Comparative Book Analysis

Woodsie · Sep 1, 2008

What do you do when you can't find a book that's like yours? I can't say, 'There's nothing like it!' I've been to B&N twice this week and have spent all morning on the computer searching databases for comparative books and have found nothing close enough.

The thing is, I wrote my book (non-ficiton) because when I needed one like it, I couldn't find one. I searched for weeks and finally decided to find my own answers to my questions and wrote them down. Now I've got a 'part memoir ~ part teaching/advice book.

Have you had a hard time finding similar books to yours and if so, how did you explain it without coming off as unprofessional?

Do you know of any books that incorporate teaching or advice in to a memoir?

Calla Lily · Sep 1, 2008

My Google-fu might be strong today:

Infidelity by Ann Pearlman
This Side of Heaven by Lorna Tremaine (perhaps)
Unfaithful: Rebuilding Trust after Infidelity by Gary & Mona Shriver
The Enticement of the Forbidden: Protecting Your Marriage by Judy Starr

The books don't have to match yours, just fall into the category of "people who bought this might also by mine". Hope these help.

Woodsie · Sep 1, 2008

Thank you! I'll look those up right now.

Karen Duvall · Sep 1, 2008

Woodsie, I write fiction, but while querying agents I couldn't find books similar to mine either. The genre is common, but the premise of mine is unusual. So I just called it "nontradtional." It seemed to do the trick.

tehuti88 · Sep 2, 2008

I too write fiction so have no suggestions on reading material. But, I can't find any books like mine (at least in subject matter) so that was one reason why I wrote it. I would adore to read fiction on my subject of interest but I guess I have to settle for writing it myself since nobody else is!

I realize this isn't helpful, but I guess I'm saying that it happens. *shrug*

Woodsie · Sep 2, 2008

Karen Duvall: That's a great idea! Nontraditional.

tehuti88: I'm glad you said that, did you get yours published?

Soccer Mom · Sep 2, 2008

I'm gonna shuffle this one off to Buffalo, um, I mean Novels. It might get a bit more response there.

Birol · Sep 2, 2008

Soccer Mom said:
I'm gonna shuffle this one off to Buffalo, um, I mean Novels. It might get a bit more response there.

Hey! We're not Buffalo! We're right smack dab in the heart of the five boroughs.

Woodsie, as others have suggested, rather than try to find "books like yours," try "it would appeal to people who enjoyed x, y, and z," or "it would fill the a niche."

Woodsie · Sep 2, 2008

Birol said:
Woodsie, as others have suggested, rather than try to find "books like yours," try "it would appeal to people who enjoyed x, y, and z," or "it would fill the a niche."

I like the way that sounds, too! This is helping.

jannawrites · Sep 2, 2008

Woodsie, I just did the "competitive titles" part of my non-fic proposal over the weekend. Have you tried looking on Amazon? I had some great success with my search there (though my premise is much more common, it sounds like). Good luck!

sunandshadow · Sep 2, 2008

I am also motivated to write a particular story because I wanted to read something like it and couldn't find anything. I usually describe mine in terms of "A cross between X and Y" "Like book A with element G (instead of whatever element A usually has)" "Vague genre H with a focus on K".

Woodsie · Sep 2, 2008

Janna: I did an extensive search on Amazon. Even though I didn't find a book like mine, reading so many synopsis's helped me write my query.

I'll keep searching and looking into ideas here, it can't hurt.

sunandshadow: That's also a good idea.

Calla Lily · Sep 2, 2008

Woodsie, I found all the listings I gave you on Amazon and a couple Christian book sites.

And *ahem* I'm in Bflo.

Woodsie · Sep 2, 2008

What's Blfo? A ~~city~~ speck on the map just se of me?

I'm going to send you my query so that you can get a better idea of what I'm dealing with here, Calalily. I appreciate the time you're putting into this.

IceCreamEmpress · Sep 2, 2008

Why is this in "Novels"? Woodsie is writing a memoir.

And Infidelity by Pearlman was the first thing I thought of when I read your query, Woodsie.

KC Sunshine · Sep 2, 2008

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but 'The Year of Magical Thinking' by Joan Didion is a really moving memoir which gives advice on how to deal with grief.

Woodsie · Sep 2, 2008

Probably because my main question pertains to wording when you don't have books that are comparable enough. And the MOD thought it would get more answers here than in memoirs. However, I did ask for suggestions for the type of book I'm writing if someone has read one. Which is why you're seeing more memoir specific posts.

IceCreamEmpress said:
Why is this in "Novels"? Woodsie is writing a memoir.

And Infidelity by Pearlman was the first thing I thought of when I read your query, Woodsie.

Woodsie · Sep 2, 2008

KC Sunshine said:
Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but 'The Year of Magical Thinking' by Joan Didion is a really moving memoir which gives advice on how to deal with grief.

I just looked it up. I think you're on to something. She's using her personal journey and standing it up next to a list of how things like that play out. She uses her thoughts and emotions to illustrate the lifeless bullet points and all the while she's helping others that will have to navigate the same path.

Probably the closest I've seen so far. Thank you.

Kaytie · Sep 3, 2008

Bird By Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Ann Lamott mixes memoir with writing advice.

Have you tried the main branch library in your town? I hear they have books there.

Seriously, if you go to the actual shelf where the non-fiction topic of your book is located, you'll have a better sense of what, if any, other titles in that area are like yours.

Comparative Book Analysis

Woodsie

I have tendencies.

Calla Lily

On hiatus

Woodsie

I have tendencies.

Karen Duvall

Chalice the Hatchet Knight

tehuti88

Mackinac Island Fanatic

Woodsie

I have tendencies.

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

Birol

Around and About

Woodsie

I have tendencies.

jannawrites

no, really

sunandshadow

Impractical Fantasy Animal

Woodsie

I have tendencies.

Calla Lily

On hiatus

Woodsie

I have tendencies.

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

KC Sunshine

Woodsie

I have tendencies.

Woodsie

I have tendencies.

Kaytie