The Bright Idea Process

Most would-be authors have gathered a quantity of material, including stories, data, analysis, and secondary source information. They do not, however, always know if the material amounts to a book.

This is why we have developed the Bright Idea Process (BIP): to help authors evaluate their material, refine it, and structure it into a main, saleable idea with supporting themes.

The Bright Idea Process entails:

DISCUSSION. We meet with the author to discuss goals and to answer questions about publishing and the creation of an idea platform. (Half day.)

MATERIALS REVIEW. We review the author’s materials, including documents, data, video, web pages, and live presentations. (Two days.)

FASCINATIONS SESSION. We facilitate a half-day session with the author(s) and IPI staff to elicit the ideas, themes, and stories that are fascinating, distinctive, and hold the most promise for development. (Half day.)

THEMES DOCUMENT. We create a document that refines and articulates these fascinations into an “idea kernel,” core message, and supporting themes. (3-5 pages)

CHARRETTE. We host a session with the authors and 2-3 outside experts (either in content, publishing, or some aspect of the platform) to test and further refine the ideas and themes, for viability and positioning in the market. (Half day.)

IDEA PLATFORM PLAN. We flesh out the themes document into a draft proposal for the development of the idea platform, which may or may not be based on a book. (5-10 pages)

GAUGE MARKET INTEREST. We distribute the document or test the idea with agents and publishers.

DECISION. We consult with the author about the best course of action based on the preceding steps. The Bright Idea Process may result in a complete proposal and sale. It might determine that further work is required to create a saleable proposal. It may find that the material is best-suited to a different expression, such as a live presentation, website, or article.