Comments on: How Can I Get My Book on Oprah?

By: cindyratzlaff

cindyratzlaff — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:41:38 +0000

Hi Sabrynne, Oprah’s show is no longer taping new episodes and she has now moved on to create the OWN Network, which was formerly Discovery Health. She has left her Chicago studio’s and is producing an entirely new kind of programming that, at this time, doesn’t offer an opportunity for a pitch such as yours. The magazine will list the editorial team on the masthead, which is usually in the first 10 pages of the magazine and the address of the editorial staff should be on that page of the magazine as well. Choose an editor who covers articles or lifestyle and send a copy of the book, along with a cover letter introducing yourself, to that editor and share with him or her why you feel your book would be right for the magazine, even pointing out the section of the magazine where it might work best. Explain the unique point of view that a feature on you or the book might bring to the magazine and lay out the transformation a reader might have by learning about your story. Good luck and congratulations on your book.

By: Sabrynne McLain

Sabrynne McLain — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:20:11 +0000

Hi Cindy,

Thanks so much for the information. I’ve written a book about being raised by parents who suffer with mental illness and alcoholism and how that affects a person’s self-eteem and relationships throughout life. The book is based on events that happened in my childhood and early twenties, and I wrote it to help others in similar situations to perhaps understand why they feel and act the way they do. In writing it, I learned an enormous amount about myself as well.

I think it is the type of story that would appeal to Oprah and I would love to take your advice and send copies to the book club and magazine. Can you point me to where I would find their contact information? I’ve hunted around on Oprah.com for this information and can’t seem to locate it – perhaps I’m looking on the wrong website?

Thanks again for your post.

Sabrynne McLain

By: Pretty Little

Pretty Little — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 03:45:58 +0000

Hi, superb post.

By: cindyratzlaff

cindyratzlaff — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 13:00:42 +0000

Charles, I would send it to both her book club person on the television show and to her magazine book person. She chose to recommend Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth which is historical fiction. The challenge is that hundreds, maybe thousands of books are sent to her team for review and without the weight of a mainstream publisher and their relationship to members of her team, your book will have a steeper uphill battle to be seen and read. That said, it can never be considered if you don’t send it. My recommendation is to send it with a nice note telling her team a little about the book and then let it go in your mind. If they want to use it, they’ll let you know. The only other reason to contact them about it again is if something happens that will bring the book into the limelight such as movie rights being sold. Then contact them again as an FYI. Good luck.

By: Charles David Eyer

Charles David Eyer — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:36:53 +0000

I just published my first novel in April and I would love to have it receive international exposure to boost sales. However, I don’t think my book is a fit with Oprah. It is a historical novel set in the Roman Empire. I don’t think it would make it on Oprah’s show. However, I wonder if Oprah might put it in her magazine as a recommended read. It seems she includes all types of genres in her magazine. That is my dilemna now: whether to try her magazine. I am self published so I am on my own for marketing and many folks won’t give self published writers a chance.
Charles

By: cindyratzlaff

cindyratzlaff — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:55:47 +0000

Thanks for your comments and observations, John. It’s true. One of the many reasons her audience loves her is that she genuinely feels an obligation to deliver real value to her viewers. Authors like you, who have something important to say, just need that “magic moment” that helps her find a way to share your information with her audience. I believe yours will come. I love your work!

By: John La Puma, M.D.

John La Puma, M.D. — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:29:24 +0000

This is smart, sound advice: though I have only been in the audience on Oprah!, my terrific and inspiring RealAge partner Michael Roizen, MD has been on many times, some with our RealAge books.

Ms. Winfrey seems like an amazingly gifted and generous person, who wants to share what she has read only if it is truly valuable and new. And there is a lot that has already been said in books in the self-empowerment aisle.

I’ve spoken with several of her producers recently about my most recent book, and it’s clear that the subject (food that works like medicine and is incredibly delicious) is a good fit, but the right TV idea–the equivalent of the human heart Dr. Oz so brilliantly offered–just hasn’t come along. But it will.

That’s the only point I’d add: if your idea is right for her audience, find a new way to present it, and keep trying.

Best
John La Puma, MD
http://www.drjohnlapuma.com
http://www.ChefMD.com