Ahhh, the book proposal. I get many of them to edit or critique throughout the year. They come in all topics, sizes, shapes and configuration. And most authors\u2019 first attempts require quite a bit of work until the proposals are presentable. <\/p>\n
Here are some of the problems I see with book proposals:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThe synopsis is weak. It drags and is not relevant to the scope and theme of the book. Often I suggest that the author use his \u201cintroduction\u201d or \u201cpreface\u201d as a major part of the synopsis. The publisher wants to know what the book is about (many authors can\u2019t accurately and succinctly describe their books), the purpose of the book and why it should be published.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThe competition section (where the author compares his\/her book to what\u2019s already out there) lacks integrity. The author simply lists similar books without good assessments or evaluations. The publisher wants to know what makes your book different\u2014better than what\u2019s already out there.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThe marketing\/promotions portion is ineffective. Most new authors tend to blow in the wind\u2014make, what I call, \u201cproposal promises.\u201d They list the promotional activities they plan to pursue, but offer nothing to back up their claims. When I send my clients back to the drawing board, I typically ask them to prove their promises\u2014provide names and titles of their important contacts, describe their previous successes within the realm of their promotional claims. For example, if you say you will present workshops, show that you have experience. If you don\u2019t have experience, get some.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tChapter summaries read more like mini-chapters. I urge authors to describe their chapters not try to reproduce them in miniature.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThe author misses the point in her About the Author section. Unless your story is set in New England, the publisher does not care one iota that you were born there. He wants to know about your background as a writer, in the field represented by your book and, most of all, as a promoter. He may be thrilled to learn, for example, that you are getting ready to retire and will have gobs of time to promote your book and the money to do it up right.<\/p>\n
If you are preparing a book proposal for a publisher, consider these five common problems and make sure that your proposal doesn\u2019t include any of them. If you need help writing your book proposal, sign up for my on-demand, online Book Proposal Course at Ahhh, the book proposal. I get many of them to edit or critique throughout the year. They come in all topics, sizes, shapes and configuration. And most authors\u2019 first attempts require quite a bit of work until the proposals are presentable. Here are some of the problems I see with book proposals: \u2022 The synopsis […]<\/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
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_bookproposal.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"