Take your time creating your promotion and when possible, ask others for feedbackespecially fellow authors who have been through this process before. In the process of writing my own nonfiction book proposal earlier this year thanks to my year of amazing pledge, i searched everywhere i could for tips and advice on how to write a nonfiction book proposal. In this webinar, bestselling ghostwriter barry fox focuses on a few key elements of an effective nonfiction book proposal that will grab an agent or publisher by the scruff of the neck. Writing a nonfiction book proposal a primer for the firsttime nonfiction book writer by scott mendel updated february 2018 it will probably seem obvious to you that the nonfiction book proposal is a tool your agent will use to sell your work at the best possible terms, and to secure the strongest possible. Proposals are popular because oftentimes nonfiction books arent finished when they get shopped around. Bonus content sample proposal templates, a proposal checklist, and more. Book proposal template nonfiction authors association. I found this advice once offered by former writer s digest publisher jane friedman who rejected and approved proposals over. How to write a book proposal that agents will love. Apr 24, 2020 essentially, the book proposal is the way an author sells his or her book to a potential agent or publisher. A wellwritten fiction book proposal helps agents and publishers understand why youre qualified to write your book, through your biography section. Book proposals are information packs used by authors to pitch their nonfiction books to publishers and agents. Instead of writing the entire book, then trying to interest an editor or agent which is how it works with novels, you write the proposal first.
This begins with a brief dramatic anecdote which is meant to get the reader, in this case the editor at the publishing company, interested in the material. The book proposal is a 15 50 or so page manuscript that a writer uses to pitch a. Because fiction writers have the book written, polished, and edited before they even start to query, putting the proposal together is really about collecting materials, but since you can never have too much information, i thought you too would like to know what goes into your proposal sometimes called a partial. How to write a book proposal for fiction writing tips oasis. Many were great, but super lengthy and time consuming to read. During that call, well discuss your proposal and overall book concept. Agents are looking for something more specific when it comes to nonfiction. I like this one because it contains ten reallife proposals that sold. Ideas for books are as varied as the books themselves.
Most concepts needs refinement or the proposal needs further development. Speakup15 5 secondary audiences who, in addition to the target audience, might read or purchase this book. Once you have the text in tiptop shape and you dont have any further corrections to make, its probably worth sending your proposal to a professional designer to. Learn how to write a book proposal that gets results. Aug 11, 2017 in this webinar, bestselling ghostwriter barry fox focuses on a few key elements of an effective non fiction book proposal that will grab an agent or publisher by the scruff of the neck. This form contains a summary of the book, its aims, its goals and main features.
The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal by andy ross. Elements of a successful nonfiction book proposal dummies. Writing a winning non fiction book proposal 32 30 from my experience, a great book proposal needs to include five distinct elements see fig. Your fiction proposal should include the following items and should be attached as a single file to an email with submission. Use the proposal to sell your book to potential literary agents, editors, and publishers. A nonfiction book proposal is necessary for most nonfiction authors hoping to be represented by a literary agency andor get a deal with a publishing house. Logic doesnt matter when talking about how people actually do thingsthough, in this case. The comparables section reveals the uniqueness and value of your book within a competitive marketplace. They arise in all sorts of different situations, but generally a book concept is written down into a proposal form. A nonfiction book proposal most often contains some form of the following, although many publishers and agents have specific guidelines for submitting nonfiction proposals. Sample new book proposal below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian non fiction manuscript. Many agents and editors are happy to receive book proposals for fiction, especially because fiction book proposals offer a deeper insight into the book, its audience, its competition on the market, and the author, among many other things. This ones short and tothepoint, and the last time i.
Everyone who teaches on the book proposal says you need one. Having stressed the importance of substance over style, we can move to the more visual aspects of the proposal because ideally your proposal will have both. Your book idea is fantastic, and its time to prove that to the people who can actually publish it. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency. There are several books available on writing book proposals. In this article, were going to talk about how to write a book proposal for both nonfiction and fiction writers.
How to write a book proposal that agents will love jericho. It takes me months to finish writing a book proposal. Submitting an already written non fiction book as a proposal is a great way to almost guarantee you will not get a book deal. Essentially, the book proposal is the way an author sells his or her book to a potential agent or publisher. How to write a nonfiction book proposal writers digest. It is a difficult task and one most writers wonder the purpose of. To get your nonfiction book published, put together a strong proposal. A nonfiction book proposal is the key document that allows an agent or publisher to determine the viability of a project. I also sold a book off the back of a non fiction book proposal that had multiple publishers bidding for the rights, and ended up being sold to harpercollins for. Unlike fiction, where an author must have a completed manuscript ready before they approach a publisher or agent, a nonfiction author only needs to develop a proposal to submit to publishers andor agents. The truth is the nonfiction book proposal is an entirely different beast.
In fact, for my travel adventure memoir, ive been working on the proposal onandoff for the last two years, and even then, my agent is asking for a rewrite. In 10 to 25 pages, you must describe what you have to offer. Here is the process i follow with all nonfiction book proposal clients. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances. Writing a great book proposal is how to sell your book to a publisher. Fiction, on the other hand, almost always needs to be fully.
Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary. It includes information on the content, the author, the market, and the salability of the project. Give a fairly brief summary of your book here, using a few paragraphs. My book, book title will be a genre work which will center around the topic of book topic. Its especially important if you dont have an agent, as many small and medium publishers accept unsolicited proposals. Included in this course is a book proposal checklist, an article about writing a great cover letter, a sample fiction proposal template, a sample nonfiction proposal template, plus a copy of the book proposal tips and tricks ebook. Fiction book proposal this article by former ny times bestselling literary agent explains what a fiction proposal is and how to write one that sells. If you are submitting a requested proposal for fiction also unusual, you may use the same elements. Nonfiction book proposal literary agents and literary agencies. Being a complete and comprehensive course of stepbystep instructions and impressively informative commentary, how to write a book proposal is absolutely essential reading for any author wanting to turn pro and make a living with what they write be it fiction, non fiction, or a combination of both.
This week, well look at the form and function of a standard fiction book proposal in more detail. Youre going to have to essentially sell them your book, sending them a document that contains details about your qualifications, a chapterbychapter outline, and most importantly, how your. Everything you need to know to start writing a book proposal for your. Include any subhead or taglines that your books title may contain. A fiction book proposal is really just a longer version of a literary agent query letter. May 28, 2017 a book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. Book proposals vary in approach, length, and style, but certain key elements must be included for yours to succeed. That was a twobook deal, admittedly, so you can divide the numbers by two to get a per book amount. Fiction book proposal for literary agents literary agencies. Make sure your proposal is as polished as possible by including the following. It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment.
A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. Using the form below, youll submit your proposal draft and book a onehour call. They contain everything a prospective publisher needs to know about a book, including its contents, target market, how it will be promoted, and commercial potential. Book proposal design having stressed the importance of substance over style, we can move to the more visual aspects of the proposal because ideally your proposal will have both. Jun 22, 2017 last week, we discussed what a fiction book proposal is, and why you need one. Oct 25, 2016 a book proposal is a document most commonly associated with pitching a nonfiction book. Because fiction writers have the book written, polished, and edited before they even start to query, putting the proposal together is really about collecting materials, but since you can never have too much information, i thought you too would like to know what goes. Different rules apply to writing a book proposal for fiction books, so make sure to do more research if youre writing a book proposal for a fiction book. A wellwritten fiction book proposal helps agents and publishers understand why youre qualified to write your book, through your biography.
It is by david sanford, a published author, editor, and literary agent for more than 300 books who now serves on the leadership team at corban university. Nonfiction book proposal outline here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. Fiction, on the other hand, almost always needs to be. When you hear book proposal, most people think nonfiction. Writing a fiction book proposal independent publisher. Ive written and published several nonfiction books, so i had to study many articles, white papers, and books about how to write a book proposal along. The book proposal is a 1550 or so page manuscript that a writer uses to pitch a nonfiction book to publishers.
This newly revised edition of the writers digest books classic outlines how to create an effective, nonfiction book proposal in a clear, stepbystep manner. Writing a winning nonfiction book proposal 32 30 from my experience, a great book proposal needs to include five distinct elements see fig. The next step is to write a winning book proposaldesigned to persuade an agent to ask to see your manuscript and consider representing it to publishers. The proposal will include your books title, summary, pitch.
I also sold a book off the back of a nonfiction book proposal that had multiple publishers bidding for the rights, and ended up being sold to harpercollins for. How to draft proposals to childrens book publishers dummies. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require. In addition to your core target audience, who might be the next most interested targets. Those two to three singlespaced pages of agony will never be seen by anyone else but editors and agents, so why. How to write a nonfiction book proposal become a writer today. Writing a fiction book proposal can be tricky, because not all literary agencies and publishers. Based on feedback from our publishers and book proposal experts, we have prepared an easytouse 12question proposal form to help you create a professional book proposal in a format publishers prefer. How to write a book proposal is the resource for getting your work published.
You might find it helpful to think of your query letter as an executive summary of your fiction book proposal. Every fiction book proposal must include a synopsis. Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel. When someone is pitching a work of nonfiction, a proposal outlines includes information on the content, the author, the market, and the salability of the project. Your book proposal deserves your focused time and attention. How to write a book proposal that sells publishizer medium. A book proposal is a document most commonly associated with pitching a nonfiction book. Jul 29, 2011 there are several books available on writing book proposals. Dont try to use reason or logic to argue that it would be better a different way. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require book proposals, but its an incredibly useful tool. The advantage to the nonfiction book proposal is that an author doesnt need to. Immediately after this anecdote, you should describe in two or three sentencesno morewhat the book will be about. The promotion plan is most important, followed by the overview and about the author sections.
In this post, ill cover the critical elements of an average but thorough proposal. Book proposals are used to sell nonfiction books to publishers. The core of the publishing process is the book proposal. Proposals are popular because oftentimes nonfiction books aren.
How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. And at the end, there will be a fun exercise that will help you get started writing your book proposal. Writing a fiction book proposal how to create an effective pitch. Nonfiction book proposal what is it and how do you write one. Though its written in place of an actual book, it should build a complete argument for the book idea.