When i teach people how to write a book proposal, i always link the outline to the chapter summaries. How to write a nonfiction book synopsis pen and the pad. In the language of a book proposal, this step involves writing chapter summaries for a nonfiction book idea or a synopsis for a fiction book idea. Make sure your proposal is as polished as possible by including the following. Unless its a serious or refer ence book, your title must tell and sell. Nonfiction book proposals bookends literary agency. Most nonfiction is sold via a book proposal a structured outline of the book you. For fiction, include several chapters in the book proposal, and the entire manuscript in a separate file.
Each chapter should have a unique point that adds to the overall meaning of the manuscript. What the rest of the proposal contains introduction, sample chapter, etc. Elements of a successful nonfiction book proposal dummies. Chapter summaries are just that summaries of your chapters. Chapter summaries are what allow nonfiction writers to submit on proposal rather than with the entire book. Simply state the name of the chapter and one paragraph of what that chapter. The proposed books table of contents and a chapterbychapter description of. Guidelines for your nonfiction proposal hartline literary. A short abstract of your proposed book, which must include a summary of your premise. Most proposals run thirtyfive to fifty double spaced pages. A brief description of what goes into the chapter summaries section of a nonfiction book proposal, which is a synopsis of each and every.
The anatomy of a compelling book proposal the bindery. This section of a book proposal can feel intimidating both if youve finished the book and if you are just conceptualizing it. Nonfiction book proposal outline here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. For nonfiction, chapter summaries consist of a chapter by chapter synopsis. Chapter summaries help you prepare to write and sell your book. To get your nonfiction book published, put together a strong proposal. Include two of the chapters you feel best represents your writing style and the content of the book you are writing. If your book is based on a recent news topic, you can introduce the book by giving a brief overview of the news event itself.
For nonfiction your summary is a chapter by chapter analysis of what is in each chapter. It includes information on the content, the author, the market, and the salability of the project. A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. Most nonfiction books sell on the basis of a proposal not finished work. Chapter by chapter summaries for your book proposal in addition to a table of contents, your book proposal also needs a more detailed outline. Your nonfiction proposal should include the following items and should be attached as a single file to an email with submission. Thus, it is out of order unless i can figure out how to magically put it where it belongs, which is after the outline and before chapter 1. Agents and editors dont want to see a completed book nonfiction book most of the time. Its a perk of nonfiction that you can sell a book on proposal before sitting. Chapter outline 1 to 2 paragraphs per chapter this will give your prospective editor a general idea of the whole book using one to twoparagraph summaries of each chapter. If you are confused, i dont blame you, and i do apologize. Write a chapter by chapter summary, dedicating several paragraphs to each chapter. A book proposal is a document most commonly associated with pitching a nonfiction book. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency.
A great nonfiction book proposal will show that you have thought through your idea, and more importantly, it will show that you know how to turn this idea into a book. 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. This outline of what i expect and hope to find in a nonfiction book proposal is based on years of both. Nonfiction books are sold with a proposal rather than the entire book. As your write about whats in each chapter, keep in mind your readers biggest problems, challenges and goals. But, then, this means they must be sure to create a book proposal that will make an agent or publisher be willing to wait for the final product. Heres a sneak peek at the question dear pamela will be answering in september.
Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel. Writing an irresistible book proposal writers digest. When writing your summaries remember to include all of the information that makes your book different and intriguing. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances. For nonfiction books, you usually dont begin by writing the book. It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment. Chapter summaries are what allow nonfiction writers to submit on proposal. These summaries are the reason a nonfiction book proposal will sell an idea, even before youve written the entire manuscriptthey give agents and editors an idea about the arc and flow of your manuscript. The chapter descriptions should be fun to read, full of open loops, engaging questions, interesting tidbits and assertions. A one page cover letter or query letter is sufficient. Writing an irresistible book proposal by michael larsen. Maybe youve heard that a book proposal is the most professional way to present your nonfiction book idea. This may be the most important element of the book proposal, as it will show the potential publisher or financier that your book will be interesting, readable, and written with the highest quality.
