What to Know Before Writing a Media Tie-In Book

A media tie-in book can take a few forms: a companion book to a television show or film, the companion to a group of films or shows, or a history of certain shows and films. Writer, producer, and TV host Herbie J Pilato says there are three things to keep in mind if you plan on writing a media tie-in book:

1. The media you’re writing about needs to have been a hit. Don’t write a book about a show that only lasted 13 episodes – that won’t sell many copies.
2. The market is more open to books about politics and books written by A-list celebrities. It can be tough nowadays to pitch a media book – you’d be wise to make sure you have celebrities involved in your research process and know your market well.
3. You can have the most perfect book proposal, but if it falls into the hands of an agent, editor, or publisher who doesn’t like the topic or is just having a bad day, you can get rejected. Through it all, remember to stay positive and do the best you can, Pilato advises.