Below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian nonfiction manuscript. The book proposal is a 1550 or so page manuscript that a writer uses to pitch a nonfiction book to publishers. Nonfiction book proposal guide ask yourself these questions and as you write your answers, your proposal will develop before your eyes. When you hear book proposal, most people think nonfiction. 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. The following is a template for completing a nonfiction book proposal. Instead of writing the entire book and then try to find someone who wants to publish it, the design of a business plan can get you a contract for that book now so that you can have confidence in what will happen when it is finally completed. Each header is a necessary element in a complete proposal. A book proposal is a document most commonly associated with pitching a nonfiction book. In the case of a nonfiction book, the book proposal in written first before you write the whole book.
Creative intenet strategies to advance your writing career first edition 1999, second edition may 2003. Nonfiction book proposal outline here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. This is more of a tagline, one sentence that creates interest in the book. 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. The writing may be brilliant in the sample chapters, but the author has not completed the. 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.
Feel free to use the headings and format of the template below. 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. It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment. Book proposals are information packs used by authors to pitch their nonfiction books to publishers and agents.
Instead, you write the proposal that describes what the book is about, why its interesting, and why it has an audience. It is by david sanford, a published author, editor, and literary. It should be exciting and make someone want to read your book. Because fiction writers have the book written, polished, and edited before they even start to query, putting the proposal together is really about collecting materials, but since you can never have too much information, i thought you too would like to know what goes. Fiction book proposal for literary agents literary agencies. Include any subhead or taglines that your books title may contain. How to write a book proposal is the resource for getting your work published. How to draft proposals to childrens book publishers dummies. 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. 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. Ive written and published several nonfiction books, so i had to study many articles, white papers, and books about how to write a book proposal along. If your work isnt a narrative, then write or include a sample chapter that.
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. Different rules apply to writing a book proposal for fiction books, so make sure to do more research if youre writing a book proposal for a fiction book. This page will direct you to some examples of book proposal sections so that you can put together a winning book proposal. Sample new book proposal below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian nonfiction manuscript. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. So this book proposal template is meant to give you a birdeyes view of the process. Yes, the first synopsis may have to be changed after you. Title, authors names, phone numbers, email addresses. The final element of the overview is a comparative section where you compare your book to others that would be found in the same place in the bookstore. The truth is the nonfiction book proposal is an entirely different beast. Here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require book proposals, but its an incredibly useful tool.
Seven key elements to writing a fiction book proposal. You may occasionally hear someone refer to novel proposals. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require. For nonfiction books, you usually dont begin by writing the book. In a novel, the entire book is written first, then trying to find an editor or publisher. Nonfiction book proposal guide creative media agency, inc. This class covers all aspects of creating a book proposal, providing a format to help you showcase your writing and expertise. Writing a winning nonfiction book proposal 32 30 from my experience, a great book proposal needs to include five distinct elements see fig. A nonfiction book proposal is the key document that allows an agent or publisher to determine the viability of a project. Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary.
How to write a book proposal for fiction writing tips oasis. This newly revised edition of the writers digest books classic outlines how to create an effective, nonfiction book proposal in a clear, stepbystep manner. A book proposal is an essential document used in publishing circles to describe the purpose and scope of a potential publication. 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. I like this one because it contains ten reallife proposals that sold. The information in this ebook can also be used as a template for a fiction proposal, since today more and more fiction publishers require proposals quite similar to nonfiction proposals, or as a simple business plan for making a selfpublished book a success. Though its written in place of an actual book, it should build a complete argument for the book idea. Here are some elements that create a successful fiction book proposal and if youre. Though this book was published in 2001, it gives you an idea of ten actual proposals that worked. The headings on the sample proposal template below cover the critical elements of a thorough proposal. During that call, well discuss your proposal and overall book concept. It takes me months to finish writing a book proposal.
Give a fairly brief summary of your book here, using a few paragraphs. Book proposals are used to sell nonfiction books to publishers. If your book proposal template convinces the publisher, then they will contract and pay you to write the book. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency. Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel. I found this advice once offered by former writer s digest publisher jane friedman who rejected and approved proposals over. Homeblogbook proposals and contracts how to write a book proposal.
