Which comes first, when creating your book proposal? Generally, it is the synopsis. What if the synopsis has you absolutely stumped and you just can\u2019t get off dead center with it?<\/p>\n
This happens to some of my online book proposal course students. And I tell them to set aside the synopsis for a while. I suggest that they continue on with the marketing section where they clearly outline their target audience\u2014determine who this book is for. I recommend that they complete their market analysis and even outline their marketing plan. Some of my students don\u2019t quite get a handle on their synopsis (especially for a nonfiction book) until they\u2019ve fleshed out their chapter summaries. And I let them know that is okay.<\/p>\n
While most authors are clear as to the proposed focus and flow of their books, others are working with just an idea. And it takes some of them time to really get a handle on their proposed book. The book proposal is a great tool for this purpose. And if you can\u2019t manage the typical first step to writing a book proposal\u2014writing the synopsis\u2014it is okay to work on the other aspects of the proposal in hopes that the purpose and tone of the book will be revealed. You certainly do not want to start writing the book at this point\u2014not until you are clear about the purpose and direction of your book.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, while working on their book proposals, authors are sent in a very different direction with their projects than they expected. In fact that is one of the beauties of the book proposal\u2014to help the author determine if this book is a viable product. If not, can they tweak it or make even major changes to the concept in order to create a book that will sell in the marketplace?<\/p>\n
If you can\u2019t write a synopsis or your teacher or mentor keeps sending you back to the drawing board with it because it just isn\u2019t a strong enough portrayal of your proposed book, consider devising a one or two sentence description of your nonfiction book. This might give you a clearer view of your project and, believe it or not, this might be the break-through moment that prompts you to outline that synopsis.<\/p>\n
If you need more inspiration, move on to the marketing section. Determine who is your audience for this book\u2014what audience do you want to approach? What do they need\/want in a book on this subject? Complete a market analysis to find out what else is out there like your book and what is obviously missing. <\/p>\n
One of my students had to complete the entire book proposal\u2014even the chapter summaries\u2014before she could write a succinct and descriptive synopsis. In fact, she had to revise the chapter summaries several times before the book\u2019s purpose and a reasonable flow emerged. It took a while, but she now has what could be a viable product to pitch or to publish.<\/p>\n
When should you write your book proposal? For nonfiction, definitely before you start writing the book. You will learn volumes through the book proposal process that could drive the direction of your book. Go ahead and write the book and you might end up with something like all the other books on this topic. You might produce a book without much purpose. But if you write that book proposal first, you will more clearly see what is needed, by what segment of readers and you\u2019ll discover how to best target this market.<\/p>\n
Announcement<\/strong> Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author<\/strong> <\/em>(Allworth Press, 2011) http:\/\/amzn.to\/oe56Ia<\/a><\/p>\n There are 17 customer reviews at the Amazon book page. Wow! And they\u2019re all 5-star reviews, except for one\u2014someone gave it 4 or 4.5, not quite sure. Still high marks. <\/p>\n You may not think you need a book on book promotion because you have some of your own ideas for promoting your book. But believe me (and many, many others who have been there), book promotion is much bigger than you can imagine. You will need the big guns and this book is one of those big gun books. Buy my book, but don\u2019t stop there. Also purchase Penny Sansevierie\u2019s or Steve Weber\u2019s books on Internet book marketing and John Kremer\u2019s book of 1001 ideas and Brian Jud\u2019s book on promoting books outside the bookstore. <\/p>\n For more about me and my work visit my websites. Sign up for my online book proposal course here: Be sure to read \u201cHow Does an Online Course Work?\u201d Which comes first, when creating your book proposal? Generally, it is the synopsis. What if the synopsis has you absolutely stumped and you just can\u2019t get off dead center with it? This happens to some of my online book proposal course students. And I tell them to set aside the synopsis for a while. I […]<\/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
\nJumbo Publishing ran a nice piece about me and my latest book\u2014one that, if you are promoting a book, writing one or thinking about writing one, you need to order TODAY.<\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/www.patriciafry.com<\/a>
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a> <\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_bookproposal.htm<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"