It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment. Michael larsens how to write a book proposal has been the respected standard in the field ever since it was first published. While some book proposals are 20 doublespaced pages in length, its not unusual to see book proposals that are three times that length. Nonfiction book proposal outline here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. The truth is the nonfiction book proposal is an entirely different beast. Basics in a nutshell and writing the personal essay. Each header is a necessary element in a complete proposal. And, its not just a strong book proposal that increases your chances of getting a publishing contract and a literary agent. The film was released in the united states on february 23, 2007. Now in its fifth edition, it continues to be the best resource. A nonfiction book proposal is the key document that allows an agent or publisher to determine the viability of a project. Oct 25, 2016 a book proposal is a document most commonly associated with pitching a nonfiction book. Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel.
Include any subhead or taglines that your books title may contain. Jun 22, 2017 singlespace the entire proposal except the sample chapters which need to be doublespaced. Its usually at least 20 pages long, often much longer. If you havent written or finished the work yet, dont worry. 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. And i believe that what youre about to read is the fastest, easiest way to get the best possible editor, publisher, and. Your nonfiction proposal should include the following items and should be attached as a single file to an email with submission. Jim carrey stars as a man who becomes obsessed with the 23 enigma once he reads about it in a strange book that seemingly mirrors his own life. I also had a onepage overview which included other similar books already in the marketplace and how mine was different. 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. It is not unusual for an editor to skim the first part of a book proposal and decide on that basis alone whether to reject the proposed book or read further.
On his birthday walter sparrow receives an old book called the number 23. A variety of factors need to line up for a writer to get a yes from agents, acquisition editors, and publishing hou. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal by andy ross. How does it differ from a standard magazine article query. Madeleine morel, literary agent, 2m communications ltd. The letter you send to an agent to get him to request your book proposal is a query letter. To get your nonfiction book published, put together a strong proposal. 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. Since they receive dozens of submissions per week, editors and agents need to be highly selective. 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. Aug 11, 2017 instead, you write the proposal that describes what the book is about, why its interesting, and why it has an audience. Most concepts needs refinement or the proposal needs further development. If you are writing your overview in paragraph form i would suggest you write no more than one or two pages.
Members of aar the association of authors representatives, inc. 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 nonfiction book proposal guest post. Agents are looking for something more specific when it comes to nonfiction. Start with the working title of the project along with your name, email, and phone number. The art of the nonfiction book proposal writers relief, inc. Here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances. Fiction book proposal for literary agents literary agencies.
How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary services. Most book agents call this section of a nonfiction book proposal the competition section, but i prefer to call is the competitive advantages section. Since we recently discussed the role of a synopsis in a fiction proposal i thought it important that we address what the nonfiction author needs to provide. A book proposal is the primary selling tool for nonfiction unlike fiction, you dont need to have a completed manuscript to contact an agent. So, youve got a brilliant idea for a nonfiction book. Michael larsen cofounded larsenpomada literary agents in san francisco in 1972 with his partner elizabeth pomada. 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. Elements of a successful nonfiction book proposal dummies. Use the proposal to sell your book to potential literary agents, editors, and publishers. In no particular order and definitely in your own voice and style, a nonfiction book proposal should contain the following elements. It includes information on the content, the author, the market, and the salability of the project. These are the key components of a nonfiction proposal, including length. During that call, well discuss your proposal and overall book concept. Writers and editors agents and book proposals the art of.
What you do need is a concisely written document that conveys to the agent exactly what your nonfiction book is. Dec 31, 2010 visit the cnf website for details on two new workshops. Youve taken the time to evaluate it, maybe even written a few fledgling chapters, and you think your book could really take the world by storm. This is the second film to pair schumacher and carrey, the first being batman. If you are thinking about the synopsis of your bookfor your own clarity, for a book query to an agent, or for a book proposal to a publisher, youll definitely want to read this advice column. This ones short and tothepoint, and the last time i. Your guide to publishing a nonfiction book ny book editors. 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.
The truth is that getting a literary agent and signing a book contract doesnt usually happen that fast. A marketing plan is a vital element of every nonfiction book proposal. How to write a successful nonfiction book proposal jeanne. Ill take you through how to write a nonfiction book proposala successful one, from concept to cover letterand share my brainstorming prompts and proposal template. A book proposal is an essential document used in publishing circles to describe the purpose and scope of a potential publication. Number all pages sequentially, including your sample chapters. Contains the title, author byline, and contact information proposal contents. Many agents and editors consider work of nonfiction on proposal. In addition to your core target audience, who might be the next most interested targets. The disadvantage is that a memoir book proposal may be up to 25 pages in length just to cover the business proposals and market research that youll need to present. While publishing a nonfiction book does take you on a long, arduous, and winding path, the final destination makes it all worthwhile. Visit the cnf website for details on two new workshops. Add in those samples, and youll have a complete proposal ready to be considered by a literary agent.
How to write a nonfiction book proposal birds of a feather. Nonfiction book proposals can top out around 5075 pages, not including sample chapters. I created a course, book proposal academy, which contains over thirty video trainings including transcripts, a closed facebook forum where you can get feedback directly from me and others in the community, and nine sample book proposals that won book contracts. Nonfiction book proposals bookends literary agency. How to write a nonfiction book proposal nathan bransford. How to write a successful nonfiction book proposal the importance of the book proposal. With his obsession growing bigger and bigger while trying to solve the misterious number 23, walter starts to behave as the main character fingerling. Writing an irresistible book proposal writers digest. As bookends builds our nonfiction list i am getting an increasing number of questions about what goes into a nonfiction book proposal prescriptive nonfiction, unlike fiction or memoir, is usually sold on proposal.
