Create a Book Family Tree

In the publishing process, writers are typically asked to pitch their book by citing “comps,” or comparable works. For instance, someone might describe their novel by saying it’s a thriller like The Girl on the Train. Or it’s “like Bridget Jones meets Game of Thrones.”

I did that when I was seeking a publisher, but I also found it constricting. There were so many books from varied genres that influenced my novel Shaken Loose. It occurred to me that every book has a web of influences—in fact, a family tree! And, as a genealogy hobbyist, I decided to depict that tree.

The family tree for Shaken Loose is below. I didn’t use it for pitching, just for fun.

Want to create a family tree for your own book, or a book you love by a favorite author? Use the free template (below) that I created on the Canva app and fill in the blanks. If you share it on social media, tag me: I’d love to see what you come up with.

Note: To use the Book Family Tree template, you’ll need to create a free Canva account (either via the app or the web version). They also have a paid version with more features, but you shouldn’t need it for this. Upload cover images of the books you want to include, edit the layout if you want, and download your finished image.