Nov 06, 2019 how to write a nonfiction book proposal. Do you know how to prepare your manuscript for your editor, proofreader, and especially your book designer. The overview for your book proposal covers the full scope of your books concept and helps an agent or acquisition editor see your book in totality. Many were great, but super lengthy and time consuming to read. A book proposal should include each of the following sections, in this order. You want to demonstrate that you know your stuff and that you are the right person to be writing and promoting books like this. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal by andy ross. I like this one because it contains ten reallife proposals that sold. The good news is that almost every nonfiction book published is sold by a proposal. How to format a nonfiction manuscript book editing services.
Centre the chapter title, even if its only chapter one or chapter 1, about onethird of the way down the page. A book proposal samples will explain the purposes and objectives for creating a book. Unlike query letters, actual copies of book proposals are difficult to find. Instead, you write the proposal that describes what the book is about, why its interesting, and why it has an audience. This is one of the main differences between the fiction and the nonfiction book proposal. A glossary is an alphabetized list of specialized terms with their definitions. Its a perk of nonfiction that you can sell a book on proposal before sitting down to the write the whole shebang, and often receiving an advance will. It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment. 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. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with examples.
I intentionally did not use the word synopsis in the title of this article. Andy warhol, saint apollonia suite 1984 for all of these reasons, quite a mouthful will make a perfect gift for any general interest nonfiction reader. A glossary of key terms, a list of selected books for further reading, and a book proposal checklist are also included. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. 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. Nonfiction book proposal outline for sounds true i. Try to choose a title that describes the book as much as possible.
In contrast to conference or, to a lesser degree, chapter proposals, a book proposal introduces your qualifications for writing it and compares your work to what others have done or failed to address in the past. Give the child a name the title on your proposal wont necessarily follow your work into book form, but its a great starting point. Submitting a textbook proposal to oxford university press guidelines for authors we are very pleased that you are considering writing for oxford university press. Writing a winning nonfiction book proposal 32 30 from my experience, a great book proposal needs to include five distinct elements see fig. Nonfiction book proposal guide ask yourself these questions and as you write your answers, your proposal will develop before your eyes. A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. What is the accepted way of preparing and submitting a proposal for a nonfiction picture book, say for the middle grade market. By jane friedman if you wrote a nonfiction book 20 years ago, your greatest competition.
It is up to the author working with the agent to prove that a sizeable target audience for the book exists, to sharply define this target market, and to evaluate competitive books if any in the marketplace. Written by a seasoned editor and used in publishing classes at numerous universities, the book is a proven tool for nonfiction book authors. At the same time, be ready to send a book proposal if requested. Aug 11, 2017 instead, you write the proposal that describes what the book is about, why its interesting, and why it has an audience. Finding hope and healing for your heart after loss. Beyond book stores, what other types of groups and organizations. Overview, endorsements, length and delivery date, competing and complementary books, target audience, about. This ones short and tothepoint, and the last time i. Nonfiction book proposals in the digital age to sell an agent or publisher on your nonfiction idea, its more important.
Elements of a successful nonfiction book proposal dummies. 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. Many, if not most nonfiction books are sold to publishers as book proposals. Skip a couple of lines before beginning the text of the chapter. Give a fairly brief summary of your book here, using a few paragraphs. Who is the target audience and what makes your book unique and worthwhile for them. 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. The book proposal is a 1550 or so page manuscript that a writer uses to pitch a nonfiction book to publishers.
That reinforces the idea in your mind and in the mind of publishing agents that your book is different and in some ways better than similar titles in your genre. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency. 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. How to write a successful nonfiction book proposal, part 1. Your nonfiction proposal should include the following items and should be attached as a single file to an email with submission. All good nonfiction book proposals should contain the following, and query.
