Your stop for nonfiction and fiction book proposal success.
Nonfiction or Fiction:
Why Write A Book Proposal?
By Lori Lisi
Many authors dread the thought of writing a book proposal, but it can be the difference between success or failure. Let's examine a few factors that influence this issue:
1. The average promotional effort of a publisher for a first-time author is only six months. That's right. Six months. So, if an author doesn't plan in advance to tip the scales, it's understandable why many books don't earn out their advances and many first-time books are off the shelves in less than a few months.
2. Of those six months, only the last three months are directed at publicity toward readers. The first three months are generally aimed at prepublication "placement" contacts, such as booksellers and distributors. So, in essence, an author may have spent a year or two writing a book and another year or so finding an agent and a publisher, only to find (too late) that the book will only be publicized to potential readers for about three months.
3. To offset this, it's crucial to have an author platform. The creation of an author platform basically builds up the audience for a book, which should begin before an author approaches an agent or publisher. By writing a book proposal, an author can begin planning the development of the platform immediately and charting promotional efforts during the time leading up to publication and beyond.
4. It is required for nonfiction books. No agent or publisher will consider a nonfiction book (at any stage) without one, but it's crucial for the proposal to outline the factors affecting the marketablity of the book and lay out a plan for the author to promote the book.
5. It can even be beneficial for fiction. Although it's not typically required by agents or publishers, it has become more of a common practice for novel writers. And, it makes a great deal of sense. This market is much tougher to break into than the nonfiction market. You need every edge you can get for your novel's longevity.
6. For self-publishers, it should be the business plan for your book. You wouldn't start a business without a plan, would you? Although any author should consider his or her publishing endeavor a business, a self-publisher is typically the sole decision-maker for the success of his or her book. And, the only person that can plan for the book to sell well.
No matter the direction you may be pointed in with a manuscript, every author needs a plan. A book proposal provides just that.
For more tips on books proposals, check out the Book Proposal Tips and Hints article.
Direct any requests for reprint rights of this article to the Contact Page.
Free Proposal Consultation or Sample Edit
After reading the articles (or even before, if you'd like), I'd be happy to provide you with a free initial consultation or provide a sample edit for a manuscript. To set up either, simply:
- Fill out the Contact Form to request a phone appointment (from Lori Lisi).
- Include the status of your manuscript and any submission materials.
- Include several possible time frames to set up a phone appointment.
- If you have a draft of your proposal and/or the first two chapters of your manuscript, please upload that into the form as well.
You will be contacted within 24 to 72 hours. This will allow me the time to review the materials and information you might send before we set up the phone appointment. Please be sure to include times you might be available to set up the appointment.
I'll look forward to speaking with you!
Book Proposal Services
If you prefer that I write the book proposal for you, please review the Writing service.
If you would like to write the book proposal yourself and primarily want guidance for doing so, please review the Coaching service.
If you already have a book proposal and would like a critique of it, please review the Critiquing service.
Manuscript Services
If you would like general feedback regarding your manuscript, please check out the Book Critique service.
If your manuscript would be better served by an edit, check out the Book Editing service.
If you are uncertain as to the type of assistance your manuscript might need, simply request a Free Sample Edit for an initial assessment of the editing level that might be needed.
Literary Agents and Query Letters Services
Do you have your manuscript and/or book proposal ready and need to know what to do next? We research literary agents and write query letters specific to your project. See our Literary Agents Research and Query Letters services.
Find Literary Agents and Book Publishers at BookExpo America
Have you written a novel and want to appeal directly to a publisher? Or do you have a nonfiction book or proposal that you want a publisher to see?
Or do you have the book already published and are looking for media contacts? Ask us about BookExpo America Representation. It's the largest trade show for the publishing industry in the United States.
Over 2000 publishers are typically present. Next date is May 29 in Los Angeles.
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