Nonfiction book proposals can top out around 5075 pages, not including sample chapters. Submitting a textbook proposal to oxford university press guidelines for authors we are very pleased that you are considering writing for oxford university press. However, if you want it to emerge unscathed from the slush pile, your proposal must be clear, thoroughly researched, and ironclad. 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. Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary. This page will direct you to some examples of book proposal sections so that you can put together a winning book proposal. A book proposal is an essential document used in publishing circles to describe the purpose and scope of a potential publication. If you have an idea for a nonfiction book, its better to write a couple of chapters and. In a novel, the entire book is written first, then trying to find an editor or publisher. The most important aspect of the submission of a nonfiction book to publishers is the book proposal. Learning to write a good book proposal is one of the best things you can do to grasp the business of publishing and learn how to sell your books. The author, andy ross, is a literary agent who has worked with authors and publishers in creating proposals that have led to book contracts.
Writing a fiction book proposal can be tricky, because not all literary agencies and publishers. If a word doesnt help answer one of those questions, delete it. Aug 11, 2017 writing a great non fiction book proposal reedsy. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require book proposals, but its an incredibly useful tool. Its primarily a sales and marketing tool for you, and for your book. It is the vehicle by which aspiring nonfiction authors and their agents sell their book ideas to editors. A fiction book proposal is really just a longer version of a literary agent query letter. In it we will meet the blackbirds, the grey tits and the robins who share the. How to draft proposals to childrens book publishers. Ive written and published four works of nonfiction and have been involved as a.
Heres what my own experience writing book proposals has looked like. Oct 22, 2012 she is the author of how to blog a book, the author training manual, and creative visualization for writers, all published by writers digest books. Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel. A book proposal, at its most basic level, is a sales document. Writing a nonfiction book proposal a primer for the firsttime nonfiction book writer. You can best communicate this by stating the books premise, setting forth a few other details about your book. How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary. Then you need to write a book proposal that appeals to literary agents, acquisitions editors, publishing boards, and the marketing staff at publishing houses. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal will lead you through the steps to constructing a convincing book proposal that will make the best case possible for your project. Each header is a necessary element in a complete proposal. Here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully.
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. Below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian nonfiction manuscript. Contains the title, author byline, and contact information proposal contents. The bukowski agency nonfiction proposal guidelines. 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 become a writer today. That was a twobook deal, admittedly, so you can divide the numbers by two to get a per book amount. Finding hope and healing for your heart after loss. The truth is, a synopsis for a nonfiction book is as important as one for fiction. You might find it helpful to think of your query letter as an executive summary of your fiction book proposal. Mar 17, 2014 how to write a good nonfiction book proposal for submission 17 mar 2014 christian jennings, who is currently writing a book about the last year of wwii in northern italy, entitled if i live to see the dawn at war on the gothic line 194445. This ones short and tothepoint, and the last time i. Here is what the editor is looking for and what youll see in the examples i.
How to get a contract and advance before writing your book, revised and updated lyon, elizabeth on. Sample new book proposal below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian non fiction manuscript. May 28, 2017 this post is by far the most complete one, giving you pretty much everything you need to know on the subject. How to write a nonfiction book synopsis pen and the pad. As mentioned in my discussion on how to get published, if youre interested in writing a book length work of nonfiction, you dont need to write the entire manuscript before you make the sale. 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. Six book proposals written, five for ghostwriting clients. 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. The literary agents guide to writing a non fiction book proposal will lead you through the steps to constructing a convincing book proposal that will make the best case possible for your project. Unless its a serious or refer ence book, your title must tell and sell.
In the first two paragraphs, give a concrete reason why your book should be published, why is it important, your approach and methodology in writing the book, and include who will be your audience. Mar 19, 2014 how to write a good non fiction book proposal for submission in guest contributors by guest contributor march 19, 2014 christian jennings, author of five non fiction books and a veteran foreign correspondent, explains how to write a good non fiction proposal for submission. List the books on the market which may be similar to yours in topic, genre, scope, or plot. The following is a template for completing a nonfiction book proposal. Includes plenty of examples and a book proposal template you can follow.
Pdf writing a nonfiction book proposal a primer for the. The most important aspect of the submission of a non fiction book to publishers is the book proposal. Aug 15, 2018 how to submit a non fiction book proposal. Ive written and published four works of nonfiction and have been involved as a ghost or behindthescenes editor on a couple of other things too. In the nonfiction world, publishers will ask an author to submit this vital document and not the entire book. In the case of a nonfiction book, the book proposal in written first before you write the whole book.
Make sure your proposal is as polished as possible by including the following. Writing an irresistible book proposal by michael larsen the golden rule of writing a book proposal is that every word in your proposal should answer one of two questions. 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. She is the author of how to blog a book, the author training manual, and creative visualization for writers, all published by writers digest books. And if you want to get your christian book published then you need to read sample book proposals until you learn how to write yours right. A query letter for a nonfiction book isnt all that different from a fiction query. Why should a publisher invest in your book, and why are you the person to write it. Include any subhead or taglines that your books title may contain.
Example of nonfiction book proposal keeping up with the jackdaws. Addiction and cancer memoirs, for example, are common, and will put you on. Ive always admired talented nonfiction writers who wrote amazing things. Instead, you write the proposal that describes what the book is about, why its interesting, and why it has an audience. And the publisher will want to know how well positioned you are to do it. As a hybrid author, she also has published 17 books independently. How to write a book proposal that agents will love jericho writers. Writing in cyberspace, by moira allen, was submitted to allworth press in 1998, and became the book. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book. Andy warhol, saint apollonia suite 1984 for all of these reasons, quite a mouthful will make a perfect gift for any general interest non fiction reader.
