Opinion on comps

I think if you already have one good current comp (I LIKE MY LIFE being a 2017 release), you'd be safe reaching for a movie or slightly older book like SAFE HAVEN for your second--if you thought they were especially apt.

Okay, so what's a "comp"?

I'm guessing it's short for "comparison"? Agents and editors sometimes want authors to include a list of comparable titles when they submit.

Usually, they want something really recent, though, as in out within the last couple of years and currently a bestseller.

DrDoc said:

Okay, so what's a "comp"?

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Comp as in "Comparison." When you query for agents or publishers, you can use them to say "This novel will appeal to readers of ______." It's usually not required, but some agents may request them. They help identify the market and marketability, or can just appeal to the agent/publisher because they really liked the comp title. You typically want to use recent novels, not old successes, movies, or TV shows. Which can stink when one of those would be a perfect comp.

DrDoc said:

Okay, so what's a "comp"?

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Thank the Lord I'm not the only one who thought that.

I equated a "comp" the same as the term is used in the real estate field, comparable listings that buyers would judge your pricing by. In other words. novels comparable to what you're writing. But that's an assumption, not necessarily what the OP meant.

For the OP, if that's what you meant, then novels in your genre with a similar feel to them would be appropriate. Movie scripts and movies less so, since watching movies and reading aren't necessarily direct comparisons. Lots of movie goers rarely read and vice versa.

Jeff

I would love to see your work ^_^