Advice that i find myself giving out again and again as an agent is guidance on how to write a nonfiction book proposal. Youll see many discrepancies between what is said about holistic tarot in this early draft of a book proposal and the actual book that was published. Have you got a nonfiction book idea and dream of securing a. If your work isnt a narrative, then write or include a sample chapter that you. Sample nonfiction book proposal structure below are the main parts of the average book proposal. Give the child a name the title on your proposal wont necessarily follow your work into book form, but its a great starting point. For nonfiction books, you usually dont begin by writing the book. Agents are looking for something more specific when it comes to nonfiction. For example, will there be sidebars, interviews, quotations. Instead of writing the entire book, then trying to interest an editor or agent which. Agents simply do not have the time or staff to wade through the enormous number of manuscripts they receive from hopeful authors.
Such templates also contain key stuff that acquires the immediate attention of the viewers as to why such novels will be a better choice. Unless its a serious or refer ence book, your title must tell and sell. The fact is that agentsand publishersreturn most manuscripts to the author without ever having read them. Title, authors names, phone numbers, email addresses. To get your nonfiction book published, put together a strong proposal. 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. Macgregor literary fiction book proposal page 2 the manuscript title. Your nonfiction proposal should include the following items. Mark now helps authors of all genres fiction, nonfiction, and childrens books get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company literary agent undercover and the bestselling author. I have always used a oneto fiveparagraph description of the project. Try to choose a title that describes the book as much as possible. If you start writing without a good outline template, the process will take forever and your book. In it we will meet the blackbirds, the grey tits and the robins who share the. 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.
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. Your book hook includes three pieces of information. 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. A nonfiction book proposal most often contains some form of the following, although many publishers and. Marks authors have gotten sixfigure book deals, been on the nyt bestseller list, and published with houses such as random. Finding hope and healing for your heart after loss. Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary. 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. The book outline template for a romance novel is different than the outline for a selfhelp book. Submitting a textbook proposal to oxford university press guidelines for authors we are very pleased that you are considering writing for oxford university press. Nonfiction book proposal is open to writers of any level. Think youve got a great nonfiction book that will delight, educate, or entertain readers. If consumers in the target market purchase and read name of book, then they.
A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. I also had a onepage overview which included other similar books already in the marketplace and how mine was different. The program includes book marketing advice specifically for fiction, nonfiction and childrens books. As suggested in the video, if you are planning on sending a proposal through to a publisher, be sure to check their speci. The name of a wellknown authority who has agreed to write a foreword, giving. The first step in any book outline is deciding which type of outline you will need. A good nonfiction book proposal should include the following things.
Youll also have to include a full sample chapter, which is a topic for another day. An elevator pitch tell us what your book is about in a single sentence. Your book outline is the structure of your book, and thus incredibly important. Although this is an academic textbook, the proposal demonstrates the basic requirements of a successful pitch for any nonfiction book, including an excellent chapterbychapter summary. Make sure your proposal is as polished as possible by including the following. Cover page with great title, your name and address, or agents name and address. A one page cover letter or query letter is sufficient.
What follows is a brief description of what the editors in the higher education department might expect of a proposal for a new textbook and how they will consider it for publication. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. It will probably seem obvious to you that the nonfiction book proposal is a tool your. It wasnt so long ago that the leading name in dentistry, pierre fauchard. Nonfiction book proposal template this template is designed to cover up all the significant elements that are needed when it comes to making a nonfictional book proposal. How to outline a nonfiction book with free template. Writing a nonfiction book proposal a primer for the firsttime. Your nonfiction proposal should include the following items and should be attached as a single file to an email with submission. Or enroll in the above book proposal course which includes a pdf, kindle, and epub version of the book as part of the class. Dont start writing your book without first creating the structure. Instead, you write the proposal that describes what the book is about, why its interesting, and why it has an audience. Tucker has sold over 5 million books as a 4x nyt bestselling author and is the cofounder of scribe. A nonfiction book proposal is the key document that allows an agent or publisher to determine the viability of a project. How to draft proposals to childrens book publishers dummies.
