The first step in any book outline is deciding which type of outline you will need. How to write a book proposal is the resource for aspiring nonfiction authors. Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book. Writing a fiction book proposal can be tricky, because not all literary agencies and publishers have the same requirements. Below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian nonfiction manuscript.
You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances. The truth is the nonfiction book proposal is an entirely different beast. Pdf writing a nonfiction book proposal a primer for the. Once the book proposal has hopefully passed first muster with andrew lownie, he will ask for a synopsis of each chapter in the book, usually written at about half a page of a4 each, or a page maximum. A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. 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. Guidelines for your fiction proposal hartline literary. Members of aar the association of authors representatives, inc. It is not an absolute formula to be followed blindly. The best nonfiction manuscripts come out of this process. In that sense, a memoir is not a typical nonfiction book, such as a how to book, or other forms of nonfiction. Writing a non fiction book proposal a primer for the firsttime nonfiction book writer. Also, if you want to write a fiction book proposal, please refer to my writing a winning fiction query. Youre going to have to essentially sell them your book, sending them a document that contains details about your qualifications, a.
Your book hook includes three pieces of information. 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. There are outlines for fiction and non fiction, and for short books and text books. It includes information on the content, the author, the market, and the salability of the project. What is a book proposal for fiction writers blogger. Last week, we discussed what a fiction book proposal is, and why you need one.
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. Gordon warnock, partner, fuse literary agency take it from someone who has seen a lot of book proposals. A book proposal gives those involved in the process that opportunity. A book proposal is a document most commonly associated with pitching a nonfiction book. When youre pitching fiction to an agent or publisher through a query letter, your ultimate goal is to get your manuscript read. Writing a non fiction 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. Below are 3 examples from real proposals to real agents. Be sure to keep in mind, though, that this is only a hypothetical book proposal an example. In order to illustrate these principles, lets create a book proposal.
Following are examples of two successful book proposals. Dont try to use reason or logic to argue that it would be better a different way. Thats top secret information until the book actually gets. Fiction, on the other hand, almost always needs to be fully written before you can pitch and editor or an agent. Remember youre trying to sell a book, so its all in the writing. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require book proposals, but its an incredibly useful tool. I could read about something for a week and not figure it out. Book proposals are used to sell nonfiction books to publishers.
Logic doesnt matter when talking about how people actually do thingsthough, in this case. In an email the attached file name should be descriptive author name fiction or nonfiction proposal logline. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency. Nonfiction book proposal outline here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. A variety of factors need to line up for a writer to get a yes from agents, acquisition editors, and publishing housesbut one of the absolute necessities is a good book proposal.
Dear pamela, memoir advice about your book proposal. Nonfiction book proposal guide creative media agency, inc. If its a narrative book like a memoir, it could be a compelling paragraph from your book but only use it once in your proposal. In this blog post, youll find a description of the overview and introduction sections of my christian nonfiction book proposal, for blossom. Writing a fiction book proposal independent publisher. The literary agents guide to writing a non fiction book proposal will lead you through the steps to constructing a convincing book proposal that will make the best case possible for your project. For non fiction books, you usually dont begin by writing the book. The author, andy ross, is a literary agent who has worked with authors and publishers in creating proposals that have led to book contracts. Book proposal a business plan for your book and how you plan to ensure sales success keys to a great synopsis the steve laube agency july 27, 2016 i posted my ideas on some keys to a great book proposal, a few writers said they were challenged to. So whats included in a business plan, and how do you put one together. A fiction book proposal is really just a longer version of a literary agent query letter. Proposed title s slightly different from the title page section of the book proposal. The final element of the overview is a comparative section where you compare your book to others that would be found in the same place in the bookstore. Nonfiction book proposal guide ask yourself these questions and as you write your answers, your proposal will develop before your eyes.
Consequently, most want to give the author as much input as early in the writing process as possible. The keys to a great book proposal the steve laube agency. Nonfiction books jane friedman for years, ive offered a lengthy guide on how to write a query letter for a novel. What is a book proposal for fiction writers once youve mastered the query letter its time to move on to the book proposal. In case some of you might be that way, too, here is a handful of examples of things that have to do with the publishing industry. Readers always buy and read books because of some felt need, but in the case of fiction. It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment. Some agents do not ask for memoir proposals because, like fiction, memoir is fundamentally about narrative, storyline, characters, and voice. Speakup15 4 what is the cantputitdown aspect of the story. Your marketing plan michael dellert posted on july 20, 2017 posted in the business of writing, writing life the fourth part of your fiction book proposal is your marketing plan. As a result, few agents or editors require book proposals, but they can be incredibly helpful tools for both writers and publishing pros. As with a book s table of contents toc listing the chapters. How to write a good non fiction book proposal for submission 17 mar 2014 christian jennings, who is currently writing 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 194445. It breaks down what we are looking for as agents with useful examples and tips from our side of the desk.
Fiction book proposal for literary agents literary agencies. Here is a good example of a non fiction book proposal. Title, authors names, phone numbers, email addresses. You might find it helpful to think of your query letter as an executive summary of your fiction book proposal. Instead of writing the entire book and then try to find someone who wants to publish it, the design of a business plan can get you a contract for that book now so that you can have confidence in what will happen when it is finally completed. In this post, ill cover the critical elements of an average but thorough proposal. 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 help fund research andor travel, making the book possible. The full proposals or nearly so can be seen by following the links. For fiction writers a proposal if fairly easy compared to what nonfiction writers have to do.
How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel. Addressed to the appropriate agent with titlegenreword count and appropriate contact information in the letter, this letter should interest us in reading your 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. Quite likely you reach that publisher via a literary agent, so the first pair of eyes on your work will be those of an agent, but either way, your final target is a publisher. 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. How to write a book proposal that agents will love.
Writing in cyberspace, by moira allen, was submitted to allworth press in 1998, and became the book. How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary. The book outline template for a romance novel is different than the outline for a selfhelp book. Macgregor literary fiction book proposal page 2 the manuscript. Anything sent within these genresformats will not receive a response. A book proposal helps an agent or an editor learn more about an author than a twosentence bio. What is the unique plot hook that will compel readers to keep turning pages. 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. It should be exciting, informative, and make someone want to read your book. This is because of the enormous amount of research that must go into this type of book. This week, well look at the form and function of a standard fiction book proposal in more detail. This page will direct you to some examples of book proposal sections so that you can put together a winning book proposal. And, its not just a strong book proposal that increases your chances of getting a publishing contract and a literary agent.
Agents are looking for something more specific when it comes to nonfiction. Youll find that most other publishing professionals feel this way, too. A nonfiction book proposal most often contains some form of the following, although many publishers and agents have specific guidelines for submitting nonfiction proposals. How to write a nonfiction book proposal mary mackey. In each case, you must provide the author, the title, the publisher, and the year of initial publication and, book by book, tell us how your proposed book will be as successful as those or more so. Instead, you write the proposal that describes what the book is about, why. How to write a book proposal that sells publishizer medium. Finding hope and healing for your heart after loss. Advice that i find myself giving out again and again as an agent is guidance on how to write a nonfiction book proposal. Creative intenet strategies to advance your writing career first edition 1999, second edition may 2003. As mentioned in my discussion on how to get published, if youre interested in writing a book length work of nonfiction, you dont need to write the entire manuscript before you make the sale. Michael larsen cofounded larsenpomada literary agents in san francisco in 1972 with his partner elizabeth pomada.