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Before you take the time to write a new book, it’s best to confirm that your idea has not been overused by other authors. It becomes difficult to compete for readers, media attention and shelf space when your book is very similar to other titles. To accurately determine if an idea is overused, you will have to conduct thorough research.
The first step involves searching the Web for pages about books on the same topic. Similar titles aren’t always easy to find; try using various synonyms. Talk to a local bookseller or librarian and ask if they have any books on your subject of interest. They might know about a book with a vague title that does not reveal its subject.
If your idea has already been used by too many authors, this doesn’t mean that you need to discard it. You can rectify the problem by finding a way to differentiate your idea. One option is to specialize in a niche topic. For example, you might decide to write about the history of CB radio rather than wireless communications in general.
Another technique is to localize an overused idea. Consider writing a travel guide for a specific city or region instead of an entire country. If there are too many books on growing vegetables, write about gardening in your local area. You may also differentiate an idea by writing in a language that has few or no books on your subject.
Yet another approach relates to the date of publication. If other books on your subject were published decades ago, you might be able to differentiate your book by providing new information. For instance, most people would rather buy a movie guide that includes recent films. Try to emphasize the modernity of your book in its title.
It’s important to keep your audience in mind when differentiating a book idea. Be careful not to specialize or localize so narrowly that there is little interest. Search engine query data can help you determine what subjects people want to read about. It is also helpful to discuss the idea with friends who are interested in the same subject.