In an email the attached file name should be descriptive author name fiction or nonfiction proposal logline. You may think that the work youve begun on your book should be enough to sell it but publishing, as youve probably gleaned by now, is a cooperative. 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. How to write a query letter for nonfiction tck publishing. A proposal is generally appropriate only for longer nonfiction books. Thats top secret information until the book actually gets. Start with the working title of the project along with your name, email, and phone number.
Sample chapters 3 double spaced include three sample chapters that o cast the vision and scope of this book o demonstrate the authors best craft and skill for a proposal for a novel, this is the most important part of the proposal by far. All good nonfiction book proposals should contain the following, and query letters. Nonfiction book proposal guide ask yourself these questions and as you write your answers, your proposal will develop before your eyes. Writing an irresistible book proposal writers digest. At least two highlypolished sample chapters of the book you will deliver. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency. Once youve finished writing your proposal, and before you seek feedback on it, use this list to make sure your proposal is ready for you to push the send button. How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary. Publishing nonfiction books on spirituality benebell wen module 3 traditional publishing workbook e the book proposal its true that when it comes to nonfiction, there is a chance you can propose a book and secure a publishing deal with a traditional publisher before youve completed the manuscript.
In this blog post, youll find a description of the overview and introduction sections of my christian nonfiction book proposal, for blossom. However, i came across an online article where it is suggested that the indent should not be more that 3 4 spaces for nonfiction which mine is. The cover letter should include your name, address, phone number, and email address. Elements of a successful nonfiction book proposal dummies. Nonfiction book proposal classes in nyc and online.
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. I offer a selfstudy course on nonfiction book proposals. The truth is the nonfiction book proposal is an entirely different beast. Nonfiction book proposal guide creative media agency, inc. 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 outlines for fiction and nonfiction, and for short books and text books.
Meanwhile, here are barebones outlines of nonfiction and fiction book proposals. 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. This isnt a great example of a marketing plan, for instance. Submitting an already written nonfiction book as a proposal is a great way to almost guarantee you will not get a book deal. Thus far the outcome of this proposal was a contract for a second book. Book proposals are used to sell nonfiction books to publishers. Its unusual for a nonfiction book to be written on spec and then sold, and for that reason crafting a proposal requires a skill that is separate from, but not independent of your ability to write the book. Most nonfiction books sell on the basis of a proposal not fin ished work. And if youve already finished your memoir, youre still going to need to write a full proposal to accompany your submission in. Addressed to the appropriate agent with titlegenreword count and appropriate contact information in the letter, this letter should interest us in reading your proposal. How to write a winning nonfiction book proposal colorado.
Nonfiction book proposal outline here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. For example, according to the book proposal, holistic tarot was 156,000 words. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with examples. As with a book s table of contents toc listing the chapters, a nonfiction book proposal will have a toc page listing the individual sections and page numbers of the proposal. Tarot published, which was a flawed, imperfect book proposal that you should definitely not. Mark malatesta is a former literary agent turned author coach. 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. How to write a book proposal the creative independent.
Dont try to use reason or logic to argue that it would be better a different way. Our nonfiction editors will get back to you within 1421 days. File format submission guidelines for literary agents. Example of nonfiction book proposal keeping up with the jackdaws. Sample new book proposal below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian nonfiction manuscript. Use this list alongside how to write a book proposal, 4th edition by michael larsen to create strongest pos sible proposal for your book.
Your pitch offers the publisher the opportunity to acquire a nonfiction book, authored by you. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances. Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel. 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. 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. Writing a winning nonfiction book proposal 32 30 surprised. I have looked at published books and noticed the indent is less than. This book introduces the feathered residents of a suburban garden in the north east of england. The book proposal is a 1550 or so page manuscript that a writer uses to. Contains the title, author byline, and contact information proposal contents. I recommend you get at least one good, indepth resource on writing book proposals.
Like a lot of things in the publishing industry, the nonfiction book proposal is a. Add the title andor subtitle separated by a colon or on a new line and a proposal by followed by your name. It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment. Use the proposal to sell your book to potential literary agents, editors, and publishers. The ultimate book marketing plan workshop includes five training sessions, video and audio recordings of each session, written transcripts, fillintheblank worksheets, checklists and planning tools.