May 28, 2017 a book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. Now by combining these two definitionsthe demographic and the psychographicyou will give. Dear pamela, memoir advice about your book proposal memoir. How does it differ from a standard magazine article query. To get your nonfiction book published, put together a strong proposal. About available seminars unique bible definitions my take on ministry my publishing passion site map. Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary. As much as you love writing, this is not designed to be an epic.
Nevertheless, our team sometimes receives partial manuscripts and manuscripts that. Mar 19, 2014 have you tips, techniques or other advice on how to craft a nonfiction book proposal for submission. How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary services. For my best advice, check out my guide to writing a novel now available in audio and my guide to publishing a book. Also, just as the lead to an article or the first chapter to a book entices a reader to continue reading, the overview of a book proposal entices an agent or acquisition editor to read the rest. In this comprehensive yet accessible guide, you will learn exactly what a proposal is, what it must contain, and how to pull yours together into an informative, persuasive selling package. The headings on the sample proposal template below cover the critical elements of a thorough proposal.
There are several books available on writing book proposals. Writing quality counts in nonfiction book proposals. My book, book title will be a genre work which will center around the topic of book topic. As suggested in the video, if you are planning on sending a proposal through to a publisher, be sure to check their speci. The biggest mistake writers make in their book proposals. Example of a good nonfiction query letter nathan bransford. So if you are writing a novel, dont send out queries until your manuscript is complete and ready to send. That was a two book deal, admittedly, so you can divide the numbers by two to get a per book amount. If the query letter gets a response from an agent, a complete manuscript may be the next thing the agent wants. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. 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. What follows is a brief description of what the editors in the higher education department might expect of a proposal for a new textbook and how they will consider it for publication.
Once you have selected the agentspublishers you wish to approach. A glossary is also known as a clavis, which is from the latin word for key. Addressed to the appropriate agent with titlegenreword count and appropriate contact information in the letter, this letter should interest us in reading your proposal. 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. Hi shamrock838, when i submitted the proposal for my middle grade nonfic cryptic canada, i sent a cover letter explaining the focusslant of my book, the projected word count and my writing credentials. How to write a memoir book proposal memoirs are just getting more and more popular in what i call this age of the business celebrity. Most nonfiction is sold via a book proposal a structured outline of the book you intend to write. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the literary agents guide to. Dont try to use reason or logic to argue that it would be better a different way. Amir tames platform for her readers with definition and explanation. Have you tips, techniques or other advice on how to craft a nonfiction book proposal for submission. Feel free to use the headings and format of the template below. How to write a book proposal that agents will love jericho writers. Nonfiction book proposal guide creative media agency, inc.
Book proposals are used to sell nonfiction books to publishers. Nonfiction book proposal template formatting and sending your proposal important. 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. Aug 23, 2016 when i was struggling with my own memoir proposal which seemed harder than writing the darn book, eric maisel, author of the art of the book proposal, suggested i write a mini proposal. Most book agents call this section of a nonfiction book proposal the competition section, but i prefer to call is the competitive advantages section. I found this advice once offered by former writers digest publisher jane friedman who rejected and approved proposals over. Nonfiction book proposals in the digital age to sell an agent or publisher on your nonfiction idea, its more important than ever to show where your book will fit inand what will make it stand outboth in print and online. Jun 04, 2018 this is one of the main differences between the fiction and the nonfiction book proposal. How to write a good nonfiction book proposal for submission. Contains the title, author byline, and contact information proposal contents. When i was struggling with my own memoir proposal which seemed harder than writing the darn book, eric maisel, author of the art of the book proposal, suggested i write a miniproposal.
As a book designer, i strongly urge selfpublishers to hire a professional editor and proofreader prior to delivering a manuscript to our designer for layout. Thus far the outcome of this proposal was a contract for a second book. Thats top secret information until the book actually gets. Christian jennings is the author of five nonfiction books and is currently at work on a book about the last year of wwii in northern italy entitled if i live to see the dawn at war on the gothic line 1944. Includes plenty of examples and a book proposal template you can follow. Dear pamela, memoir advice about your book proposal. A good glossary, says william horton, in elearning by design, can define terms, spell out. In a report, proposal, or book, the glossary is generally located after the conclusion. While we try to explain them as we go, we often drop common publishing terms on this site in various posts and articles. An elevator pitch tell us what your book is about in a single sentence. Target audience who is your core audience, the most likely purchasers of this book. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances. If you want to get right on with your nonfiction book proposals and the whole nonfiction writing and publishing experience now, this minute, check out this page here.
