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Overview
The Source for Book Proposals Success!
How to Write a Book Proposal is THE resource for getting your work published. This newly revised edition of the Writer's Digest Books classic outlines how to create an effective, nonfiction book proposal in a clear, step-by-step manner. You'll learn the keys to a successful book proposal and how to:
- Test-market the potential of a book idea and effectively communicate that potential in a proposal
- Choose the best agents and editors for a particular proposal
- Create a professional-looking proposal package
- Predispose publishers to make their best offer
Notes agent and author Michael Larsen also provides insider insights into the publishing industry as well as a plethora of newly updated information including:
- Recent changes in the publishing industry
- Updated trend information
- New sample proposals
- Expanded instructions for creating outlines
You'll also find complete guidelines to becoming an effective self-promoter. How to Write a Book Proposal is a must-have for every writer!
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781582977027 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Penguin Publishing Group |
| Publication date: | 04/18/2011 |
| Series: | How to Write a Book Proposal |
| Edition description: | Fourth Edition |
| Pages: | 336 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d) |
About the Author
Michael Larsen co-founded Michael Larsen-Elizabeth Pomada Literary Agents, in 1972. He is a member of AAR. Mike is also the author of How to Get a Literary Agent, and with Jay Conrad Levinson and Rick Frishman, coauthor of Guerrilla Marketing for Writers.
Table of Contents
Part I Why The Book? Why You?
Chapter 1 Why Now Is the Best Time Ever to Write Books: Twenty Reasons for You to Be a Writer 2
Chapter 2 McBook: The Fastest, Easiest Way to Use This Book 6
Chapter 3 What's in It for You? Reasons to Use This Book 8
Chapter 4 Pushing Your Hot Buttons: Choosing the Right Book for You to Write 10
Chapter 5 Getting Off the Pin: The First Three Steps to Take With Your Idea 13
Part II Starting Off Right: Hooks, Benefits, and Titles
Chapter 6 Getting Paid to Write Your Book: The Parts of an Irresistible Proposal 16
Chapter 7 Selling the Sizzle: Your Opening and Hook 20
Chapter 8 Naming Rites: Finding the Answers You Need to Choose Your Title 28
Chapter 9 Your Selling Handle and the Models for Your Book 41
Chapter 10 Bennies for Readers, Royalties for You: Listing Your Book's Benefits 45
Chapter 11 Adding Value to Your Book: Special Features 47
Part III Following the Money: Your Book's Markets and Competition
Chapter 12 Following the Money: Four Kinds of Markets for Your Book 55
Chapter 13 Sizing Up the Comps: Competing and Complementary Books 66
Part IV Reaching Readers: Your Platform and Promotion Plan
Chapter 14 The Base of Your Golden Triangle: Creating the Communities You Need 74
Chapter 15 Eyes Are the Prize: Building the Platform Your Book Needs 79
Chapter 16 The Web as Synergy Machine: Building Your Online Platform 85
Chapter 17 Laying Your Life on the Lines: Your Bio 97
Chapter 18 Ushering Your Baby Into the World: Putting Your Promotion Plan on Paper 100
Chapter 19 Making Your Desk Promotion Central: Your Online Campaign 114
Chapter 20 Throwing Something in the Pot: Your Promotion Budget (Optional) 122
Chapter 21 Taking the Guesswork Out of Publishing: Fourteen Ways to Test-Market Your Book to Guarantee Its Success 126
Part V Adding Ammunition: Optional Parts of Your Overview
Chapter 22 Using Niche Craft to Create a Career Out of Your Idea: Spin-Offs 136
Chapter 23 Star Power: Your Foreword and Cover Quotes 139
Chapter 24 Your Call to Arms: A Mission Statement 144
Part VI Putting Meat on the Bones: Your Outline and Sample Chapter
Chapter 25 Chapter Choices: Finding the Best Way to Write Your Outline 148
Chapter 26 Giving Your Outlines Structure and Heft 162
Chapter 27 No Time for Sophomores: Strategies for Outlining Six Kinds of Books 165
Chapter 28 A Taste of the Feast: A Q$A Session About Your Sample Chapter 176
Part VII Ensuring Your Proposal Is Ready to Submit
Chapter 29 Making Your Proposal More Salable: The Benefits of Writing Your Manuscript First 184
Chapter 30 Making Your Work Look as Good as It Reads: Formatting Your Proposal 186
Chapter 31 The Breakfast of Champions: Getting Feedback on Your Proposal 190
Part VIII Finding a Happy Home for Your Book
Chapter 32 Publishing on the Vertical Slope of Technology: Seeking the Right Publisher for You and Your Book 197
Chapter 33 Get Published or Self-Publish: Do You Need a Publisher? 204
Chapter 34 The Hook, the Book, and the Cook: Write and Send Your (E-)Query Letter 206
Chapter 35 The First Impression: Making Your Proposal Look Like It's Worth What You Want for It 211
Chapter 36 DIY: The Joys of Self-Publishing 215
Chapter 37 Pushing the Envelope: How to Sell Your Book Yourself 218
Chapter 38 Meet the Matchmaker: How an Agent Can Help You 221
Chapter 39 Recipes for a Successful Book and the Best Publishing Experience 228
Part IX Plotting Your Future
Chapter 40 Starting With the End in Mind: Setting Your Personal and Professional Goals 231
Chapter 41 From Author to Authorpreneur: The Building Blocks for Growing From Small to Big 234
Chapter 42 Spring Is Coming: The Prologue 240
Appendices
Appendix A Resource Directory 242
Appendix B Bringing in a Media Whiz: Why Hire a Publicist? 257
Appendix C Marketing Your Book With Other People's Money: The Quest for Partners to Help You Promote Your Book 259
Appendix D Four Sample Proposals 264
Index 318