Writing a nonfiction book proposal a primer for the firsttime. This section is necessary for your writing guide, which is why i recommend. And that, fellow scribes, is the overview and introduction sections of my christian nonfiction book proposal. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. You may also want to organize your book further into sections or parts. Ive been reading a ton of your articles as i write my book proposal thanks for the great content. Author change it up editing posted on november 6, 20 december 28, 2016 categories editing, how to write a book proposal, memoir, traditional publishing, writing tags book, book proposal, candace johnson, how to write a book proposal, nonfiction book proposal, publishing, table of contents, table of contents in a book proposal, the proposal. Sometimes this is merely called the outline, but i like to call it the chapter by chapter summaries. If you are thinking about the synopsis of your book for your own clarity, for a book query to an agent, or for a book proposal to a publisher, youll definitely want to read this advice column. Give approximate page numbers for each chapter, and provide a summary of each chapter to be included. This is not the table of contents that will go in your book. It will probably seem obvious to you that the nonfiction book proposal is a tool your agent will use to. I have an agent who is proving patient, but i could use a tad more guidance in how heavy to inject narrative into each chapter in the chapter synopsis.
If your book is a highlyresearched biography, adopt a professorial tone to tell the. Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary. Nonfiction proposal guidelines the bukowski agency. Unlike a work of fiction, which must be completed before you send the query, a proposal is the correct way to approach a publisher for a nonfiction book. We do have short guidelines to a book proposal on our web site, but i thought. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template tucker max.
You have a great idea for a book, youve written a chapter or two and are excited about shopping it to an agent or publisher, and now its time to create your proposal. This is where an interested buyer or representative decides whether or not to make the leap and take you on. There are several books available on writing book proposals. Thus far the outcome of this proposal was a contract for a second book. How to write a book proposal that agents will love jericho writers. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal by andy ross. I have a client who did this part of her nonfiction book proposal first because she said it scared her. Nonfiction book chapter outlines a way with words writing. If you prepare a salable proposal, you can get paid to write your book. The synopsis is the difference between a fiction and a nonfiction proposal. Soon, ill post and link to the book proposal s other sections. I must admit i really hate writing chapter summaries. Youll also need to send sample chapters, book outline, and introduction. Your book hook includes three pieces of information.
The advantage to the nonfiction book proposal is that an author doesnt need to have a completed manuscript only an idea. This ones short and tothepoint, and the last time i. Although this is an academic textbook, the proposal demonstrates the basic requirements of a successful pitch for any nonfiction book, including an excellent chapter by chapter summary. Dear pamela, memoir advice about your book proposal. If you can get your actual writing to strike the right seductive tone, you will succeed. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require book proposals. In many businesses the executive manager wont have time to read all 10 pages of your statistical argument for buying a new machine. Elements of an effective book proposal the balance careers. 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. Most nonfiction books sell on the basis of a proposal not fin. If you write your chapter outlines with the following perspective in mind, youll avoid that problem and come up with a compelling and motivating outline for your book proposal. For a nonfiction book, create a list of chapters, where you give each chapter a catchy title possibly also a subtitle and the page on which the sample chapter can be found later in your proposal. Use the proposal to sell your book to potential literary agents, editors, and publishers. Most proposals run thirtyfive to fifty doublespaced pages.
For nonfiction book proposals, two chapters of your book will suffice. When people say to me theyre writing a nonfiction book they want to. Your nonfiction proposal should include the following items. Introduce the title and subject of your book in the first paragraph, along with a brief historic overview to establish the book s context. How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary services.
I often say, you only need a book proposal if you want to get your book published. I like this one because it contains ten reallife proposals that sold. Step 6 of how to write a compelling nonfiction book proposal in 10 easy steps writing a nonfiction book proposal can feel overwhelming. If you intend to include charts or photos in a particular chapter. Learn 5 simple steps for writing a nonfiction book synopsis that will get.
Writing a nonfiction book proposal a primer for the firsttime nonfiction book writer by scott mendel updated february 2018 it will probably seem obvious to you that the nonfiction book proposal is a tool your agent will use to sell your work at the best possible terms, and to secure the strongest possible. And the publisher will want to know how well positioned you are to do it. Instead, you write the proposal that describes what the book is about, why its interesting, and why it has an audience. Please consider the tone and style for which the book will be written. Its a perk of nonfiction that you can sell a book on proposal before sitting down to the write the whole shebang, and often receiving an advance will help fund research andor travel, making the book. Ive read various places now i cant remember where, of course that you shouldnt use this chapter explains or this chapter will cover etc. Book proposals are used to sell nonfiction books to publishers. If its a narrative book like a memoir, it could be a compelling paragraph from your book but only use it once in your proposal. Advice that i find myself giving out again and again as an agent is guidance on how to write a nonfiction book proposal. That was a two book deal, admittedly, so you can divide the numbers by two to get a per book amount. I have been a published author for years novels, memoirs, but a book proposal my first for a nonfiction project is giving me fits. How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary. How to write a chapter synopsis for your book proposal.