Feel free to utilize this pdf copy of my last proposal. How to write a nonfiction book proposal writers digest. Jane friedman gives a helpful outline for a nonfiction book proposal. Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel updated. In this blog post, youll find a description of the overview and introduction sections of my christian nonfiction book proposal, for blossom. Nonfiction book proposal outline the following are some guidelines to help you.
It is very hard to get a fiction book proposal to a publisher directly. Ive seen many authors confuse the two and create extra work for themselves. At its root, this is the purpose of each section in a book proposal, so be clear and persuasive. Aug 01, 2011 the overview for your book proposal covers the full scope of your books concept and helps an agent or acquisition editor see your book in totality. Advice that i find myself giving out again and again as an agent is guidance on how to write a nonfiction book proposal. Unlike a work of fiction, which must be completed before you send the query, a proposal is the correct way to approach a publisher for a nonfiction book. A marketing plan is a vital element of every nonfiction book proposal. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal kindle edition by ross, andy. Make sure your proposal is as polished as possible by including the following. Platform is a crucial part of nonfiction book proposals. Each heading within a book proposal answers a key question.
A standard proposal includes a title page, overview, description of the audience for the book, an analysis of competitive titles, a plan for how the author will promote the book, an author bio, the table of contents for the book, short summaries of each chapter, and three sample chapters. Each header is a necessary element in a complete proposal. Your nonfiction proposal should include the following items. In an email the attached file name should be descriptive author name fiction or nonfiction proposal logline. In my opinion, this is the most important part of a book proposal. A one page cover letter or query letter is sufficient. How to write a nonfiction book proposal nathan bransford. I also had a onepage overview which included other similar books already in the marketplace and how mine was different. Speakup15 3 sample cover page a proposal title subtitle author contact information. Im available for manuscript edits, query critiques, and coaching. A nonfiction book proposal is the key document that allows an agent or publisher to determine the viability of a project. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book. A great nonfiction book proposal will show that you have thought through your idea, and more importantly, it will show that you know how to turn this idea into a book.
Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel. Pdf how to write a book proposal download full pdf. However, some agents andor publishers may have variations in requirements. The sample chapter ought to be the crown jewel of the nonfiction book proposal. How to write a winning nonfiction book proposal colorado. Its usually at least 20 pages long, often much longer.
In an email the attached file name should be descriptive author name fiction or nonfiction proposal logli. Ask yourself these questions and as you write your answers, your proposal will. A book proposal is an essential document used in publishing circles to describe the purpose and scope of a potential publication. Include any subhead or taglines that your books title may contain.
Five basics of nonfiction book proposals fresh ink book. You will likely be emailing your proposal in this format or as a pdf document. How to write a nonfiction book proposal writers write. Sample nonfiction book proposal structure below are the main parts of the average book proposal. How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary. Heres a list of 100 common publishing terms and their definitions, including the meanings of arc, high concept, simultaneous submissions, and so much more. Jul 29, 2011 there are several books available on writing book proposals. How to format your nonfiction manuscript barbara mcnichol. Five basics of nonfiction book proposals fresh ink book editing. Overview describe your book in two or three paragraphs 500 words or less. Although this is an academic textbook, the proposal demonstrates the basic requirements of a successful pitch for any nonfiction book, including an excellent chapterbychapter summary. Use the proposal to sell your book to potential literary agents, editors, and publishers. Nonfiction book proposal outline here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. Its this time that allows those of us who have achieved a level of success in our chosen field of practice to accelerate our success on.