A nonfiction book proposal is the key document that allows an agent or publisher to determine the viability of a project. Most publishing houses want to receive a book proposal rather than an entire manuscript. Formerly conquest publishers, dove christian publishers offer christian fiction, nonfiction, and videos. How to write a good nonfiction book proposal for submission. Manuscript information harpercollins christian publishing. Bonus content sample proposal templates, a proposal checklist, and more included in this course is a book proposal checklist, an article about writing a great cover letter, a sample fiction proposal template, a sample non fiction proposal template. This helps get your book published by showing agents, acquisitions editors and publishers that youre flexible, creative, and willing to work with them to reach your readers. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances. Not all editors consider this optional, but ive sold many deals without this section. Structuring a nonfiction proposal hartline literary agency. Your book proposal presents your book to industry professionals, including literary agents as well as acquisition editors and marketing teams at publishing houses.
How to write a nonfiction book proposal writers digest. And the process of writing a good book proposal is a great exercise, because you become focused on what you want to write. This is where an outline is essential, and using a non fiction book outline template makes this process even easier. 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. How to write an effective nonfiction book proposal. This form contains a summary of the book, its aims, its goals and main features. Writing more effective book proposals christian authors network.
A christian publisher in nashville, tennessee, abingdon press has been involved in. They go to start writing, but find that their creative juices have stopped flowing. To determine the submission format for each publishing house, check the latest edition of the christian writers market guide or the publishing houses website. Within your book proposal, dedicate one page to a thirdperson bio that introduces you and why youre suited to write this nonfiction book. Using the form below, youll submit your proposal draft and book a onehour call. Below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian nonfiction manuscript. During that call, well discuss your proposal and overall book concept.
So, the first step in publishing any work of nonfiction is to write a book proposal. Mar 19, 2014 have you tips, techniques or other advice on how to craft a nonfiction book proposal for submission. This short 26 minute video presentation works its way through all the elements necessary to create a strong non fiction book proposal. Book proposals are used to sell nonfiction books to publishers. Hints for a great cover letter the steve laube agency. Add the title andor subtitle separated by a colon or on a new. Here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. Agents are looking for something more specific when it comes to nonfiction. Too many times great authors have brilliant ideas but fail to create an outline and their idea falls apart. Beaming books may lean toward nonfiction titles with strong lessons and. Each heading within a book proposal answers a key question.
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. Conquest books, dove books, and conquest publishers are imprints of kingdom christian enterprises. And no agent will read your manuscript without first reading a book proposal. Writing a winning nonfiction book proposal 32 30 from my experience, a great book proposal needs to include five distinct elements see fig. Thomas is a threetime winner of the christian book award the gold medallion from the ecpa trade publishers association. That was a twobook deal, admittedly, so you can divide the numbers by two to get a per book amount. Nonfiction book proposal outline here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. The nonfiction book proposal that won me a publishing contract.
Nonfiction book proposals can top out around 5075 pages, not including sample chapters. A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. This is where an outline is essential, and using a nonfiction book outline template makes this process even easier. How to write a nonfiction book proposal christian writers. Writing a winning non fiction book proposal 32 30 from my experience, a great book proposal needs to include five distinct elements see fig. The good news is that almost every nonfiction book published is sold by a proposal. We currently accept unsolicited book proposals for the following imprints only. This service is ideal for longer works such as an indepth guide, selfhelp book, novel, biography, autobiography, longer devotionals, or collection of short stories. 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. His writing is thorough and straight to the point and yet humorous and light. In addition to proving your credibility, you should also show the publisher that youre able to bring the money. Here at affordable christian editing, we make sure your message isnt lost in the text.
Your guide to publishing a nonfiction book ny book editors. Writing a fiction book proposal can be tricky, because not all literary agencies and publishers. Whether you write fiction or non fiction it helps you figure out what really matters in making your book the best it can be. Here is the process i follow with all nonfiction book proposal clients. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency. I like this one because it contains ten reallife proposals that sold. Christian non fiction books meet your next favorite 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. All nonfiction book proposals christian or not should contain alternative titles. In this comprehensive yet accessible guide, you will learn exactly what a proposal is, what it must contain, and how to pull yours together into an informative, persuasive selling package.
A fiction book proposal is really just a longer version of a literary agent query letter. Steve stephens friend, psychologist, bestselling author dan kimball bestselling author of they like jesus but not the church paul byrd friend, pitcher for the cleveland. Ideas for books are as varied as the books themselves. Thats top secret information until the book actually gets. Concept to contract,and a christian writers guide to the book proposal, both published by sonfire media, are based on. Jan 17, 2011 a sound bite statement is the essence of your novel or nonfiction book idea in 40 words or less. The truth is the nonfiction book proposal is an entirely different beast. You might find it helpful to think of your query letter as an executive summary of your fiction book proposal.
An improper proposal 2017 the christian fiction girl. Most concepts needs refinement or the proposal needs further development. This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. Speakup15 5 secondary audiences who, in addition to the target audience, might read or purchase this book. A marketing plan is a vital element of every nonfiction book proposal. Originally presented at the northwest christian writers conference in st. In this blog post, youll find a description of the overview and introduction sections of my christian nonfiction book proposal, for blossom. Nonfiction book proposal template speak up conference. Manuscript information how can i submit my manuscript to thomas nelson or zondervan to be published. 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. His direction and guidance show you howto prepare the proposal as well as giving you the encouragement which you will need to overcome obstacles along the way. Dancing with bear publishing is a full service, innovative christian publishing house. Then you need to write a book proposal that appeals to literary agents, acquisitions editors, publishing boards, an. Sample new book proposal below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian non fiction manuscript.
This video course is a part of mary demuths larger 16 session unlock your nonfiction writing potential. Jun 28, 2012 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. This short 26 minute video presentation works its way through all the elements necessary to create a strong nonfiction book proposal. Sample new book proposal below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian nonfiction manuscript. In addition to your core target audience, who might be the next most interested targets.
The core of the publishing process is the book proposal. The types of books paraclete press publishes are varied including prayer and faith formation, monastic spirituality, spirituality, grief resources, christian classics, and childrens books among others, if you would like to make a submission, you can submit a book proposal via email. Thus far the outcome of this proposal was a contract for a second book. 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. I found this advice once offered by former writers digest publisher jane friedman who rejected and approved proposals over. How to get your book published in 6 painful steps sam. We suggest you establish a web site, and youll need to create promotional giveaways, arrange your own book signings, or attend writers conferences. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal by andy ross. Christian jennings is the author of five nonfiction books and is currently at work on 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 1944. So if you already have purchased that course you already have access to this one. Bonus content sample proposal templates, a proposal checklist, and more included in this course is a book proposal checklist, an article about writing a great cover letter, a sample fiction proposal template, a sample nonfiction proposal template. It is by david sanford, a published author, editor, and literary. Moria brown friend, cohost of 100 huntley street pat williams friend, senior vice president, orlando magic dr. Overview describe your book in two or three paragraphs 500 wo.
Some agents dont require a book proposal for memoir, while others want. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. Book proposals id love to see what tamela hancock murray is. 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. For submission guidelines of dove christian publishers click here.
This book shows them how to take advantage, with topics including subject matter research, creating marketing plans, and writing a strong about the author section. Andy ross, literary agent this quick and easy guide is a musthave for every author. Fiction book proposal for literary agents literary agencies. Instead, you write the proposal that describes what the book is about, why its interesting, and why it has an audience. Michael larsen covers every single question you might have about writing a non fiction book proposal. Finding hope and healing for your heart after loss. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction it is essential to write a book proposal that captures the agents attention so he or she will enthusiastically. She represents christian fiction and nonfiction, with a particular fondness for strong. For most acquisition editors, this is a very important part of the proposal. To determine the submission format for each publishing house, check the latest edition of the christian.
Nina amirs thenon fiction book proposal demystified does just that. 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. Increasingly, fiction and non fiction authors are encouraged to promote their novels themselves through writers conferences, book signings, and web sites. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal andy ross. Add in those samples, and youll have a complete proposal ready to be considered by a literary agent. He is currently accepting nonfiction book submissions in the categories of christian living and popular reference. Grief, christian living, spiritual growth, humor, inspirational, bible study, reference. Learn about choosing a topic based on current trends and competing titles. Book proposals id love to see what tamela hancock murray.
This ones short and tothepoint, and the last time i. Hes an author himself, with twenty published works mostly childrens books. Many were great, but super lengthy and time consuming to read. Christianity is the worlds largest religion, with over 2. By gods will and pleasure, during my career as a literary agent i have been successful in representing authors writing christian romance, christian and general market trade book fiction, and christian nonfiction. The nonfiction book proposal that won me a publishing. A marketing plan is a vital element of every non fiction book proposal. Veteran author christian jennings offers tips, techniques and strategies on how to write a good nonfiction book proposal for submission. How to write a book proposal that agents will love jericho. Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary.
Christian jennings, author of five nonfiction books and a veteran foreign correspondent, explains how to write a good nonfiction proposal for. Jul 29, 2011 there are several books available on writing book proposals. They arise in all sorts of different situations, but generally a book concept is written down into a proposal form. 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. Hes currently writing the final volume of a threebook trilogy of historical fiction. Topics for such books include leadership, ministry, the intersection of faith and culture, and biblical and theological perspectives on contemporary issues. Jan 02, 2016 although the series set in 196970 is not categorized as outright christian fiction, the main character ima purple, a teacherturneddetective, is a recent reborn christian, notably one of the most dangerous people on earth until settling down on how to use faith.
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