Nonfiction Book Proposal
Notes from "Writing the Nonfiction Book Proposal" workshop (Van Borstel):
Book proposals are how agents sell nonfiction. Think of the book proposal like a business plan; it's half-writing and half-marketing.
Your goal is to answer, in the book proposal, all the questions that the editor has about your book.
1.) Overview: This is your mission statement. It should be concise; between 2 paragraphs and two pages long. Start with an attention-getting opener, such as a statistic or personal story. Include the title of your book within the text of the first page.
Your overview should answer the following questions:
- Is there a commerical need for this book?
- Who is the book-buying audience?
- What qualifies you as the best author?
2.) Author Profile: This is not a resume, but rather a description of yourself as the author of this book. Include both your personal and professional qualifications to prove how you are the expert. This might be easier to write in third person.
Include:
*writing credits *awards *notable publicity*speaking/media experience
*previous books: date of publication, publisher, format
3.) Comparative Titles: Three/four complementary titles in print that have been successful: title, author, publisher, date of publication. How is your book superior or different?
Keep the focus on your book: Emphasize its features or benefits. Avoid critiques of other books. What is missing? / story that hasn't be told.
4.) Target Market: Who will buy the book? Why? (be specific)
Find demographics, statistics, percentages, in order to define the population for specific markets.
The U.S. Census, associations might be of help...
5.) Promotion / Publicity:
*Direct sales outlets
*Organizations: Include # of members, newsletters, web sites, annual meetings
*Key author contacts
*Include hard numbers -- this will help marketing people tally potential booksales
6.) TOC / Chapter Summaries / Sample Chapters:
*Table of contents
*Chapter summaries: features/benefits
*1-2 chapters that best demonstrate your writing (not an intro, just the meat of your book)
Submit your nonfiction book proposal:
- Word document
- Double-spaced
- Single-sided
- Times New Roman
- 12 font
*Include estimated format and page count
Book proposals are how agents sell nonfiction. Think of the book proposal like a business plan; it's half-writing and half-marketing.
Your goal is to answer, in the book proposal, all the questions that the editor has about your book.
1.) Overview: This is your mission statement. It should be concise; between 2 paragraphs and two pages long. Start with an attention-getting opener, such as a statistic or personal story. Include the title of your book within the text of the first page.
Your overview should answer the following questions:
- Is there a commerical need for this book?
- Who is the book-buying audience?
- What qualifies you as the best author?
2.) Author Profile: This is not a resume, but rather a description of yourself as the author of this book. Include both your personal and professional qualifications to prove how you are the expert. This might be easier to write in third person.
Include:
*writing credits *awards *notable publicity*speaking/media experience
*previous books: date of publication, publisher, format
3.) Comparative Titles: Three/four complementary titles in print that have been successful: title, author, publisher, date of publication. How is your book superior or different?
Keep the focus on your book: Emphasize its features or benefits. Avoid critiques of other books. What is missing? / story that hasn't be told.
4.) Target Market: Who will buy the book? Why? (be specific)
Find demographics, statistics, percentages, in order to define the population for specific markets.
The U.S. Census, associations might be of help...
5.) Promotion / Publicity:
*Direct sales outlets
*Organizations: Include # of members, newsletters, web sites, annual meetings
*Key author contacts
*Include hard numbers -- this will help marketing people tally potential booksales
6.) TOC / Chapter Summaries / Sample Chapters:
*Table of contents
*Chapter summaries: features/benefits
*1-2 chapters that best demonstrate your writing (not an intro, just the meat of your book)
Submit your nonfiction book proposal:
- Word document
- Double-spaced
- Single-sided
- Times New Roman
- 12 font
*Include estimated format and page count
Labels: literary agents, nonfiction book proposal
posted by Lisa | 10:18 AM
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