How to write a good nonfiction book proposal for submission. Overview describe your book in two or three paragraphs 500 wo. Give a fairly brief summary of your book here, using a few paragraphs. This section could be anywhere from three to 20 pages it needs to give a comprehensive, detailed map of what the book will contain. Submitting an already written nonfiction book as a proposal is a great way to almost. How to finally write your nonfiction book the new york times. My book, book title will be a genre work which will center around the topic of book topic. Increasingly, fiction and non fiction authors are encouraged to promote their novels themselves through writers conferences, book signings, and web sites. 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.
Step 6 of how to write a compelling nonfiction book proposal in 10 easy steps writing a nonfiction book proposal can feel overwhelming. 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. Nonfiction is often sold on the basis of a proposal. Like a lot of things in the publishing industry, the nonfiction book proposal is. Writing a winning nonfiction book proposal 32 30 from my experience, a great book proposal needs to include five distinct elements see fig. Every single one of those books sold off the back off a simple book propo. Your book hook includes three pieces of information. A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. 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 non fiction proposal.
Fiction book proposal for literary agents literary agencies. To aid us in our presentation of your book project, we ask authors to prepare a carefully detailed and compelling proposal regardless of whether you have a completed manuscript. Writing a non fiction 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. With traditional publishing, youll put together a book proposal, find an. Since they receive dozens of submissions per week, editors and agents need to be highly selective. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. This book introduces the feathered residents of a suburban garden in the north east of england. It explains the difference in proposals between traditional non fiction and narrative non fiction, helps you write a strong proposal, and gives a very thorough overview of the book proposal. How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary services. When nonfiction authors ask me, how can i write a book proposal or do i need a proposal if i write a howto book.
Each heading within a book proposal answers a key question. Get an agent interested before you write the proposal october 7, 2017 by lynette padwa lots of firsttime nonfiction authors are thrilled to learn they dont have to write an entire manuscript to acquire an agent and hopefully a publisher they just have to write a book proposal. Nonfiction book proposal outline here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. She is a nonfiction book editor and doctor, proposal consultant, and an author coach and trainer as well as a book and blog coach. Jul 29, 2011 there are several books available on writing book proposals. For example, this book is eat, pray, love meets the stephanie plumb series. 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. How to write a nonfiction book proposal writers digest. Creative intenet strategies to advance your writing career first edition 1999, second edition may 2003. Guidelines for your fiction proposal hartline literary. If youre writing a general nonfiction book, we need at least one sample chapter that matches a chapter described in your annotated table of contents.
The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal by andy ross. Youll also have to include a full sample chapter, which is a topic for another day. Then, describe how your book will contrast these works. Dont try to use reason or logic to argue that it would be better a different way. I like this one because it contains ten reallife proposals that sold. Nonfiction writers have the added challenge of presenting historical context, source material, and research methods to help publishers gauge the value of their manuscripts. Advice that i find myself giving out again and again as an agent is guidance on how to write a nonfiction book proposal. It includes information on the content, the author, the market, and the salability of the project. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency. The truth is the nonfiction book proposal is an entirely different beast. A book proposal is a document most commonly associated with pitching a nonfiction book. I also sold a book off the back of a nonfiction book proposal that had multiple publishers bidding for the rights, and ended up being sold to harpercollins for. Nonfiction book proposal guide ask yourself these questions and as you write your answers, your proposal will develop before your eyes. Thats top secret information until the book actually gets.
Your plan is excellent and shows a lot of your experience. Provide examples of how your book will add to the canon of books on a particular topic, or how your book will offer a fresh angle and new perspective. How to write a successful nonfiction book proposal jeanne. You have a great idea for a book, youve written a chapter or two and are excited about shopping it to an agent or publisher, and now its time to create your proposal. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require book proposals. How many nonfiction book proposals have you written i think your advice will really be useful to novice writers who can not yet afford a book agent. Nonfiction book proposal guide creative media agency, inc.
Following are examples of two successful book proposals. For nonfiction books, you usually dont begin by writing the book. Feel free to use the headings and format of the template below. Elements of a successful nonfiction book proposal dummies. If your book proposal template convinces the publisher, then they will contract and pay you to write the book. How to write a nonfiction book proposal nathan bransford. There are several books available on writing book proposals. The content once an agent or editor flips past the title page, he then wants to know what the book is about. Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel updated. How to write a successful nonfiction book proposal the importance of the book proposal. Add the title andor subtitle separated by a colon or on a new line and a proposal by followed by.
Book proposals are used to sell nonfiction books to publishers. Oct 25, 2016 a book proposal is a document most commonly associated with pitching a nonfiction book. I often say, you only need a book proposal if you want to get your book published. 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. If youre not already a student in the course, i will enroll you in my online course on book proposals that includes worksheets, templates, and examples to help guide your proposal revision and development. Part of getting your book published for dummies cheat sheet. Use the proposal to sell your book to potential literary agents, editors, and publishers. Learn how to create a successful book proposal and how to determine which publishers you should submit it to in this free 10part course on how to submit a non fiction book. If youve had experience submitting novels to literary agents and publishersquery letter, synopsis, sample pagesyou may think you know all you need to know about submitting your selfhelp book or other nonfiction project. You need a book proposal if you are hoping to sell a nonfiction book to a book publisher. How to get a contract and advance before writing your book. A nonfiction book proposal most often contains some form of the following, although many publishers and agents have specific guidelines for submitting nonfiction proposals. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with examples. Book proposal template nonfiction authors association.
To get your nonfiction book published, put together a strong proposal. How to write a good nonfiction book proposal for submission in guest contributors by guest contributor march 19, 2014 christian jennings, author of five nonfiction books and a veteran foreign correspondent, explains how to write a good nonfiction proposal for submission. It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment. Youll also receive free access to my selfstudy course on book proposals. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances.