The moment my first publisher said “Yes” she was interested in seeing more about my book with a view to possible publication was the moment I knew I’d have to learn to write a dynamite book proposal. I’d done enough research by then to know that I’d need to have that “pitch” to send before…
Category Archives: Book Proposals
The Bulletproof Book Proposal
Publishers ask five key questions about every project they consider. Here’s how to make sure your proposal gives all the answers. You have a great idea for a nonfiction book. Your wife thinks it’s a great idea. Your parents think it’s a great idea. Even your neighbor who hates to read thinks it’s a great…
The Making of a Winning Book Proposal
A successful book proposal contains these sections: Title Page A cover sheet. The book’s title and the name of the author are centered in the middle of the page. In the upper left corner, type Book Proposal. In the bottom right, type your name, address and phone number (or, if you have one, your agent’s)….
How to Write a Book Proposal – And Why You Should Even if You Plan to Self-Publish
A book proposal is required when pitching a manuscript to literary agents or editors in pursuit of landing a traditional book deal. Similar to a business plan for an entrepreneur, writing a book proposal forces the author to dig in and do some important research while also planning the details of the book. Though you…
Writing Book Proposals
null Most nonfiction books are sold before they are written, based on book proposals. A book proposal is a document that shows a publisher why your book is a great idea and why you are the perfect person to write it. Your proposal says, in effect: “I have an idea for a book that lots…
Dealing with Publishing Company Personnel
The publishing process may seem mechanical. As you move through the publishing process, it’s important not to overlook an often-undervalued part of the process: the people or personnel of the publishing company. Since the corporate imprint and the need to be profitable dominate most publishing companies, the unique nature of most publishing company personnel often…
How to Write a Query Letter
The query letter is a concise, compelling statement of the overall idea or central purpose of your book, a brief description of your target audience, and the benefit(s) your audience will gain from having read your book. It must convincingly describe why your book is unique or superior to others written on the subject and…
Agent Query Review
When agents receive a written submission from a potential client, their first thoughts are, “Is this a book that I want to handle and can I sell it?” Despite instructions on their Web sites etc., a large majority of the contacts agents receive are surprisingly not about books or subjects they handle. “For all authors,…
Writing a Proposal for Your Non-Fiction Book
When I started writing Marines in the Garden of Eden, my goal was to have it published by a traditional publishing house and stocked in every major bookstore in the United States. I signed a publishing contract with Berkley Publishing Group, part of the Putnam/Penguin global publishing giant. Marines in the Garden of Eden appeared…
Query Letter Writing Fact and Fiction
Fact: Query Letter Writing is an Art Form. Make no mistake about it, writing queries that produce results is a craft. Fact: A Query Should Not be Written Like a Synopsis. I devoted an entire article to this, yet writers who have read the article continue to send me sample queries that ignore this premise….
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