Question: I’ve been told I need to create a list of comparable authors and book titles. Why do I need one, and what is the best way to build the list?

Answer:

Comparable authors and book titles, also known as “comps”, are those authors or books currently published in the marketplace that are similar to you and your book. The similarities can include genre, subgenre, themes, topics, plot, voice, tone, and more. Building a list of comparable authors and book titles can greatly benefit authors in every stage of writing, publishing, and marketing a book, and is a task all authors should complete as early on in the process as possible.

The Benefits of Building a List of Comps

A thoughtful and strategic list of comparable authors and book titles can be a powerful tool. Everyone from agents to publishers to booksellers to readers will have an easier time understanding where a book will be shelved, whom it’s intended for, and what content to expect if meaningful comparisons are provided. This list of comps will also help you, the author.

One of the best ways to learn about writing craft is to read the work of authors in your genre. Reading books similar to yours can reveal what readers value, how the content is structured, how different writing techniques are used, what, if any tropes are popular, from which viewpoint the stories are typically told, and so on. These authors and book titles may then become good candidates for your list of comps.

No matter your publishing path, a list of comparable authors and book titles can help determine how to position your book in the marketplace to reach readers of books like yours. For self-published authors, these comps will inform the categories you assign to your book, formats you publish, and channels you set up for distribution. When pursuing a traditional publishing path, literary agents and traditional publishers will likely inquire about a list of comps, so it’s always a good idea to include one in your pitch, query letter, or book proposal. These comps will help them understand if there is an audience for your book, and if the book will have good sales potential.

When the time comes to begin marketing and promoting your book, your list of comparable authors and book titles can be used behind-the-scenes to influence online algorithms, or, in your marketing copy to entice readers to purchase your book. These comps can also help you identify potential authors for joint promotional opportunities.

How to Create a Meaningful List of Comps

Creating a strong list of comparable authors and book titles involves much more than just picking books you love. It’s about selecting authors and titles that accurately represent your writing style, what your book is about, and the same target readers. There is a strategy behind choosing which authors and titles should make the list. You ultimately want your comps to be a good mix of both well-known and lesser-known authors and titles that have seen recent success in the marketplace. Most importantly, you don't want your list to be misleading, or you will hurt your credibility.

Here is a list of several avenues to research and explore to help build your list of comps:

Look at your own bookshelves – You’ve likely been reading books in your genre for years.

Visit your local bookstores – Take note of which books are highlighted as popular or bestselling. Review what is shelved in your genre and dig deeper into any books that have similarities to yours.

Visit your local libraries – Ask the librarians which books are checked out the most in your genre, and briefly explain your book to them to see if they know of similar books. If they subscribe to NoveList, a library database that provides author and book recommendations based on factors like appeal, genre, and theme, you may be able to use this platform to help narrow your focus.

Research bestselling book lists for the last three to five years – Refer to lists such as The New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly.

Research debut books in your genre – Focus on the last three to five years.

Review Amazon’s bestseller lists, categories, and “Also bought” recommendations – Amazon is the top online retailer for books and continues to house the largest selection, so it can be a great research tool. You can review bestseller lists and “Editors’ Picks” for books in your genre, review the books in the categories where you believe your book fits, and look at the “Customers also bought or read” section to see what other books are listed.

Use Literature-Map to find similar authors – Literature-Map is powered by the Gnooks database, and provides a map of authors similar to the author name typed into the search box. The closer two authors are on the map, the more alike they are.

Join BookBrowse – BookBrowse is a subscription platform that curates a database of the best books in contemporary fiction and nonfiction. Features include in-depth reviews and "beyond the book" articles, hand-selected read-alike recommendations, the ability to browse by genre, time period, setting and a wide range of themes, previews of upcoming books, and more.

Join Goodreads – Goodreads is the world’s largest platform for readers and book recommendations. Features include seeing what your friends are reading, tracking the books you're reading and want to read, reader reviews, and personalized book recommendations tailored to your literary tastes.

Join StoryGraph – An alternative to Goodreads, StoryGraph includes many features including the ability to track your reading and choose your next book based on your mood, favorite topics, and preferred themes.

Subscribe to Publisher’s Marketplace – Publisher’s Marketplace is a subscription-based website that provides publishing industry news and resources, primarily focusing on book deals and agents. See what authors in your genre are getting book deals with traditional publishers.

If you find yourself struggling to come up with at least three to five good comps, you are probably looking for options that are too niche or too similar. Some broader similarities to look for include:

•  Writing style or voice
•  Themes or topics
•  Plot, tropes, or storylines
•  Character transformations
•  Setting or world building
•  Reader transformations
•  Tone or mood

We recommend avoiding any comps older than ten years. If you do use any older comps in your list, you should aim to have at least one or two contemporary comps. In addition, you should avoid using classics in your list of comps, or books that have worldwide acclaim such as the Harry Potter series.

How to Use Comps to Further Your Marketing Efforts and Career

Once you’ve created a meaningful list of comparable authors and titles, you can put this information to work for you. Readers often look for “the next” version of books they’ve enjoyed, while booksellers and librarians want to shelve books similar to those that are in demand. If you position your book as “Perfect for fans of [Comp Author 1],” you’re tapping into an established audience, giving your book credibility. Here are eight ways to use your comps in your marketing, branding, and promotional efforts:

1. Include one or two of your comps when pitching to agents, booksellers, and librarians: This shows you know something about the current marketplace and how your book fits in.
   
   
2. Include your list of comps in your query letter or book proposal that you are submitting to agents or publishing houses: This tells them pretty quickly if there is an audience for your book.
   
   
3. Include one or two of your comps in your book descriptions and blurbs: Readers often skim book descriptions, so including a statement like, “Fans of [Comp Author 1] will love this witty rom-com!” will immediately capture their attention.
   
4. Study your comps to optimize your keywords in any book metadata: When uploading your book to platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, you are asked to provide keywords that readers of books like yours will be searching for when using the platform. Comparable authors and titles can be studied to see which keywords they use to make their books more discoverable by the right readers. Platforms like Publisher Rocket can be used to for this research. Amazon discourages using comp authors and titles as keywords in your metadata.
   
   
5. Use your comps as keywords and copy in any targeted advertising: When advertising through online platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon, you are able to target users based on interests, behaviors, and keywords. Your comp authors and titles are ideal for this, and can even be used in your ad copy. Just be sure they accurately represent your book so that readers aren't disappointed.
   
   
6. Use your comps in social media posts: Posts like “If you loved [Comp Title 1], you’ll love [Your Title]!” work well on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. You can create eye-catching graphics comparing your book to popular reads, or do “shelfie” posts featuring your book next to its comps. You can even create hashtags such as #IfYouLikeCompAuthor1 to help you reach new readers.
   
   
7. Include your list of comps on your sell sheet: All authors should have a one-page sell sheet as a part of their media and marketing kit, and it should include pertinent information about your book, including your comps.
   
   
8. Follow your comp authors on social media to see what events they are attending and how they are communicating with their readers: While you don’t want to directly copy what they are doing, you can learn what works well and what doesn’t. Developing a connection with these authors can help you reach their readers and may even lead to cross-promotional opportunities.

Don’t treat your list of comparable authors and book titles as an afterthought. A well-crafted list of comps is a strategic asset that helps you define your book, communicate its value, and reach the right readers. Whether you’re making revisions to your manuscript, querying agents, or creating a targeted ad campaign, comp authors and titles can guide your decisions and increase your chances of success. The right comparisons can be the key to opening doors and connecting with readers.

Photo credit: Deepak Sethi from Getty Images; Photo credit: M_a_y_a from Getty Images

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