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. Most concepts needs refinement or the proposal needs further development. This is one of the main differences between the fiction and the nonfiction book proposal. Here is the process i follow with all nonfiction book proposal clients. As mentioned in my discussion on how to get published, if youre interested in writing a booklength work of nonfiction, you dont need to write the entire manuscript before you make the sale. How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary. A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. If you have an idea for a creative nonfiction book, and want to find a publisher, this class is designed for you.
Overview describe your book in two or three paragraphs 500 wo. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances. For full and real sample proposals, we recommend checking out. Many agents and editors are happy to receive book proposals for fiction, especially because fiction book proposals offer a deeper insight into the book, its audience, its competition on the market, and the author, among many other things. Then you need to write a book proposal that appeals to literary agents, acquisitions editors, publishing boards, and the marketing staff at publishing houses. As a parting gift, we created this book proposal template so that you can visualize it. Singlespace the entire proposal except the sample chapters which need to be doublespaced. Following are examples of two successful book proposals. Fiction, on the other hand, almost always needs to be fully. They contain everything a prospective publisher needs to know about a book, including its contents, target market, how it will be promoted, and commercial potential. In each case, you must provide the author, the title, the publisher, and the year of initial publication and, book by book, tell us how your proposed book will be as successful as those or more so.
I offer a comprehensive course on book proposals that takes you through the research and writing process in 10 steps agent ted weinstein outlines the necessary parts of a book proposal, and also offers an audio recording of his 90minute workshop on proposals my favorite comprehensive guide on book proposals is how to write a book proposal by. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal by andy ross. Proposals are popular because oftentimes nonfiction books aren. Submitting an already written nonfiction book as a proposal is a great way to almost guarantee you will not get a book deal. Here are some elements that create a successful fiction book proposal and if you re. The proposal will include your books title, summary, pitch line, chapter headings, and writing sample. My book, book title will be a genre work which will center around the topic of book topic. Every fiction book proposal must include a synopsis.
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. Dont try to use reason or logic to argue that it would be better a different way. Based on feedback from our publishers and book proposal experts, we have prepared an easytouse 12question proposal form to help you create a professional book proposal in a format publishers prefer. We suggest you establish a web site, and youll need to create promotional giveaways, arrange your own book signings, or attend writers conferences. Writing a great book proposal is how to sell your book to a publisher. Writing in cyberspace, by moira allen, was submitted to allworth press in 1998, and became the book. Such templates also contain key stuff that acquires the immediate attention of the viewers as to. A nonfiction book proposal most often contains some form of the following, although many publishers and agents have specific guidelines for submitting nonfiction proposals. The writing may be brilliant in the sample chapters, but the author has not completed the picture. A proposal generally includes one to three sample chapters from your novel. Each heading within a book proposal answers a key question. This is because of the enormous amount of research that must go into this type of book.
Using the form below, youll submit your proposal draft and book a onehour call. There are a couple instances of being able to sell a fiction book on proposal. Many were great, but super lengthy and time consuming to read. When someone is pitching a work of nonfiction, a proposal outlines includes information on the content, the author, the market, and the salability of the project.
How to write a nonfiction book proposal writers digest. Increasingly, fiction and nonfiction authors are encouraged to promote their novels themselves through writers conferences, book signings, and web sites. Everything you need to know to start writing a book proposal for your nonfiction. This ones short and tothepoint, and the last time i. There are several books available on writing book proposals.
If you are submitting a requested proposal for fiction also unusual, you may use the same elements. A good book proposal will include sample pages or chapters, but never more than two or three, where the agent or the editor. For example, if you were writing a wwii novel, you would want your comp. Writing a fiction book proposal independent publisher.
Most publishing agents call this section of a fiction book proposal the competition section, but i like to call it the competitive advantages section. 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. Ive seen many authors confuse the two and create extra work for. Be sure to remove the key question and explanation beneath each header.