How we're improving the speed of the editorial board

I've written previously about the work that goes into preparing a project to go to the editorial board at Pearson . See my series called What goes on behind the scenes? 2. Preparing for the Editorial board?and 3. The Editorial board.

If?you haven't read them, all you need to know is that it takes a lot of time and effort from the author?to provide all the necessary information, from the publisher?to prepare the necessary documentary and business cases, and from the board to?review the paperwork and give an informed opinion. Due to all this, there can be a lag between receiving a book idea and having the project ready to go to the board.

As such, and to move projects along faster, we are testing a quick, more informal method at Pearson. I share much less information with the board through a one-pager, and they can give me a quicker yes, no, or further suggestions on how to improve/tweak the project. It takes the author less time as we don't need as much information at this stage, the publisher only has to prepare a document or two, and the board doesn't have to read pages and pages of paperwork.

If you're curious what's in the one-pager, here's an idea of some typical parts:

• Title: subtitle ideas - The current main title and subtitles on offer
• Edition: is it a new book or a new edition?
• Series: is it in a Pearson series?
• Author(s): who's writing it?
• Imprint - which imprint would it be in?
• Price - what's the approximate price or price range?
• Format - what is the page size of the book?
• Extent - how many estimated pages?
• Pub date - what month/quarter/year might it publish?
• Print run - what's the approximate first year and total print run over the life of the edition?
• Summary - a very brief overview of the book and how it works
• What type of reader would benefit? - who is the book for?
• Why would the reader buy this over others? - in the face of bestselling titles on similar topics and approaches, why would this stand out against the competition?
• Pros and Cons - anything useful they should know about the author's marketing plans, schedule clashes, sales history, whether the title needs work, etc.

We've done this with a lot of new books this year and it has made for faster decisions. I can let the author know sooner if it's worth taking back more formally, or if it's not a good fit for Pearson. The feedback can be useful in improving or changing the project, and should also increase the likelihood of the project being commissioned if it goes back to the board more formally.

I hope these insights and suggestions are useful. Is there anything I've missed or you'd like more information about? Let me know!

The Pearson Business Book Club

The Pearson Business Book Club is open to all who would like to learn more about our business books or a particular topic, and the webinars are free to attend. You can also view the on-demand videos of previous sessions on the Book Club website.

Our Business Book of the Month for July is The Mindfulness Habit by Lisa Wren. Her webinar is Dispelling the myths about mindfulness and why what you think is wrong. Join us on Tuesday 23 July 2024, at 2 pm (UK time) and register at https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/higher-education/students/careers/book-club.html, and let me know if you have any questions in advance.

Just Published / Noteworthy books

The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto (FT Publishing, 2021)

GET THE MAXIMUM IMPACT WITH THE MINIMUM EFFORT.

The Pyramid Principle?is the international best-seller on how to think creatively, reason lucidly and produce crisp, clear, compelling business writing.

Join the tens of thousands of people worldwide who have benefited from Barbara Minto's technique, to present your thinking so clearly that the ideas jump off the page and into the mind of the reader. Can your writing do without it?

Barbara Minto?holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Her course reflects insights drawn from more than 30 years of conducting courses worldwide at major consulting firms and corporations. The phrase “Take this and make it Minto” is common in many of these organizations and the Minto Pyramid Principle is considered the ‘lingua franca' for serious-minded professionals, especially those who want to be listened to and earnestly wish to advance their careers.

What am I reading?

I just finished Chasing the Sun: How the Science of Sunlight Shapes Our Bodies and Minds by Linda Geddes - absolutely fascinating and full of facts like how your body clock works, which month you're born affects your health, and how skin cancer differs between people who work indoors or outdoors, and so much more. Really readable and well-researched.

Finally

Do you have any ideas or suggestions for future newsletters? Did I strike a chord with anything in this newsletter? Is there a business book you've enjoyed recently that you'd recommend? Add a comment or email me at [email protected].