Overview describe your book in two or three paragraphs 500 wo. The following is an excerpt from write a book without lifting a finger by mahesh grossman, available at. And i believe that what youre about to read is the fastest, easiest way to get the best possible editor, publisher, and deal for your book. Though its written in place of an actual book, it should build a complete argument for the book idea. Courses begin this monday january 17, 2011 and last minute registrations are. Make sure your proposal is as polished as possible by including the following. However, if you create a proposal thats divided into the following four sections, in the following order, every agent or publisher that you submit fiction book proposal to will be happy. Give a fairly brief summary of your book here, using a few paragraphs. How to write a book proposal for a nonfiction book. Jun 18, 2008 in general, the nonfiction book proposal is designed to give editors a wellorganized, detailed sales pitch describing what your proposed book is about and how it will make money for the publishing company. The art of the nonfiction book proposal writers relief. How to write a nonfiction book proposal that will sell your book.
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. Speakup15 5 secondary audiences who, in addition to the target audience, might read or purchase this book. The number 23 is a 2007 american thriller film written by fernley phillips and directed by joel schumacher. Ive been a nonfiction editor for over a decade, and in that time ive read, written, and consulted on an awful lot of book proposals, especially for lifestyle an d howto books. 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. I like this one because it contains ten reallife proposals that sold. Nonfiction and memoir jane friedman, 1516 a query letter for a nonfiction book isnt all that different from a fiction query. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency. I have always used a oneto fiveparagraph description of the project.
The psychological thriller the number 23 stars jim carrey as a man whose life unravels after he comes into contact with an obscure book titled. If you prepare a salable proposal, you can get paid to write your book. Nonfiction book proposals anybody can write by elizabeth. Overview the overview tells the editor, in brief, what your book is about. Seattle times marley one of 10 books to watch for fall 2019 publishers weekly september 23, 2019 daniel ehrenhaft at soho teen has bought mercury boys by chandra prasad. Most nonfiction books sell on the basis of a proposal not finished work. In general, the nonfiction book proposal is designed to give editors a wellorganized, detailed sales pitch describing what your proposed book is about and how it will make money for the publishing company. How to write a nonfiction book proposal mary mackey. How to write a book proposal the creative independent. Using the form below, youll submit your proposal draft and book a onehour call. Ive seen many authors confuse the two and create extra work for themselves. 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 book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. 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.
The golden number of words is 85,000equivalent to about 300 pages when properly formatted. Heres a sneak peek at the question dear pamela will be answering in september. 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. This guide is intended for prospective wla clients intending to write a proposal for a narrative nonfiction book projectliterary memoir, creative nonfiction, booklength essays and essay collections, experimental biography and autobiography, literary journalism, criticism, commentary, cultural history, film and tv writing, art writing, nature and environment. Check out the post writing your book proposal bio on the steve laube agency website for your author photo april 30, 2018 number of questions were raised when i wrote about the bio portion of a book proposal when i suggested that you include an author photo. May 28, 2017 a book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. Jun 04, 2018 since we recently discussed the role of a synopsis in a fiction proposal i thought it important that we address what the nonfiction author needs to provide. Writing a winning nonfiction book proposal 32 30 from my experience, a great book proposal needs to include five distinct elements see fig. Most nonfiction titles that are published sell based on proposals, and anyone who wants to write nonfiction should know how to structure one. My book, book title will be a genre work which will center around the topic of book topic.
This is one of the main differences between the fiction and the nonfiction book proposal. What is the accepted way of preparing and submitting a proposal for a nonfiction picture book, say for the middle grade market. Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary. This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. The following is a template for completing a nonfiction book proposal. Your nonfiction proposal should include the following items. 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. There are a couple instances of being able to sell a fiction book on proposal.
And if youve already finished your memoir, youre still going to need to write a full proposal to accompany your submission in almost every instance. Jul 29, 2011 there are several books available on writing book proposals. The word count of the work should follow the title in the same introductory section. A one page cover letter or query letter is sufficient. The good news is that almost every nonfiction book published is sold by a proposal. Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel updated. Writers and editors agents and book proposals the art. The fifth edition of how to write a book proposal sets a new gold standard for aspiring authors. How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require book proposals, but its an incredibly useful tool. Writing your book proposal bio the steve laube agency. In an email the attached file name should be descriptive author name fiction or nonfiction proposal logline.
Addressed to the appropriate agent with titlegenreword count and appropriate contact information in the letter, this letter should interest us in reading your proposal. There are several books available on writing book proposals. Jan 28, 2011 nonfiction picture book proposals 101. Dear pamela, memoir advice about your book proposal memoir. Here is the process i follow with all nonfiction book proposal clients. This class covers all aspects of creating a book proposal. 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. Apr 23, 2018 check out the post writing your book proposal bio on the steve laube agency website for your author photo april 30, 2018 number of questions were raised when i wrote about the bio portion of a book proposal when i suggested that you include an author photo. Nonfiction proposal guidelines willenfield literary agency. How to write a nonfiction book proposal writers write. He starts to believe that the novel was written about his life. 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. The book proposal is a 1550 or so page manuscript that a writer uses to pitch a nonfiction book to publishers. If you have an idea for a creative nonfiction book, and want to find a publisher, this class is designed for you.
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