{"id":1012,"date":"2010-12-07T06:07:53","date_gmt":"2010-12-07T14:07:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=1012"},"modified":"2010-12-07T06:07:53","modified_gmt":"2010-12-07T14:07:53","slug":"why-write-a-book-proposal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=1012","title":{"rendered":"Why Write a Book Proposal?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As you know, I\u2019m offering my online book proposal course FREE to the first 10 people who sign up with me: PLFry620@yahoo.com. Learn more about this course here: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_bookproposal.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n

If you are thinking about writing a book, you are in the process of writing a book or you have completed a book manuscript, you really should write a book proposal. Why?
\nProbably the best thing about writing a book proposal is that during the process, you\u2019ll find out if you truly have a book at all. There are at least six major things you can learn about your project as you go through the steps of developing a book proposal. You will learn:<\/p>\n

\u2022\thow to focus on your subject
\n\u2022\thow to describe your book to others
\n\u2022\thow to organize your material
\n\u2022\twhether you have a salable idea or not
\n\u2022\thow to sell your idea
\n\u2022\twho your readers are
\n\u2022\tabout your competition <\/p>\n

Today, we are focusing on the nonfiction book proposal. While publishers and agents sometimes request proposals for novels, they are not quite the same. The proposal for a novel might have only the title page, a synopsis and an author bio, including your platform. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what goes into a nonfiction book proposal:<\/p>\n

Cover Letter. Write a formal letter on your letterhead that identifies your package as a book proposal<\/p>\n

Title Page. Like a title page in a book.<\/p>\n

Synopsis or Overview. The synopsis is the meat of your book proposal. This is where you describe your story or the theme and purpose of your book. If you can\u2019t write a one or two-page synopsis, you\u2019d better rethink your idea. <\/p>\n

Promotional Ideas. Today, publishers need to know that the author is willing to help promote his or her book. If you\u2019re affiliated with a large organization related to your book topic, say so. If you are a skilled public speaker, mention that. What are your connections? You should have plenty of ideas about who will buy this book and how it should be marketed. Share these ideas with potential publishers. <\/p>\n

Market Analysis. For this section, you will research books similar to yours and explain how yours will differ. What makes your book stand out from the rest?<\/p>\n

About the Author. Here, you will offer your bio. Include your writing experience, education and platform as well as your involvement and\/or expertise related to your proposed book. <\/p>\n

Give the publisher every reason to be interested in you and to trust you as the author of this book.<\/p>\n

Chapter Outline. Here\u2019s where you really find out if you have a book. List each chapter by title and briefly describe the proposed content. If you can\u2019t outline 8 or 10 chapters, you probably don\u2019t have a book. <\/p>\n

Sample Chapters. Often, but not always, the proposal includes sample chapters. <\/p>\n

A book proposal is a necessity in today\u2019s publishing climate. So you might as well bite the bullet and decide to write one for your manuscript. Once you\u2019ve broken through the mystery of your first book proposal, you\u2019ll be surprised how easily the others will go together and how vital this proposal is to your project. And here is your opportunity to have personal guidance through your first book proposal. Read more about the free offer in the December 6, 2010 blog post.<\/p>\n

To learn more about me visit:
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a>
\n http:\/\/www.patriciafry.com<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As you know, I\u2019m offering my online book proposal course FREE to the first 10 people who sign up with me: PLFry620@yahoo.com. Learn more about this course here: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_bookproposal.htm If you are thinking about writing a book, you are in the process of writing a book or you have completed a book manuscript, you really […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t