three red apples on wooden surface

How to Find Comp Titles

BySunshine

This is a list of advice I have gleaned from articles, blogs, and classes. I just keep the list handy for those struggling:

  • Think about what books you think your readers are reaching for and thought about why—then apply this to your search.
  • Research the last three years of “best of” lists. If your book is literary fiction, look for articles about “best literary fiction” in 2020, 2021, 2022
  • If you can’t find a “good” comp” you are probably looking for too similar of a comp. Look at aspects of a work that relate to yours: style/voice, themes, plot, or character quality/journey.
  • Try to find a comp that will show where you’re positioned in today’s lite Who would be seated next to you if you were on a panel with other authors at a book festival?
  • Once there is a movie? The book is not a good comp.
  • Disregard any authors for comps if they have more than 20 bestsellers. (10 bestsellers is okay)
  • Ask: Is it a success or a phenomenon? If it’s a success, comp it!
  • Look at your own bookshelves.
  • Ask librarians. Tell them the “dust jacket” version of your book, along with themes and ask them for writers they think you might be similar to.
  • Ask other writers, especially those in your writing group and beta readers who know your book.
  • Go to your local bookstore. Ask the booksellers and browse the shelves. At each store, buy a couple of similar books to read—(consider it good form and payment for the booksellers’ time and input.)
  • EBSCO NoveList (accessed through your local library). This is especially helpful for similar themes, styles, and characters. It’s a great place to put in older titles and find more recent ones.
  • Goodreads “TBR” lists from readers who like your favorite authors in your genre.
  • Amazon bestseller lists by your category
  • Research debut books of the last three years in your genre.
  • Check out lots of books through the library to listen to and read. This was the least painful part—getting to read other books! (Please don’t comp a book you haven’t read. It’s bad form, and it may very well not end up being an appropriate comp.)
  • www.whatshouldIreadnext.com  BookBrowse and Literature-Map.

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