Writing a Marketable Family History Book
Ideas for Creating a Work of Genealogy That Will Sell
Oct 7, 2009
While many people create family history books for the benefit of friends and family, others produce a work of genealogy that they hope to sell to the public too. Of course, anyone can write and publish a family history book and put it up for sale. But is it marketable? Not all family histories are. In order to sell, a book has to interest the buyer. So how can individuals make their family histories appealing even to those who have no family ties? The answer might be as easy as 1-2-3.
1. Make the History Come to Life
People like to read for pleasure, so a book that entertains will likely attract more readers than one that just tells facts. The key to writing an entertaining family history is to make the history itself come to life. Capture the reader’s attention from the start with lively language and intriguing anecdotes. Include vivid details of people and places, noteworthy but short quotes, and plenty of action throughout the narrative. Just because the book is nonfiction doesn’t mean it can’t read like fiction. A good story, no matter what kind, will sell.
2. Narrow Down the Focus
While a broad account covering many generations will surely please family members, it might bore the public. Narrowing down the focus of the book can make it more appealing and readable for everyone. One way to do this is to weave the family history around a central figure or theme. How about writing a biography about a famous relative or compiling an ancestor’s memoirs? Or, is there a family tradition carried down through the generations that can be used as the book’s focal point? Tightening the story will help expand the readership.
3. Use Graphics That Draw Attention
How a book looks is often the first test of its appeal. So use pictures that will not only enhance the text but also draw attention. If the book has an eye-catching cover and pages adorned with enticing images, it’s more likely to attract buyers. Graphics shouldn’t be limited to old family photos and charts, either. Pictures depicting the book’s details, like the clothing of the time, buildings, and historical events, make great visuals. Be careful not to overuse images, though. Too many graphics might detract from the story.
Family history books don’t have to be written for just friends and family. In fact, by following the above tips, anyone can produce a first-rate work of genealogy to sell to the public too.
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