quail. She was there to welcome both of our kids home from the hospital. When I set up my writing LLC, I named it A Desk and A Dog because my dream was to write with her lying on the chair in my office. She did just that for years, resting beside me as I worked and helping me write several books.

There’s a reason so many country songs mention the bird dog they lost.

She was the best.
Tonight we lost my bird dog, Millie.

For thirteen years I followed her through woods and fields chasing pheasant and quail. She was there to welcome both of our kids home from the hospital. When I set up my writing LLC, I named it A Desk and A Dog because my dream was to write with her lying on the chair in my office. She did just that for years, resting beside me as I worked and helping me write several books.

There’s a reason so many country songs mention the bird dog they lost.

She was the best.
Tonight we lost my bird dog, Millie.

For thirteen years I followed her through woods and fields chasing pheasant and quail. She was there to welcome both of our kids home from the hospital. When I set up my writing LLC, I named it A Desk and A Dog because my dream was to write with her lying on the chair in my office. She did just that for years, resting beside me as I worked and helping me write several books.

There’s a reason so many country songs mention the bird dog they lost.

She was the best.
Tonight we lost my bird dog, Millie.

For thirteen years I followed her through woods and fields chasing pheasant and quail. She was there to welcome both of our kids home from the hospital. When I set up my writing LLC, I named it A Desk and A Dog because my dream was to write with her lying on the chair in my office. She did just that for years, resting beside me as I worked and helping me write several books.

There’s a reason so many country songs mention the bird dog they lost.

She was the best.
Tonight we lost my bird dog, Millie.

For thirteen years I followed her through woods and fields chasing pheasant and quail. She was there to welcome both of our kids home from the hospital. When I set up my writing LLC, I named it A Desk and A Dog because my dream was to write with her lying on the chair in my office. She did just that for years, resting beside me as I worked and helping me write several books.

There’s a reason so many country songs mention the bird dog they lost.

She was the best.
Tonight we lost my bird dog, Millie.

For thirteen years I followed her through woods and fields chasing pheasant and quail. She was there to welcome both of our kids home from the hospital. When I set up my writing LLC, I named it A Desk and A Dog because my dream was to write with her lying on the chair in my office. She did just that for years, resting beside me as I worked and helping me write several books.

There’s a reason so many country songs mention the bird dog they lost.

She was the best.
Tonight we lost my bird dog, Millie.

For thirteen years I followed her through woods and fields chasing pheasant and quail. She was there to welcome both of our kids home from the hospital. When I set up my writing LLC, I named it A Desk and A Dog because my dream was to write with her lying on the chair in my office. She did just that for years, resting beside me as I worked and helping me write several books.

There’s a reason so many country songs mention the bird dog they lost.

She was the best.
Tonight we lost my bird dog, Millie. For thirteen years I followed her through woods and fields chasing pheasant and quail. She was there to welcome both of our kids home from the hospital. When I set up my writing LLC, I named it A Desk and A Dog because my dream was to write with her lying on the chair in my office. She did just that for years, resting beside me as I worked and helping me write several books. There’s a reason so many country songs mention the bird dog they lost. She was the best.
5 months ago
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9/9

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