It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment. The art of the nonfiction book proposal writers relief. It breaks down what we are looking for as agents with useful examples and tips from our side of the desk. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require book proposals. Narrative nonfiction, like a novel, expands and constricts time depending on its significance. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal by andy ross. Breaking down the nonfiction book proposal the business. Proposed title s slightly different from the title page section of the book proposal. Agents are looking for something more specific when it comes to nonfiction. 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 book proposal consulting let me help you bring your book into the world. Nonfiction is an expansive and overwhelming description and can be intimidating for fiction readers. 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. The same as a catch phrase, this is the one or two line hook.
Jumpstart your narrative nonfiction book grubstreet. Agents and editors dont want to see a completed book nonfiction book most of the time. This post is by far the most complete one, giving you pretty much everything you need to know on the subject. To work with a traditional publisher, you are in effect asking them to invest a lot of money into your book.
Your book hook includes three pieces of information. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. Writing a great book proposal is how to sell your book to a publisher. Literary and commercial fiction, including young adult. My book, once i had a handle on the research, was largely focused on three years. How to write a nonfiction book synopsis pen and the pad. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances. The book does include one example, but it is not a real one taken from a real proposal, but rather a made up example. Thats top secret information until the book actually gets. Nonfiction is often sold on the basis of a proposal. Marvin olasky has a list of 40 book recommendations for you to peruse. 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.
In this blog post, youll find a description of the overview and introduction sections of my christian nonfiction book proposal, for blossom. A commonly accepted structure for a nonfiction book proposal broadly follows this outline. Many were great, but super lengthy and time consuming to read. Its primarily a sales and marketing tool for you, and for your book. If your book proposal template convinces the publisher, then they will contract and pay you to write the book. 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. The title of your book should be in the introductory paragraph. Although he provides examples of four narrative nonfiction book proposals, none of them include a hook overview as described on page 210. A book proposal is a regular part of publishing a nonfiction book for most writers. What you do need is a concisely written document that conveys to the agent exactly what your nonfiction book is.
A one paragraph, inanutshell description of the project or idea. 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. 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. Even if your book is finished, a proposal is mandatory. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with examples. As with a book s table of contents toc listing the chapters. How to write a book proposal is the resource for aspiring nonfiction authors. For reflection and encouragement, reading about other people in history during moments of crisis or achievement is a good exercise. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency. 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. Youre going to have to essentially sell them your book, sending them a document that contains details about your qualifications, a. A book proposal is the primary selling tool for nonfiction unlike fiction, you dont need to have a completed manuscript to contact an agent. Sometimes it is harder to capture that arc in a proposal than in a whole book.
A book proposal is essentially a business plan for your book. Write your nonfiction book proposal webinar creative. 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 wolf literary. 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 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.
Nonfiction book proposal outline here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. When you selfpublish, you dont need to write a book proposal. 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 sole exception is memoir, which is similar to fiction. I often say, you only need a book proposal if you want to get your book published. In a novel, the entire book is written first, then trying to find an editor or publisher. Manuscript critiques, book proposals, marketing materials. 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. Writing an irresistible book proposal by michael larsen. Name of book, name and contact info for the author page 2.
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. In the case of a nonfiction book, the book proposal in written first before you write the whole 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 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. This ones short and tothepoint, and the last time i. The truth is, a synopsis for a nonfiction book is as important as one for fiction. And the process of writing a good book proposal is a great exercise, because you become focused on what you want to write. 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. 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.
The truth is the nonfiction book proposal is an entirely different beast. Book proposals are used to sell nonfiction books to publishers. It includes information on the content, the author, the market, and the salability of the project. Your pitch offers the publisher the opportunity to acquire a nonfiction book, authored by you. The best narrative nonfiction books for nonnonfiction readers. Most nonfiction books sell on the basis of a proposal not finished work. 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.
Think of a book proposal as a business plan for your book. But it does mean that every single page and line and word in that proposal functions as a writing sample. 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. Ive seen many authors confuse the two and create extra work for. Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary. I like this one because it contains ten reallife proposals that sold. This class covers all aspects of creating a book proposal, providing. Nonfiction book proposal guide ask yourself these questions and as you write your answers, your proposal will develop before your eyes. A book proposal is a document most commonly associated with pitching a nonfiction book. Finding hope and healing for your heart after loss. 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.
Nonfiction book proposal guide creative media agency, inc. A query letter for a nonfiction book isnt all that different from a fiction query. When nonfiction authors ask me, how can i write a book proposal or do i need a proposal if i write a howto book. There are several books available on writing book proposals. Here, as well, are seven of my favorite historical nonfiction reads. If you want to traditionally publish a nonfiction book, a completed manuscript usually isnt enough to land you a book deal. A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. Writing a winning nonfiction book proposal 32 30 from my experience, a great book proposal needs to include five distinct elements see fig. 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.
Unless its a serious or refer ence book, your title must tell and sell. 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. 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. Memoir and narrative nonfiction, selfhelp, spirituality. Much like the description in the jacket of a book, this is. An additional bonus is that writing a book proposal forces the author to organize and focus the project. 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.
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