I know, I know. I've been away from my blog for a looooong time. Where have I been? Working hard on the manuscript for Deliver Me.
And guess what? Just a little bit ago... Today... Just moments ago, I finished the manuscript!
Okay. Well let me qualify that: I finished the main manuscript. I still need to go back an add in some statistics to ever chapter and resources at the end of each chapter.
After that I'll need to contact every contributor and get permissions signed. I have a lot of work yet in front of me on this book. But hey. This is a milestone!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Monday, December 7, 2009
Side Trip: How to Write a Non-Fiction Book Proposal – Part 19
Format your book proposal
Can you believe it? You’re almost done!
Now is the time to put all the pieces of your book proposal together.
Can you believe it? You’re almost done!
Now is the time to put all the pieces of your book proposal together.
- Arrange each part of your proposal in a logical order that flows. (I find each proposal I’ve written works in a different order. The order of the items doesn’t matter that much. Just make sure all the needed information is there.)
- Insert Headings for each part. Neatness counts. This is a professional proposal, so make it look nice. (But don’t go overboard! No fancy fonts, colored text, or cute pictures. Keep it professional.)
- Insert page numbers.
- Insert a Header or Footer with your last name and the title or partial title of your book.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Side Trip: How to Write a Non-Fiction Book Proposal – Part 18
Chapter Summaries
This section is also sometimes called “Chapter by chapter outline.”
Write a few sentences or a short paragraph on each one of your chapters. Give the editor or agent a good, solid idea of what you will cover and include in each chapter.
Of course this also means you are giving chapter titles, will know how many chapters will be in your book, and what will be in each one of them.
By the time you’re able to write your sample chapters and chapter summaries, you’ll need to have a really good handle on your book. You’ve already done a good portion of your research. You’ve organized your material. You’ve mapped out how you’re going to move through your information. You not only know where you’ll start your book and end it, you also know where you’ll start and end each chapter.
In other words, by the time you get here you’re probably more than half-way through writing your book! Isn’t that cool?
Still, you have wiggle room. While you’re asked to map out your whole book, the map you create isn’t set in stone. You are creating a book proposal. You’re giving them a solid idea of what you plan to do, however if you get a better idea or if they want to adjust something, you can still do that. So don’t get too antsy about making decisions and planning your book. Editors and agents understand that this is just a proposal and (probably minor) things can change when you write it.
FICTION WRITERS: You don’t need to divide your story into chapters at this point. Instead of a chapter by chapter summary, just write a synopsis of your story straight through with no chapter breaks. (And yes, you are supposed to tell the ending. I know. It’s a spoiler. But your prospective agent and/or editor needs to know you can finish the story.)
This section is also sometimes called “Chapter by chapter outline.”
Write a few sentences or a short paragraph on each one of your chapters. Give the editor or agent a good, solid idea of what you will cover and include in each chapter.
Of course this also means you are giving chapter titles, will know how many chapters will be in your book, and what will be in each one of them.
By the time you’re able to write your sample chapters and chapter summaries, you’ll need to have a really good handle on your book. You’ve already done a good portion of your research. You’ve organized your material. You’ve mapped out how you’re going to move through your information. You not only know where you’ll start your book and end it, you also know where you’ll start and end each chapter.
In other words, by the time you get here you’re probably more than half-way through writing your book! Isn’t that cool?
Still, you have wiggle room. While you’re asked to map out your whole book, the map you create isn’t set in stone. You are creating a book proposal. You’re giving them a solid idea of what you plan to do, however if you get a better idea or if they want to adjust something, you can still do that. So don’t get too antsy about making decisions and planning your book. Editors and agents understand that this is just a proposal and (probably minor) things can change when you write it.
FICTION WRITERS: You don’t need to divide your story into chapters at this point. Instead of a chapter by chapter summary, just write a synopsis of your story straight through with no chapter breaks. (And yes, you are supposed to tell the ending. I know. It’s a spoiler. But your prospective agent and/or editor needs to know you can finish the story.)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Side Trip: How to Write a Non-Fiction Book Proposal – Part 17
Sample Chapters
This step and the next one are probably going to take you the most time. But when done, you’ll be in great shape to produce this book. Here you are going to write some chapters for your book. You may have already done this, or you may do this first and then write the rest of your proposal. The order in which you do these things doesn’t matter. You just need them all to put together a complete package for your proposal.
Check the writer’s guidelines for each publisher and agent you are submitting to and send each one just what they want.
Some publishers want three sample chapters, others want two, some only want one.
I recommend you go ahead and write the first three chapters. Then you’re in good shape to provide whatever they want.
FICTION WRITERS: Send the number of chapters the writer’s guidelines state, but don’t send the whole manuscript until they request it.
This step and the next one are probably going to take you the most time. But when done, you’ll be in great shape to produce this book. Here you are going to write some chapters for your book. You may have already done this, or you may do this first and then write the rest of your proposal. The order in which you do these things doesn’t matter. You just need them all to put together a complete package for your proposal.
Check the writer’s guidelines for each publisher and agent you are submitting to and send each one just what they want.
Some publishers want three sample chapters, others want two, some only want one.
I recommend you go ahead and write the first three chapters. Then you’re in good shape to provide whatever they want.
FICTION WRITERS: Send the number of chapters the writer’s guidelines state, but don’t send the whole manuscript until they request it.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Side Trip: How to Write a Non-Fiction Book Proposal – Part 16
Series Potential
Do you have an idea for a sequel?
Or several (which would make a series)?
If yes, tell them here and give them an idea (a sentence or two) about what each following book would be like.
Do you have an idea for a sequel?
Or several (which would make a series)?
If yes, tell them here and give them an idea (a sentence or two) about what each following book would be like.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Side Trip: How to Write a Non-Fiction Book Proposal – Part 15
Alternate Titles and Subtitles
If you have ideas for alternative titles for your book, you can list them here.
If you have ideas for other subtitles from what you put on this proposal, you can list them.
You may not get to keep your title. Publishers have marketing committees that brainstorm titles that will catch attention and sell the book. So your title may change before publication and it's possible you won't have anything to say about it. However, you should put the best, catchiest, most wonderful title on your book that you can possibly think of in order to sell it to the editor. So if you come up with more than one and don't know which to use, put your favorite on your proposal and list the others here. Your publisher will appreciate the ideas and thought you've put into it.
If you have ideas for alternative titles for your book, you can list them here.
If you have ideas for other subtitles from what you put on this proposal, you can list them.
You may not get to keep your title. Publishers have marketing committees that brainstorm titles that will catch attention and sell the book. So your title may change before publication and it's possible you won't have anything to say about it. However, you should put the best, catchiest, most wonderful title on your book that you can possibly think of in order to sell it to the editor. So if you come up with more than one and don't know which to use, put your favorite on your proposal and list the others here. Your publisher will appreciate the ideas and thought you've put into it.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Side Trip: How to Write a Non-Fiction Book Proposal – Part 14
Status
Tell them where you are with your manuscript right now.
Tell them where you are with your manuscript right now.
- Are you about halfway through writing it?
- Are you submitting this proposal elsewhere simultaneously?
This statement might look something like this:
“I currently have three sample chapters written and am circulating queries and proposals simultaneously to agents and publishers.”
Or for fiction:
“I have my story synopsis complete and am currently writing this novel. I’m about half way through my first draft.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)