Did Another Author Steal My Book Idea?
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Something unexpected and interesting came from my listening to Terry Whalin’s interview with 8 publishing professionals .
Terry had asked each guest to talk about a book proposal that had somehow impressed him or her. One of the editors was someone with whom I had worked on a couple of books.
As I listened to the book proposal this editor had chosen to highlight, it sounded eerily familiar. After the call, I double-checked. Sure enough, in my proposal for one of my books, I had mentioned this very idea as a possible follow-up to the book I was then proposing. To the publisher who published the book in question.
Furthermore, I was pretty sure I had mentioned this idea to the person who had written the book.
So, had this other author “stolen” my idea, written a proposal that was accepted, and then written a book that went on to sell 100,000 copies?
It’s possible, I suppose. It’s also just as possible that the idea was “in the air,” or that the person heard it somewhere and it resonated, to the point that this author did something about it.
And that’s really the point. That author did something about it. I did not.
I hear many would-be authors express the concern that someone will steal their idea. I say, the one who actually gets the contract and writes the book is the one who deserves to reap the reward.
Will I be more cautious about my ideas in the future? Yes. Among certain people, in certain circles.
Will this experience keep me from testing my ideas in the marketplace, as I teach in my Choosing Your Best-Selling Title course and elsewhere?
No.
One more thing. I can still write my book. The sheer fact that I am writing it will mean that it will be different from what’s already out there (assuming I don’t plan to plagiarize).
There is room for that author’s perspective on the topic, and for mine. I lose nothing. If anything, it will force me to work even harder to come up with a fresh angle, my own unique slant.
This experience illustrates for me the primary importance of understanding how book publishing works and acting on what you learn. The editor mentioned this proposal because it stood out as an outstanding proposal. If you want to know how to make yours stand out so that a publisher is eager to buy you idea, you owe it to yourself to get Terry Whalin’s Book Proposal Secrets course or, at the very least, listen to the interview. These tools will give you the edge you need to stand above the crowd.
January 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Diane,
You are right that there is room for another author’s perspective on the exact same topic. It is the contrast between ideas that makes for a good community of writers and writing. It is also important to take action on something we feel is a good idea. Without action, a book remains just an idea and vision in the author’s mind.
January 13th, 2008 at 5:34 am
Diane,
I also often hear aspiring authors voice concern over whether an editor or agent will steal their ideas and perhaps “give” them to another writer. I agree with you that the good ideas are simply out there for anyone to pursue, but it is the person who follows through and writes about it that will profit. On positive side of your situation, the first book that came out and sold 100,000 copies has established that there is a solid market for the topic, so now you should have an easier time convincing an agent or publisher to take on your project because of it. I tell writers never worry about an idea being stolen–no two writers will ever have the same take on a subject or tell a story in the same way. And some topics are written about over and over again. Think about how many diet books are on the market, and yet every week it seems a new one comes out and sells. You are right. All it takes is a fresh angle, new perspective or idea and the act of placing one’s derrière in one’s chair.
January 15th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Thanks Diane
I have posted this to my blog for other authors to be aware of. I think it is important to remember that people do not own ideas and quite often several book of similar content are published at the same time. Some fail and some become best sellers. I think you have highlighted some points as to why some succeed.
Leona