This class covers all aspects of creating a book proposal, providing. It breaks down what we are looking for as agents with useful examples and tips from our side of the desk. The art of the nonfiction book proposal writers relief. A book proposal is the primary selling tool for nonfiction unlike fiction, you dont need to have a completed manuscript to contact an agent. It takes me months to finish writing a book proposal. In a novel, the entire book is written first, then trying to find an editor or publisher. Agents and editors dont want to see a completed book nonfiction book most of the time. Its primarily a sales and marketing tool for you, and for your book. Name of book, name and contact info for the author page 2. 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.
Nonfiction proposal guidelines we work very hard with our clients to help them create their proposals and because we think this part of the publishing process is so very important, we wanted to share our basic formula for putting together a nonfiction proposal. Many were great, but super lengthy and time consuming to read. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal by andy ross. Marvin olasky has a list of 40 book recommendations for you to peruse. Memoir and narrative nonfiction, selfhelp, spirituality. In the case of a nonfiction book, the book proposal in written first before you write the whole book. Breaking down the nonfiction book proposal the business. And the process of writing a good book proposal is a great exercise, because you become focused on what you want to write. For the next three years, i wrote and rewrote this proposal, trying to get the project off the ground in various configurations, for various audiences, and with the help of a couple of different literary agentsthe last of whom, a very smart woman at a highend agency in manhattan. Nonfiction is often sold on the basis of a proposal. Nonfiction book proposal guide ask yourself these questions and as you write your answers, your proposal will develop before your eyes. 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. I help nonfiction writers with their book proposals, whether theyre stuck on a specific part of their proposal that damn overview or want support and accountability the whole way. This ones short and tothepoint, and the last time i.
Most nonfiction books sell on the basis of a proposal not finished work. It explains the difference in proposals between traditional nonfiction and narrative nonfiction, helps you write a strong proposal, and gives a very thorough overview of the book proposal. Writing a great book proposal is the beginning of the publishing process and the only way to get a publisher to look at your material. Nonfiction book proposal consulting let me help you bring your book into the world.
A query letter for a nonfiction book isnt all that different from a fiction query. If you have an idea for a creative nonfiction book and want to find a publisher, this class if designed for you. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. 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. There are several books available on writing book proposals.
The truth is, a synopsis for a nonfiction book is as important as one for fiction. In fact, for my travel adventure memoir, ive been working on the proposal onandoff for the last two years, and even then, my agent is asking for a rewrite. How to write a nonfiction book synopsis pen and the pad. A book proposal is a document most commonly associated with pitching a nonfiction book. Writing a winning nonfiction book proposal 32 30 from my experience, a great book proposal needs to include five distinct elements see fig. I like this one because it contains ten reallife proposals that sold.
What you do need is a concisely written document that conveys to the agent exactly what your nonfiction book is. It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment. As with a book s table of contents toc listing the chapters. Nonfiction is an expansive and overwhelming description and can be intimidating for fiction readers. Ive seen many authors confuse the two and create extra work for. If you want to traditionally publish a nonfiction book, a completed manuscript usually isnt enough to land you a book deal. A commonly accepted structure for a nonfiction book proposal broadly follows this outline.
A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. Your book hook includes three pieces of information. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances. Writing an irresistible book proposal by michael larsen. Your pitch offers the publisher the opportunity to acquire a nonfiction book, authored by you. Even more so than practical nonfiction, your narrative or memoir proposal needs to serve as a microcosm for your book as a whole, so the proposal has to be a tight and exciting read, and capture the arc of the book. 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. Literary and commercial fiction, including young adult. 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. An additional bonus is that writing a book proposal forces the author to organize and focus the project.
Nonfiction editors require a full proposal, which means you will have to submit detailed chapter descriptions, explain how your book will fit into the market, and establish your expertise. Proposed title s slightly different from the title page section of the book proposal. But it does mean that every single page and line and word in that proposal functions as a writing sample. Each week, we will look at different steps in the process of writing a work of narrative nonfiction, such organizing research, keeping track of sources, structuring an outline, actually writing the book, crafting a query letter, and putting together a book proposal.
Finding hope and healing for your heart after loss. A one paragraph, inanutshell description of the project or idea. Book proposals are used to sell nonfiction books to publishers. Youre going to have to essentially sell them your book, sending them a document that contains details about your qualifications, a. Unless its a serious or refer ence book, your title must tell and sell.
Manuscript critiques, book proposals, marketing materials. In this blog post, youll find a description of the overview and introduction sections of my christian nonfiction book proposal, for blossom. Advice that i find myself giving out again and again as an agent is guidance on how to write a nonfiction book proposal. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency. This is one of the main differences between the fiction and the nonfiction book proposal. Gordon warnock, partner, fuse literary agency take it from someone who has seen a lot of book proposals. The title of your book should be in the introductory paragraph. To work with a traditional publisher, you are in effect asking them to invest a lot of money into your book. The same as a catch phrase, this is the one or two line hook.
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. The book does include one example, but it is not a real one taken from a real proposal, but rather a made up example. I often say, you only need a book proposal if you want to get your book published. A book proposal is a regular part of publishing a nonfiction book for most writers. The sole exception is memoir, which is similar to fiction. My book, once i had a handle on the research, was largely focused on three years. How to write a book proposal is the resource for aspiring nonfiction authors. The truth is the nonfiction book proposal is an entirely different beast. Writing a great book proposal is how to sell your book to a publisher. It includes information on the content, the author, the market, and the salability of the project. Even if your book is finished, a proposal is mandatory.
Write your nonfiction book proposal webinar creative. When nonfiction authors ask me, how can i write a book proposal or do i need a proposal if i write a howto book. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with examples. Thats top secret information until the book actually gets. How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary. Narrative nonfiction, like a novel, expands and constricts time depending on its significance. 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. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require book proposals. This post is by far the most complete one, giving you pretty much everything you need to know on the subject. When you selfpublish, you dont need to write a book proposal. Think of a book proposal as a business plan for your book. Agents are looking for something more specific when it comes to nonfiction. A book proposal is essentially a business plan for your book.
The only thing that comes close to a book on narrative nonfiction proposals is susan rabiners recent thinking like your editor however, in that book she disdains narrative nonfiction and focuses instead on proposals from academics writing serious nonfiction in their field of expertise. Although he provides examples of four narrative nonfiction book proposals, none of them include a hook overview as described on page 210. Here, as well, are seven of my favorite historical nonfiction reads. While fiction writers are often required by publishers to submit a synopsis of their manuscripts, many nonfiction writers often dont think about writing synopses for their books. Nonfiction book proposal guide creative media agency, inc. Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary. If your book proposal template convinces the publisher, then they will contract and pay you to write the book. 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. If youre interested in jumping into the wide world of nonfiction, narrative nonfiction books are compulsively readable for readers of all backgrounds and interests.
The best narrative nonfiction books for nonnonfiction readers. For reflection and encouragement, reading about other people in history during moments of crisis or achievement is a good exercise. Much like the description in the jacket of a book, this is. Sometimes it is harder to capture that arc in a proposal than in a whole book. Novelists and poets still typically need a full manuscript for publishers to consider, but for nonfiction books its quite the oppositepublishers and agents dont even necessarily want an entire book. 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. Jumpstart your narrative nonfiction book grubstreet.
472 129 559 270 1115 249 198 879 1256 1343 1437 731 476 1550 121 593 1383 1259 1226 663 995 1013 225 1421 557 1108 1233 264 485 1129 1073 562 595 947 637 74 1063 891 55 891 1415