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. What would you suggest for an author who has already selfpublished a nonfiction book but is working on a 2nd edition and desires a traditional publisher. Ive written and published four works of nonfiction and have been involved as a ghost or behindthescenes editor on a couple of other things too. How to write and sell the novel of true events, by peter rubie quill driver books, 2009 the proposal is a description of, and sample of a proposed book.
If your book proposal template convinces the publisher, then they will contract and pay you to write the book. Each header is a necessary element in a complete proposal. In the case of a nonfiction book, the book proposal in written first before you write the whole book. A book proposal is created by a person who loves to read books, composing books, do research proposals or engaged into business of selling books. Here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require. Writing a fiction book proposal independent publisher.
The fourth part of your fiction book proposal is your marketing plan. It includes information on the content, the author, the market, and the salability of the project. Everyone who teaches on the book proposal says you need one. 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. In addition to your core target audience, who might be the next most interested targets.
Like a lot of things in the publishing industry, the nonfiction book proposal is a mysterious beast. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading nonfiction book proposals anybody can write revised. Writing an irresistible book proposal by michael larsen the golden rule of writing a book proposal is that every word in your. Last week, we discussed what a fiction book proposal is, and why you need one. Fiction book proposal for literary agents literary agencies. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with examples. She is the author of how to blog a book, the author training manual, and creative visualization for writers, all published by writers digest books. Here is a good example of a nonfiction book proposal. 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. A book proposal is an essential document used in publishing circles to describe the purpose and scope of a potential publication. The truth is the nonfiction book proposal is an entirely different beast.
Macgregor literary fiction book proposal page 3 marketing dystopian is a popular subgenre among teens right now. Below are 3 examples from real proposals to real agents. For example, do you think it would be useful for the book to be supported with a companion web site. The content once an agent or editor flips past the title page, he then wants to know what the book is about. In this post, ill cover the critical elements of an average but thorough proposal. Includes plenty of examples and a book proposal template you can follow. This week, well look at the form and function of a standard fiction book proposal in more detail. Chapter summaries should be anywhere from one paragraph to five pages long each. Every fiction book proposal must include a synopsis. Writing an irresistible book proposal by michael larsen the golden rule of writing a book proposal is that every word in your proposal should answer one of two questions. Nonfiction book proposal guide ask yourself these questions and as you write your answers, your proposal will develop before your eyes. This can potentially save you time and frustration, so that you dont develop a book proposal for a concept thats not likely to be viable or salable.
Every single one of those books sold off the back off a simple book propo. Following are examples of two successful book proposals. Below are some examples of real book proposals that have actually sold to publishers. And keep in mind, if you are writing narrative nonfiction, like a memoir, you should think of your work as fiction. Writing a fiction book proposal can be tricky, because not all literary agencies and publishers. Sample new book proposal below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian nonfiction manuscript. Your fiction proposal should include the following items and should be attached as a single file to an email with submission. Why should a publisher invest in your book, and why are you the person to write it. Nonfiction book proposals anybody can write revised and updated kindle edition by lyon, elizabeth. Memoirs can cover most any subject of human interest. My book, book title will be a genre work which will center around the topic of book topic.
To recap, a great fiction book proposal essentially breaks down into five elements about your book and the target market what can you do for us. In a novel, the entire book is written first, then trying to find an editor or publisher. The insiders stepbystep guide to proposals that get you published, by jody reine and michael larsen book creating a. As mentioned in my discussion on how to get published, if youre interested in writing a booklength work of nonfiction, you dont need to write the entire manuscript before you make the sale. A book proposal helps an agent or an editor learn more about an author than a twosentence bio. Fiction, on the other hand, almost always needs to be fully written before you can pitch and editor or an agent. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Nonfiction book proposals anybody can write revised and. If you look on the internet, you will have a very hard time finding actual book proposals. A nonfiction book proposal most often contains some form of the following, although many publishers and agents have specific guidelines for submitting nonfiction proposals. Give a fairly brief summary of your book here, using a few paragraphs. Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary. What is most helpful is the range of genres included and sambuchinos expressed selfawareness in providing examples.
As a result, few agents or editors require book proposals, but they can be incredibly helpful tools for both writers and publishing pros. Overview describe your book in two or three paragraphs 500 wo. Include any subhead or taglines that your books title may contain. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances. The purpose of either is to elicit a request for your proposal. Writing in cyberspace, by moira allen, was submitted to allworth press in 1998, and became the book. Book proposals are used to sell nonfiction books to publishers. A book proposal is a document most commonly associated with pitching a nonfiction book. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal by andy ross.
This page will direct you to some examples of book proposal sections so that you can put together a winning book proposal. Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel. A nonfiction book proposal is the key document that allows an agent or publisher to determine the viability of a project. A memoir is a personal story that provides a snapshot of a particular time and place in your life. Its primarily a sales and marketing tool for you, and for your book. 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 following is a template for completing a nonfiction book proposal. Nonfiction book proposal guide creative media agency, inc. As a hybrid author, she also has published 17 books independently. If publishing a memoir is your goal, its a good idea to write a proposal to sell your. A book proposal samples will explain the purposes and objectives for creating a book. Creative intenet strategies to advance your writing career first edition 1999, second edition may 2003.
Get unlimited access to the best stories on medium and support writers while youre. The insiders stepbystep guide to proposals that get you published, by jody reine and michael larsen book creating a killer book proposal with barry fox 30min webinar. Ive written and published four works of non fiction and have been involved as a ghost or behindthescenes editor on a couple of other things too. Those two to three singlespaced pages of agony will never be seen by anyone else but editors and agents, so why. How to draft proposals to childrens book publishers dummies. You should have a book proposal written for the series too.
Step 2 is to develop a picture in your mind of how your book concept might be put into either your pitch verbal or query written appeal. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. You would never do a proposal for a board book, for example unless for some strange reason thats how the publisher youre targeting wants board books submitted. Proposals are usually 1415 pages long and include the information about the series, a long pitch, elevator pitch, marketing plan, comparison analysisit. Speakup15 5 secondary audiences who, in addition to the target audience, might read or purchase this book. Chuck sambuchino at writers digest recently posted a summary of his synopsis examples for fiction titles. If you have the time and want more detailed guidelines, get one of the many excellent books on writing proposals from the writers shelf at your library or local bookstore. What is a book proposal for fiction writers blogger. You can best communicate this by stating the books premise, setting forth a few other details about your book. A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. For fiction writers a proposal if fairly easy compared to what nonfiction writers have to do.
A fiction book proposal is really just a longer version of a literary agent query letter. Once youve mastered the query letter its time to move on to the book proposal. With the success of the hunger games and its forthcoming film, readers are looking for more books with serious and fantastical subject matters. Guidelines for your fiction proposal hartline literary. 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. This ones short and tothepoint, and the last time i. It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment.
There are several books available on writing book proposals. Christina doe resides in minneapolis, mn with her husband, two children, and their saint bernard, hugo. The most successful book proposals read like the book, not as a boring outline of what the book could be. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require book proposals, but its an incredibly useful tool. How to write a book proposal that agents will love. Most proposals run thirtyfive to fifty doublespaced pages. I like this one because it contains ten reallife proposals that sold.